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What you can expect

Visit the iconic Petronas Towers

Witness the impressive Batu Caves

See Orangutans and Sun Bears on Borneo

Explore Cameron Highlands and one of the largest tea plantations in South East Asia

About the trip

Join us as we head to Malaysia, probably a more lesser known member of the Commonwealth and former member of the British Empire than the other South East Asian Colonies, yet Malaysia is steeped in culture and history. Kuala Lumpur is a fine example of where modern sky scrapers stand along side the traditional temples and ways of life. Malaysia combines the bustling city of Kuala Lumpur with the calming beauty of the tea region that is, Cameron Highlands. In the north west, Penang and its main settlement of George Town was founded in 1786 by Francis Light of the British East India Company. Fort Cornwallis was constructed and it was made a free port, attracting settlers from China and India. On Borneo, the third largest island in the world, it is hard not to admire and take in the natural beauty of the mountainous terrain and the rainforest. Borneo is a host to a vast number of different wildlife and plant species, most famously the orangutans, which we will witness swinging through ancient rainforest. Our tour ends in the coastal city of Koto Kinabalu which is partly surrounded by rainforest. It’s known for its bustling markets, modern boardwalk, beaches and waterfront.

What's Included

  • Return flights & transfers
  • Internal flights from Penang to Kula Lumpur, onwards to Sandakan in Borneo
  • Internal flight from Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu while in Borneo
  • Airport taxes & charges
  • Twin or double room for single use with private facilities
  • Solos board - Breakfast daily, two lunches and five dinners
  • Meet the indigenous Orang Asli people
  • Tour of Kuala Lumper with a visit to the Petronas Towers
  • Explore Cameron Highlands, including the Batu Caves, Sungai Palas Tea Plantation and Mossy Forest
  • Tour of Georgetown with Trishaw Ride
  • Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and Boneo Sun Bear Conservation Centre
  • River cruises along the Kinabatangan River to hopefully see wildlife
  • Accompanying Solos Tour Leader
  • Fully financially protected

Itinerary

  • Overnight connecting flight from the UK to Malaysia
  • Arrive in to Kuala Lumpur
  • Visit the The Orang Asli village and tour of Kuala Lumpur
  • Kuala Lumper to Cameron Highlands
  • Cameron Highlands
  • Cameron Highlands, Kuala Kangsar and on to Penang
  • Georgetown, Penang
  • Flight from Penang to Sandakan
  • Orangutan Centre and Sun Bear Conservation
  • River cruise on Kinabatangan river
  • Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu
  • Kota Kinabalu
  • Return home
Extras
  • National Tourism Tax, MYR 10 per room per night to be paid at the hotel directly.
  • Penang Tourism Tax, MYR 3 per room per night to be paid at the hotel directly.
  • Pahang Sustainability Tourism Tax, MYR 3 per room per night to be paid at the hotel directly.
  • Insurance click here

What you'll be doing

DAY 1

Overnight flight

Today we depart the UK for an overnight flight to Kuala Lumpur.
DAY 2

Arrive in to Kuala Lumpur

We arrive in to Kuala Lumpur and transfer to the hotel. This evening we visit the bustling night markets of Chinatown. We will stroll through the open-air market and we can test our bargaining skills for a wide variety of merchandises spread out across the street. Stop at the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple located in the heart of Chinatown. As we explore the temple, the smell of burning jasmine, the incessant chanting of the Hindu priest, intricately carved deities and the mystical aura combines to form a lasting impression of this religion. Afterwards, we will enjoy a welcome dinner to get to know our fellow travellers.
  • Dinner included.
DAY 3

