Malaysia In Style

Upon arrival at Kuala Lumpur International airport, we will be met by our guide and drive to the hotel for check-in. The rest of the day is free to explore the cosmopolitan capital at our own pace. Kuala Lumpur is home to a swathe of iconic landmarks, including 88-storey chrome and steel towers Petronas Twin Towers – the world’s tallest twin skyscrapers, Petaling Street flea market and Batu Caves, which is more than 400 million-years-old. Shopaholics can hit the expansive shopping malls, including Pavilion KL and Suria KLCC.

Alternatively, take a stroll through colourful Chinatown or visit Perdana Botanical Gardens, which boasts the city’s largest collection of flower gardens and animal parks. A must-see is the Orchid Garden, which is dotted with meandering paths and fountains, and a rock garden with 800 species of orchids. Another must-visit spot is the Hibiscus Garden, where you can find Malaysia’s national flower in full bloom.

Overnight at The Majestic Kuala Lumpur

After breakfast, we set off on our day exploration of Kuala Lumpur’s top attractions. Highlights include the National Mosque (Masjid Negara) and the War Memorial (Tugu Negara). We also pass by the Moorish-style Federal Court, old Railway station and its striking Mohammedan architecture, Tudor-style Cricket Club and the King’s Palace. We then visit Thean Hou in Robson Heights. The stunning six-tier temple is home to patron Goddess Thean Hou of the Hainanese community and is one of South-East Asia’s largest Chinese temples.

Enjoy your lunch at local restaurant before heading to the outskirts of the city to visit the famed Batu Caves. We must climb 272 steps to reach the shrine of the Hindu deity Lord Subramaniam, which is set within an outcrop of lime stone caves. On the way back to the hotel, we make a short stop at the Royal Selangor Pewter factory, with the evening at our leisure to discover Kuala Lumpur’s vibrant nightlife. Note: The mosque cannot be visited on Fridays.

Overnight at The Majestic Kuala Lumpur

Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch

After breakfast, we hit the road to historic Malacca (150 km - 2 hours). Once colonised by the Portuguese, Dutch, British and Japanese during throughout a period of 400 years, the compact city is awash with historical architecture. We visit Dutch Square, home to the red coloured Stadthuys, Christ Church, Clock Tower and the Queen Victoria Fountain.

We will also stop at Cheng Hoon Teng, Malaysia’s oldest functioning Chinese temple founded in 1645, and Porta De Santiago, the Gate to the Portuguese fortress La Formosa, built in 1511. Our tour also takes us to St Paul’s Church, where St Francis Xavier was once buried. After lunch at a local lunch, we take a stroll along Jonker street, which is famous for its Malaccan antiques, before check-in at the hotel. In the evening, the driver will be at our disposal to explore the city’s nightlife.

Overnight at The Majestic Malacca

Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch

After breakfast, we hit the road for the rolling emerald hills of Cameron Highlands. This stunning countryside location sits at heights of about 1,542 m and is Malaysia’s largest hill-station area, boasting sweeping tea plantations that hug hills. En-route, we will stop at to marvel at impressive Lata Iskandar waterfalls and visit a traditional orang asli village to learn about the traditions of the aboriginal people. Upon arrival at Cameron Highlands, we make a stop at a tea plantation and factory before check in at the hotel.

In the afternoon, the driver will be at our disposal to explore Cameron Highlands at our own pace. The highlands were founded by British colonialist Sir William Cameron. Modelled on a traditional English village, the aim was to provide residents in the lowlands with some respite during the stuffy summer months. As a result, the area is home to a host of traditional colonial buildings.

Overnight at Cameron Highlands Resort

Meal Plan: Breakfast

After breakfast, we embark on the Mossy Forest of Gunung Brinchang tour. We hop into a Land Rover to cruise along roads that wind through picturesque rolling tea gardens up 6,666 ft above sea level to Gunung Brinchang. We listen to our guide’s ‘tea talk’ while enjoying breath-taking views of the tea gardens. On a clear day, we will drive up to the highest mountain accessible by road in Southeast Asia to enjoy magnificent vistas. We take an interpretive walk with our nature guide through Mossy forest to learn about exotic flora, including the pitcher plant, orchids, primitive ferns and medicinal plants.

