Highlights of Malaysia
Discover Malaysia’s rich diversity on this well-rounded journey through its most captivating regions. From the colonial charm of Malacca and the cosmopolitan buzz of Kuala Lumpur to the tea-scented hills of the Cameron Highlands, this tour offers a deep dive into the country’s cultural and natural beauty. Wander through UNESCO heritage towns, sample world-renowned street food, explore misty plantations, and end your trip unwinding on the tropical beaches of Langkawi. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or returning to explore deeper, Highlights of Malaysia captures the essence of the country in one unforgettable itinerary.
Tour Highlights:
- Stroll through the historical streets of Malacca, a UNESCO-listed spice port.
- Discover Kuala Lumpur, where skyscrapers meet vibrant street markets.
- Breathe in the cool, fresh air of the Cameron Highlands tea plantations.
- Explore the colorful food scene and street art of George Town, Penang.
- Relax on the white-sand beaches of Langkawi, surrounded by rainforest and sea.
Day 1 – Arrival in Kuala Lumpur & Transfer to Malacca
Upon arrival at Kuala Lumpur International Airport, meet your private driver and begin your journey south to the historic port city of Malacca (approx. 2 hours). Check in at your hotel in the heart of the Old Town, where antique shops and riverside cafés await just steps away. Depending on your arrival time, enjoy a relaxing walk to stretch your legs and soak in the colonial charm.
Day 2 – Exploring Malacca’s Heritage
Spend the day exploring UNESCO-listed Malacca, a city that blends Portuguese, Dutch, British, and local influences. Staying in the Old Town makes it easy to discover historical landmarks like Porta de Santiago, St. Paul’s Church, and the lively Jonker Street. A self-guided walking tour will be provided before your trip, or a private guide can be arranged if preferred.
Day 3 – Malacca at Leisure & Night Market
Continue your discovery of Malacca today with time to explore riverside cafés, museums, and hidden temples. If your visit falls on a weekend, don’t miss the Jonker Street Night Market, where street food stalls, live music, and local delicacies make for a festive evening.
Day 4 – Transfer to Kuala Lumpur & Street Food Stroll
After breakfast, travel by private car to Kuala Lumpur (approx. 2 hours). On arrival, check into your city hotel and take time to explore the vibrant Jalan Alor, known for its street hawkers and late-night eats. Sample satay, noodles, and tropical fruits in this lively neighborhood.
Day 5 – Hidden Kuala Lumpur Walking Tour
Discover a different side of Kuala Lumpur on a private walking tour with a local guide. Stroll through colonial-era streets, bustling markets, and neighborhoods home to Chinese temples, mosques, and hidden shrines. This is a great way to experience the city’s cultural diversity up close.
Day 6 – Free Day in Kuala Lumpur
Enjoy the day at your leisure. You may wish to ascend the Petronas Towers for panoramic views, explore the vibrant Chinatown, or relax in KL’s botanical gardens. Your hotel’s concierge can assist with optional activities or dining suggestions.
Day 7 – Into the Highlands: Cameron Highlands
Depart this morning on a scenic 4-hour drive to the Cameron Highlands, a cool-climate hill station dotted with tea plantations and flower farms. After check-in, take a peaceful stroll around the surrounding countryside or sip tea while admiring panoramic views.
Day 8 – Tea Trails & Highland Discovery
Spend the day exploring the lush landscapes of the Cameron Highlands with your private guide. Visit iconic tea plantations, sample fresh brews, and learn about the area’s colonial history and agricultural heritage. Enjoy the crisp mountain air and peaceful trails.
Day 9 – Scenic Drive to Penang
Today, travel by private transfer to Penang (approx. 4 hours). Cross the iconic Penang Bridge, Southeast Asia’s longest, and arrive in George Town – a city known for its cuisine, heritage architecture, and creative street art. Your hotel is ideally located for exploring on foot.
Day 10 – George Town Culinary Walking Tour
Explore the UNESCO-listed streets of George Town on a guided walking tour. Discover colorful temples, shop houses, markets, and hidden alleyways – all while tasting a wide variety of street food and local delicacies. Spend your afternoon shopping for antiques or relaxing at a café.