Visit the The Orang Asli village and tour of Kuala Lumpur

After breakfast, we will meet the guide for our visit to meet the indigenous people of the The Orang Asli. We will be greeted by the local representative at the museum, which we will visit. The Orang Asli Museum is located nearby the village that showcases the history and tradition of the indigenous people. After the visit, we will head to the community and meet the villagers. We will be shown how to cook in a bamboo and meet a local lady who will show us how to weave various handicrafts. We will then continue on to Kuala Lumpur. When we think of Kuala Lumpur, what comes to mind are the Twin Towers, modern high-rise skyscrapers and the busy modern streets, but we will start our tour at a typical Malay village. We will stroll down the streets where there is Malaysian style food stalls and marvel at the contrast of traditional small Malay houses against the backdrop of the famous twin towers and huge skyscrapers. We will then stroll along the river bank and you can see the confluence of two rivers which are Klang River and Gombak River that gave to the name of Kuala Lumpur. When visiting Kuala Lumpur, there is only one attraction that we definitely can’t miss, and it’s the iconic Petronas Twin Towers. Standing at an incredible height of 451.9 meters, the 88-storey Petronas Twin Towers are the number one architectural landmark of Kuala Lumpur and remain the world’s tallest twin structures up till today. We will take the high speed lift up to level 86 for a breath taking view over the city. Further to that, we will step onto the sky bridge on 41st and 42nd level, 170m above the ground.
  • Breakfast included.
DAY 4

Kuala Lumper to Cameron Highlands

Following breakfast this morning, we depart to the countryside. We visit Batu Caves, a huge limestone outcrop that houses some very ornate Hindu temples. Batu Caves is a popular place of worship for the Hindus and each year during their celebration of Thaipusam hundreds of thousands of Hindu will throng the temple. After which, we proceed to Cameron Highlands, which is 1542 meters above sea level. En-route to Cameron Highlands, we will view the Lata Iskandar Waterfall. We will then head to Tanah Rata and stop at The Lakehouse for afternoon tea with scones served with strawberry jam and cream.
  • Breakfast included.
DAY 5

Cameron Highlands

We begin the day with a short stop at the Sungai Palas Tea Plantation, which is one of the largest plantations in South East Asia before, driving up to the highest peak of Cameron Highlands, Mount Brinchang, which is 6666 feet above sea level. Here we will climb up the viewing tower where we will be amazed with the magnificent view of the surrounding area with fresh and cool air. We will have an interpretive trek into Mossy Forest that will reveal some of the exotic floras, such as carnivorous Pitcher Plant, wild Ginger, primitive Ferns and wild Orchids. Mossy Forest, also known as the cloudy forest, as it is usually enveloped in mist and gives you a feeling like you’re in a fairy tale. After a short drive down from the mountain we will take a visit to the oldest Tea Factory in Malaysia. Have a cup of tea at the ‘Ummph’ Tea Café (not included), where we will be fascinated by the wide range of tea offered with panoramic view of the plantation. Finally, our guide will lead us to the last stop of the tour today which is a Butterfly Farm. Here we will observe some beautiful species of butterflies including the renowned Raja Brooke and various kinds of insects and snakes.
  • Breakfast included.
DAY 6

Cameron Highlands, Kuala Kangsar and on to Penang

After breakfast this morning, we will depart Cameron Highlands and head to Penang. En route we will stop at Kuala Kangsar, an attractive royal town. The route passes the Ubudiah Mosque and the Iskandariah Palace (royal palace). The Ubudiah Mosque is reputed to be one of the most beautiful mosques in the country. We will then depart to Kampung Padang Changkat which is only a few minutes drive away. Today we will meet one of the few metal masters in Perak. He is a highly respected craftsman with good knowledge of history, origin and occult of the keris, which is a traditional straight or curvy-bladed dagger which is an important component of ceremonial dress in Malay culture. He will teach us about the making of keris and its spiritual meaning to the people, as it is believed that kerises possess magical power. After the visit, we will continue our journey towards Penang, crossing over to Penang, using the forth longest bridge in the Southeast Asia.
  • Breakfast included.
DAY 7

