Our Malaysia holidays highlights ...
Our Malaysia holiday will take you to Kuala Lumpur, the Cameron highlands, Penang, Terengganu, Redang Island and Malacca.

KL is for Kuala Lumpur

You will arrive at Malaysia's thoroughly modern capital, Kuala Lumpur, with its ground breaking and impressive architecture, through which we will drive to your hotel for check-in. As we travel, you will quickly see, that hidden within the gleaming glass and steel lies a heritage of older buildings, bearing the hallmarks of many cultures, as well as some splendid examples of British colonial architecture. You will have the rest of the day to settle in, and make an exploratory foray into this remarkable city.

The following morning, we shall escort you on a city tour, taking in the most important sights, including the Kings Palace, the National Monument, the National Mosque, the Sultan Abdul Samad building, the Menara Kuala Lumpur tower, Merdeka (independence) Square and the Petronas Twin Towers, with its glitzy shopping malls and observation platform, which offers great panoramas of the city. In the afternoon, you will be free to enjoy 'KL' in the style most appropriate to yourself.

Tea and Roses
This morning, we will head out of the city into the surrounding hills, and winding ever upwards through the tea plantations of the Cameron Highlands, you will begin to sense the colonial imprint that the British have left among these hills, who in their days of Empire, took to the cool of its temperate climate, built thoroughly English mansions, and took advantage of its perfect climate for tea growing, which now pervades the landscape here. Naturally we will stop to partake of the brewed leaf at a teahouse on the way to your hotel, and after check-in, you will have the afternoon free to follow your own predilections.

The following day, you will visit a tea plantation and be able to learn all about the growing and processes involved in producing the many types of tea, which you will be able to sample at the teahouse, after which you should be suitably refreshed to enjoy a stroll in the rose garden and the butterfly farm. On the way back to your hotel, we will stop at a local fruit and vegetable market, further absorbing the lifestyles of the people and their economy, and if you wish, contributing to it with your purchases.

Penang
From the leisurely heights and rarefied atmosphere of the English gardens and mansions of the highlands, we will drive today along the scenic Simpang Pulai highway, with frequent stops for leg-stretching, sightseeing and photography, including visits to the grand colonial architecture of Ipoh, the Cave temples, the golden dome of Ubudiah mosque and see the intricate carvings of the former palace of the Sultan of Perak. Before crossing the 13.5 km span to Penang, Asia's largest bridge, you will visit the Orang Utan island at the Bukit Merah Laketown resort.

Next day, will see you on the streets of Georgetown, an untidily charming mix of modern and colonial buildings, chinese temples, and cultural edifices from the ethic diversity typical of Malaysia. We will visit the elaborately decorated Khoo Kongsi Chinese clanhouse and the 32 metre reclining Buddha at the Thai temple of Wat Chayamangkalaram. The colonial sites of Fort Cornwallis and the 'lost fort' will also familiarise us with the British influence, who chose Penang as the base of their operations in Malaysia.

Fly me to the beach...
This morning, your driver will chauffeur you to the airport for your flight to Kuala Terengganu and your next hotel.You will have the rest of the day to wander this colourful port town.

The following morning will be spent visiting the local attractions, and to meet some local craftspeople and seeing batik being made. We will also see the traditional 'long roof' houses of Chinatown, the busy central market, Princess hill, the state mosque, state museum and the waterfront, where you will board a speed boat to take you to Redang Island, renowned for its white sand beaches, clear waters and abundant coral gardens full of fish. You will have the rest of today and tomorrow to enjoy its delights at your leisure.

Malacca
This morning, we return to the airport at Terengganu for your flight to Kuala Lumpur and transfer to the historical city of Malacca, steeped in centuries of trading, and the conflicts over its control. It is a testament to its importance as a centre of world trade, that, since 1511, it has passed successivelythrough the acquisitivehands of the Portuguese, Dutch, French, British and Japanese. After you have checked-in to your hotel, you be able to take your ease, or wander at will. In the evening we will arrange a trishaw ride around old Malacca.

The next day, your tour will take you to visit the most prominent of Malacca's attractions, including St.Paul's hill, Porta de Santa and Cheng Hoon Teng temple. A visit to the Baba Nyona Museum will enhance your understanding of the cultural nuances and multiplicity of ethnic influences that pervade Malacca, in particular, the traditions of the Peranakans, descendents of early Chinese immigrants.You will also have an opportunity to meander Jonkers street, famous for its antique shops.

All good things...
Today we will bid you farewell, but content that you have experienced the best of Peninsula Malaysia, and your car will take you to Kuala Lumpur for your departure homewards, or connect with an onward tour.

Meals: eleven breakfasts
Escort/guide: Airport transfers, and daily tours as detailed