Destination Malaysia

Malaysia Excursions

Explore George Town – Orientation, Penang

Operated: Daily, 14:00 – 18:00

This fascinating tour gives an insight into Penang’s capital which is famous worldwide for its history, heritage and museums. Named after King George III of England, George Town has one of the largest concentrations of colonial buildings in Southeast Asia. A highlight is a visit to Masjid Kapitan Keling Road, otherwise known as the “Street of Harmony”, because it contains various historic landmarks of worship. One of the most prominent of these is the Anglican church of St George, named after the patron saint of England. Another architectural and religious gem is the Kapitan Keling Mosque, the oldest mosque in Penang which was built originally by the East India Company’s troops in 1818. Our journey of discovery then takes us to the oldest Hindu temple of worship in Penang; Mahamariamman Temple. We then visit the Goddess of Mercy Temple, the first Chinese temple in Penang, which was built by early Hokkien and Cantonese settlers and it remains a popular temple amongst the local community even today. Other highlights include visits to the State Museum and the world’s fourth largest reclining Buddha statue at Wat Chayamangkalaram. This excursion gives a perfect insight into the cultural heartbeat of Penang’s capital, which has been awarded UNESCO World Heritage status.

Penang Scenic Night Tour

Operated: Daily, 19:00 – 23:00

Watch the city of George Town come alive at night as we embark on a fun-filled rickshaw ride and head around the city’s picturesque illuminated streets. This traditional form of transport provides the perfect opportunity to take in an alternative view of Penang’s UNESCO World Heritage streets that are bathed in soft lighting and take on a different perspective at night. The evening starts off with a delicious dinner featuring Penang cuisine. Following the rickshaw ride, we board vehicles to journey across the magnificent Penang Bridge, which at 13.5km long is the longest bridge in Malaysia and the fourth longest in South East Asia. After taking in the breathtaking views of the mainland and the island, we head back to Penang by ferry with a trip on the oldest ferry service in Malaysia, which dates back to 1920. This excursion is a great way to experience the island’s best-known after-dark attractions.

Orientation Tour of Kuala Lumpur City

Operated: Daily, 08:30 – 17:00

This Kuala Lumpur orientation tour provides the best introduction to this exciting metropolis. Our journey around the capital unveils the beauty and charm of old and new Kuala Lumpur with visits to the iconic Petronas Twin Towers and modern buildings in the capital’s “Golden Triangle”, with stops at the King’s Palace, the National Monument, the National Museum, the National Mosque and the Sultan Abdul Samad Building. A mixture of the old and the new, this tour gives a great insight into the contrasts that make Kuala Lumpur such an interesting place to visit.

Evening Colours of Kuala Lumpur with Dinner and Show

Operated: Daily, 18:30 – 22:00

This evening tour gives a perspective of Kuala Lumpur at night with visits to the open air bazaar in China Town and a Hindu temple followed by a sumptuous Malay dinner accompanied by a traditional Malay show. The smell of burning jasmine, the incessant chanting of Hindu priests and the intricate carved deities at the Sri Maha Mariamman temple will give you a lasting impression of this enchanting religion. Our walk around China Town will also give you the opportunity to bargain for a wide variety of goods. Later, we head to a Malay Restaurant for a buffet dinner and cultural show. Culture, cuisine and cheap purchases, this tour has it all!

Historical Malacca Tour with Lunch

Operated: Daily, 08:30 – 16:45

This full-day tour takes us to Malacca which was formerly ruled by the Portuguese, the Dutch and lastly the British over a period of 400 years. Highlights include a visit to St. Peter’s Church – the oldest Christian Church still in use in Malaysia. We then drive past the largest 17th century Chinese cemetery outside of China, which is located at Bukit China or Chinese Hill. We then stop at the foothill to view the “Sultan’s Well” before driving through the Portuguese Settlement. Next we take in the famous gateway, Port De Santiago and the ruins of St. Paul’s Church which is lined by 17th century Dutch tombstones. Next on the list is Red Square containing the red Dutch administrative buildings which today house the Malacca Museum and government offices. We then visit Christ Church and the “Abode Merciful Clouds”, or the Cheng Hoon Teng Temple – the only temple which houses the major doctrines of local Chinese belief under the same roof including Taoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism. This tour gives a great insight into one of Malaysia’s most historic regions.

Langkawi Island Tour

Operated: Daily, 09:00 – 14:00

This fascinating tour takes us to both the urban and rural areas of the legendry island of Langkawi. The adventure begins with visit to a local cottage industry where you will witness the process of traditional batik painting using wax and dyes. We then visit Makam Mahsuri where the legendary Mahsuri is laid to rest in the garden of a traditional Malay House. The tour continues with a cable car ride up a soaring peak providing a bird’s eye view of this stunning island. We then continue to the Premier’s Gallery and proceed to Eagle Squire in the capital of Kuah. Time is allocated for duty free shopping in Kuah before we return to the hotel.

