Luxury Malaysia: cities, beaches & beyond

Transfer from Kuala Lumpur airport to the city centre - Transfer from Kuala Lumpur airport to the city centre - Sunset tour of the Petronas Twin Towers

Day 1: Kuala Lumpur

Transfer from Kuala Lumpur airport to the city centre
Other Transfer: Upon arrival at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) you will be met and transferred to your hotel to relax, unwind and rest. Estimated travel time: approximately 1 hour


Sunset tour of the Petronas Twin Towers
Excursion: As the sun starts to go down, take a trip to one of Kuala Lumpur's most iconic sites - the Petronas Twin Towers. Standing at 452 metres tall, they are the most photographed landmark in Malaysia and visiting them is a key part of any trip to Kuala Lumpur. This 45 minute guided tour will take you up to the sky-bridge and observation deck so that you can enjoy unparalleled views over the city as it transitions from day to night.

History and Heritage tour - At leisure in Kuala Lumpur - Dinner in the Sky

Day 2: Kuala Lumpur

History and Heritage tour
Excursion: Once a small tin-mining settlement, modern Kuala Lumpur is a cosmopolitan hub - adorned with skyscrapers and luxurious shopping districts. Amongst its newer districts, you will find traces of its history and this 3 hour tour will help you uncover the story behind its heritage. Start with a visit to Istana Negara, the official home of the Malaysian monarchy, and the adjoining Jalan Istana. Jalan Istana was the old palace, replaced by Istana Negara in 2011, and is now the Royal Museum. Ten minutes away is the National Monument which was erected in honor of the fallen heroes during World War II. Close by, the Islamic Arts Museum of Malaysia houses thousands of artefacts and you will get to know more about the Islamic civilisation in this region. On the way to the Independence Square, we will pass by the National Mosque and Kuala Lumpur Old Railway Station. In the square you will find the historic Sultan Abdul Samad Building where the Union Jack flag was formally lowered on August 31st 1957.


At leisure in Kuala Lumpur
Excursion: Malaysia’s buzzing capital is regarded as the centre of the country, with its futuristic skyline of steel-clad skyscrapers and renowned Petronas Twin Towers this vibrant hub of culture and technology is where it all happens. Nonetheless, it is the people that give the city its flavour. Here, a mixture of Chinese, Malay and Indian communities live together harmoniously, making the city an exciting stopover or short-stay location. To get a true taste of the city you’ll find that, despite the heat, taking to the streets is your best option. You’ll get in amongst the action of everyday life, whilst avoiding the frustration of being caught in the daily traffic jams that trail in and out of the city. Live as the locals do by indulging in two of their favourite pastimes: eating and shopping. Take your pick of one of the many modern shopping malls in the city’s entertainment district, Bukit Bintang, for some retail therapy, or if you’re looking for a bargain you may want to check out Chinatown and join in the excitement of haggling. With the variety of cultural influences it’s no surprise that the city’s major attraction is mouth-watering food. Along Kimberly Road, street chefs set up their food carts and you can enjoy cooked-to-order bowls of Char koay teow (stir-fried rice noodles) or steaming hokkien mee (noodles stir-fried with egg, pork, prawn, and spicy sambal sauce). On Penang Road seek out the ‘Penang Road Famous Laksa’ to try the state’s most famous dish, Penang Asam Laksa, a spicy-sour tamarind fish soup filled with rice noodles, a dollop of prawn paste, garlic, ginger, and chilli paste.


Dinner in the Sky
Excursion: Enjoy a whole new dining experience in the heart of Kuala Lumpur with 'Dinner in the Sky'. Having had a drink in the lounge, you will take your seats at the table and be hoisted 50 metres into the air by crane. You will then be served a 4 course dinner while admiring incredible views of the city. Each dish is prepared by a renowned local chef and you will enjoy entertainment between the courses.

Transfer from Kuala Lumpur to Ipoh - Transfer from Kuala Lumpur to Ipoh - At leisure in Ipoh

Day 3: Ipoh

Transfer from Kuala Lumpur to Ipoh
Other Transfer: You will take one of the main roads north from Kuala Lumpur and head through a sparsely-populated area before arriving at Ipoh, one of the country's largest cities. Estimated travel time: 3 hours, although this can vary depending on traffic.