We then take a short drive to Sungai Palas ‘BOH’ Tea Factory. We take a tour of the factory tour before sampling the many varieties of tea. The driver is at our disposal for the rest of the day or us to continue our exploration of the area. Note: The Tea Factory is closed Mondays and public holidays.

Overnight at Cameron Highlands Resort

Meal Plan: Breakfast

After breakfast, we wave goodbye to the Cameron Highlands’ lush landscapes as we take a scenic drive to Lumut and board a boat for a leisurely cruise to the island of Pangkor Laut. We arrive at Marina Island Lumut, and board another boat to luxurious Pangkor Laut Resort. Nestled amidst an ancient rainforest, on a private island fringed by white sandy beaches and emerald waters, the resort is a postcard-perfect paradise.

After check-in, we have the rest of the day at our leisure to settle into laidback tropical island life. We can spend the afternoon relaxing in our simply sumptuous surroundings, kick back in the villas, which are exquisitely designed to blend traditional and contemporary local designs, take a dip in the pool or indulge in some pampering at the Spa Village. Dinner is at the resort.

Overnight at Pangkor Laut Resort

Meal Plan: Breakfast

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast to a backdrop of stunning scenery and the sound of nature. We then have the day at our leisure to kick back and relax or spend some time visiting local attractions. An alternative is to visit nearby Pangkor Island to experience a true glimpse into life on the sleepy island paradise. Here, we stroll through the colourful towns that are home to traditional Malay homes and narrow-winding streets. This is a speedboat ride away Pangkor Jetty, where we can explore the 800- hectare island, which is home to about 25,000 islanders and popular for its idyllic beaches, vivid fishing boats and quality seafood produced by local cottage industries.

Visit the restored Dutch fort, a remnant of the island's Dutch colonial history, and Fu Lin Kung temple, a tranquil Taoist temple built into the hillside, before returning to the resort in time for a sublime sunset and a delicious dinner of local delicacies.

Overnight at h Pangkor Laut Resort

Meal Plan: Breakfast

Enjoy breakfast at the resort’s simply sumptuous surroundings, with the rest of the day at our leisure to kick back and relax at the infinity pool, hit the beach, cool off in the turquoise waters or take a gentle jaunt through the jungle that hugs the small island. We definitely recommend indulging in some pampering at the Spa Village. Here, old-age traditions are coupled with modern approaches to create a menu of treatments, experiences and wellness programmes. The abundance of Malay, Chinese and Indian practices makes this the perfect spot for complete rejuvenation.

The village takes in 8 treatment pavilions; a deluxe Belian Treatment Pavilion; Chinese herbal, Ayurvedic and Malay huts; Bath Houses; Spa Huts; Nap Gazebos; and the Spa Boutique, 22 stunning wooden villas that hover over the sea. Enjoy a delicious dinner at the resort.

Overnight at Pangkor Laut Resort

Meal Plan: Breakfast

We recommend an early rise to make the most of your last day on our cross-country 9-day adventure. Wake ahead of dawn to enjoy a stunning sunrise before enjoying a hearty breakfast. We then catch a boat to Lumut, where we will be met by our driver and set off on our drive to Kuala Lumpur International Airport for our onwards flight. Our immersive tour has introduced us to Kuala Lumpur’s top attractions before delving deep into Malacca’s rich history.

From there, we have soaked up the emerald rolling hills and cooler climes at Cameron Highlands while sipping on tea amid the plantations the area is famed for. This has all been rounded out with a few days to kickback and relax in luxury at the pristine tropical island paradise of Pangkor Laut Resort. Along the way, we’ve been treated to warm hospitality and feasted on fine local food.

Meal Plan: Breakfast