14 Days / 13 Nights - $5,850
Malaysia is a land of contrasts from the bustling centre of Kuala Lumpur to the natural paradise of Borneo. Begin with a stay in Kuala Lumpur before moving into the cool breeze of the Cameron Highlands where old colonial mansions & spectacular views impress. Stop in Georgetown, Penang and then head to Kota Kinabalu in Sabah, Borneo. Drive around city landmarks, trek through the rainforest and relax at the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park before heading to Kuching in Sarawak, Borneo
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Day 1
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Arrive Kuala Lumpur Upon arrival at the airport, meet and transfer to the Traders Hotel - 4* for two nights.
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Day 2
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Kuala Lumpur (B) After breakfast at the hotel, visit the National Mosque or in Malay the Masjid Negara, which is the most distinguished mosque in KL. Also visit the Tugu Negara or War Memorial where those who perished in the war are honored. Chinatown, located inPetaling Street is full of good bargains and deals, various food and is rich with Chinese culture. Also pass the Moorish-styled Federal Court, the old Railway station which is a striking piece of Mohammedan architecture, the Tudor-styled Cricket Club and the King’s Palace. Visit the Thean Hou Temple situated in Robson Heights, which is the home to patron Goddess Thean Hou of the Hainanese community.
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Day 3
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Kuala Lumpur - Cameron Highlands (B/L) Enjoy breakfast and then visit traditional Malay houses, the Malaysian Batik Cottage and a rubber plantation before proceeding to the Batu Caves, which one must climb 272 steps to reach the shrine of the Hindu deity Lord Subramaniam, set within an outcrop of lime stone caves. Also included is an interesting short stop at the Royal Selangor Pewter factory. Continue your journey by leaving Kuala Lumpur city and heading by road northwards to the Cameron Highlands, located in the State of Pahang, approximately 1,542 meters above sea level. Upon arrival in the Cameron Highlands, check-in to The Lakehouse - 4* for two nights.
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Day 4
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Cameron Highlands (B) After breakfast, your village and nature tour commences. Visit the Cloud Forest, the peak of Gunung Brinchang - capture the view of the magnificent rolling tea hills, and finally end the day with a fascinating tour of a tea factory. Note: Tea Factory is closed on Mondays.
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Day 5
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Cameron Highlands - Penang (B/L) Begin the day with a hearty breakfast at the hotel before proceeding to Penang, the Pearl of the Orient. Whilst journeying towards Penang, take some snapshots of the Penang Bridge as you cross this unique architectural wonder. The Penang Bridge is the third largest bridge in the world. Upon arrival in Penang, proceed with a half-day Georgetown Heritage Tour. Explore the streets of Georgetown and its rich heritage. Also visit Yap Kongsi and Ciji Temple, a clan association built in 1924, a Taoist Temple dedicated to the Nan'an patron deity. See Cheah Kongsi that was founded in 1820 and built in 1858, and last but not least visit the world renowned Pinang Peranakan Mansion. Baba & Nyonya were a prominent community of acculturated Chinese unique to this part of the world. Stay for two nights at the Parkroyal Hotel – 4*.
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Day 6
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Penang (B) After breakfast, proceed with a half day Round Island Tour. This tour takes you to the outskirts of George Town, witness the actual process of Batik, using wax & dyes. Then proceed to a fishing village. From here we will pass a Fruit Plantation, where a brief stop at a fruit stall will show you some of the spices as well as some of the local fruits available in season, and a traditional Malaysia village. We then proceed on to the famous Snake Temple built in 1850. Your final stop is the well known OE (Oeding & Erdel) factory to see how the jewellery is made before returning to your hotel. |
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Day 7
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Penang – Kuala Lumpur (B/L) After breakfast, transfer from your hotel to Kuala Lumpur. On the way, visit the Sam Poh Tong Cave Temple in Ipoh and the Kellie Castle, an imposing ruin. Stay one night at the Traders Hotel – 4*.
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Day 8
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Kuala Lumpur – Kota Kinabalu (B) After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport for your flight to Kota Kinabalu. On arrival, your guide will meet you and then transfer you to your hotel for check in. Proceed to visit the Heritage Village & museum for a closer look at Sabah's ethnic diversity highlighted by the unique local architectural styles of homes in North Borneo and the colourful costume displays. Then, capture a panoramic view of the city from Signal Hill before proceeding for a drive past the city’s major landmarks such as the State & City Mosque, Tanjung Aru Beach, and Tun Mustapha Tower. Stay for three nights at the Le Meridien Hotel – 5*.
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Day 9
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Kota Kinabalu (B/L) Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and then take a 20-minute shared-boat ride to the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park for a day of relaxation. Swim or snorkel in the blue South China Sea, explore at your leisure, or simply relax with a good book. Return to the mainland and transfer back to your hotel.
