Overview 

Free time in Penang

Stay at Parkroyal Resort Penang

Arriving in the afternoon, we'll transfer to our hotel on Batu Ferringhi

Beach and enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure - the perfect start

for anyone who prefers to fly and flop.

Of course, any trip to the Far East cannot be complete without trying

out the delectable flavours of one of the world’s most varied cuisines.

The best-known Malaysian dish is satay – meat skewers marinated with

turmeric, grilled over charcoal and served with a mildly spicy peanut

sauce.

But there’s so much more: nasi kandar, steamed rice soaked in a variety of flavourful curries; asam laksa, a

tangy fish broth listed on CNN’s ‘world’s 50 most delicious foods’; beef rendang, a rich meat dish seasoned with

a mouthwatering mix of spices; chicken rice, a Hainanese-influenced dish of steamed or roasted chicken served

with fragrant rice cooked in chicken broth – the list is almost endless! Don't be afraid to dive right in - tonight is

your first opportunity to try the country's mouthwatering cuisine

Guided tour of George Town

Visit the Cheong Fatt Tze Blue Mansion House

This morning we'll enjoy a walking tour of the beautifully preserved

colonial centre of George Town. A UNESCO World Heritage site,

George Town is perhaps unique in Southeast Asia in having over

30,000 pre-war buildings. Francis Light built Fort Cornwallis, which still

stands to this day, and promoted it as a free port, vastly increasing

trade and attracting large numbers of Chinese and Indian settlers.

The same successful tactic was followed in Malacca to the south, and

both cities developed their unique mix of cultures, which is still evident today. What is particularly fascinating is

that despite being bombed by the Japanese in World War II, George Town still has thousands of pre-war

buildings, mostly Chinese-owned ‘shophouses’, many fine colonial-era villas and public buildings, which have

helped it attain UNESCO World Heritage status. George Town represents a fascinating glimpse into the 18th

century colonial life.

Cheong Fatt Tze Blue Mansion

We'll visit Cheong Fatt Tze Blue Mansion House, a timeless grand mansion built at the end of the 19th century

by a powerful Chinese tycoon. In this famed George Town landmark, we'll learn more about a life of grandeur in

19th-century Penang and gain insight into its eclectic architecture and heritage.

Free time in George Town

After a fascinating ride by cycle trishaw through the winding back streets, you’ll enjoy an included lunch. The

afternoon is at leisure to enjoy the many facilities of your hotel. In the evening, the local night market is an easy

stroll from the hotel and a great chance to try the local street cuisine or hone your bargaining skills.

Scenic ride on the Penang Hill Funicular Railway

Free time in Penang Hill

Boarding the Penang Hill Funicular Railway, we'll climb to the top of

Penang Hill - some 833 metres above sea level - travelling on the

steepest tunnel track in the world.

Once a cool retreat during the British colonial period, many prominent

bungalows built here still stand today, as well as the post office and

police station, built in 1894 and 1929, respectively. Here you can enjoy

the heritage ambience of the picturesque, antiquated,d century-old

colonial-style buildings, discover the unique plants (like tropical pitcher plants, tree ferns, and tropical oak trees)

and look out at unobstructed views of George Town and both Penang Bridges.

Free time

After an included lunch, sheltered from the crowds by the lush greenery at the top of Strawberry Hill on Penang Hill

– a hill on a hill, if you will – you'll be free to enjoy the afternoon at leisure.

Guided tour of Taiping Town

Visit a traditional charcoal factory

Visit the Perak museum

Stay at Weil Hotel

Taiping

We'll leave the city by crossing the eight-mile Penang Bridge to

Butterworth on the mainland of Malaysia. From there we'll take a scenic

drive to Taiping Town, which is known for its well-preserved colonial

architecture. Where we'll stop for a tour, starting with a visit to a

traditional charcoal factory in Kuala Sepetang. In this family-run factory, the ancient methods used to produce

charcoal by baking local mangrove logs in kilns have been passed down from father to son since the late

1930s.

Continuing on, we see the Perak Museum - the oldest museum in Malaysia - which chronicles the area's history.

Before setting off again, we'll have the option to stop off for a caffeine fix at the Aun Tong Coffee Mill, the oldest

coffee mill in Malaysia, founded in 1933. As well as the chance for a well-earned coffee, we'll learn how coffee is

produced, roasted and processed.

