Tour type
Tour Level: Moderate
Tour Comfort: Budget
Tour Period: 10 Days
tour details
Leave the city far behind as you explore the Highlands and islands of Malaysia. Your journey begins in the Cameron Highlands, famed for tea production. There, you’ll visit caves, cottage industries, markets, museums, and more, getting a unique taste for local culture. Then on the next day, you’ll visit an indigenous settlement before making your way to Ipoh, Kuala Kangsar, and Pangkor Island. On the way, you’ll visit cave temples, a mosque, a palace, and more. Pangkor Island itself offers much in the way of adventure, with stunning nature, beautiful towns and temples, and friendly locals. You’ll enjoy home cooking for lunch and dinner. Later, a tour of Penang’s Georgetown introdcues you to a thriving cultural centre. By the end, you’ll have experienced a wide spectrum of Malaysian culture.
Why choose this tour?
Leave the city far behind as you experience countryside views and seascapes during this ten-day tour of Malaysia. Visit tea plantations and factories, relax on a tropical island, Stop in caves, sit under waterfalls and simply relish in the picturesque scenery. Through the journey you'll also plenty of delicious local dishes like curry kapitan filled with fresh seafood, vegetables and spices.08:30 hours
Depart Kuala Lumpur in the morning and drive to Cameron Highlands, which is situated about 1542 meters above sea level. En route stop at the Batu Caves, to view a huge limestone outcrop that houses a Hindu temple. Enjoy a short lunch stop at Tapah town, before proceeding north to the hill resort of Cameron Highlands. Along the way to Cameron Highlands, stops will be made at the Lata Iskandar Waterfall. Upon arrival at the Cameron Highlands, visit the tea plantation and vegetable markets, before checking in to the hotel of your choice (note tea plantation closed on Mondays).
In the evening visit the township of Tanah Rata with its colorful local fares. Explore Cameron Highlands at night and try some of the local cuisine. With the fresh vegetables available in abundance in Cameron Highlands, one should try the Chinese steamboat, a kind of a fondue that is very popular in Cameron Highlands.
Note: The tea plantation is closed on Mondays
Estimated driving time/distance:
3 hours, 206 km
Meal included:
Lunch
Depart Kuala Lumpur in the morning and drive to Cameron Highlands, which is situated about 1542 meters above sea level. En route stop at the Batu Caves, to view a huge limestone outcrop that houses a Hindu temple. Enjoy a short lunch stop at Tapah town, before proceeding north to the hill resort of Cameron Highlands. Along the way to Cameron Highlands, stops will be made at the Lata Iskandar Waterfall. Upon arrival at the Cameron Highlands, visit the tea plantation and vegetable markets, before checking in to the hotel of your choice (note tea plantation closed on Mondays).
In the evening visit the township of Tanah Rata with its colorful local fares. Explore Cameron Highlands at night and try some of the local cuisine. With the fresh vegetables available in abundance in Cameron Highlands, one should try the Chinese steamboat, a kind of a fondue that is very popular in Cameron Highlands.
Note: The tea plantation is closed on Mondays
Estimated driving time/distance:
3 hours, 206 km
Meal included:
Lunch
08:30 hours
Depart Cameron Highlands, and make en route stops to visit an Aborigines settlement. Following which you will continue your journey and drive towards Ipoh.
An en route stop will be made at the Sam Poh Tong Cave temple in GunungRapat, 5km south of Ipoh. The temple houses an impressive work of art with various statues of Buddha set among the natural stalactites and stalagmites. Local lunch en route. Next stop will be at Kuala Kangsar, a most attractive royal town, around 60 km north of Ipoh. En route visits will also be made at the Ubudiah Mosque and the Iskandariah Palace (royal palace).
The Ubudiah Mosque is reputed to be one of the most beautiful mosques in the country. Its construction began in the reign of Sultan Idris MurshidulAdzam Shah 1, the 28th Sultan of Perak. Elephants damaged the Italian marble flooring twice during the 1st WW.
We end today by driving to Pangkor's jetty (arriving around 1500hr to 1530hr). Here you will be transferred by ferry and on land, to your accommodation.
Estimated driving time/distance:
4.5 hours, 224 km
Meal included:
Breakfast
Lunch
Depart Cameron Highlands, and make en route stops to visit an Aborigines settlement. Following which you will continue your journey and drive towards Ipoh.
