Malaysia Package with Cameron Highlands

In the morning, your driver guide will greet you at your hotel lobby, before escorting you out of downtown to King’s Palace (Istana Negara), both the office and residence of the head of the state. Aside from appreciating its palatial exterior, take souvenir pictures with on-duty royal guards in white uniforms and armed with rifles, or mounted ones in red attire.

After returning to downtown, let’s wander around Independence Square (Dataran Merdeka). Standing before the former world’s tallest flagpole and black marble monument at its base, you can almost hear shouts of joy from Aug. 31, 1957 when Malaysian flag was first raised. Across the road, the century-old Moorish Revival Sultan Abdul Samad Building is another living witness to Malaysia’s independence.We’ll then visit Petaling Street for a taste of quaint Chinese charm, such as teahouses and established brands accented with unique red lanterns and couplets. Deep into the multicultural street, you’ll discover not only retro gramophones and rusted copperware, but also ubiquitous Malaysian-style souvenirs including handwoven baskets, vibrant batik fabrics, and exquisite porcelain tea ware. What’s more, you may have lunch here on your own dime; herb-stewed pork ribs and fried spring rolls are worth a try.

In the afternoon, let’s proceed to National Mosque of Malaysia, one of the outstanding examples of Islamic architectural art. Upon entering, a perfect harmony of geometric aesthetics, lightning effects, blue-and-white color, and even the star-shaped roof of its main hall will strike you with awe for the Islamic sanctuary.

Next, let’s check out the 88-story Petronas Twin Towers, arguably the top Instagram-worthy spot in Kuala Lumpur. Fancy superb photo ops? Stand at the yellow right-angled line just fronting the entrance and utilize a 0.8x wide-angle lens to capture the full-length shot of this world’s highest twin towers; or, head straight to the No. 214 lamppost in front of the nearby Public Bank Berhad with fewer crowds. As you get inside, ascend to the 41st-floor Sky Bridge, the highest one on Earth, as well as the-86th-floor viewing platform, for a panoramic view of Kuala Lumpur’s iconic skyline. 

At the end of the day, your driver guide will accompany you back to your hotel. Have a good night!

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: PARKROYAL COLLECTION Kuala Lumpur (5 stars)

This morning, we’ll drive for 2 hours to Malacca, Malaysia’s oldest town mainly populated by Eastern and Western immigrants. 

Our first stop is the nearly 400-year-old Cheng Hoon Teng Temple, a long-held spiritual anchor and activity center for early Chinese immigrants. It’s said that its building materials and artisans all came from distant China, so you’ll easily connect with traditional Chinese elements through the roof’s vivid ceramic sculptures made in cutting-and-pasting techniques, three altars of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism, as well as orderly interior furnishings made of valuable lustrous Chinese hardwood.

Let’s then roam around Dutch Red Square, home to Southeast Asia’s oldest extant Dutch structure - Stadthuys. It served as the political seat during the Dutch and British colonial periods from the early 1700s until its role as History and Ethnography Museum in 1979. Captivated by its eye-catching red-brick walls under the blue sky, you may hardly imagine that they were originally white.Next, your driver guide will walk you up to the ruins of St. Paul’s Church, rising from St. Paul Hill in the early 16th century. Later, after occupying Malacca, Dutchman converted it into a castle, and finally into a cemetery of Dutch nobility. That is why you can behold their gravestones inscribed with Latin and Portuguese. Ravaged by several wars, the church remains bullet-strewn outer walls, even without a roof. Let’s then descend and pass by A Famosa (Porta de Santiago), once a solid fortress in the same period, but now only an ancient gate left.

Later, we’ll plunge into Jonker Street, the earliest settlement of Chinese immigrants who reached Southeast Asia nearly six centuries ago. With the gradual and novel integration of Chinese and local Malaysian cultures here, the Peranakan culture was born and flourished. If you like, get a Peranakan makeover at your own expense at a highly rated styling studio, and then visit Baba & Nyonya Heritage Museum or Malaqa House Museum to snap cinematic photos. Besides, authentic snacks like coconut shakes, yogurt cubes, durian puffs, and chicken rice balls, await your exploration. 

