Example Itinerary
Experience the best of Peninsular Malaysia on this 10-day journey to must-see destinations. Explore the bustling, modern city of Kuala Lumpur, home to diverse cultures, ethnicities and lifestyles. Enjoy crystal waters and white sand beaches, thick green jungles, cool highland tea plantations, unique landmarks, some of the world's best street foods, as well as traditional cultures thriving alongside modern times. Adventure and relaxation are yours as you embark on your journey through Peninsular Malaysia.
This itinerary is an example. It’s designed to inspire you and provide you with thoughtfully curated ideas. You can choose to do this exact itinerary or completely personalize it. All trips are 100% bespoke.Begin your journey in the colorful capital of Kuala Lumpur. You will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel to check in and freshen up. This afternoon, begin with a visit to the Batu Caves, one of the most popular Hindu shrines outside India. The series of caves are located at the top of a limestone hill, 272 stairs up. Return to the city and head to Petaling Street in Chinatown. This well-known shopping arcade turns into a vibrant night market in the evening with hundreds of cheap food and retail stalls. Sample an array of local favorite dishes, a fusion of Chinese, Malaysian, and Indian flavors. While here, pay a visit to Chan See Shu Yuen Temple, affectionately and appropriately referred to as “the Green Temple” for it’s vibrant decor.
Get a sense of Malaysia’s patriotism as you visit Merdeka Square or “Independence Square.” You will also see the Sultan Abdul Samad Building where the office of the Ministry of Information, Communications and Culture is located. See a traditional-style Malay neighborhood in Kampung Baru, an area that’s maintained it’s modest original build. Then, visit Royal Selangor's headquarters, and learn about this pewter manufacturer's roots and royal appointment. Here, have a hands-on experience of working with pewter; you can take your souvenir craft home. Round out your day with stops at the Petronas Towers and Sri Mahamariamman Temple, iconic sites.
Head for cooler climes as the British colonists did; a 3.5-hour drive takes you to the Cameron Highlands, a favorite getaway from the city and the heat. Here, you’ll check into the Cameron Highlands Resort which has been named one of the “five best tea plantation hotels in the world.” Take a private tour of the nearby Boh Tea Plantations’ grounds and facilities. Savor a cup of perfectly-made tea as you learn about the process of producing the popular beverage. That afternoon, enjoy a leisurely hike through the Highland’s rainforest. Stop by a rose garden or strawberry farm to enjoy highlands produce.
Continue your journey onward to Penang with a coastal drive. En-route, break up the drive with a stop at Ubudiah Royal Mosque to admire the stunning traditional Malaysian architecture style topped with gilded domes. Upon arrival on Penang island, check into your hotel and relax for the afternoon. In the evening, as the day cools down and food vendors emerge to line the streets, it is time to go on a streetfood tour. Malaysia has world-class food culture and Penanag is one of the country's top foodie destinations. Discover legendary stalls that have been serving specialties passed down from generation to generation. Fall in love with aromatic rich broths, wok-charred smoky noodles, flaky rotis dipped in lucious curries, bouncy fresh fish cakes, and more.
Enjoy the colonial architecture of UNESCO-designated Georgetown by traditional trishaw ride. The multi-cultural old town also features Chinese shophouses and mosques. In the Little India section of the town, enjoy a spicy masala samosa and pay a visit to Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion to get a taste of the good life back in the late 1800's. This striking indigo-colored mansion, built in the Straits Eclectic style, is now a museum and popular movie set. Head to the jetties to learn the history of early Chinese settlers on the island and how they set up a support system by clan. There are seven jetties in total, named after the dominant clans and residents remain living there today. Other notable sites around town today include the auspicious Snake Temple, which does indeed have snakes slithering freely, and the Khoo Kongsi Chinese clanhouse.
Explore more of the island today, beginning with the hilltop Buddhist Kek Lok Si Temple, one of the largest and finest temple complexes in Southeast Asia. Then continue north to the tropical spice garden to learn about spices and plants and their role in Malaysian culture, history, and cuisine. If you wish, you can take a cooking class or buy exotic spices to take home. Head to the coastline to Batu Ferringhi to enjoy the beach scenes with a fresh seafood lunch. Snap a picture of the Tanjung Bungah Floating Mosque before continuing to Penang National Park. Although small in size, the park offers exciting trails and walks. Make your way through the forest and emerge at Kerachut Beach where you can see baby turtles at the Turtle Conservation Center. Take a boat back to the park entrance and return to your hotel for the evening.
Fly to Langkawi, part of a cluster of 99 islands off the mainland of Malaysia. After a busy week exploring Peninsular Malaysia, this is the perfect place to wind down your holiday. Spend the rest of the day blissfully in paradise as you lounge seaside and soak up the sun’s warm rays.
Kick off your shoes and dive into island living. Spend the day snorkeling, swimming and sunning. If you’re feeling active, explore one of the island’s many lovely beaches or take the sky tram to the peak for island-views. Take a ride along the coast - the island is only 193-square-miles and is easily-navigated.
Revel in the last day of your beach oasis before returning to the rest of the world. Those looking for adventure can choose from several treks, a hike to the Telaga Tujuh Waterfall and dolphin swimming excursions. But if you don’t care to move from your novel or the pristine cushion of white sand, we won’t force you to.
Thus ends your cultural experience and time in paradise. Enjoy your final beach moments before a private transfer to the airport for your flight onward.
Price is based on double or twin hotel room occupancy and includes accommodation, transfers, car/driver, English-speaking guide, activities and entrance fees, breakfasts and some casual lunches while touring. Flights and optional special activities will be quoted separately. Most personal expenses, including dinners, alcoholic beverages, spa treatments and gratuities can be paid on the spot while traveling. Prices may vary depending on season, choice of accommodation and other factors.
With Remote Lands you'll travel with people who have made Asia the solitary focus of their own lifelong adventure. As our guest, you'll discover Asia on a journey that is completely, authentically your own, adapted from our own remarkable experiences and adventures over the years.
With Remote Lands you'll travel with people who have made Asia the solitary focus of their own lifelong adventure. As our guest, in the continent that our north American founders Catherine and Jay have adored and explored for decades, you'll discover Asia on a journey that is completely, authentically your own, adapted from our own remarkable experiences and adventures over the years.
An Asia-focused magazine brought to you by Remote Lands – a platform for adventure, luxury, and authenticity from experts and explorers around the continent.
As the world slowly opens to travel again, exciting new accommodations and pristine natural wonders are drawing travelers to Malaysia.
Long before the dystopian Clockwork Orange hit shelves, Southeast Asia would see Anthony Burgess in Malaysia; a grammar school teacher would go to Malaysia and Singapore to make his name with the Malayan Trilogy.
It’s a little bit Penang, a little bit Cameron Highlands, and a little bit something new. Ipoh is a transitional destination on peninsular Malaysia worth a visit.
Here is a small selection of the kind words our guests have said about us, as well as features by journalists and travel writers.
From the moment I happened upon the REMOTE LANDS website over a year ago, browsed the options, I knew that this would be well worth it. The entire staff is nothing less than professional with service that made us feel like royals.
This was truly the trip of a lifetime. Magical destinations, the most luxurious hotels in the world, and the most wonderful travel companions we could’ve wished for. We were treated like family everywhere we went and we have 14 new best friends.
We have used some of the top rated travel specialists all over the world and, without question, Catherine Heald and Remote Lands are at the very top of the list!