An en route stop will be made at the Sam Poh Tong Cave temple in GunungRapat, 5km south of Ipoh. The temple houses an impressive work of art with various statues of Buddha set among the natural stalactites and stalagmites. Local lunch en route. Next stop will be at Kuala Kangsar, a most attractive royal town, around 60 km north of Ipoh. En route visits will also be made at the Ubudiah Mosque and the Iskandariah Palace (royal palace).
The Ubudiah Mosque is reputed to be one of the most beautiful mosques in the country. Its construction began in the reign of Sultan Idris MurshidulAdzam Shah 1, the 28th Sultan of Perak. Elephants damaged the Italian marble flooring twice during the 1st WW.
We end today by driving to Pangkor's jetty (arriving around 1500hr to 1530hr). Here you will be transferred by ferry and on land, to your accommodation.
Estimated driving time/distance:
4.5 hours, 224 km
Meal included:
Breakfast
Lunch
Breakfast at the resort, rest of the day at leisure.
Meal included:
Breakfast
Meal included:
Breakfast
Morning at leisure until ferry departure to Lumut Jetty to continue overland trip to Penang, with lunch enroute, arriving in the evening.
18:00 hours
A special evening: Since the 16th Century, Chinese traders arrived in Penang and married the local Malay women. Their male offspring came to be known as Baba (male Sino Malays) while the females were known as Nyonyas. Babas and Nyonyas are also known as Straits Chinese (Peranakan) because of their unique culture, which gives way to the famous Baba Nyonya cuisine. Enjoy an evening at a typical Nyonya restaurant, converted from a quaint double-storeypre war building, oozes traditional Straits Chinese (Peranakan) ambience with its furniture and decorations. Try dishes like Curry Kapitan- A Peranakan styled Chicken Curry dish, Spicy Prawn, Cuttlefish and Spinach Salad, Pai Tee- Vegetables in Top Hats', Chendol- A delightful coconut based dessert.
Estimated driving time/distance:
3 hours, 182 km
Meal included:
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
18:00 hours
A special evening: Since the 16th Century, Chinese traders arrived in Penang and married the local Malay women. Their male offspring came to be known as Baba (male Sino Malays) while the females were known as Nyonyas. Babas and Nyonyas are also known as Straits Chinese (Peranakan) because of their unique culture, which gives way to the famous Baba Nyonya cuisine. Enjoy an evening at a typical Nyonya restaurant, converted from a quaint double-storeypre war building, oozes traditional Straits Chinese (Peranakan) ambience with its furniture and decorations. Try dishes like Curry Kapitan- A Peranakan styled Chicken Curry dish, Spicy Prawn, Cuttlefish and Spinach Salad, Pai Tee- Vegetables in Top Hats', Chendol- A delightful coconut based dessert.
Estimated driving time/distance:
3 hours, 182 km
Meal included:
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
08:30 hours
Venture onto Little India in Market Street (note: some places closed on Sundays and Public Holidays)
Highlights include:
Joss Maker (open from 08:00 - 11:00am, on weekdays only and subject to weather condition) Mr. Lee BengChuan has been making small joss sticks for decades now. This sprightly 60-something years man and his wife continue to churn out joss sticks for a select group of loyal customers. Mr. Lee started out not as a joss stick maker but he was commissioned to handcraft dragon and phoenix effigies onto large joss sticks that were used for special occasions such as important Chinese festivals and birthdays. He will show anyone interested, the process of making joss sticks (the process cannot be shown if it rains).
The Sri Mahamariamman Temple: This Hindu temple was built in 1833 by the association of 'Chettiars' (moneylenders) of early Penang. The temple features the Hindu goddess Mariamman in her many incarnations. The complexity of Hindu mythology is reflected in the sculpture (gopuram) which is over 23 feet high and features 38 statues of gods and goddesses over the entrance.
Spice Market: Experience the hustle and bustle of George Town's spice trade by visiting the many wholesale and retail traders dealing in age old spices such as Cinammon, Cloves Nutmeg, Pepper, Cumin and much more. This spice market has been in existence since the 18th Century and is located still next to the wharves from whence trading ships berthed.
Proceed for lunch at a traditional banana leaf restaurant. Experiment eating rice with curry on a banana leaf, with your hands, like the early Indian settlers used to. After lunch, venture into the historical 'inner' enclave of Georgetown.
