Malaysia, 15 Days · Classic tour

Mainland Malaysia and Borneo

From
2,995
Departure on 22/03/2025 from Dublin

A journey that fuses together cities, culture and unspoilt nature

Malaysia boasts fascinating cities, impenetrable rainforests and a cultural legacy inherent to its fascinating blend of diverse backgrounds. Come and discover some of the treasures that make Malaysia a truly unique destination: the capital Kuala Lumpur; the colonial treasure of Malacca; tea plantations in the Cameron Highlands: the orangutans of Belum and Sepilok; the fascinating Penang; the rich indigenous cultural heritage of Kota Kinabalu; the hot springs of Poring; the lush rainforest of Mt. Kinabalu; a cruise along the Kinabatangan River; and the magnificent nature of Sukau...

What’s not to love?

Mainland Malaysia and Borneo

Departure date

Departures from December 2024 till October 2025

From

Dublin, Shannon, Donegal, Cork...

Nature

Travel details

Day 1 City of origin - Kuala Lumpur

Day 2 Kuala Lumpur

Day 3 Kuala Lumpur

Day 4 Kuala Lumpur - Malacca - Kuala Lumpur

Day 5 Kuala Lumpur - Cameron Highlands

Day 6 Cameron Highlands - Belum

Day 7 Belum - Penang

Day 8 Penang

Day 9 Penang - Kota Kinabalu

Day 10 Kota Kinabalu - Mt. Kinabalu

Day 11 Mt. Kinabalu - Sandakan

Day 12 Sandakan - Sukau

Day 13 Sukau

Day 14 Sukau - Sandakan - City of origin

Day 15 City of origin

City of origin - Kuala Lumpur

Departure with destination Kuala Lumpur. Night on board.

Kuala Lumpur

Arrival. Transfer to hotel. Accommodation.
Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur

Includes: Breakfast
Breakfast. City tour. We'll pass by the Perdana Botanical Garden, also known as the Lake Gardens. We'll stop at the National Mosque and Independence Square. From there we will walk to Pasar Seni, the central market. We'll pass one of the first buildings in Kuala Lumpur, the Masjid Jamek, built where the Gombak and Klang rivers meet. We will arrive in Chinatown and go to Kampung Baru, an area where most houses are built following traditional architecture. The visit ends in the centre, where we can take photos of the Petronas Towers. Return to the hotel and rest of the day free. Accommodation.

Kuala Lumpur - Malacca - Kuala Lumpur

Includes: BreakfastLunch
Breakfast. Morning departure for a full-day tour of Malacca, about 145 kilometres south of the city. The crossing takes about two and a half hours. In Malacca, we will see the ruins of the A Famosa fortress, the Dutch Square and cross the bridge across the river to reach the streets of the old part of Malacca. We'll enjoy a cruise on the river and admire buildings whose architecture draws on Dutch and British influences. We'll then visit the Baba Nyonya House Museum. Lunch included. Then we will see the Cheng Hoon Teng Temple, the oldest Chinese temple in Malaysia, and the Kampung Kling Mosque, the oldest mosque in Malacca. To end the tour, we'll make a stop at Bukit China, the largest Chinese graveyard outside of China. Return journey to Kuala Lumpur. Accommodation.

Kuala Lumpur - Cameron Highlands

Includes: Breakfast
Breakfast. Morning departure to Cameron Highlands. On the way, we'll stop at a local Orang Asli house. On arrival at Cameron Highlands, we'll see a tea plantation and check into the hotel. Accommodation.

Cameron Highlands - Belum

Includes: BreakfastDinner
Breakfast. We'll set off for the royal town of Kuala Kangsar, where we'll visit the Ubudiah Mosque. After the visit, we'll head to the island of the Butik Merah Orang Utan Foundation, the only orangutan research centre in Peninsular Malaysia. We'll arrive after a boat ride of about 20 minutes. This is a sanctuary for the breeding and conservation of these animals. From there we will continue to the Belum Jungle Reserve, near the Thai border. The journey takes about 3 hours. On arrival, check-in at the lodge. Dinner and overnight stay. Note: the visit to the orangutan centre will depend on the water levels of Lake Merah.

Belum - Penang

Includes: BreakfastLunch
Breakfast. Excursion to Belum to learn more about the fauna and flora of this reserve, one of the oldest jungles in Malaysia. Picnic lunch. Return to hotel. Departure by road to Penang Island. Arrival at hotel. Accommodation.
Penang

Penang

Includes: Breakfast
Breakfast. Day spent exploring Penang. The visit includes: the Kek Lo Si Temple, the Thai Temple of the Reclining Buddha, the Burmese Temple, Fort Canning and Clan Jetty, Khoo Kongsi and Armenian Street. Return to the hotel and rest of the day free. Accommodation.

Penang - Kota Kinabalu

Includes: Breakfast
Breakfast. Transfer to the airport. Flight from Bayan Lepas to Kota Kinabalu. Arrival. Transfer to hotel. In the afternoon, we'll head out to the night market in search of the best bargains. Witness the city's nightlife from the Signal Hill lookout point. Afterwards, we'll enjoy a lively dinner with a cultural show. We'll then have some free time before returning to the hotel. Accommodation.

