The Contrasts of Malaysia

Day 1   Fly to Malaysia

Depart the UK on your overnight flight to Malaysia.

Days 2 & 3 Malacca

You’ll be met in Kuala Lumpur for the drive you to Malacca, a colourful UNESCO World Heritage site. After an evening to recover from the flight, you’ll have a full day to explore. You’ll enjoy a morning bike ride through scenic countryside tailored to your ability. Whiz past rubber plantations and watch Malay village life. Spend the remainder of your time in Malacca exploring this cultural melting pot at your leisure: marvel at the Dutch, Indian, British and Portuguese legacies that permeate the architecture and street life of the vibrant historic centre.

Days 4 & 5 Kuala Lumpur

 You’ll transfer to Kuala Lumpur for a two-night stay. During your stay in this incredible city, you’ll take in the sweeping contemporary buildings, colonial charm and age-old mosques and religious centres. There will be a fascinating and comprehensive guided tour of some well-known and unexpected highlights: the morning market, the old centre, the grand old Indian mosque, the colonial centre and of course, Chinatown. Leave plenty of time for sampling Malay, Chinese and Indian culinary specialities - there is no shortage of fabulous food here.

Days 6 & 7 Penang

 Transfer to the airport for the short flight to Penang, a thriving hub for culture, art, architecture and food. The Evening Street Food tour is a real highlight: an al fresco dining experience under the stars in the balmy evening among locals and visitors and a trip to the market for a run-down on the best snacks and dishes Penang has to offer. Early on Day 7, embark on a half-day “Dim Sum and Street Art” adventure in Georgetown before visiting the Chow Rasta morning Wet Market and marvelling at the interactive street art murals commissioned by the city.

Days 8 & 9 Kuching

Depart Peninsular Malaysia on a direct flight to Kuching in Malaysian Borneo’s Sarawak state. On arrival, your guide and driver will transfer you to your hotel for a two-night stay.  Explore Kuching itself and taking a thrilling trip to Bako National Park, with a stop at a quintessential Malaysian fishing village on the way. Complete the journey to Bako National Park by boat. Right at the top of the Muara Tebas Peninsula, this large and verdant forest area is home to fascinating carnivorous plant life and cheeky (yet elusive) proboscis monkeys.

Days 10 & 11 Mulu National Park

It's a short flight from Kuching to Mulu, and within minutes you’ll be in your resort near the Mulu National Park headquarters. Highlights of a visit here include a sensational Tree Top Walk, beautiful Nature Heritage Trails, Pukau Waterfall, and of course, the caves. Wait for the thrill of seeing thousands of bats emerge from the caves at dusk, and experience nocturnal life in the forest by torchlight in the evening. Day 11 is a day for detailed cave exploration, with the two most famous caves, Wind Cave and Clearwater Cave, at the top of the list.

Day 12-14 Sepilok & Kinabatangan

Today you’ll fly to Sandakan to begin your adventures in Borneo’s rainforest.  

Over three days you’ll explore Kabili-Sepilok Forest, renowned for its orchids, ancient trees, and of course, it's orangutan community before heading to the Kinabatangan River where you’ll pass mangroves, wetlands and lush rainforests with plenty of opportunities for wildlife spotting. Your stay is split between two lodges, both of which have boardwalks extending into the jungle interiors, offering a way to explore this fantastic part of the world with ease.

You’ll enjoy guided nature walks, a river-boat cruise to Pitas oxbow lake to look out for pygmy elephants and a lunch prepared by local Abai villagers.

Days 15-18 Gaya Island

Head back to Kota Kinabalu and take a short speedboat to glorious Gaya Island for a refreshing four-night stay. Your time here is to free to spend at your leisure: spot sea turtles and spectacular coral on snorkelling expeditions, wander with a guide through the rainforest, take a cooking course, soak up the sun or indulge in a spa treatment.

Day 19 Transfer Home

Today you take the speedboat back to Kota Kinabalu for your flight back to the UK.