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| Day 10 |
Kota Kinabalu (B/L) The jagged granite peaks of Mt. Kinabalu (4,095m) towers above one of the most biologically diverse areas in the world. Nominated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, Kinabalu Park is a natural wonder that offers day visitors a glimpse into the fascinating and often unique world of plant and animal life within the park. The montane oak and chestnut forest at park headquarters gives way to lowland dipterocarp forest at Poring on the eastern boundary. Enjoy a short trek through the rainforest and witness life in the treetops as you walk along the 100ft high Canopy Walkway (If closed, it will be replaced with a visit to the Tropical Garden). Adjourn for lunch at the Kinabalu Park, and then take a short trek on one of the mountain trails and visit the Mountain Garden. Late afternoon, return to your hotel in the city. |
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Day 11
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Kota Kinabalu – Kuching (B) After breakfast, meet and transfer to the airport for your flight to Kuching. On arrival in Kuching, you will be met and then transferred to your hotel for check-in before sightseeing. Enjoy the perfect introduction to Sarawak’s historic capital, with a visit to Kuching’s Chinatown, the Cat Statue (Kuching means “Cat” in Malay), the colourful Tua Pek Kong Chinese Temple, the Civic Centre Viewing Platform and the world famous Sarawak Museum. Across the river, visit either the unique Cat Museum or Fort Margherita, passing the magnificent State Mosque and the Astana, the former residence of the White Rajahs. Return via the golden domed City Mosque and proceed on foot through Old Kuching, visiting the colourful Central Markets and squeezing through narrow alleyways crammed with spice dealers and textile shops. Pass by the heritage buildings of the White Rajah era, the Pavilion, the Square Tower, the Court House, the Charles Brooke Monument and the Post Office. Stay for three nights at the Pullman Hotel – 5*.
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Day 12
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Kuching – Bako National Park - Kuching (B/L) This small peninsula, 1½ hours from Kuching by car and longboat, is home to seven distinct rainforest ecosystems, giving it a remarkable diversity of animal and plant life. Bako’s most famous residents are the bizarre proboscis monkeys, and it is also home to silvered langurs (leaf monkeys), long-tailed macaque monkeys, wild boar, flying squirrels and monitor lizards as well as hundreds of different bird species. Fascinating plant life includes mangroves, strangling figs, carnivorous pitcher plants and symbiotic ant plants. Unique geological features mark the coastline, including the famous Sea Stack, whilst well-marked trails lead to rugged jungle-covered hilltops and secluded beaches. After your tour, return to your hotel in Kuching.
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Day 13
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Kuching – Semonggok - Kuching (B) Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and then visit the Semonggok Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, the best place in Sarawak to view semi-wild orangutans, which have been rescued from captivity and trained to survive in the surrounding forest reserve. The rehabilitated animals roam freely in the rain forest, and often return to the centre at feeding time. Thanks to the successful breeding program at Semonggok there is a good possibility of experiencing one of the most heart-warming sights in Borneo an orangutan mother with a young baby. The centre is 30 minutes drive from Kuching and another 20 minutes on foot. Along the way, visitors pass by the ethno-botanical gardens. Semonggok also has a number of short jungle trails and optional forest walks which can be incorporated into the tour. Note: As the orangutans in Semonggok are semi-wild, sightings cannot be guaranteed. At certain times of the year when sightings are less likely, the tour will revert to Matang Wildlife Centre, where captive animals are undergoing rehabilitation.
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Day 14
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Depart Kuching (B) After breakfast at the hotel, meet your guide and then transfer to the airport for your onward flight.
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| Traversing Malaysia & Borneo |
| Land Only*2012 |
January - December |
| Twin Occupancy |
5,850 |
| Single Occupancy |
7,560 |
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Price includes internal airfare, hotel with daily breakfast, private transportation, comprehensive sightseeing and admissions with English-speaking guide. Hotel supplement from Dec 22 - 31, 2012, and compulsory dinners on Dec 24 & 31, 2012 apply, please enquire. Price per person, minimum 2 persons traveling together.
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- Tour Malaysia’s capital, Kuala Lumpur
- See the rolling tea hills in the Cameron Highlands, over 1,500m above sea level
- Cross the Penang Bridge, an architectural wonder, and stay in Penang
- Stop at the Poh Tong Cave Temple in Ipoh
- Tour Kota Kinabalu in Sabah state, Borneo
- Relax at the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park
- Tour Kinabalu Park and see Mt. Kinabalu
- Trek through the rainforest and see an interesting world of plant & animal life
- Stay in Kuching in the Sarawak State of Borneo & explore Bako National Park
- Visit a Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Semonggok
- Kuala Lumpur: Traders Hotel ****
- Cameron Highlands: The Lakehouse
****
- Penang: Parkroyal Hotel ****
- Kota Kinabalu: Le Meridien Hotel *****
- Kuching: Pullman Hotel *****
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