Following a 2-hour private car ride with your driver guide, you’ll return to your hotel in Kuala Lumpur.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: PARKROYAL COLLECTION Kuala Lumpur (5 stars)

After breakfast, your driver guide will accompany you from your hotel to Batu Caves, one of renowned Hindu temples in Malaysia. After capturing the massive gilded sculpture standing on the square, climb 272 rainbow stairs to its biggest Temple Cave, over 100 meters (330 feet) high. Inside, take a close look at the walls riddled with shrines, and understand the Hindu story of the God of War who obtained a holy spear and beat the devil, which is also the origin of the Hindu Thaipusam Festival. 
► Tips:
1. It’s better to wear a mask against unpleasant odors from pigeons and monkeys on the square.
2. It’s not recommended to hold food directly in your hands, as the monkeys may rush over to snatch them. Also, it’s not advisable to feed them, because it’ll leave food debris, banana peels, and packaging bags - neither safe nor favorable to a clean environment.

Subsequently, let’s set off from Kuala Lumpur and drive for 3.5 hours to Cameron Highlands. At an elevation of 1,500 meters (4,821 feet), this Malaysia’s largest summer resort boasts cool weather, lush tropical rainforests, tea plantations, verdant mountains, and fresh air. 

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Strawberry Park Resort, Cameron Highlands (4 stars)

Today, Let’s start from BOH Tea Plantation, the largest in Malaysia. While sauntering through green tea plants, study how to cultivate them and make tea products. If you like, walk up a few stairs to the glass-walled BOH Sungai Palas Tea Garden, leisurely sip tea at your own cost while enjoying a vast expanse of emerald tea fields and comfortable breezes. 

Next up is Cactus Valley, home to countless cacti in different sizes, heights, and shapes. Then, we’ll arrive at a Strawberry Farm for a self-paid picking experience, followed by a brief visit to the nearby local market. Ultimately, make it to the Lavender Farm to get lost in a dreamlike fairyland ablaze with purple lavenders, pink morning glories, and orange daisies, while smelling a mixed, soothing scent. Novelty seekers may try the lavender-flavored ice cream out of pocket.

After the visit, your driver guide will accompany you on a 4-hour drive to your hotel in Penang, rated as one of Asia’s best island resorts by many big-name travel magazines like the Lonely Planet. Recharge your batteries, and get ready for tomorrow’s tour!

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: JEN Penang Georgetown by Shangri-La (4 stars)

After breakfast, accompanied by your driver guide, embark on a scenic car tour of George Town, a multicultural World Heritage site featuring Southeast Asia’s unique flavor, colonial history and Chinese vibrant living scenes. Feast your eyes on Malaysia’s oldest Fort Cornwallis, Queen Victoria Memorial Clock Tower in British and Islamic Moorish styles, Clan Jetties formed by Chinese waterfront stilt-house communities, and one-of-a-kind Street of Harmony. What will impress you is the cultural diversity and inclusiveness embodied in the street - churches, Chinese and Hindu temples, as well as Indian Muslim and Malay mosques intertwine in one place. 

Afterward, let’s check off the 180-year-old Wat Chayamangkalaram Temple, an excellent architectural hybrid of Chinese, Thai, and Burmese styles. Apart from admiring its magnificent structures, marvel at the 33-meter-long (108-foot-long) reclining Buddha statue lying on his right side, with a serene look. Both his eyes and toenails are adorned with shells, while his body is clad in gold foil - splendid yet solemn.

Following that, we’ll make our way to Penang Hill at a height of 833 meters (2733 feet). On the summit, wander the cool, tree-shaded skywalk at the highest point of the city, and take in a bird’s-eye view of the whole Penang. Playing on the massive swing, you may spot endangered dusky leaf monkeys resting on the branch. Different from their cubs in yellow fur, adult monkeys have shaggy, charcoal grey hair with white eye patches.
★ Special Inclusion: To save your energy and time, we’ve included a funicular train ride to transport you from lowland city, via the 130-million-year-old virgin forest, to the top of Penang Hill.