The Kuan Yin (Goddess of Mercy) Temple: The first temple built by Chinese settlers in the early 19th Century. The Kuan Yin is a Boddhisattva- a being who has actually attained Nirvana but stays behind to save those souls who have not escaped the world of suffering.
The Kapitan Kling Mosque: As soon as the East India Company stationed itself in Penang, the Muslim section of its troops comprising the Havildars, Jemadars and Sepoys founded this first mosque in 1801. The mosque is named after CaudeMydinMerican alias Kapitan Kling who was headman at the time. He brought in builders, Masons and stones from India for the building of this magnificent moorish styled mosque.
Cannon Square and the KhooKongsi Clan House: A cannon shot fired by the British during the secret society fights of the Penang Riots of 1867, lends its name to the square. The famous KhooKongsi located at the square is the grandest clan house in the country. The clan house has retained its authentic historic setting, which includes an association building, a traditional theatre and late 19th century row houses for clan members, all clustered around granite paved square. The clan temple itself is the monument of Zhang Zhou architecture of typical late Chng dynasty baroqueness.
Sun Yat Sen Museum (Tel: 04-2620123): Located in Armenian Street, nearby KhooKongsi within walking distance (02 min walk). A centre to preserve and commemorate the activities that happened in Penang that was so significant to the history of China in the beginning of the 20th century. (Opening hours: 0900hrs-1700hrs - Daily).
Savor nightfall on a trishaw through old George Town.
Ride through the streets of old George Town on a trishaw. Take in all the sights, smells and sounds of the inner city, as your trishaw brings you through the historical Faquhar Road, passing the St. Xaviers Institution and Convent Light Street, both established in the 19th century by early Christian missionaries. Cutting into narrow streets, Love Lane or the locals called it "Ai Cheng Hang", so named because it was said that the rich men who lived there kept their mistresses here. Next, turn into Muntri Street, the infamous "red light" districts of bygone days. Trishaw will continue to ride through Penang Road and into Campbell Street - Carnarvon Street and Chulia Street. End the night with outdoor hawker dining experience as the locals do.
Meal included:
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Venture onto Little India in Market Street (note: some places closed on Sundays and Public Holidays)
Highlights include:
Joss Maker (open from 08:00 - 11:00am, on weekdays only and subject to weather condition) Mr. Lee BengChuan has been making small joss sticks for decades now. This sprightly 60-something years man and his wife continue to churn out joss sticks for a select group of loyal customers. Mr. Lee started out not as a joss stick maker but he was commissioned to handcraft dragon and phoenix effigies onto large joss sticks that were used for special occasions such as important Chinese festivals and birthdays. He will show anyone interested, the process of making joss sticks (the process cannot be shown if it rains).
The Sri Mahamariamman Temple: This Hindu temple was built in 1833 by the association of 'Chettiars' (moneylenders) of early Penang. The temple features the Hindu goddess Mariamman in her many incarnations. The complexity of Hindu mythology is reflected in the sculpture (gopuram) which is over 23 feet high and features 38 statues of gods and goddesses over the entrance.
Spice Market: Experience the hustle and bustle of George Town's spice trade by visiting the many wholesale and retail traders dealing in age old spices such as Cinammon, Cloves Nutmeg, Pepper, Cumin and much more. This spice market has been in existence since the 18th Century and is located still next to the wharves from whence trading ships berthed.
Proceed for lunch at a traditional banana leaf restaurant. Experiment eating rice with curry on a banana leaf, with your hands, like the early Indian settlers used to. After lunch, venture into the historical 'inner' enclave of Georgetown.
The Kuan Yin (Goddess of Mercy) Temple: The first temple built by Chinese settlers in the early 19th Century. The Kuan Yin is a Boddhisattva- a being who has actually attained Nirvana but stays behind to save those souls who have not escaped the world of suffering.
The Kapitan Kling Mosque: As soon as the East India Company stationed itself in Penang, the Muslim section of its troops comprising the Havildars, Jemadars and Sepoys founded this first mosque in 1801. The mosque is named after CaudeMydinMerican alias Kapitan Kling who was headman at the time. He brought in builders, Masons and stones from India for the building of this magnificent moorish styled mosque.
Cannon Square and the KhooKongsi Clan House: A cannon shot fired by the British during the secret society fights of the Penang Riots of 1867, lends its name to the square. The famous KhooKongsi located at the square is the grandest clan house in the country. The clan house has retained its authentic historic setting, which includes an association building, a traditional theatre and late 19th century row houses for clan members, all clustered around granite paved square. The clan temple itself is the monument of Zhang Zhou architecture of typical late Chng dynasty baroqueness.