At leisure in Ipoh
Excursion: Ipoh has grown from its roots as a mining town in the early 1900s, developing into the regional capital in the 1930s. It's heyday came in the 1950s under British Colonial rule, and many local landmarks date from that time, including the impressive railway station. It is now the nation's third largest city, with plenty of attractions and restaurants available to visitors. The city is building a culinary reputation, with many local delicacies to try - old town white coffee, bean sprouts and chicken and Char Siew Bao amongst others. The area contains many limestone hills and caves, some of which are now open to tourists. One of these is the Kek Lok Tong Cave Temple (which can be translated as the "Cavern of Utmost Happiness") in the south of Ipoh, featuring gardens, statues of Buddha and also some gods from the Chinese pantheon.

Half-Day Tour visit to Kek Lok Tong

Day 4: Ipoh

Half-Day Tour visit to Kek Lok Tong
Excursion: The Kek Lok Tong Cave Temple is a tourist attraction situated in the natural and picturesque area of Gunung Rapat in the south of Ipoh - the capital of Perak state in west Malaysia. The cave temple sits on a 12 acre site and was used as early as 1920 as a place of worship. In 1960, the cave became part of an iron mining site, this temple is set in a huge cave in the limestone outcrops behind Gunung Rapat, about 5km south of Ipoh City. The Kek Lok Tong complex comprises a central altar featuring a number of Buddhist figures as well as various deities of the Chinese pantheon. The most unique about the caves is there are another great garden view once you get inside the caves. The limestone hill is made up of light grey to white crystalline Kinta limestone interbedded with about 5mm to 1cm think argillaceous material bands. Primary iron can still be seen within the limestone. The award winning landscape garden features a jogging path circling two lakes and one of the longest reflexology footpaths in Ipoh.

Transfer from Ipoh to Penang - Transfer from Ipoh to Penang - At leisure in Penang

Day 5: Penang

Transfer from Ipoh to Penang
Other Transfer: Leave the colouful streets of Ipoh behind and travel north along the coast of the country towards bustling Penang. Enjoy wonderful views of the surrounding landscape as you wind your way towards Malaysia's historical heartland. Travel time: approx 2 hours.


At leisure in Penang
Excursion: Continue your exploration of Penang, and anything you may have missed on Day 5: Penang's history as a meeting point between East and West has provided it with an incredibly varied architectural and cultural style, which culminates undoubtedly in George Town, the island’s main city. The eclectic mix of crumbling shophouses, ornate Chinese temples, decorated mosques and modern skyscrapers is an impressive reflection of the island’s cosmopolitan and diverse culture, making it a rewarding destination for any explorer. Immerse yourself in the rich history and take a stroll along the British Colonial avenues of Georgetown along the Heritage Trail, or for a novel experience of the capital city catch a ride in one of the brightly-coloured trishaws to the gates of Kek Lok Si Temple, one of the largest and finest temples in Southeast Asia. You might also visit the appropriately named Blue Mansion - a magnificent 38-room mansion that blends Eastern and Western design, highlighted by its distinctive indigo blue exterior. To see the island from a different perspective take the funicular railway from Air Itam to the top of Penang Hill and enjoy the expansive views overlooking lush jungle, colonial-style George Town and the distant mainland. If you’re feeling ambitious or wish to explore at a more leisurely pace there are a number of trails leading up to the summit, and in the tropical heat the promise of a traditional high tea with fresh scones at Dan Brown’s Restaurant and Tea Terrace is a delicious reward. Experience the island’s natural bounty by visiting the Tropical Fruit Farm located in the hilly terrain of Teluk Behang, where you’ll be taken on a tour of the luscious orchards and given the chance to taste the unique flavours of each exotic fruit. The orchard also prepares light snacks, juices and a generous BBQ buffet spread on the weekends and public holidays.

Penang City & Heritage Tour - Round Island Tour

Day 6: Penang

Penang City & Heritage Tour
Excursion: Discover the rich culture and history of the people of Penang. This tour will take you to the Reclining Buddha Temple and through the streets of old Georgetown passing by Chinatown to the magnificent and ornate Khoo Kongsi Clanhouse.


Round Island Tour
Excursion: See the beauty of Penang and her unique attractions in this circle island tour taking you through idyllic fishing villages, picturesque kampongs, fruits and spice orchards. There will also be a visit to the batik factory outlet and the historical Snake Temple

Penang Nature Tour

Day 7: Penang

Penang Nature Tour
Excursion: Spend a day learning about some of Malaysia's lesser known wildlife highlights. Visit the Butterfly and Dragonfly Farm - one of the world's largest with over 300 species of tropical butterflies. From there, travel to an Orchid Farm where you will get to see amazing varieties of beautiful flowers. Next, visit the Forestry Museum at Taman Rimba - Teluk Bahang Recreation Forest before stopping at a 2.5 acre Tropical Fruit Farm. With more than 140 types of fruit trees, you can combine tasting the fruits with a walk around the landscape.

