Mainland Malaysia & Singapore
This two-week sample itinerary takes you from the modern delights of Singapore up through peninsular Malaysia. Here you spend time in the colourful colonial city of Malacca and the lively markets of Kuala Lumpur before travelling deep into the rainforest at Taman Negara National Park. Depending on the season you will then either head for the glorious idyllic beaches of the Perhentian Islands (South East Asia’s best kept secret) or via the Cameron Highlands and Penang to the renowned beach resorts of Langkawi. Culture, historic and modern cities, nature and wildlife and plenty of time snorkelling and swimming in the South China Sea – the perfect ingredients for a family holiday!
Highlights
Spot wildlife in Taman Negara
Cycle around Kuala Lumpur
Explore ancient streets in Malacca
Shop in Singapore’s Orchard Road
Visit spice plantations in Penang
Snorkel at Langkawi or Perhentian
15 days from £2,500 pp
Plus internal and international flights
International flights from £800
A two-week holiday to mainland Malaysia with Singapore for a family of four (with kids under 12) usually costs from £10,000 plus internal and international flights
Mainland Malaysia & Singapore day-by-day itinerary
Day 1 Singapore
Welcome to Singapore – Lion City! On arrival you will be met and whisked along the highway to your downtown city hotel right in the heart of things on the famous Orchard Road. A great way to kick off your family holiday to the Malaysian Peninsula.
Welcome to Singapore – Lion City! On arrival you will be met and whisked along the highway to your downtown city hotel right in the heart of things on the famous Orchard Road. A great way to kick off your family holiday to the Malaysian Peninsula.
Day 2 Singapore
Start your Asian journey by being guided through the bustling streets of Civic District. Snap a selfie with the iconic Merlion statue, a mythological creature of half-fish and half-lion. Mix Buddhist-Taoist temples with the colourful streets of Chinatown where perhaps you can browse for some souvenirs and introduce the children to the concept of bartering. Then escape city life temporarily in the Botanical Gardens, home to more than 60,000 orchids. There are plenty of other activities to enjoy here – from the wild water rides on Sentosa Island to enjoying perhaps a more refined Singapore Sling cocktail at the famous Raffles Hotel.
Day 3 Malacca
Cross the border into Malaysia and continue on to Malacca, one of Malaysia’s most colourful and interesting cities. A fascinating mix of heritage and cultures, Malacca is a surprising yet magical start to a family holiday in Malaysia. Visit St. Peter’s Church, as well as the 17th century Chinese cemetery, the Sultan’s Well and the Portuguese Settlement. The salmon pink Red Square belies Malacca’s Dutch heritage and the Cheng Hoon Teng Temple is the only temple where you can find three major doctrines of local Chinese belief under the same roof: Taoism, Buddhism and Confucianism. Now that will impress the RE teacher back at school.
Day 4 Kuala Lumpur
Continue your journey to Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia. Enjoy an exciting evening food tour– simply the best way to get those fussy eaters to try exotic delights they wouldn’t dream of attempting at home. Being a rich melting pot of cultural diversity, Malaysia is renowned for its sumptuous array of gastronomic offerings, both local and international. Sink your teeth into local delicacies, such as the famous assam laksa, rojak, cendol, chee cheong fun and many more. Also, don’t miss the hawker food while you’re here!
Day 5 Kuala Lumpur
Time to hop on two wheels on a fascinating biking tour of the city. From the base of the Petronas Twin Towers to the fruit and vegetable market in Chow Kit as well as the Sin Sze Ya temple, this route is a great way to get slightly glazed-eyed children interested in city culture.
Read More Days 6-7 Taman Negara National Park The next day follow the river and hike up Terasek Hill for a panoramic view of Gunung Tahan. You will then take a walk along the canopy walkway and enjoy the magnificent forest canopies from 40m above the ground. Keep your camera handy, as the views are gorgeous – but be sure to keep the wrist strap on! After lunch at a floating restaurant, you will visit the Orang Asli village. “Orang Asli”, the local natives, are gentle folk who lead a nomadic lifestyle with settlements found along the trails, which are usually only accessible by boat. They will demonstrate how to use a blowpipe to hunt animal as well as make a fire from scratch – fun and educational for all ages. You will then return to your lodge by longboat. Day 8 Kota Bharu Day 9 Kota Bharu – Perhentian Islands (Breakfast) Days 10-14 Perhentian Islands (Breakfast) Day 15 Perhentian Islands – Kota Bharu (Breakfast)
Off to the jungle! Transfer inland and hop on a longboat through the lush green jungle – the perfect way to rekindle that old Indiana Jones explorer spirit. Arrive at Taman Negara National Park and check into your rustic chalet accommodation for the night. After dinner, head off on a nocturnal jungle walking safari. The jungle comes alive at night so you will be able to familiarise yourself with the huge variety of nocturnal plants and insects and savour a chance to spot animals up close at the Observation Hide. The cacophony is louder than a school playground….
Transfer to Kota Bharu on the north-east coast near the Thai border. Visit the city’s most famous sights and try the local food from the hawker stalls. The food here is different from the other local cuisine in peninsula Malaysia because Kelantan is closely influenced by the Thai culture. Another interesting fact is that the Kelantanese use a lot of coconut milk in their menu more than any other food in Malaysia. The colours and smells from the central market have to be seen (and smelt!) to be believed…
Today, you will transfer to the Kuala Besut Jetty and catch the water taxi to the idyllic Perhentian Islands. Spend the rest of the day relaxing on the beach on Perhentia Kecil.
Free and easy on the Perhentian Islands. You can enjoy the hotel spa, some superb snorkeling, a sunset cruise, go island hopping or hike up through the rainforest for some mesmerising views of the South China Sea.
Transfer to Kuala Besut Jetty and subsequently to Kota Bharu airport to catch your flight home (via Kuala Lumpur). Or continue north into Thailand perhaps.
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