Sun Yat Sen Museum (Tel: 04-2620123): Located in Armenian Street, nearby KhooKongsi within walking distance (02 min walk). A centre to preserve and commemorate the activities that happened in Penang that was so significant to the history of China in the beginning of the 20th century. (Opening hours: 0900hrs-1700hrs - Daily).
Savor nightfall on a trishaw through old George Town.
Ride through the streets of old George Town on a trishaw. Take in all the sights, smells and sounds of the inner city, as your trishaw brings you through the historical Faquhar Road, passing the St. Xaviers Institution and Convent Light Street, both established in the 19th century by early Christian missionaries. Cutting into narrow streets, Love Lane or the locals called it "Ai Cheng Hang", so named because it was said that the rich men who lived there kept their mistresses here. Next, turn into Muntri Street, the infamous "red light" districts of bygone days. Trishaw will continue to ride through Penang Road and into Campbell Street - Carnarvon Street and Chulia Street. End the night with outdoor hawker dining experience as the locals do.
Meal included:
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
08:30 hours
After breakfast, prepare yourself for a long and scenic drive through the East West highway. The highway cuts through the Mountain Range of Malaysia and offers breathtaking views of the tropical rainforest, rubber and oil palm plantations and a vast lake. Stop for photographs along the way. En route lunch at a local restaurant. Finishing the day by driving to Kota Bahru, checking into hotel.
Note: Some places in the East Coast are closed on Fridays and during Ramadan fasting month.
Estimated driving time/distance:
5.5 hours, 340 km
Meal included:
Breakfast
Lunch
After breakfast, prepare yourself for a long and scenic drive through the East West highway. The highway cuts through the Mountain Range of Malaysia and offers breathtaking views of the tropical rainforest, rubber and oil palm plantations and a vast lake. Stop for photographs along the way. En route lunch at a local restaurant. Finishing the day by driving to Kota Bahru, checking into hotel.
Note: Some places in the East Coast are closed on Fridays and during Ramadan fasting month.
Estimated driving time/distance:
5.5 hours, 340 km
Meal included:
Breakfast
Lunch
08:30 hours
After breakfast, join for a visit to the Central market. This colorful market bustles with activity. Women sitting on mats offer farm-fresh vegetables, fish, preserved food, dried seafood and sweetmeats. Kota Bahru is also the center for Malay crafts.
After which, continue along the coastal roads to head towards Setiu.
Note: Some places in the East Coast are closed on Fridays and during Ramadhan fasting month.
Estimated driving time/distance:
2 hours, 112 km
Meal included:
Breakfast
Lunch
After breakfast, join for a visit to the Central market. This colorful market bustles with activity. Women sitting on mats offer farm-fresh vegetables, fish, preserved food, dried seafood and sweetmeats. Kota Bahru is also the center for Malay crafts.
After which, continue along the coastal roads to head towards Setiu.
Note: Some places in the East Coast are closed on Fridays and during Ramadhan fasting month.
Estimated driving time/distance:
2 hours, 112 km
Meal included:
Breakfast
Lunch
09:00 hours
After which, continue along the coastal roads to head towards Kuala Terengganu, enroute visit Pulau Duyung Besar, the largest island in the estuary. Fishing boats are built here using age old techniques and tools. Drive along Chinatown and view the Maziah Palace and State Mosque.
Departing to Kuantan. En route, visit to fishing villages, brassware making and 'mengkuang' weaving cottage industries and the turtle museum. Stop at local villages to observe the traditional way of living. See the antiques of trained monkey plucking coconuts. Free at own leisure in Cherating.
Note: Some places in the East Coast are closed on Fridays and during Ramadhan fasting month.
Estimated driving time/distance:
3.5 hours, 271 km
Meal included:
Breakfast
Lunch
After which, continue along the coastal roads to head towards Kuala Terengganu, enroute visit Pulau Duyung Besar, the largest island in the estuary. Fishing boats are built here using age old techniques and tools. Drive along Chinatown and view the Maziah Palace and State Mosque.
Departing to Kuantan. En route, visit to fishing villages, brassware making and 'mengkuang' weaving cottage industries and the turtle museum. Stop at local villages to observe the traditional way of living. See the antiques of trained monkey plucking coconuts. Free at own leisure in Cherating.
