Malaysia, Borneo & Singapore Family Adventure - 12 Days

Welcome to Malaysia and Selamat Datang! Your family adventure begins in Kuala Lumpur, a city celebrated for its mix of cultures, vibrant neighbourhoods and outstanding street food. After checking in to your hotel, you have the afternoon free to unwind and recover from the flight, or explore the surrounding area at your own pace.

At 5:00 PM, we meet our tour leader and the rest of the group for a welcome briefing. This short session covers key safety information and gives you a clear idea of what to expect in the days ahead.

We then enjoy our first dinner together, a relaxed introduction to Malaysian cuisine and a great opportunity to get to know your fellow travellers. Your tour leader will guide you through a few local favourites, from satay served with a rich peanut sauce to aromatic coconut rice and spicy sambal. It is the perfect first taste of Malaysia's remarkable food culture.

Kuala Lumpur - Sandakan - Sepilok. After breakfast at the hotel, we leave the city behind and head east to Malaysian Borneo. Transfer to the airport for your included flight to Sandakan, where dense rainforest and a very different side of the country awaits.

On arrival, we travel to Sepilok and check in to our resort. Set beside a protected forest reserve and surrounded by lush greenery, this peaceful location is ideal for the whole family to slow down and reconnect with nature. You may choose to relax, cool off in the pool overlooking the rainforest, or stretch your legs along the resort’s 1,500-foot boardwalk that winds through the trees.

In the early evening, we visit the Flying Squirrel Platform. If conditions are right, you may see these remarkable animals leap and glide between trees at dusk, an unforgettable sight as the forest transitions into night.

After dinner, join a guided night walk along the nearby nature trails. As darkness falls, the rainforest becomes especially active, offering the chance to spot nocturnal wildlife such as tarsiers, civets and the elusive slow loris. It is a memorable introduction to Borneo’s rich wildlife and a highlight for curious travellers of all ages.

Sepilok - Kota Kinabatangan. Rise and shine - today is a full day of wildlife encounters. We begin with a visit to the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, where we learn about the conservation of these endangered primates. During feeding time, you can watch orangutans swinging through the trees, climbing ropes and gathering for their fruit, a memorable and educational experience for all ages.

We then continue to the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre to meet the world’s smallest bear species. Despite their size, sun bears are full of character, and we learn about the important work being done to protect them and restore their natural habitats.

From here, we travel to Sim Sim Jetty and board a boat for a scenic journey through mangrove-lined waterways to our lodge in the Kinabatangan region. This boat ride offers a first glimpse of Borneo’s rich river ecosystem as we travel deeper into the wilderness.

After lunch and checking in, we head out again for an afternoon wildlife cruise along the Kinabatangan River. This area is renowned for its biodiversity, and you may spot proboscis monkeys, long-tailed macaques, hornbills and possibly even a crocodile resting along the riverbanks.

As evening approaches, we return to the river to enjoy the magical sight of fireflies illuminating the trees along the water’s edge. After dinner, you can join a guided night walk along the boardwalk, using a torch to search for nocturnal wildlife and round off an unforgettable day in the heart of Borneo.

We start the day with a gentle boat ride to Pitas Oxbow Lake, an ideal time to experience the rainforest as it slowly comes to life around us. The still waters and early morning light offer a peaceful setting to take in the sounds and movement of the jungle. We then enjoy a jungle-style breakfast served on a viewing platform, a memorable way to begin the day surrounded by nature.

Next, we visit Abai Village to gain an insight into daily life along the river and meet members of the local community. We are welcomed into a family home for a home-cooked lunch, offering an authentic taste of village hospitality and local flavours.

In the afternoon, we return to the river for another wildlife cruise, with fresh opportunities to spot animals along the riverbanks. The Kinabatangan is constantly changing, and each journey reveals something new. We end the day with dinner back at the lodge, reflecting on another rewarding day in the heart of Borneo.

Kota Kinabatangan - Sandakan - Kuala Lumpur. It may be your final morning in the rainforest, but there is still time for one last wildlife experience. We begin with an early boat cruise to Oxbow Lake, a calm and unhurried way to enjoy the sights and sounds of the jungle as it comes to life.

After a final breakfast served on the viewing platform, we say farewell to the Kinabatangan and travel by boat back to Sandakan. Before heading to the airport, we enjoy lunch together and take time to reflect on the many memorable moments from our time in the rainforest.

We then board our flight back to Kuala Lumpur. On arrival, we transfer to our hotel in the city, giving you the rest of the day free to relax and recharge before the next stage of your Malaysian adventure.

Kuala Lumpur - Cameron Highlands. After breakfast, we check out and set off to explore some of Kuala Lumpur’s most recognisable landmarks. Our first stop is the Petronas Twin Towers, the world’s tallest twin towers and an essential backdrop for a family photo.

We then visit the National Mosque, an impressive example of modern Islamic architecture, before continuing to the Batu Caves. Guarded by a towering golden statue and reached via a rainbow of steps, these limestone caves are among Malaysia’s most striking and culturally significant temples.

