Exploration of treasures.
Tour designer: Steffanie Tan Telephone: +604 3761 101 Email: [email protected]
MALAYSIA | 5DAYS / 4NIGHTS Route: Round-trip from Kuala Lumpur to Penang Type of tour: Culture 1 TOUR OVERVIEW
During this five-day trip of Malaysia, you will be introduced to the interesting history, culture, nature and modern amenities that Malaysia has to offer. From big cities to the countryside and ending in a tropical setting, explore the treasures of Kuala Lumpur, Malacca, Cameron Highlands and Penang Island.
DAY BY DAY
DAY 1 | KUALA LUMPUR – MALACCA Morning departure from Malacca and check in at the hotel of your choice by lunch time (lunch not included). The orientation tour of Malacca begins at 14:00hrs. A tour of historical Malacca on the south-west coast of the Indian Ocean. The city was founded by the Portuguese and later settled by the Dutch and English. Visit St. John's Port for a panoramic view of Malacca. See Bandar Hilir, the oldest area of the city, climb St. Paul's Hill where St. Francis Xavier was interned, and then see the well-known Fort De Santiago. After lunch, visit Antique Row, locally called Jonker Street. Complete this tour with stops at Cheng Hoon Teng Temple, Tranquerah Mosque, St. Peter's Church and Bukit Cina, an ancient Chinese burial site. Evening free at leisure. Guests can ask the driver/guide (who will be with guests throughout the tour) to take them for dinner in a local restaurant in the evening. Suggested places to dine are the Portuguese Square, which is a culmination of Portuguese culture in its full splendour and colours, the Peranakan Restaurant, Manis Sayang or Ole Sayang) if you would like to try some local cuisine (all three choices here are of the Baba Nyonya heritage). These eateries are full of the culture of the Straits Chinese who have adopted much of the Malay culture into theirs. Their cooking, the renowned Baba Nyonya style, derives from Malacca. Dinner is on own account. . Overnight in Malacca.
DAY 2 | MALACCA – KUALA LUMPUR In the morning, enjoy a river cruise of the Malacca River from Parameswara Jetty followed by a beca (trishaw) ride to Villa Sentosa and back to Equatorial Malacca / Majestic Malacca. Villa Sentosa is a house built during the first quarter of the century in the style fashionable during that era, and has been converted by its owner into a private museum. Located in Kampong Morten in the heart of Malacca city, the house has a history that goes back to the British Land Reform Act 1920. Visitors can view intriguing collections of costumes, Malay embroidery, furniture, muskets and an array of interesting relics. As for a curator, the owner would be glad to play the role and he is more than happy to answer any questions you may have. After lunch (not included), transfer back to the hotel. . Overnight in Kuala Lumpur on a bed-and-breakfast basis.
DAY 3 | KUALA LUMPUR – CAMERON HIGHLANDS At 9:00 hrs, pick up from your hotel and proceed on your trip to Cameron Highlands. En route, visit Gua Tempurung, a spectacular cave and former hideout of the communist guerrillas. Gua Tempurung is an impressive cave with beautiful speleothems like stalagmites, stalactites, rim stone pools, curtains, straws, calcite crystals and pillars. There are also majestic columns of marble inside its huge cavern honeycombed with smaller caves of different dimensions. The cave holds mystery and intrigue that leave one curious about its deep, dark secrets dating back to 400 million years ago. Stop for lunch (not included) at a local restaurant in Tapah. Continue on your journey to Cameron Highlands, which is 1,542m above sea level and famous for its world-renowned tea. Stop at Iskandar waterfalls for a photo stop. Meet aborigines at their homes and maybe witness a blow pipe demonstration. Check in at your hotel and evening at leisure. For dinner (on own account), you may choose to eat in your hotel or you may prefer to ask the driver to take you to check out the many types of cuisine that can be found in Cameron Highlands. Choices range from local to Western to Southern Indian to Chinese and many more. Chinese restaurants are favoured by locals for steamboat, a novel 'do-it-yourself' style of cooking the food in a boiling pot of hot soup, perfect for a cool evening! . Overnight in Cameron Highlands on a bed-and-breakfast basis.
2 DAY 4 | CAMERON HIGHLANDS After breakfast, your driver-guide will take you on a tour of Cameron Highlands covering the Rose Garden, tea plantation and vegetable farms. Cameron Highlands is the smallest district in the state of Pahang, which is located in the north- western corner of the state. One of the wonders of Malaysia, it is the largest and most famous hill resort in the country. This highland paradise still retains much of the charm of an English village. Being a primarily agricultural domain, you will find an abundance of vegetables and fruit farms here. Cameron Highlands is also the leading producer of flowers and tea in Malaysia. Be prepared for a lovely sight of extraordinary flowers you won’t see flourishing anywhere else in Malaysia! Located on the Titiwangsa Range at about 1,500m above sea level, the temperature here can drop to 16˚C or lower at certain times. Please note that the tea plantation is closed on Mondays. The rest of the day is free to just relax and enjoy the cool fresh air. . Overnight in Cameron Highlands on a bed-and-breakfast basis.
DAY 5 | CAMERON HIGHLANDS – PENANG Enjoy a hearty breakfast at the hotel and at 10:00hrs, check out and descend via Simpang Pulai to Kuala Kangsar district and the royal town of Perak. Visit the Sultan Azlan Shah Gallery, which was built and conserved from the ancient castle called Istana Ulu or Istana Kota. Completed in 1903, the former palace, which was first occupied by Sultan Idris I in 1903, was restored in 2003 and named after the present Sultan whose personal belongings, documents, mementos, family photographs, trophies and state regalia, among other items, are on display for public viewing. It is an experience not to be missed, as you will be amazed by the unique and beautiful items on display. Next will be a visit to the Ubudiah Mosque, probably the finest mosque in Malaysia, Istana Iskandariah and Istana Kenangan which was built in 1926 without the use of nails. Stop for lunch at a local restaurant on your own account. Whilst journeying towards Penang, we will cross the Penang Bridge, which spans 13.5km, before arriving on Penang Island. You will be dropped off at your choice of hotel where your time with us finishes. . Continue on your trip on Penang Island.
END OF SERVICES
INCLUDED
. Operated with qualified guides bilingual in English and Spanish . 1 night accommodation in hotel in Malacca on twin sharing basis . 1 night accommodation in hotel in Kuala Lumpur on twin sharing basis . Peak season surcharge – amount and dates to be advised . 2 nights’ accommodation in hotel in Cameron Highlands on twin sharing basis . Important Note: For a stay at a hotel in Cameron Highlands that falls over the Christmas & New Year period, please note that there will be compulsory dinner imposed for Christmas Eve and New Year Eve. Rate to be advised at time of booking. . Transfers and tours in an air-conditioned vehicle on PRIVATE basis with English speaking driver/guide. . Meals as stated in the itinerary. . All entrance fees for tours as stated in the itinerary. . The river cruise & trishaw ride on Day 1 are only available on shared basis.
NOT INCLUDED
. Expenditures of a personal nature, drinks and meals if not stated explicitly in the programme . All airfare . Any personal incidental expenses . Gratuities for driver and guide . Optional tours
RECOMMENDATIONS
Comfortable and light clothing is the most suitable for travelling in Malaysia. Visitors should not wear sleeveless shirts, shorts, short skirts or skimpy clothing when visiting places of worship, religious or official buildings. Shoes should be removed before entering a temple or private house. Sun protection, sun glasses, a hat and mosquito repellent can be very useful during your stay. A light sweater is recommended for the cooler evenings in Cameron Highlands.
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