As the tour ends, your driver guide will accompany you back to your hotel. If you’re still in the mood, consider getting off at the street painting district for a self-guided adventure, and then returning to your hotel by yourself.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: JEN Penang Georgetown by Shangri-La (4 stars)

The morning is free for you. At the appointed time, your driver guide will pick you up at your hotel and escort you to Penang International Airport for a 40-minute flight to Langkawi, a laid-back island getaway well-known for its white sands, azure seas, lush tropical forests, and tax-free shopping areas. Upon arrival, your local driver guide will meet you at the exit, and accompany you to your hotel on the lively Cenang Beach. 

► More Inspirations (at your own cost):
1. Penang
Wake up naturally in the morning, and make a 10-minute taxi trip from your hotel to Pinang Peranakan Mansion Museum, a mansion of the Chinese tycoon in the 1800s. Inside, appreciate its exquisite Chinese hardwood furniture inlaid with mother-of-pearl, Victorian crystal chandeliers, and vibrant floor tiles with floral motifs. Girls can also rent traditional Kebaya costumes for photos. At noon, check out the nearby Michelin-starred Auntie Gaik Lean’s Old School Eatery, or Jason Nyonya House, for lunch.
2. Langkawi
After a short break at your hotel, you can go out to experience various water activities, such as motorboats, snorkeling, and banana boats, and wait for a breathtaking sunset over the sea. At night, reserve a table in advance for a beach BBQ with fresh seafood while catching wonderful fire shows.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Casa del Mar Langkawi (4 stars)

After breakfast, let’s head for Oriental Village, a charming garden dotted with beige, red-roofed houses and lush greenery. 
★ Bonus: we’ve specially included a Langkawi Cable Car to deliver you effortlessly up to Langkawi Sky Bridge, a thrilling suspended bridge linking two tree-cloaked mountains. When you stroll through the skywalk with your heart racing involuntarily, soak up an unobstructed view of the entire Oriental Village, dense tropical forests, and long winding coastlines. Thrill-seekers may also stand on transparent glass on the bridge for the excitement that feels like walking on air, after removing your shoes.

In the afternoon, enjoy a 2-hour Mangrove River Cruise with your guide to plunge into Kilim Geoforest Park, a UNESCO-listed wonderland where coastal karst landform meets mangrove ecosystem. As the boat sails through the meandering watercourse flanked by labyrinthine pristine rainforests, get a one-stop experience of savoring mysterious mangroves, watching falcons diving down to hunt, visiting the dark bat cave with hundreds of bats, and observing varied fish in a floating fish farm up close.

Eventually, your driver guide will accompany you on a 40-minute drive back to your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Casa del Mar Langkawi (4 stars)

There are no arranged activities for you today. You’re free to unwind yourself by indulging in Langkawi’s diverse archipelagos at your own pace. 

► Recommended Free-time Activities:
Consider taking a 30-minute taxi ride to Kuah Jetty and rent a boat to take an island-hopping day tour including sea fishing and BBQ. After hitting the giant, reddish-brown eagle statue on the nearby Dataran Lang, Langkawi’s famous waterfront square, sail to Beras Basah Island suitable for swimming. The largest turquoise freshwater lake of Dayang Bunting Island is a must-go, but it requires an extra ticket of RM 6 (USD 0.3) per head to play in the water. Fair warning: keep an eye on your personal belongings, as adorable yet naughty monkeys on the island may grab them. 

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Casa del Mar Langkawi (4 stars)

Today, your driver guide will see you off to the airport based on your scheduled flight. Thank you for traveling with us! 

► Free-time Recommendations:
If you have ample time before departure, spend one hour visiting Laman Padi Langkawi by yourself, a free rice museum within a 5-minute walk from your hotel. It gives you valuable insights into local agriculture through learning about rice planting tools and techniques, observing how to grow rice and harvest it manually, and even experiencing the process firsthand.

Meals: Breakfast