Free evening in Ipoh

Our journey continues through the picturesque countryside of Malaysia until we reach Ipoh, in Perak State,

arriving late afternoon. The rest of the evening is at leisure to explore the city. The charming Ipoh is famous for its

sweeping landscapes, stunning temples, and colonial architecture. It also holds the unofficial title of Malaysia’s

second food capital. Ipoh is best known for its hawker fare, so don't miss the delicious dishes waiting to be

savoured.

Guided tour of Ipoh

Visit to Sam Poh Tong cave temple

Stay at Meliá Kuala Lumpur Hotel

Ipoh

After breakfast, we'll explore Ipoh where colonial architecture stands

side-by-side with rickety kedai kopi (traditional coffee shops). During

Perak's tin mining boom, the British exerted a strong influence over

Ipoh, and you'll see this reflected in the historic colonial buildings,

including St Micheal's Institution - one of the best catholic schools in

Perak - and the old Railway Station.

Sam Poh Tong

We'll also stop to visit the Sam Poh Tong cave temple. Despite being built into a limestone hill, the Chinese

temple doesn't hide from view. Its ornate front facade piques the interest of visitors who flock to the picturesque

temple due to its cultural and religious significance to the Buddhist faith. Set on the southeastern edge of Ipoh

among the limestone hills of Gunung Rapat, the ornamental garden and koi pond it's a serene location to

explore. This afternoon we board a train and travel to Kuala Lumpur, where we stay for 3 nights.

Guided tour of Kuala Lumpur

This morning we'll explore the contrasting city of Kuala Lumpur, with a

fascinating mix of skyscrapers, upscale shopping malls, colonial

buildings and atmospheric street markets. We'll see the world's tallest

twin towers, the Petronas Twin Towers. It’s beautifully decorated with

Islamic motifs and finished with a sky bridge that connects them at a

knee-knocking 41 storeys up.

Continuing on our tour next up will be Istana Negara - the King's Palace

- the official residence of the supreme King of Malaysia to get a glimpse

into the intricate royal residence. We'll stop to visit the manicured

grounds of the National Mosque and its dome of blue and green tiles standing in contrast with the modern city

centre of glass and steel that surrounds it. Then on to pay our respects to those soldiers and civilians who died

defending Malaysia against the Japanese occupation during WWII and during the Malayan Emergency. And

we'll pass the old Railway Station, the Tudor-styled Cricket Club, and the Moorish-style Federal Court.

Free time in Kuala Lumpur

There'll then be some time at leisure during which time you may wish to take a short ride out of KL to explore

the impressive cave temples of Batu Caves. This series of limestone caves combines a fascinating natural

landscape with a popular place of worship. You can climb the 272 vibrantly coloured steps to Temple Cave, the

largest of the five caves, and visit various temples within this sacred Hindu shrine.

Alternatively, you can stay in KL to enjoy an optional tour of the Petronas Twin Tower Skybridge, a soaring 88-

storey building is considered to be the crown jewel of Kuala Lumpur. We’ll begin with a fascinating interactive

exhibition showcasing the journey from idea to completion before climbing 170 metres in a futuristic lift. As we

walk across the higher level of the world’s second-highest 2-storey bridge, the story of Malaysia’s vision unfolds

amid breathtaking views of Kuala Lumpur (pre-book only)

Free time in Kuala Lumpur

Guided tour of Kampung Baru

Kuala Lumpur

Today is a free day to explore KL at your leisure. You could wander

through the colonial-era landmarks of the Sultan Abdul Samad Building

or the Kuala Lumpur Railway Station. Perhaps discover the history and

process of pewter craftsmanship at the Royal Selangor Visitor Centre.

Alternatively, you may wish to take our optional full-day tour to historic

Malacca (bookable locally), one of Southeast Asia’s greatest trading

ports in the 15th century.

One of the more famous of the Straits Settlements, it was originally colonised by the Portuguese and later taken

over by the Dutch before finally succumbing to the might of the British East India Company. There’s plenty to

see in the many old shophouses, now converted into attractive boutiques and cafés, but many are still family

homes as well.

Another option back in Kuala Lumpur is the Perdana Botanical Gardens. Located just southwest of Chinatown

and spread over 220 acres, it is an area of verdant calm far removed from the bustle of the surrounding city.

The park features a beautiful hibiscus garden, devoted to Malaysia’s national flower, and a stunning orchid

garden with 800 species.

