A glorious haven comprising of island life, adventures, city excitement and oriental culture & heritage, Malaysia has been attracting tourists from all nook and corner of the World as an ideal travel destination for both beach holidays and cultural experiences. With energetic, entertaining dance forms, with a mythical culture that represents fertility, vigilance and dignity, with elaborate traditional festivals like the bamboo dance and the warrior dance, and with a strong sense of community, Malaysia is truly a land of many cultures, wonders and attractions in the heart of Asia. A land of fascinating extremes, where towering skyscrapers look down upon primitive longhouses, it truly accounts for a memorable journey.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive Kuala Lumpur and drive to Malacca. As we arrive to Kuala Lumpur International Airport, we are meet by our guide and driver and taken to our hotel in Malacca for immediate check-in. The rest of the day is free, for resting and acclimatization. Overnight Hotel Equatorial, Malacca (1 night).
Day 2: Malacca/Kuala Lumpur (drive). We start our day with a visit in Malacca. The quiet, seaside city of Malacca, about 90 kilometers to the south, is the guardian charged with the reflective task of preserving its past. Five hundred years ago, an extraordinary empire rose and fell here, its power and dreams suddenly caught off - guard by the dawn of the Colonial Era. The city was so coveted by the European powers that the Portuguese writer Barbarosa wrote "Whoever is Lord in Malacca has his hand on the throat of Venice". It was a major port along the spice-route, and its harbor bristled with the sails and masts of Chinese junks and spice-laden vessels from all over the hemisphere. Because the city was originally built of wood, there are no crumbling and stately reminders of the power once wielded by the Malaccan Sultanate, but along shores of the Malacca River the scene has probably changed little. Later we drive to Kuala Lumpur.
More than any other spot in the country, Kuala Lumpur, or "KL" as it is commonly known, is the focal point of new Malaysia. While the city's past is still present in the evocative British colonial buildings of the Dataran Merdeka and the midnight lamps of the Petaling Street night market, that past is everywhere met with insistent reminders of KL's present and future. The city's bustling streets, it’s shining, modern office towers, and its cosmopolitan air project an unbounded spirit of progress and symbolize Malaysia's unhesitating leap into the future. To some, this spirit seems to have been gained at the loss of ancient cultural traditions, but in many ways KL marks the continuation rather than the loss of Malaysia's rich past. We’ll go today for a half-day visit of the City and see places like the Central Market, the National Museum and the famous Petronas Towers, before ending our tour in the evening at the Petaling Street night market. Overnight Hotel Swiss Garden, Kuala Lumpur (1 night). Includes: (B), (D).
Day 3: Kuala Lumpur/Cameron Highlands (drive 220 km). We will depart this morning by 08.30 hrs for Cameron Highlands, which is located at 1542 meters above sea level and it is famed for its tea plantations and cooler peninsular temperatures. En route we’ll also get "introduction" to the aboriginal community of Peninsular Malaysia by visiting the Aboriginal Museum on the outskirt of Kuala Lumpur. Later we stop at the Batu Cave, the famed and holy Hindu Cave Temple. We proceed further up to the highlands into the tropical rainforest area of the main mountain range of peninsular Malaysia. Also on our way, we stop at a basket weaving cottage factory, at the Lata Iskandar Waterfall and at some aboriginal villages. Upon arrival we’ll enjoy the cool, crisp air of Cameron Highlands beside its wonderful scenery. Overnight: Hotel Strawberry Park (1 night). Includes: (B), (D).
