Experience overview

Showcasing the very best of the country, Complete Malaysia takes you from the heritage of Malacca and Penang to KL’s city buzz, through the rolling Cameron Highlands hills and Belum-Temengor Rainforest, to relaxation on unspoilt east coast beaches and idyllic Tioman island: the ultimate Malaysia trip.

At a glance

    Cross Kuala Lumpur’s dizzying skybridge
    Take tea in the Cameron Highlands
    Tour Penang’s temples and tastes
    Watch wildlife in Belum Rainforest
    Unwind at Tanjong Jara Resort
    Snorkel around Tioman Island

Highlights

  • Discover Maeklong Railway Market & Damnoen Saduak Floating Market
  • Chef’s Table at Blue Elephant
  • Northern Thai Style Cooking Class at Baan Book Pratana
  • nteract with Elephants at Patara
  • Explore Phi Phi Island & Bamboo Island by private speed boat

Kuala Lumpur, Cameron Highlands, Penang, Belum-Temengor Rainforest, Kuala Terengganu, Tioman Island, Malacca


Sample Itinerary

Day 1
Arrive in Kuala Lumpur

On arrival in Malaysia, you'll be met by your private guide, who will drive you to your hotel in KL. 

The rest of your day will be at leisure to explore the city.

Day 2
‘Old & New’ city tour

Journey through Kuala Lumpur’s contrasting neighbourhoods, from historic streets to modern high-rises. Stop at one of the city’s oldest and largest wet markets in Chow Kit district, soaking up the sights and sounds of day-to-day local life. Continue to foodie hot-spot Kampung Baru, where 19th century timber houses are dwarfed by surrounding high-rise buildings in a protected heritage area, and try some of the best Nasi Lemak in the city. Stroll through Bangsar, a cosmopolitan area, dotted with cafes, restaurants and bars, as your guide explains about the area’s exciting urban regeneration. Having seen first-hand how traditional neighbourhoods co-exist alongside the modern, your final stop is at the Traders Hotel 33rd floor SkyBar, which boasts amazing views of the Petronas Twin Towers, to end the day enjoying a leisurely drink with spectacular panoramic views.

Day 3
ndepIndependently explore KL, Petronas Towers viewsendently explore KL, Petronas Towers views

 

Your day will be at leisure to see KL’s highlights under your own steam, until early evening when you’ll make your way to the Petronas Twin Towers. You’ll have the chance to look out from the Observation Deck on level 86, and walk across the Skybridge that connects the two towers at level 41, a dizzying 557 feet above ground - don't forget to bring your head for heights! Take in the panoramic views and watch the sunset over the city.

 

Day 4
Drive to Cameron Highlands via Batu Caves

Travel north to the ancient Batu Cave complex. Pass the giant, gold statue of Hindu deity Murugan at the foot the limestone hill, and climb 272 steps up the outcrop to explore the sacred series of caverns and Hindu temples, and perhaps see a few cheeky macaques scampering over the rocks. Continue north, and after a winding ascent you’ll reach the temperate hill station in the Cameron Highlands, to be greeted by rolling hills and a very welcome drop in humidity.

Day 5

Embark on a Falls & Farms Discovery walk. This moderate 2-3 hour trek follows a winding, undulating jungle trail to the picturesque Robinson Falls, before passing through the Bertam Valley, one of the main vegetable growing areas of the Cameron Highlands, dotted with farms. Visit one of the region’s famous tea plantations to learn about the traditional techniques, seeing the processes from cultivation to marination and drying, before sampling three of the plantation’s different teas as you overlook the vast terraces below.

Day 6

Head off early for Penang, leaving the Malay Peninsula as you cross one of the world's longest bridges to Penang Island. The rest of your day will be at leisure to start soaking up Georgetown’s rich heritage.

Day 7

Tour Penang’s key sights, and graze at the town’s famous foodie hotspots. Make a beeline for the ornate Sri Mahamariamman Temple, pausing for a few Indian-style snacks along the way. Visit the Khoo Kongsi clanhouse, the Pinang Peranakan Mansion museum and historic Fort Cornwallis, then lunch on spicy Penang Laksa rice-noodle soup and coconut-sweet chendol. See Wat Chaiya Mangkalaram’s grand reclining Buddha; visit the Dhammikarama Burmese Buddhist temples; and head to Bangkok Lane to try the famous Mee Rebus and Mee Goreng noodles that reflect the area’s Thai and Burmese influences. Your last stop of the day will be the famous Kek Lok Si Buddhist temple: an expansive complex of prayer halls, pagodas and bell towers surrounding a seven storey pagoda and bronze statue of the Goddess of Mercy. After a sight-filled day, the rest of the afternoon will be at leisure to soak up the city’s sights and sounds.

Day 8
Drive to Belum-Temengor Rainforest

Cross over the Penang Bridge, and head east to the Belum-Temengor Rainforest. Check into the stylish Belum Rainforest Resort and the rest of your day will be at leisure to relax in your serene surroundings.

Day 9
Rainforest boat trip, village visit, waterfall trek

Set out, first by boat then on foot, in search of the unique Rafflesias: huge plants with broad, other-worldly looking flowers that, rather unsettlingly, smell like rotting flesh (hence its alternative name of 'corpse flower'). Go on the Orang Asli Village to observe the lifestyle of the Jahai tribe, and buy locally-made souvenirs such as blow pipes, bracelets and necklaces made from materials sustainably sourced in the rainforest. Continue to the wet salt lick at Sg. Jenut, where you can see forest animals such as tapirs, deers and even tigers, come to gather essential minerals and nutrients. The final stop of the day is at the Sg.Ruok waterfalls to take a dip in the cool pools.

