This 5-day Malaysia itinerary begins at 08:00 this morning.

Your private guide and driver will meet you in Kuala Lumpur and prep you for the scenic 5-hour journey into the Cameron Highlands, Malaysia’s highest point accessible by road. This extensive hill station is about the size of Singapore and offers stunning panoramic views. En route, you’ll have the chance to stop at Batu Caves, a large network of limestone caves that also houses Malaysia’s most important Hindu temple complex.

At midday, you’ll stop at the town of Tapah, a charming little town that is considered the gateway to the Cameron Highlands. Continue up the winding mountain road, with visits to Iskandar Waterfall and an Orang Asli village along the way. You’ll get to mingle with the Orang Asli, an indigenous group who are considered the first inhabitants of Malaysia. In the afternoon, arrive at Cameron Highlands and check-in to your hotel.

Day 2 of your Malaysia tour offers a full day of exciting exploration. After enjoying breakfast at the hotel, you’ll head for the hills. Long considered a blissful refuge from Malaysia’s tropical lowland heat, the Cameron Highlands is also famed for its stunning vistas. On a tour of the highlands, you’ll visit emerald-green tea plantations and stop at a tea factory to get an insider’s look at how local tea is harvested and processed. (Please note: The plantation is closed on Mondays and national holidays.)

After this highlands tour, you’ll head back to the lowlands, stopping at a one-of-a-kind Buddhist temple along the way. When you arrive in Bukit Merah, a charming lakeside town, you’ll climb aboard a boat and cross the lake to Pulau Orang Utan, an island that houses an orangutan research and rehabilitation center. Meet the resident primates and learn about their lives here before continuing by private car to the historical island of Penang. You’ll stop en route at the famed Snake Temple for an unforgettable temple experience.

You’ll arrive in Penang in the late afternoon. After checking into the hotel, you’ll have the rest of the evening to spend at your leisure.

(Please note: The excursion to Pulau Orang Utan is dependent on the lake’s water levels.)

Today after breakfast, your private guide will take you on a fascinating tour of Georgetown, a UNESCO Heritage City. You’ll hit all the main destinations, including the Thai Temple of the Reclining Buddha; the Burmese Temple; Khoo Kongsi, a beautifully preserved Chinese clan house; and the stately Pinang Peranakan Mansion, the beautiful, historical home of a wealthy Baba merchant built in the Baba-Nonya style. Today the mansion houses a museum of antiques and historical relics of the region. After perusing the museum’s collection, head out for an immersive visit to the biggest Buddhist temple in Malaysia, Kek Lok Si Temple.

After concluding your city tour, it’s time to head east to the island of Banding. A scenic, 3-hour drive will bring you to Lake Temenggor, where the isle of Banding is located. After checking into your hotel, the evening is free to spend at your leisure.

Banding is the perfect place from which to explore the tropical landscapes and natural curiosities of the surrounding Royal Belum Rainforest. After breakfast, you’ll hop in a boat and cruise the lake in search of the Rafflesia flower, the world’s largest species of flower. (Please note: The Rafflesia flower is only visible when in bloom.)

Continue via the “Elephants’ Trail” to reach another natural curiosity, the Salt Lake. If you’re vigilant, you’re sure to spot some unique wildlife coming to partake of the lake’s mineral deposits. Next up, head to a jungle waterfall where you can picnic on a packed lunch and go for a swim in the cool waters of the pool.

As you head back to your hotel in Banding, you’ll have the opportunity to stop by another Orang Asli village to learn about the locals’ unique culture.

We hope you enjoyed your 5-day Malaysia itinerary! After breakfast, you’ll be transferred to Kota Bharu (about a 3-hour drive away), where you have the choice to be dropped off at your hotel or at the airport to catch your onward flight.

For an additional fee, we also offer a transfer to Kuala Besut Jetty (with access to Perhentian Island) or to Merang/Shabandar Jetty (with access to Redang Island).