Day 4: Cameron Highlands/Royal Belum State Park (drive 280 km). We tour in the morning the Cameron Highlands, including the tea plantation, tea factory and the market place. Later we drive further toward the lowlands and stop at the Royal town of Kuala Kangsar for photos and for visiting the Ubudiah Mosque, which is famed for being the most attractive mosque in the country. Also here is the Iskandariah Palace, where the present Sultan resides and Istana Kenangan, the former Palace built intricately out of wood. We continue on to the Temenggor Lake and its Banding Island, where our hotel will be. We check in at the hotel, which has scenic views of the lake and the surrounding tropical rainforests. Overnight: Belum Rainforest Resort (2 nights). Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 5: Royal Belum State Park. After breakfast, proceed for a tour of the Belum Valley, an area bristling with fauna and flora, a rich national heritage. This last frontier of Peninsular Malaysia beckons the adventurous ones with its everlasting charm. Later from the Banding Island on the Temenggor Lake, we’ll take a boat ride on the lake for a tour of the aboriginal villages. Observe and mingle with the "Orang Asli" people, which literally mean "the original people". These are of the Jahai group, one of the aboriginal ethnic groups of the peninsular Malaysia. We’ll have the opportunity to trek in the jungle (easy walk) and with some luck to see the "Rafflesia" - the world’s largest flower, in the wilderness. Pack lunch will be served during the tour. Later also visit the nearby waterfall and swim in the river or in the crystal clear water of the lake. We will return for dinner and overnight to our Resort. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 6: Belum Rainforest Resort/Penang (drive 200 km). Depart this morning toward the Island of Penang. On arrival we’ll proceed with the heritage tour of Georgetown. Visit here the Reclining Buddha (Wat Chayamangkalaram) the 4th longest reclining Buddha in the World the next stop is at Fort Corwallis, of the English East India Co., where Captain Francis Light landed in 1786. At the Khoo Kongsi Clan House we will be fascinated by the intricate carvings on the wall pillars and the roof, done by master craftsmen from China. Have lunch in the town and later enjoy a breezy trishaw ride, a still popular mode of transport in Georgetown. Overnight Hotel City Bayview, Penang (1 night). Includes: (B), (D).
Day 7: Penang/Kuching – Borneo’s Sarawak (flight). Early in the morning we are transferred to the airport for our flight to Kuching (via KL). On arrival in Kuching (around 4 pm) meet our new guide and driver and take a tour visiting the main places of interest in Kuching – Borneo’s Sarawak Region. The first place to visit is the historical city district with the Kuching South City Hall. From here the tour proceeds to the gigantic cat statue at the entrance of China Town and to the Tua Pek Kong temple built in 1876, which is the oldest Chinese Temple in Sarawak (under renovation right now!). From here we can have a clear view of the imposing Fort Magherita across the river (no public admission).
We continue with a visit of Sarawak Museum before heading for the Civic Centre. We will have a good panoramic view of the City from the tower and from the (oldest) suspension bridge across the Sarawak River at Satok. Malay villages and traditional houses built on stilts and the City’s Mosque can be also seen here. At the heart of the City, called Astana, which was built in 1870 is the former Palace of the White Rajah. Today it is the official residence of the Governor of Sarawak. Upon arriving at the Kuching waterfront, we can see the old colonial Court House with a Clock Tower and a granite obelisk built in memory of the 2nd White Rajah – Charles Brook. We finish our day by waking along the wet market at Gambier Street and a visit to the Sarawak Museum. Overnight Hilton Hotel, Kuching (1 night). Includes: (B), (D).