Day 10
Drive to Tanjong Jara Resort

After breakfast depart for Kuala Terengganu on the east coast (approximate journey time is 6 hours.) It’s a relatively long drive but there will be the opportunity to stop en-route to stretch your legs. 

Your destination is the Tanjong Jara Resort: this unmistakably Malay property enjoys an idyllic setting within 17 hectares of beautifully landscaped gardens, facing the South China Sea. The resort offers excellent facilities and an award winning spa, perhaps the ideal way to unwind after a long journey. 

Arrive around 3pm, check in, and the remainder of your day is at leisure.

Overnight at Tanjong Jara Resort.

Day 11

Your day will be at leisure to relax on the beach and make the most of the resort's facilities.

Day 12

 Leave Tanjong Jara bright and early to travel south along the coast, past small villages and traditional wooden homes. Hop aboard the ferry at the Mersing jetty to cross to Tioman Island, where the rest of your day will be at leisure.

Days 13 & 14
At leisure on Tioman Island

Your day will be at leisure to relax on Tioman’s pristine sands, making the most of your resort’s gorgeous surroundings and facilities, being as active or chilled out as you wish.

Day 15
Boat & car to Malacca, city tour

Catch a scheduled boat to Mersing on the mainland, and meet your driver for the two-hour journey west to Malacca. Enjoy a tour of this historic city, originally founded by a Hindu prince at the turn of the 15th Century, and later a key trading hotspot for Portuguese, Dutch and British colonial forces. Stop at the Porta de Santiago fortress, also known as Famosa Fort; the ruins of St. Paul’s Church; and Cheng Hoon Teng temple’s ancient walls.

Days 16
Depart Kuala Lumpur

Enjoy a morning at leisure until it’s time to head to Kuala Lumpur for your onward flight.

Icon
Personalised design
We’ll plan your trip around your specific interests, tastes and preferences, providing helpful tips and honest advice based on firsthand knowledge of the destionation.
Icon
Authentic Experience
Our expert guides and brilliant travel concierges are hand-picked to provide a genuine experience, bringing you destination to life with care and passion.
Icon
Responsible Travel
Our luxury trips are designed with responsible travel principles that priorities travel experiences that are both good for you and good for the planet.
It is easy to customize your Complete Malaysia tours with us

Client Reviews: Find out what our clients have said about their experience.

Melinda & John
Nov 2016
star star star star star
Not only were we treated royally and terribly spoiled, but we felt we got a sense of the Japanese people, their history and their culture. It is a trip that we will always find joy in remembering. Thank you so much for all you did to make it such a memorable time for us.
Sarah & Evan
April 2016
star star star star star
We had no idea what a Microlight was going into our honeymoon, and seeing it when we arrived admittedly made us weak in the knees… But it ended up being the highlight of Zambia for us and we can’t imagine experiencing the magnitude of Victoria Falls any other way!
Tracy & Matt
April 12, 2016
star star star star star
It was a life changing experience and we couldn't be happier to have done it, learned so much, seen so much, and escaped from work for a couple of weeks!
Scott Eirinberg
March 2017
star star star star star
If you don't have a friend overseas, Absolute Asia is like the next best thing. We found their guides so friendly and knowledgeable, that we even traded recipes and photos with a couple of them after the trip.
Geoff & Annie
April 2018
star star star star star
Absolute Asia nailed every aspect of our trip, immersing us in the folklore and dramatic wild beauty synonymous with the magical land, while also fitting in five star luxury…
Nina Greenberg
May 2018
star star star star star
The level of service and the itinerary were all spot on. I left feeling that within a two week time period I had seen and experienced the best of Kenya!
Seth & Nicole
Oct 2018
star star star star star
The planning process was excellent. My biggest concern at the outset was a lack of deep conversation from other agencies. My expectation was that someone would take the time commensurate with the cost and Jessica did exactly that
Alfond Family
Nov 2018
star star star star star
We brought our two grandchildren, ages 12 and 14, to South Africa to fulfill a long-held dream of ours. Attention was paid by Daniela and her colleagues to every detail and every nuance of our trip, and after all of our raves, it’s inevitable that we shall have to come back with our other seven!
Nathan Battle
Dec 2018
star star star star star
Absolute Asia packed our trip with hidden secrets, insider experiences, and top notch local guides-transforming our vacation into a a once-in-a-lifetime trip. Superb!
Stefanie Rubin
Dec 2018
star star star star star
Absolute Asia has been an invaluable partner to American Jewish World Service (AJWS). AJWS has been able to provide high-end philanthropy travel to our donors because of Absolute Travel’s attention to detail, flexibility and willingness to go the extra mile to meet our needs. Thank you for helping us to elevate our program to new heights of excellence.
Kim & Heb
Dec 2018
star star star star star
Absolute Asia showed us sides of Morocco we would not have discovered on our own. Thank you for designing an unforgettable trip.
Dan & Meg
Dec 2018
star star star star star
Thank you so much for all of the help. It was a trip we’ll never forget and you made it so easy...
Lori & Bill
Dec 2018
star star star star star
I must say our 2 weeks in Asia has truly been the best experience of my life thus far! We truly appreciate you planning that for us.
Gary Fischman
Dec 2018
star star star star star
You know, when expectations are sky high, as they were for this trip, there is a very high risk of disappointment. Still, this trip exceeded our expectations. It was truly an incredible, awesome experience. Thanks again for your expertise in putting together this trip. We’ll most definitely go to Africa again in the future.
AMAZING experience. There is no way that we would’ve had the same experience if we planned this trip ourselves. Absolute Asia treated us better than we would’ve treated ourselves!
Rated 4.8 out of 5 based on 3247 reviews on
Tripadvisor