In the afternoon, we leave the city behind and travel north into the highlands. The journey to the Cameron Highlands takes us through scenic countryside, gradually climbing into cooler temperatures. On arrival, we check in to our accommodation and settle into the calm surroundings of Malaysia’s famous tea-growing region.

We trade city skylines for rolling hills and misty mountain scenery as we set out on a jeep tour through the Cameron Highlands. Our first stop is the BOH Tea Plantation, the largest tea producer in Malaysia. Here, we enjoy sweeping views across the neatly lined tea fields and learn about the production process behind one of the country’s most famous exports.

We then continue to the Mossy Forest, where gnarled trees and hanging moss create a cool, atmospheric landscape unlike anywhere else in Malaysia. This unique environment is one of the region’s highlights and offers excellent photo opportunities.

Our journey continues with a stop at Kea Farm, followed by a visit to Sky Farm in the Bertam Valley. At Sky Farm, we take part in a hands-on experience, learning about hydroponic farming through vegetable planting and harvesting, an engaging activity for the whole family. In the late afternoon, we return to the hotel. The rest of the evening is free for you to relax, explore the surrounding area or sample some of the Cameron Highlands’ local food.

Cameron Highlands - Ipoh. This morning, we leave the cool hills of the Cameron Highlands behind and travel to Ipoh. On arrival, we take time to stretch our legs and enjoy lunch. There are plenty of local options to choose from, from tender chicken rice to Ipoh’s much-loved flaky egg tarts.

In the afternoon, we begin exploring with a visit to the Kek Lok Si Cave Temple. Set within a limestone hill, this impressive temple complex features statues carved directly into the rock and is one of the largest cave temples in Southeast Asia, blending Mahayana Buddhist traditions with Chinese cultural practices. We then continue to Concubine Lane, a narrow historic alley filled with small shops and local crafts, before visiting Ipoh’s mural street where vibrant artwork brings the city’s walls to life.

We round off the day with some local food hunting before checking in to our hotel. The evening is free for you to relax, or head back out and discover more of Ipoh at your own pace.

Ipoh - Penang. We pack up and continue our journey to Penang, where history, culture and outstanding food come together. The drive takes around two hours and offers a relaxed transition between destinations.

On arrival, we visit Kek Lok Si Temple, a striking hillside complex and one of the largest Buddhist temples in Southeast Asia. Known for its impressive pagodas and its blend of Chinese, Thai and Burmese architectural influences, the temple is explored via an inclined lift that takes us up through the grounds and rewards us with wide-reaching views.

We then head to Penang Hill, where a funicular train carries us to the summit for panoramic views across George Town and the surrounding coastline. Later in the afternoon, we check in to our hotel. The remainder of the day is free for you to begin exploring Penang at your own pace, whether that means wandering the streets, sampling local food or simply relaxing after the journey.

We set out to explore Penang’s rich cultural mix, with a morning dedicated to discovering how many traditions and communities coexist on this small island.

We begin with a visit to the Dhammikarama Burmese Temple, known for its detailed carvings and golden features, before crossing the street to Wat Chayamangkalaram. This Thai temple is home to an impressive 33-metre-long reclining Buddha, one of the largest of its kind in Southeast Asia.

We then travel into George Town to explore Armenian Street, where vibrant street murals bring local stories and everyday life to the walls. From here, we visit Chew Jetty, a historic waterfront settlement built on stilts, before finishing in Little India, a lively neighbourhood filled with colour, music and enticing aromas.

We return to the hotel in the early afternoon. The remainder of the day is free for you to relax, enjoy a snack or fit in some final exploring around Penang at your own pace.

Penang - Singapore. This morning, we say farewell to Malaysia and fly to Singapore. On arrival, we use the MRT to travel into the city, stopping at the hotel to drop off our bags and settle in.

In the evening, we dive straight into Singapore’s food scene with dinner at the iconic Lau Pa Sat hawker centre. This lively spot is famous for its sizzling satay and wide range of local favourites, making it a great introduction to the city’s street food culture.

After dinner, our tour leader leads a guided walking tour through some of Singapore’s most recognisable sights. We explore Marina Bay, pass through the historic Civic District and stop at Merlion Park, home to the city’s most famous symbol. We finish the evening with a double light show experience, watching the Spectra show illuminate the bay before heading to Gardens by the Bay for the Garden Rhapsody, where towering trees glow and come alive with music. It is a memorable first night in Singapore.

Today marks the end of your adventure, but if you are not quite ready to say goodbye, there is one final optional experience to enjoy. You can join a guided walking tour* through three of Singapore’s most distinctive cultural neighbourhoods - Chinatown, Little India and Kampong Gelam. Along the way, you will take in the sights, sounds and stories of each area, pick up local insights from your guide and capture some final photos to remember the journey.

No transfer is included, so make your own way to the airport or your next destination.