Georgetown with Trishaw ride

This morning, after breakfast, we will meet our guide and transfer by coach to view Fort Cornwallis. This is where Francis Light and the crew landed in 1786. After this, we will make our way to visit a joss stick maker where the local specialist will explain how to make a joss stick. We will also visit the Khoo Kongsi – a magnificent hall embellished with intricate carvings and wood work. From Khoo Kongsi, we will proceed for a trishaw ride. We will get to view the colonial buildings in Georgetown such as The City Hall, the Muntri Street and the Art Street. We have the afternoon at leisure before we head to dinner together this evening, enjoying Peranakan cuisine.
  • Breakfast and dinner included.
DAY 8

Flight from Penang to Sandakan

Today we head to Borneo, we fly from Penang Airport, to Kuala Lumper Airport and then on to Sandakan in Borneo. Upon arrival this afternoon, we will transfer to the hotel. This evening you have the optional tour of a Rainforest Guided Walk (please see optional tours below).
  • Breakfast included.
DAY 9

Orangutan Centre and Sun Bear Conservation

After breakfast this morning, we will then head to the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre. We will take a short walk through the rainforest on wooden boardwalks to witness the feeding of the orangutans and then we continue to the newly completed enclosed nursery area for young orangutans. Thereafter, we will then visit the Borneo Sun Bear Conservation Centre to learn about conservation of the world’s smallest bear. Please see important information for camera usage at Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre.  After our visits, we will transfer to Bilit Rainforest Resort, we will have dinner here and you’ll have the option to take an afternoon river cruise in search of wildlife and birds.
  • Breakfast and dinner included.
DAY 10

River cruise on Kinabatangan river

We will rise early this morning, and before breakfast we will embark on a morning river cruise to observe wildlife and experience the early morning river ambience along the longest river of Sabah. We will then, return to the lodge for a late breakfast. We have the rest of the day, free to enjoy the natural surroundings before in the late afternoon, we will proceed on another river cruise to search for wildlife. After the cruise of searching for wildlife, we will return to the lodge for dinner.
  • Breakfast and dinner included.
DAY 11

Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu

This morning we will have breakfast in the rainforest before heading to the airport for a flight to Kota Kinabalu. Kota Kinabalu is a coastal city partly surrounded by rainforest. It’s known for its bustling markets, modern boardwalk, beaches and waterfront. Here we will transfer to the Nexus Resort and Spa which is nestled on a white sandy beach amidst the tropical landscape. We will spend the rest of today and tomorrow at leisure, relaxing after a busy, but exciting number of days.
  • Breakfast included.
DAY 12

Kota Kinabalu

Today we have a day at leisure. We can relax using the hotels spa facilities, head to the beach and listen to the lapping waves on the shore or enjoy something more active such as kayaking, paddle boarding or jet skiing. There is also the option of joining a Coral Island Tour where we can spend the day on a tropical island with sandy beaches, translucent waters and coral gardens (great for snorkelling and scuba diving). Includes a BBQ lunch, this tour is at an extra cost and booked in resort. This evening we will get together for a dinner in resort where we can swap stories with our fellow travellers of highlights of the tour.
  • Breakfast and dinner included.
DAY 13

Transfer to the airport

We will have breakfast this morning and later today we will transfer to Kota Kinabalu airport for our flight back Kuala Lumper Airport before embarking on the final leg home back to the UK.
  • Breakfast included.
DAY 14

Flight home

Today we will arrive back into the UK.

Accommodation

1/1

Malaysia and Borneo accommodation:

Kuala Lumpur: Melia 4* – 2 nights Cameron Highlands: Strawberry Park Resort 4*- 2 nights Penang: Areca Hotel *boutique hotel* – 2 nights Sandakan: Sabah Hotel 3* – 1 night Sukau/Bilit: Bilit Rainforest Lodge – 2 nights Kota Kinabalu: Nexus Resort & Spa Karambunai 4* – 2 nights

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