Note: Some places in the East Coast are closed on Fridays and during Ramadhan fasting month.
Estimated driving time/distance:
3.5 hours, 271 km
Meal included:
Breakfast
Lunch
08:30 hours
Depart for Pekan, view some exclusive residence of the Royal family and Summer Palace of the Sultan (view from outside only). Visit the water-craft gallery which houses traditional riverine crafts including dug-outs and bamboo house boat. Trace the heritage line of the Sultan of Pahang at the State Museum. See how ancient motifs of the silk weaving at PulauKeladi.
Estimated driving time/distance:
1.5 hours, 92 km (2 ways)
Meal included:
Breakfast
Lunch
Depart for Pekan, view some exclusive residence of the Royal family and Summer Palace of the Sultan (view from outside only). Visit the water-craft gallery which houses traditional riverine crafts including dug-outs and bamboo house boat. Trace the heritage line of the Sultan of Pahang at the State Museum. See how ancient motifs of the silk weaving at PulauKeladi.
Estimated driving time/distance:
1.5 hours, 92 km (2 ways)
Meal included:
Breakfast
Lunch
09:00 hours
After breakfast, drive from Kuantan to Kuala Lumpur, with an en route stop for local lunch. Arrive in Kuala Lumpur. After breakfast, drive from Kuantan to Kuala Lumpur, with an en route stop for local lunch. Arrive in Kuala Lumpur.
Estimated driving time/distance:
3 hours, 230 km
Meal included:
Breakfast
Lunch
After breakfast, drive from Kuantan to Kuala Lumpur, with an en route stop for local lunch. Arrive in Kuala Lumpur. After breakfast, drive from Kuantan to Kuala Lumpur, with an en route stop for local lunch. Arrive in Kuala Lumpur.
Estimated driving time/distance:
3 hours, 230 km
Meal included:
Breakfast
Lunch
customise the tour
- Option to travel in Diethelm Standard
- Travelling in luxury vehicles with private guide throughout
- Extension to Sabah and Sarawak to discover different culture and join to search for wildlife
- Upgrade to suite for more privacy and comfort vacation
- Let us create a special moment for your loved one
includes
- Accommodation in shared Twin/Double room, air-condition (AC) and private bathroom
- Meals as stated in the programme B= breakfast, L= lunch, D= dinner
- Private air-conditioned vehicle with local driver
- Your private English speaking guide throughout the journey (Except free day in Pangkor)
- Sightseeing/touring, entrance fees
- Shared boat transfer (to/from Pangkor Island)
- WiFi in vehicle
- Premium cold towel
- Service charges
excludes
- Optional tours
- Domestic airfare (quoted separately, if requested)
- Personal travel insurance
- Personal expenditure, such as tips to local guide, drinks, souvenirs, laundry, camera fees, communications, postage, gratuities etc.
- Meals and services other than mentioned in the programme
- Early check-in and late check-out at hotels, if not mentioned in the programme
- Visa
notes
- Certain parts of the tours on offer are provided by independent third parties, such as airlines, hotels, transport operators and local tourist offices. Diethelm Travel is therefore not responsible for any loss, injury or damage caused thereby to the tourists, including those occurring outside of the normal touring programmers. Additional expenses incurred due to delay, accident, natural disaster, political actions and unrest shall be borne by the tourists.
- We advise that due to frequent flight changes, delays and cancellations by the various domestic airlines and trains we cannot fully guarantee that the proposed itinerary can be carried out as planned. Based on our experience, changes of departure times and/ or cancellations can occur at very short notice even after confirmation of a flight has been received. The same applies for train travel: Schedule changes occur frequently; often without prior notification. In case of schedule changes or flight cancellations we always try everything possible to arrange an alternate programme within the framework of the original quoted costs. However, we reserve the right to charge any cost exceeding the original budget to the tour operator/ travel agent or to the participant of a tour after consultation with the agent.
- Programmers, prices, services and conditions are based on those valid at the time of proposal submission and are subject to change thereafter without advance notice until all services have been paid in full.
- For air ticket reservations, we require the guests' full names AS THEY APPEAR IN THEIR PASSPORTS including passport details. Airfares and reservations are always subject to change.
- Please be advised that prices may be adjusted periodically in case of fuel price increase by our suppliers and hotel room availability at time of booking
- This is a quotation only and reservation for services has not been made nor has availability been checked.
Tour code: PKKCLMDB
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