Discover Mangrove Safari

Operated: Daily, 09:00 – 15:00

Located at the northeast tip of Langkawi, the Sungai Kilim Nature Park is a 100-sq-km protected natural area with verdant mangrove forests, remote beaches and blue lagoons. Our eco-adventure starts with a boat journey through limestone caves and along hidden canyons to view monkeys, kingfishers, monitor lizards and mud crabs along the river banks. At Bat Cave we will see thousands of bats clinging upside down on the ceiling of the cave. A visit to a fish breeding farm is next where we get the chance to feed live stingrays, followed by one of the highlights of the tour; watching the protected White Head Eagles being fed. Our journey will continue to Tanjung Rhu and then onto the open sea for a swim and sunbathe on an isolated beach. Lunch is served at the Floating Fish Farm Restaurant.

Land below the Wind full-day tour, plus Kinabalu Park and Poring Hot Springs, Sabah

Operated: Daily, 07:20 – 18:00

This tour is the ultimate adventure excursion and takes in the magnificent Kinabalu Park, an area located at 1,585 metres above sea level which showcases an ecological system unrivalled anywhere else in the world. The area around Mount Kinabalu spans 754 sq-km and was converted into a National Park in 1964 because of its geographical and geological importance and the abundance of diverse flora, including 4,500 species of plants, 1,200 types of orchids, 290 known species of butterflies and 326 types of birds. We first head to the mountainous Crocker Range with panoramic views of the stunning landscape. While heading to Kinabalu Park, we will catch the magnificent sight of Mount Kinabalu and on arrival, enjoy a guided nature trek along one of the many trails in the park, before proceeding to Poring Hot Springs which offers an invigorating dip into the rejuvenating hot sulphur springs. For a closer look at nature, we take the 41-metre high canopy walk which offers a spectacular view of the rainforest’s natural wonderland.

Full-day Sandakan Orang-utan Trails

Operated: Daily, 06:00 – 19:05

This excursion takes us for a full-day’s sightseeing to the world’s largest orang-utan sanctuary. Early morning, we board a plane for historic Sandakan, one of Sabah’s earliest settlements, to visit the Sepilok Orang-Utan Sanctuary. At this haven, young, orphaned or captured orang-utans are gradually rehabilitated into the wild and we get the opportunity to see orang-utans up close in their natural habitat. A boardwalk leads to a viewing gallery and feeding platform where the orang-utans are fed twice a day. Lunch is served at a local restaurant, followed by a tour of Sandakan, including a visit to the Sandakan Market. Other highlights include a trip to an observation pavilion, a Chinese temple and a water village before returning to hotels in Sandakan, or flying back to Kota Kinabalu.

Sarawak, Land of the Hornbills Full-Day Bako National Park

Operated: Daily, 09:00 – 16:00

This exciting eco-adventure takes us to Sarawak’s oldest national park which is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including bearded pigs, 150 species of birds, monitor lizards, the rare proboscis monkey, silver leaf monkeys and the long-tailed macaque. Bako National Park offers an excellent introduction to the rainforest of Borneo. The park also showcases a wide variety of vegetation found in Borneo, including the carnivorous pitcher plants, sundews, bladderworts and wild orchids. Over 30km of marked jungle trails give access to all sections of the park. Besides the plant and wildlife, visitors can explore secluded beaches, strange rock formations and the serenity of untouched nature.

Sarawak Fairy and Wind Caves

Operated: Daily, 09:00 – 13:00

The Fairy and Wind Caves are located about 50-km away from Kuching and before reaching these attractions, we will pass by fascinating villages, rubber estates, pepper gardens, cocoa plantations and lush rainforest. Our journey also takes us through the gold mine town of Bau. The Fairy cave is home to wonderful limestone formations that are thousands of years old. Some of the rock formations resemble figures and animals and have become a point of religious interest for some of the locals. We then head to the Wind Cave, so called because of the wind that whistles its way continuously through its narrow opening. On the return, we stop at Bau town for refreshment and a visit to the local market.

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Destination Asia can assist with sightseeing options in locations other than those listed.

We also have an assortment of overland tours to various destinations throughout Malaysia highlighting the best that this diverse country has to offer. Traveling overland allows us to see more and to have some flexibility in our time as it may be possible to stop at times when we see something of interest or a beautiful scene.

Tour products may change without notice from time to time so for further information on sightseeing and overland tour options in Thailand, please contact Destination Asia’s Malaysia office.