Kota Kinabalu - Mt. Kinabalu

Includes: BreakfastLunchDinner
Breakfast. Departure to Kinabalu National Park, which takes about three hours. On the way, we'll pass through small towns and villages. We'll stop at the Nabalu fruit market. Afterwards, we'll visit Poring Hot Springs. There, one of the main activities is the elevated walkway that runs through the treetops at a height of 41 metres, with a length of 157 metres from tree to tree. Lunch at a local restaurant. Continue to Kinabalu National Park. There, we'll walk along one of the park's trails and enjoy the views of Mount Kinabalu. We'll also visit the Exhibition Hall and the Mountain Garden. After the visits, transfer to the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay.

Mt. Kinabalu - Sandakan

Includes: Breakfast
Breakfast. Mid-morning departure to Sandakan via the ridges of the Crocker Range, through villages and palm oil plantations. The journey takes about five hours. Arrival, check-in at the hotel and rest of the day at leisure. Accommodation.

Sandakan - Sukau

Includes: BreakfastLunchDinner
Breakfast. Morning departure to the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, where we will participate in a feeding session with the Orangutans. Afterwards, we'll visit the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre. Afterwards transfer to the dock, about two hours by road, where we will take a boat to Bilit. On arrival at the lodge, we'll enjoy a welcome drink. Lunch at the lodge. In the afternoon, we'll embark on a cruise on the Kinabatangan River. We'll be able to observe wildlife in the river and animals such as Proboscis monkeys, Bornean bird species and, if we are lucky, Bornean pygmy elephants. Return journey to the lodge for dinner. Rest of the night at leisure. Accommodation.

Sukau

Includes: BreakfastLunchDinner
Early morning departure to cruise the Kinabatangan River to witness the awakening of the wildlife there. Return to the hotel to enjoy breakfast. Rest of the morning at leisure. Lunch at the lodge. In the afternoon, we'll take another boat trip on the river. Return journey to the lodge for dinner. Rest of the night at leisure. Accommodation.

Sukau - Sandakan - City of origin

Includes: Breakfast
Breakfast. We'll go out and explore the Rainforest Discovery Centre in Sandakan. Transfer to the airport. Flight to City of origin destination. Night on board.

City of origin

Arrival. End of the trip and our services.

Your trip includes

  • Return flight.

  • Overnight stay in the listed hotels, or similar.

  • Transfers according to the itinerary.

  • Transport in vehicles appropriate to the size of the group.

  • Regular tours mentioned in the itinerary, not stated as optional.

  • Diet: 7 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 1 dinner.

  • Flight from Bayan Lepas to Kota Kinabalu.

  • Visits on regular tours that are mentioned and not listed as optional.

  • English-speaking local guides.

  • Diet: 5 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 4 dinners.

Your trip doesn't include

  • Any other service not previously mentioned as included.

  • Insolvency protection.

Expected Hotels (or similar)

In this section you will find a selection of hotels according to the category specified in the itinerary.

Day 1

Days 2 - 4

Day 5

Day 6

Days 7 - 8

Days 9 - 10

Day 11

Days 12 - 13

Day 14

Flight

Overnight stay on board.

Flight

Important remarks

- Triple rooms in Malaysia are generally rooms with twin beds or a double, in which a folding bed is installed to accommodate the third person. Due to the inconvenience this causes, we advise against using this option as far the possible.

- Please check with your international vaccination centre about the recommended healthcare measures in Malaysia.

- Malaysia is a Muslim country and the month of Ramadan is of major significance to its residents. During Ramadan, entertainment and alcohol will be restricted in most of the country. The sale of alcohol will be restricted in many places, although some establishments will offer alcohol for sale to tourists. During this period, local businesses may also have shorter opening hours.

- To reconfirm services at the destination, please send us your passport details within 24 hours of booking.

- Check-in time at the hotel on the day of arrival depends on each establishment, but in no case will it be before 3:00 p.m., unless otherwise indicated.

- The triple accommodation in Belum is based on a double and a single room.

- For walks in the jungle, we recommend comfortable footwear, a waterproof jacket, a hat, sunscreen and a small backpack.

- Visiting Orang Utan Island cannot be guaranteed due to the fluctuation of the water level of Lake Merah.

- The tea plantation and strawberry factory is closed on Mondays and holidays.

- The order of the itinerary may be altered for logistical reasons, without prior notice, but no scheduled trips will be cancelled (except in the case that adverse weather conditions prevent its realisation).

- A credit card is considered a guarantee, so sometimes you will need one for check-in at hotels.

- Prices are calculated based on admission fees to the sights as of the date of publication. If there is an increase in these prices, you will be promptly informed.

- If you are a person with reduced mobility, please contact us to confirm the suitability of the trip.

- Consult the necessary documentation to enter the destinations visited and for transit in the countries where air stopovers are made.