Kampung Baru

Later, we’ll escape the soaring skyscrapers and state-of-the-art shopping malls this evening and experience a

quieter side of the city in the historic district of Kampung Baru. First opened in the 1880s, this is the last Malay

enclave in the city centre and families have lived on these bougainvillea lined streets for four generations. Get a

glimpse into the Malay lifestyle as we browse Chow Kit Market, where the stalls are piled high with fresh local

produce. Then we’ll experience typical Kampung Baru hospitality and High Tea in the welcoming surroundings of

a local home. Later, we'll step into the peaceful surroundings of the Kampung Baru mosque and Tatt Khalsa

Diwan Gurdwara Sikh Temple, the biggest temple in Southeast Asia – truly a multicultural melting pot.

Guided tour of Sandakan

Stay at the Sabah Hotel

Fly to Borneo

Today we’ll fly to Sandakan for a two-night stay. Founded in 1879 by

the British North Borneo Company, Sandakan is a charming small port

town with a fascinating colonial history on the eastern side of Borneo.

Borneo is Malaysia’s shining, verdant jewel in the crown, the third

largest island in the world.

Its luxuriant tropical forests teem with thousands of extraordinary

endemic plant and animal species. There are long-tailed macaques, proboscis monkeys, gibbons, flying

squirrels, sun bears, the world’s largest snake, no fewer than 102 types of bats and, of course, the remarkable

red-haired ‘man of the forest’ – the orangutan. Borneo is also known for the Rafflesia, the world’s largest flower,

named after Sir Stamford Raffles, founder of Singapore.

Sandakan

We’ll have a short orientation tour of the city on arrival, also stopping by the Sandakan Memorial, which

commemorates the Australian and British soldiers held by the Japanese as prisoners of war between 1942 and

1945. The memorial is adjacent to the original location of the Sandakan Prisoner of War Camp

Visit the Bornean Sun Bear Centre

Visit the Sepilok Orangutan Centre

Visit the Agnes Keith House

The Bornean Sun Bear Centre

This morning we’ll visit two centres of conservation and rehabilitation.

First up is the Bornean Sun Bear Centre, which aims to provide care

and rehabilitation to the rescued sun bears - the world's smallest bears,

found only in Southeast Asia. We'll see the adorable ex-captive sun

bears and learn more about the centre's efforts to protect and rehabilitate them.

Sepilok Orangutan Centre

Next is the Sepilok Orangutan Centre which rehabilitates and provides a safe haven for orphaned and injured

orangutans, one of the world's most endangered primates. Here around 60 to 80 orangutans live independently

in the rainforest reserve and approximately 25 orphaned orangutans are housed and cared for in the nurseries -

so there are plenty of opportunities to see them enjoying their freedom in the safety of the reserve.

Agnes Keith House

After an included lunch, we’ll visit the Agnes Keith House, a rare survival of post-war colonial wooden

architecture. The museum here is dedicated to the American writer known for her autobiographical accounts of

life in North Borneo before, during, and after the Second World War

nb

Visit the Mari Mari Cultural Village

Free time in Kota Kinabalu

Stay at Shangri-La Rasa Ria Resort & Spa

This morning, we’ll catch the short flight to Kota Kinabalu on the

western side of Borneo and transfer to our luxurious home for the next

three nights, where all our rooms overlook the beautiful pool and

gardens.

On the way, we’ll stop at the living museum that is the Mari Mari

Cultural Village. You’ll be able to experience the intriguing traditions,

history and culture of five of the local indigenous tribes, including the feared Murut head-hunters, right in the

middle of the rainforest.

Free time in Kota Kinabalu

After an included lunch at our hotel, we’ll spend the afternoon at leisure. You could embark on an optional visit

to Klias Forest Reserve. Here, we’ll enjoy a river cruise in search of wildlife, like the big-nosed Proboscis

monkey, as well as abundant bird species – you'll want to keep your binoculars handy, and your eyes peeled.

There’s also a traditional Malay buffet dinner before a final river cruise to observe a flickering display of fireflies

as they light up the riverbanks (book/pay local)

Free time at the hotel

Today is at leisure. You could enjoy the large sandy beach and

extensive swimming pools at your hotel. There is also a 400-acre

Nature reserve with its own walking paths adjacent to the resort, as well

as an 18-hole championship golf course and a superb spa. And for

dinner, choose from five restaurants and two bars – these are the best

spots to watch the spectacular sunset over the South China Sea.