Borneo
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 lively markets of Kuala Lumpur before travelling to the vibrant island of Penang, packed with culture, old-world charm and incredible street food. 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 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
Venture into central Kuala Lumpur
Spot wildlife at the huge Batu Caves
See ancient houses in George Town
Explore Penang National Park
Taste local cuisine and spices
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, Kuala Lumpur
Welcome to Malaysia! Kuala Lumpur is a wonderful city, a complex blend of old and new with futuristic sky scrapers soaring above traditional temples, colourful mosques, lively street markets and beautiful parks.
Day 2, Kuala Lumpur
Start your Asian journey by being guided through the bustling streets of Kuala Lumpur on foot. Explore the most fascinating centuries-old buildings including mosques, markets, temples and Chinatown – perhaps stop for a delicious bowl of noodles or dumplings in a small eatery. You’ll also venture outside the city to Batu Cave, a huge limestone cavern in the hillside. Climb up the multi-coloured steps (dodging monkeys as you go) into the cave and join pilgrims paying their respects.
Later, visit the Petronas Towers. Whizz up to the 41st floor and cross over from one tower to the other on the floating Skybridge. You then carry on higher up, to the 86th floor where there is an observation deck and truly breath-taking views out over the city skyline.
Day 3, Kuala Lumpur
A free day to further explore Kuala Lumpur on your own. Perhaps visit the botanical gardens, which are home to the world’s largest aviary, or wander around the old colonial centre. Like any big city, Kuala Lumpur’s skyline at night is beautiful. This evening perhaps check out one of the many fabulous rooftop bars at the top of a skyscraper.
Day 4, Penang
One of our favourite things to include on a family holiday is a train journey, and today you’ll hop on board to continue north to the town of Butterworth before taking a ferry to the island of Penang. This colourful island is a melting pot of traditions, blending Malay, Chinese, Indian and colonial influences. The capital George Town is UNESCO listed and packed with quirky street art and some of the best street food in Asia. Walk into town this evening and soak up the lively atmosphere before enjoying dinner at a pavement restaurant or in Chulia Street night market.
Day 5, Penang
Today you will enjoy a full day city tour, starting in the capital, George Town. Stroll past colonial buildings, vibrant street art and grand temples. You will also explore the Clan Jetties, the traditional Chinese waterfront settlements that are built on stilts. Soak up the multicultural vibe with visits to mosques, clan houses and the buzzing Little India.
After lunch, continue on to the unique and colourful Baba Nyonya Museum – a real trove of ancient treasures – and the Reclining Buddha.
Read More Day 6, Penang Day 7, Penang Day 8, Beach Days 9-11, Beach Day 12, Singapore Day 13, Singapore Day 14, Singapore
Spend the day enjoying Penang National Park, a lush pocket of jungle sitting in the little-visited northwest tip of the island. The park is a bit of a hidden gem, attracting a fraction of the visitors who visit Penang, and all the more beautiful because of it. Take a quiet trail through the park, up and over the spine of hills that run across the centre. Stop along the way to learn about the flora and fauna before arriving at Turtle Beach. Here you can wander amongst the rock pools on the beach before taking a boat around to the northern shore to Monkey Beach. There is a beautiful crescent of sand with a small open-air restaurant where you can enjoy a delicious local lunch before spending the afternoon relaxing… You may even be lucky enough to spot dolphins!
Another full day to enjoy Penang – there are lots of options for things to do. Browse around the spice garden or botanical gardens, take the funicular up Penang Hill, head to the historic, visit the butterfly farm and indulge in more street food.
It’s time to head to the beach! Depending on the time of year we will either suggest an east coast or a west coast beach. This could be the idyllic Perhentian Islands or the renowned (and very beautiful) beaches of Langkawi.
Three full days relaxing and making the most of your gorgeous island stay. Perhaps rent some sea kayaks and take to the water, discover a local fishing village and indulge in some fresh seafood, spend the day snorkelling, and maybe catch a dance a fire show at one of the beaches in the evening. The spectacular views mean there are photo opportunities galore… And no filter required!
Return to the mainland today and fly to Singapore, where the rest of the day is free. Immerse yourselves in the heart of ‘Lion City’ and start to discover downtown and the famous Orchard Road.
A full day to discover this iconic city independently. 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.
It’s time for your holiday to come to an end, so today you’ll return to the airport to catch your flight home. If you have more time, why not connect on to Thailand, or even Borneo?!
Borneo in pictures
Why choose us?
- Unparalleled family travel experience
- Specialist knowledge across six continents
- Hand-picked local partners
- Every holiday is tailor-made for you
- 100% financial protection
- 24hr emergency contact number
100% Financial
Protection
We are members of the Travel Trust Association, a trade association of Travel Agents, Tour Operators and Travel Organisers that operate trust accounts in order to provide financial protection for the consumer. Membership number Q0176.
Our ATOL number is T7608.