Day 11 – Day at Leisure in Penang
Enjoy a free day to explore Penang as you please. You might visit Penang Hill by funicular railway for sweeping views or delve deeper into local life at a traditional wet market. Visit a Chinese clan house or stroll past the city’s famous murals.
Day 12 – Departure
Savor your final morning in Penang before a private transfer takes you to Penang Airport for your onward flight.
Highlights of the Trip
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What our clients say about us
Peter
20 March 2025 ★★★★★We had a wonderful 12-day trip across Thailand, beautifully arranged by Mr. Stephen from Absolute Asia. Every detail was taken care of, from comfortable stays to fully organized vegetarian meals throughout the journey. Our itinerary covered Bangkok, Ayutthaya, Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, then we spent five blissful days in Koh Samui. There, we relaxed on palm-fringed beaches, explored Ang Thong Marine Park by boat, and savored fresh tropical fruits at sunset. A big shoutout to our lovely guide, Mr Krit who made the experience even more special with him warmth and knowledge. We’re heading home with unforgettable memories of Thailand’s hospitality and charm. Thank you, Absolute Asia Tours.
Gari
22 May 2024 ★★★★★Our recent trip to China and Mongolia was a great success. Overall we found Absolute Asia Tours services to be excellent throughout the two weeks we were in Asia. For us, Mongolia was definitely the highlight. We thoroughly enjoyed or local guides and drives and they were unfailingly knowledgeable, helpful and amusing. Their languages skills were excellent and we felt that we recieved real insight into this fascinating country. We were intinially drawn to the idea of this trip by the reports of the world class fihing and we were absolutely not disappointed. The fishing guide was first rate and we caught more fish than we could have hoped for - more than 25 each day - with the added bonus of being the only other people in sight for miles arround. AAT created a private ger camp for us on the Onon River and we enjoyed delicious food prepared by our chef in a beautiful unspoled atmosphere. They alo arranged for us to visit a nomadic family and spend time with them at home and organized a dinner with an anthropologist with expert knowledge of the region. AAT fullfilled their promise to tkae us to us to one of the world's best fishing destinations in comfort and style. We would be happy to travel with AAT again and will definitely recommend them to our friends.
Cherry
16 May 2024 ★★★★★We've had two "A+" experience with Absolute Asia Tours. It is a pleasure to work with an organization where I feel confident that what you say will happen, happens. This was true with our complicated China itinerary six years ago, and was true with our recent itinerary in Vietnam. your on the ground guides and logistics were top - notch, and I would recommend you to anyone to visit Asia.
James
17 January 2024 ★★★★★Absolute Asia tours gave us a wonderful tour of Southeast Asia (working with sister-agency My Way Travel based in Vietnam). For our Siem Reap/Angkor Wat journey, our party of two had a private driver and guide named Jak, who was a cheerful and knowledgeable companion, explaining the history, culture, architecture and religious significance of the sites while keeping it always fun. We moved efficiently from site to site, and finished with a boat tour of the fishing village on stilts at Kampong Pluk on the Tonle Sap Lake. During most of our trip we stayed at top-notch locally-owned hotels, but in Siem Reap we were at the excellent local Hyatt hotel. Absolute Asia and My Way Travel our outstanding local providers, less expensive than name-brand group tours, and customized to our interests and schedule.
Hope
2 January 2024 ★★★★★We had an awesome time on cycling tour with AAT! It was incredible, filled with good vibes, laughs & a fantastic way to explore Vietnam & Cambodia. Tony our guide made it special by introducing us to locals and showing us the real charm of these countries. The whole tour was well-organized & the way they took care of us awesome. It's an unforgettable trip and I'll definitely recommend it to anyone who wants to experience the beauty of Southeast Asia.
Nas
1 January 2024 ★★★★★My group of six completed a 30 day cycling tour in Asia with AAT. We traveled form Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket & Saigon to Siem Reap. Every day we pedaled through stunning countryside views, passing villages, fields & limestone karsts. Our guide Tony was fantastic-interesting, friendly & personable. This experience stood out as the highlight of our Asia trip.