Day 8: Kuching/Batang Ai/Nanga Sumpa - Iban Tribe (drive & cruise 260km). At 08.30 am, our guide and driver will pick us up from our hotel lobby and we’ll depart in an air-conditioned minivan for Batang Ai Reservoir. Our journey will take us through rural Sarawak, passing pepper gardens, cocoa and rubber plantation. En-route, a few stops will be made for photo opportunities as well as for short visits to the colorful native markets, like in Serian town, where a variety of jungle produce such as edible ferns, bamboo shoots and unusual tropical fruits are on display. Visit a pepper garden and stop by a wild orchid plant. Upon arrival at the Batang Ai Reservoir, we switch car to a longboat and proceed upriver (for about 2 hrs) to Nanga Sumpa. Once here we settle in at the jungle lodge. After dinner proceed to the longhouse across the river. Relax on the ruai (common verandah) and spend time with the Iban Tribe people. Learn about their culture and enjoy some local rice wine. Overnight Jungle Lodge (2 nights). Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 9: Iban Tribe and Jungle. After breakfast, we spend our day by hiking the jungle trails along the river and spend more time with the tribe. Our first destination is the scenic Enseluai Waterfall, where have some time to relax, swim, or explore the rainforest and try fishing with locals in Iban-style. When we return to our Lodge our dinner is served with local delicacies to enhance the meal. After dinner we go again and visit the tribe’s long house. Woven blankets and handicrafts are available and may be purchased directly from the longhouse people. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 10: Jungle Lodge/Kuching/Kota Kinabalu – Borneo’s Sabah (cruise + drive + fly). Following our breakfast, we depart from the Iban Tribe lands and taken down on the river by the longboat to Batang Ai Reservoir. Here we switch back to our car and drive overland to Kuching and proceed right away to Kuching airport for our flight (around 4 pm) to Kota Kinabalu – Borneo’s Sabah Region. On arrival we check in to the hotel. Overnight Hotel Shangri-La Downtown, Kota Kinabalu (2 nights). Includes: (B), (L)
Day 11: Kota Kinabalu & Kadazan tribe (drive). After breakfast, we’ll proceed with a sightseeing tour of Kota Kinabalu, the State Capital of Sabah – The Land Below the Wind. Have a bird’s eye view of Kota Kinabalu from the Signal Hill, then see the Sabah Foundation Building - one of the few hanging structures in the World. Stop by the Buddhist Temple and also visit the Sabah State Museum, which display artifacts from Sabah's rich past and also some modern art works.
We'll also pass by the State Mosque, a spectacular sight of structure with its majestic domes and gold motifs. Another important visit of the day will be at the legendary House of Monsopiad’s Descendants, where the 42 skulls of the warrior adversaries and a thighbone of the giant Gantang are being displayed. Will let our selves enthralled by the stories and mysteries of the ancient folk fare of the Kadazan tribe. We will return for overnight stay to Kota Kinabalu. Includes: (B), (L)
Day 12: Kota Kinabalu/Rungus Longhouse - Rungus (drive 200 km). After breakfast we depart from Kota Kinabalu toward the northern tip of Borneo. En route we visit Kota Belud, known as the "Land of the Cowboys of the East", which is one of Sabah's most scenic and culturally rich districts. There must be a Sunday (tamu) to be there to witness the colorful market with various local goods, foods, drinks, and handicrafts, which will be on sale to locals and visitors. From here we proceed to Kudat and visit a unique Bee Farm and see for yourself how bees are reared and how honey are extracted from them.
After our Lunch here we drive to Simpang Mengayau where the Northern Tip of Borneo is located. We take the opportunity and enjoy the panoramic view from the tip of Borneo before we proceed further to Rungus Longhouse. The Rungus people are known to have maintained their ancient traditions up to these days and we’ll have the chance to experience all this while enjoying a local dinner "spiced" with a cultural performance by local villagers and an overnight stay at their Longhouse. Overnight Rungus Longhouse (1 night). Includes: (B), (L)
Day 13: Rungus Longhouse/Mengkabung Village Tour/Kota Kinabalu (drive 200 km). We start the day with a local breakfast at the Rungus Longhouse before checking out and departing back toward Kota Kinabalu, via the Tuaran Road to the water village of Mengkabung. It’s home to a group of Bajau fishermen, the descendant of pirates who set foot on this land in the early 19th Century. In the settlement we will see who are natural born fishermen. Their houses are built on stilts and connected by narrow wooden planks. A stopover for a short walk and picture taking is scheduled here, before we head on to Tuaran district. Here we’ll visit the open market and the Chinese Temple, where we walk up to the 7-storey new built Pagoda to view the spectacular scenery of the area and also stop at a pottery factory. From here we drive further to Kampung Kuai situated on the banks of the Penampang River among shady trees and paddy fields, before reaching our hotel for dinner and overnight. Overnight Hotel Shangri-La Downtown, Kota Kinabalu (1 night). Includes: (B), (L)
Day 14: Kota Kinabalu/Sandakan/Sepilok/Sukau (fly & drive – 150 km). Early in the morning (at 6.00am) we go to the airport for our flight from Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan. Upon arrival at the Sandakan airport, we meet our local people and drive to Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, the World’s largest orangutan sanctuary. Here will have an interesting opportunity to see how the rangers rehabilitate the captive/orphan Orangutans to return to their natural wild habitat. Watch their lively, amusing acts in the wild. There will be a video documentary show at the Sepilok Information Centre. This video show gives us an insight of the Orangutan rehabilitation process and the threats to their survival.
From Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary will depart overland for the Gomantong Caves, described by World Wild Life Fund as 'the best-managed edible birds' nest-cave in the World'. The Gomantong Caves, in the heartland of the Gomantong Rainforest Reserve, have been the focus for birds' nests for centuries, a prized delicacy among the Chinese and found nearly 100 meters up on the ceilings of the Gomantong Caves. Harvesters put themselves in grave danger climbing networks of rattan ladders and ropes to get to the nests. The risky nature of nest collecting has only helped make the commodity a pricey one. After exploring the caves we continue to Sukau, where we’ll have lunch on arrival. Later in the afternoon we proceed for a river cruise on one of the Kinabatangan River and its tributaries in search for wildlife such as the famous Proboscis Monkeys. The Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary here is also known as one of the best places in Southeast Asia to observe wildlife. Our overnight stay will be at Kinabatangan. Overnight Kinabatangan Hotel/Lodge (1 night). Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 15: Kinabatangan/Sandakan/Kota Kinabalu/Kuala Lumpur (drive & fly). After breakfast we will first stop in Sandakan Town and have a short sightseeing tour. We will see the Chinese Temple located on a magnificent hill also perfect for a bird’s eye view of the Town, we then drive to Sim Sim Water Village quarter to see for the local houses that are built on stilt and are occupied by the Chinese and Malay communities. When done we will be transferred to Sandakan airport (around 2 pm) for our return flight to Kuala Lumpur. Upon arrival to KL airport, we either go and connect with our flight back home or we stay for overnight in the City. Includes: (B), (L)
Tour highlights & World Heritage Sites (WHS):
* Malacca City tour
* Kuala Lumpur and the famous Petronas Towers
* Cameron Highlands
* Royal Belum State Park
* Observe and mingle with the ‘Orang Asli’ people, which literally mean 'the original people'
* Penang and the heritage tour of Georgetown
* Kuching and the historical city district
* Visit the Iban Tribe people
* Mengkabung Tour with Bajau Village
* Kadazan Tribe Cultural Village
* Simpang Mengayau & Rungus Longhouse with the Rungus tribe people
* Kota Kinabalu, the State Capital of Sabah - The Land Below the Wind
* Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre
* Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary
* The Gomantong Caves, in the heartland of the Gomantong Rainforest Reserve
Tour dates for 2008:
Apr 04 & 18, May 02 & 16, Jun 06 & 20, Jul 04, Aug 08, Sep 05 & 19.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- All Hotels and accommodations as mentioned in the itinerary (or similar)
- All meals as specified
- All transfers and sightseeing by AC cars or minivan
- English-speaking local guide/driver, ranger or tour escort
- Entrance fees to Villages, tourist objects, museums, monuments
- Parking fees, road taxes, driver’s overnight wages
- Boat ride, ferry ride, where mentioned
- Tax and service charges throughout
Price Excludes:
- All Domestic airfares (as per flights mentioned in the itinerary, approx USD/CAD: 750.00 – per person)
- Airport taxes at all airports
- Visa fee (if any) on arrival
- Insurance (highly recommended)
- Excess baggage fee on local air carriers
- Any personal expenses such as laundry bills, phone bills, drinks, etc.
- Meals not mentioned in itinerary
- Tips or other such costs
- Any other items not mentioned above as included
Single supplement USD/CAD: 680.00
Also see tour packages in:
Asia
Malaysia
Cultural Journey
National Parks
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