Highlights of Malaysia - 10 Days

Singapore - Johor Bahru (Malaysia) - Malacca. Our tour begins in the city state of Singapore. You will be collected from your independently booked hotel between 8:00 and 8:15. Crossing the border into Malaysia, we stop first at Johor Bahru where we change vehicle. We then pass through traditional Malay and Chinese villages to Malacca, a coastal city on the Strait of Malacca, which divides Malaysia from Sumatra.

There's time for you to find some lunch before we tour Malacca, taking in highlights of the historic city including Cheng Hoon Teng Temple, the oldest functioning Chinese Temple in Malaysia. We also see the Kapitan Kling Mosque, wander down the city's main thoroughfare, Jonker's Street (Antique Row) and see the Baba and Nyonya Museum, plus lots more. Our first night in Malaysia is at leisure in Malacca.

Estimated driving time & distance: 4 hours / 260 kilometres.

Malacca - Kuala Lumpur. Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before we depart for the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur. We'll enjoy some more of the surrounding countryside en route, stopping to take photos and wander through local villages. After free time for lunch, we arrive in KL for a city tour.

We'll take in the grand King's Palace, Istana Negara, with its golden dome and we'll also see the National Mosque and Independence Square. Admire the Moorish architecture of the Sultan Abdul Samad Building and pass The Royal Selangor Club, St. Mary's Church and the world's tallest free-standing Flag Pole. We also head through Chinatown before our tour ends, and you've got a free wvening to head out and explore the city further.

Estimated driving time & distance: 2.5 hours / 150 kilometres.

Kuala Lumpur - Kuala Selangor - Kuala Lumpur. You've got a free morning to lie in, or maybe go and check out the iconic Petronas Towers, the world's tallest twin skyscrapers.

At around 15:30, we'll reconvene as a group for the 90-minute drive to Kuala Selangor, which is an entirely different world to Kuala Lumpur. This rural town is known for its fishing and farming industries, whilst rubber and palm oil are also big business. We visit a Chinese fishing village and tuck into a seafood dinner (optional, not included). The highlight of our visit comes after dark, when millions and millions of fireflies emerge into the open. We head onto the river and row upstream away from the town, where we can really enjoy this natural spectacle amongst the mangroves.

We head back to Kuala Lumpur for the night, arriving back at the hotel at around 23:00.

Estimated driving time & distance: 1.5 hours / 65 kilometres.

Kuala Lumpur - Cameron Highlands. At 8:30, we're leaving KL behind and heading into the Cameron Highlands, a highland plateau in west-central West Malaysia, known for its tea plantations, fruit and vegetable farms, and cooler climate. Our first stop is the Batu Caves, a popular tourist attraction and Hindu place of worship.

We also make a stop at the cascading Iskandar Waterfall before reaching our hotel. The rest of the day is free to head out and explore the area.

Estimated driving time & distance: 3 hours / 210 kilometres.

Cameron Highlands - George Town. At 9:00, we depart for a day of exploring the Cameron Highlands. We'll visit a tea plantation (closed on Mondays), tea factory and vegetable farm, and can also shop for souvenirs and fresh produce in the market square. After a day spent exploring the rural side of Malaysia, we head to the capital of Penang state, George Town. We'll make a few stops enroute, including at the Sam Poh Tong Cave Temple in Ipoh, the Ubudiah Mosque and Iskandariah Palace in Kuala Kangsar. We'll cross one of the world's longest bridges to reach Penang, before arriving at the hotel. The evening is at leisure.

Estimated driving time & distance: 3 hours 45 minutes / 247 kilometres.

Today we embark on a half-day tour of George Town. Highlights of our tour include the world’s 4th longest statue of the Reclining Buddha, Wat Chayamangkalaram as well as the Dhammikarama Temple, located opposite. We drive past the Street of Harmony, home of Saint George’s Anglican Church and Kuan Yin – Goddess of Mercy Temple, Sri Mariamman Temple and Masjid Kapitan Keling. Stop to explore the highly ornate clan house of Khoo Kongsi, followed by a visit to a local coffee shop. Finally, a brief photo stop at Fort Cornwallis. After our sightseeing tour, the rest of the day is free to continue exploring Penang at your own pace.

George Town - Kota Bharu. We are crossing the whole of Malaysia today, as we leave Penang for the town of Kota Bharu. This resort town is located on the east coast, near the border with Thailand.

It's a scenic drive, as we pass great swathes of ancient rainforest. If we are lucky, we may spot elephants on the drive - the traffic will grind to a halt to allow these gentle giants to cross the road between tracts of forest. We'll arrive in Kota Bharu in the early evening.

Estimated driving time & distance: 5.5 hours / 342 kilometres.

Kota Bharu - Kuala Terengganu. This morning, we enjoy a short orientation tour around Kota Bharu. We'll visit the wet market, where most of the traders are women, a unique cultural aspect of Kelantan State. You can shop for traditional batik clothing here, and taste local sweet cakes and other delicacies.

Later, we head to Kuala Terengganu, stopping en route at Pulau Rusa. Traditional fishing boats are built here, using methods that have been passed down for centuries. Before we reach the hotel, we drive through Chinatown and see the Maziah Palace and State Mosque. The evening is at leisure.

Estimated driving time & distance: 3 hours / 167 kilometres.

Kuala Terengganu - Cherating. At 9:00 we head for the resort town of Cherating, a great place to experience traditional Malay life. Watch the locals braiding pandan leaves into useful items such as mats and bags. We'll also visit a turtle sanctuary. This part of Malaysia is home to Olive-Ridley, Leatherback, Green, and Hawksbill turtles, and the centre works to protect the eggs of these species as they come ashore to lay them. The onsite hatchery ensures as many baby turtles as possible make it to the sea, helping to conserve these amazing creatures. The rest of your day in Cherating is at leisure in Cherating or further down the coast in Kuantan, where we are spending the night - maybe you could enjoy a few hours at the beach?

Estimated driving time & distance: 2.5 hours / 218 kilometres.

Cherating - Kuala Lumpur. After breakfast and check out, we're heading back to the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur. You'll be dropped in the city centre at a hotel of your choosing, and can continue your journey independently. We can also arrange a transfer back to Singapore if you prefer, for a surcharge. Safe travels!

Estimated driving time & distance (to Kuala Lumpur): 3 hours / 260 kilometres.