Best of Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur - Batu Caves - Cameron Highlands. We depart at 08:30 from Kuala Lumpur to the Cameron Highlands. You can be collected from any city centre hotel of your choosing, please let us know in advance where you require collection from. En route, visit Batu Caves, home to a Hindu shrine and a key pilgrimage site, especially during Thaipusam. Make sure you arrive in Kuala Lumpur the day before your tour starts.

Continue north, stopping at Lata Iskandar Waterfall before arriving in the Cameron Highlands, known for its cool climate and tea plantations. Check in at your hotel, with the rest of the day free at leisure.

Estimated driving time/distance: 3 hours, 210 kilometres.

Cameron Highlands - George Town. At 9:00, we depart for a day of exploring the Cameron Highlands. We'll visit a tea plantation (closed on Mondays), tea factory and vegetable farm, and can also shop for souvenirs and fresh produce in the market square. After a day spent exploring the rural side of Malaysia, we head to the capital of Penang state, George Town. We'll make a few stops enroute, including at the Sam Poh Tong Cave Temple in Ipoh, the Ubudiah Mosque and Iskandariah Palace in Kuala Kangsar. We'll cross one of the world's longest bridges to reach Penang, before arriving at the hotel. The evening is at leisure.

Estimated driving time/distance: 3 hours 45 minutes, 247 kilometres.

Take a half-day tour of George Town, Penang’s historic city. Visit the Reclining Buddha at Wat Chayamangkalaram and Dhammikarama Temple. Drive along the Street of Harmony, home to diverse religious sites, before exploring the ornate Khoo Kongsi clan house. Enjoy a local coffee shop visit and a photo stop at Fort Cornwallis.

George Town - Kota Bharu. We are crossing the whole of Malaysia today, as we leave Penang for the town of Kota Bharu. This resort town is located on the east coast, near the border with Thailand.

It's a scenic drive, as we pass great swathes of ancient rainforest. If we are lucky, we may spot elephants on the drive - the traffic will grind to a halt to allow these gentle giants to cross the road between tracts of forest. We'll arrive in Kota Bharu in the early evening.

Estimated driving time/distance:5.5 hours, 342 kilometres.

Kota Bharu - Terengganu. At 09:00 we take a short orientation tour of Kota Bharu, visiting its vibrant wet market, where women traders sell batik, exotic fabrics, fresh produce, and local crafts. See traditional silverware, kite making, top spinning, and songket weaving. There's also a chance to observe brown sugar production and sample local sweets.

Continue to Terengganu, stopping at Pulau Rusa to witness traditional boat building. Drive through Chinatown and see the Maziah Palace and State Mosque.

Estimated driving time/distance: 3 hours, 167 kilometres.

Kuala Terengganu - Cherating. At 9:00 we head for the resort town of Cherating, a great place to experience traditional Malay life. Watch the locals braiding pandan leaves into useful items such as mats and bags. We'll also visit a turtle sanctuary. This part of Malaysia is home to Olive-Ridley, Leatherback, Green, and Hawksbill turtles, and the centre works to protect the eggs of these species as they come ashore to lay them. The onsite hatchery ensures as many baby turtles as possible make it to the sea, helping to conserve these amazing creatures. The rest of your day in Cherating is at leisure in Cherating or further down the coast in Kuantan, where we are spending the night - maybe you could enjoy a few hours at the beach?

Estimated driving time/distance: 2.5 hours, 218 kilometres.

Kuantan - Kuala Lumpur. After breakfast we drive back to Kuala Lumpur, where our tour comes to an end. If you prefer to be dropped in Singapore, this can be arranged for an additional cost.

Estimated driving time/distance: Kuantan – Kuala Lumpur: 3 hours, 260 kilometres, Kuantan – Singapore: 5.5 hours, 352 kilometres.