Internal flight from Penang to Langkawi - Internal flight from Penang to Langkawi - Sunset cruise

Day 8: Langkawi

Internal flight from Penang to Langkawi
Scheduled flight Transfer: Transfer to the main airport for a short flight from bustling Penang to the peaceful backwaters of Langkawi. Flight time: Approx 35 minutes.


Sunset cruise
Excursion: Explore the waters of the Andaman Sea on a luxury sailing yacht. Experience the beauty of a Langkawi sunset, enjoy a full BBQ dinner on board and treat yourself to drinks from the open bar.

Langkawi Round Island Tour

Day 9: Langkawi

Langkawi Round Island Tour
Excursion: We start the tour with the Oriental Village. This is located around a lake set against the backdrop of Mountain Mat Cincang. There is a duty free shop and a couple of restaurants here. You can be entertained – traditional music, silat, snake charmer and kite flying demonstration – this is all subject to availability. Located at the Oriental Village is the Langkawi Cable Car. The exciting ride will take you to 709 metres over a distance of 2.2 km. Enjoy the breathtaking view on the top of Mt Mat Cincang. You will also get the change to walk along the unique curved bridge set between two mountains. Visiting Underwater World Langkawi! Spread across nearly six acres, Underwater World Langkawi is one of the island’s best-known attractions. Located at the southern end of Pantai Cenang (almost at the border of Pantai Tengah), beside the Zon duty-free shopping centre, it is Malaysia’s largest aquarium. The huge white-washed structure houses more than 200 different species of marine and freshwater fish including harbour seals, rockhopper penguins, sharks, giant rays and the enormous Amazonian arapaima – the biggest freshwater fish in the world. Once you enter the air-conditioned interior, Araipamas (the world's largest freshwater fish) can be seen in a medium-sized tank in front of the entrance door. The complex is divided into three sections: Tropical Rainforest, Temperate and Sub-Antarctic. The Sub-Antarctic was probably the most popular section – the ‘penguin-arium’ houses cute little rockhopper and black-footed penguins that cause quite a few people to crowd around the exhibit to get a good look. Note: Sky Cab and Sky Bridge is subject to weather conditions.

At leisure in Langkawi

Day 10: Langkawi

At leisure in Langkawi
Excursion: Langkawi is the epitome of tropical paradise. Its sparkling turquoise waters, white sand beaches and emerald jungle are undoubtedly the inspiration for the island’s official title: Langkawi, the Jewel of Kedah. A thousand years ago it was a haven for pirates, and although the legendary bounty hunters are long gone the archipelago of 99 tropical islands retains its natural treasures. Langkawi boasts some of the best beaches on the West coast of Malaysia, such as Cenang beach, the longest on the island. It’s fine white sand and intermittent beach bars, restaurants and watersports area make it the most popular by far. Although Cenang is never crowded, if you prefer a quieter spot Tengah beach is an excellent alternative. A continuation of Cenang beach, Tengah offers a tranquil space where you can soak up the sun or snooze in the shade of a towering palm tree. Experience the panoramic vistas of the surrounding islands by catching a ride in the renowned SkyCab, one of the steepest cable car rides in the world. From the foothill of Manchincang mountain ascend the jungle clad peak to the viewing platforms where you can witness dramatic views of deep chasms, overhanging cliff walls and isolated pinnacles, as well as a 360 view of Langkwai and the neighbouring islands. Once at the top station you can not afford to miss the magnificent SkyBridge, the longest curved suspension bridge in the world. Offering visitors a unique spatial experience, the curvature of this ingenious structure provides a continuously changing perspective and spectacular views of the virgin jungle below.

Further time at leisure in Langkawi

Day 11: Langkawi

Further time at leisure in Langkawi
Excursion: Enjoy another day on this island paradise. Relax on the beach by soaking up the sun on the golden sand, chill out in the shade with a good book or marvel at the marine life amidst the coral by snorkelling in the clear, refreshing waters. For a change of scenery, take a cycle ride inland through the green paddy fields and rubber plantations where you’ll find the island has retained its idyllic rural beauty, with traditional villages and laidback living. If you’re looking to explore further you might wish to hire a car due to the island’s size, however, taxi busses will get around just as well.

Domestic flight from Langkawi to Kuala Lumpur - Domestic flight from Langkawi to Kuala Lumpur

Day 12:

Domestic flight from Langkawi to Kuala Lumpur
Scheduled flight Transfer: You will catch a departure flight from Langkawi (LGK) and travel to Kuala Lumpur (KUL). Estimated travel time: 1 hour