Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Malaysia – Kuala Lumpur – Ipoh – Penang – Langkawi
100% customisable for you
After lots of daydreaming, counting down the sleeps and checking the weather forecast, your adventure across Malaysia begins today. Head to the airport, whizz through security and settle into the lounge for some fizz and nibbles before boarding.
It’s a direct 13-hour overnight flight to Kuala Lumpur, so fluff up your neck pillow, queue up a few films and grab some shut-eye before touchdown.
When you arrive the next morning, you’ll be whisked away by private transfer to your hotel in the heart of the city – your base for the next three nights.
Craving some R&R after the long haul? Make a beeline for the pool, where Kuala Lumpur’s glittering skyline is best admired from a sunlounger with a chilled drink in hand. Or, if you still have some energy left in the tank, we can arrange a guided tour of the city, where a local will take you all around KL’s greatest hits.
Partial to a well-crafted cocktail? Then this afternoon’s bound to go down a treat.
After a relaxed day settling into your new surroundings, meet your local guide and venture into lantern-lined Chinatown in search of secret speakeasies, where discovering the entrance is all part of the fun. Tucked inside historic buildings with fascinating pasts, these bars are shaking up everything from zingy tropical rum punches and fragrant pandan cocktails to velvety espresso martinis. Decisions, decisions...
After polishing off your last sip (and with your spirits suitably lifted), follow the delicious aromas into Chinatown’s whirlwind of a market and dive chopstick-first into its legendary street food scene, where steaming bowls of noodles, crispy roast duck and pillowy bao buns all vie for your attention.
This afternoon, enjoy a guided tour of Kampung Baru, a traditional Malay enclave, where charming wooden houses and ornate mosques provide a fascinating contrast to KL’s gleaming skyline. Along the way, savour some herbal tea before enjoying a home-cooked dinner, rounding off the day suitably stuffed.
Today is all yours to explore at your own pace.
Craving another helping of Kuala Lumpur’s culinary delights? Luckily, street food stalls are in abundance across the city. Hop from stall to stall as cooks splash oil into searing-hot woks, chop ingredients at lightning speed and serve up everything from nasi lemak (Malaysia’s much-loved dish of fragrant coconut rice and sambal) to fiery bowls of laksa (a spicy curry noodle soup).
Once you’ve had your fill of food, make a beeline for Brickfields, affectionately known as Little India. Perhaps take a wander around deity-embellished Hindu temples and then let the myriad of mithai (traditional Indian sweets) tempt you into one of the family-run confectioners. If ever there was a place to channel your inner child in a sweet shop, this is it...
This morning, it’s all aboard for Ipoh. A private transfer will take you to the train station, where you can top up your snack stash before boarding. It’s a two-and-a-half-hour journey, so stick your headphones on, tune into our destination-specific playlist and admire the views of rolling rice paddies and sleepy villages tumbling by.
Arrive in Ipoh, where a local driver will whisk you away to your charming guesthouse – your home for the next two nights.
Then, perhaps embark on a leisurely stroll around the sparkling lake, where incense-swirled temples sit beneath limestone cliffs. Or, if you fancy dialling up the relaxation a notch, treat yourself to a traditional Ayurvedic massage – a rite of passage while here.
If you’re craving another memorable meal, we can secure you a table at Jeff's Cellar, a torchlit cave restaurant where Asian flavours and fine wines are a match made in heaven. Who said caves are just for exploring?
Rise and shine... well, whenever you feel like this morning, today is all yours to explore Ipoh at your own pace. Enjoy a lazy start to the day before the irresistible aroma of freshly made apam balik (a crispy, folded pancake) lures you into town.
From here, perhaps grab a bubble tea and amble around the charming streets. Travelling with any avid history buffs? You’ll find a healthy smattering of museums and art galleries, each revealing how Malay, Chinese and Indian communities have helped shape the city you see today. And, of course, if you’re feeling peckish, head to one of Ipoh’s bustling street food markets and see what’s sizzling.
Still raring to go this afternoon? We can also arrange a guided tour of Ipoh’s New Town, where you can explore the elegant streets that grew from the city’s booming tin-mining era.
Bid a warm farewell to Ipoh this morning and meet your local driver for the two-hour drive to Penang, admiring views of bobbing fishing boats in the bay as you trace the Strait of Malacca.
When you arrive, check in to your hotel set in George Town – your home away from home for the next two nights.
Drop your bags, then head out to explore its UNESCO-listed quarter, where larger-than-life portraits, whimsical street art and quirky wire sculptures are all bound to spark plenty of oohs and aahs.
And this evening, bypass any dinner deliberations with a restaurant recommendation from our local Concierge, who’ll know exactly where to find the city’s best char kway teow (smoky wok-fried rice noodles). Another Malaysian classic, officially unlocked.
Another day, another adventure. This morning, lace up your best walking shoes and meet your local guide to learn about the many cultures of George Town.
First stop: Little India, where rolls of vibrant fabrics line every shopfront, skilled artisans hand-weave bespoke saris to order and fragrant spice shops perfume the air. Then step inside the Pinang Peranakan Mansion, where over a thousand antiques and treasured family trinkets bring the rich history of the Peranakan community to life.
Next up, head to the Teochew Temple, where you can marvel at the dragon-crowned rooftops, before delving into the fascinating life of Dr Sun Yat-sen at the museum dedicated to his legacy. Round off the tour at the clan jetties, a collection of historic wooden villages built on stilts above the water, where Chinese families have thrived for centuries.
Not quite ready to call it a day? We can also arrange a guided tour of Penang’s rural heartland, where batik workshops and centuries-old temples await.
Excitement levels are bound to be sky-high (quite literally) this morning as you make your way to Penang Airport to board your 45-minute flight to the idyllic island of Langkawi. Try to nab a window seat – those glittering views over the azure waters of the Andaman Sea are far too good to miss.
When you touch down, you’ll be whisked away by private transfer to your oceanfront villa – your peaceful retreat for the next three nights.
Drop your bags, cool off with a dip in the crystal-clear ocean and then take your pick between a sun-drenched lounger or a palm-shaded patch of sand – perhaps with a coconut (or a spritzy cocktail) to celebrate your arrival?
As evening falls, end your day sun-kissed, salt-speckled and satisfied with a seafood supper on the beach, clinking glasses of rice wine as the sky glows gold over the ocean. Cheers to that.
Lather on the sunscreen and charge the camera – you have two days of island adventures ahead of you.
Perhaps soar up Mount Mat Cincang via cable car and brave the famous Langkawi Sky Bridge for sweeping views over the rainforest, before coming back down to earth for hikes through jungle trails.
Fancy making a splash? Skim across the crystal-clear Andaman Sea aboard a banana boat or put your kayaking skills to the test with a paddle through Langkawi’s peaceful mangroves. Afterwards, take the plunge on a snorkelling trip to the protected coral reefs of Pulau Payar Marine Park, where shimmering schools of fish, reef sharks and graceful sea turtles await beneath the waves.
Fancy exploring more of Langkawi’s wild side? We can also arrange a boat trip through the vine-tangled mangroves of Kilim Nature Park, where wildlife sightings come thick and fast.
Wrap up your holiday with another restaurant recommendation from our local Concierge, who’ll know just the spot for a celebratory final meal.
Time flies when you’re having fun, and, sadly, your adventure across Malaysia has come to an end. Tuck into one last island breakfast, soak up those final rays of vitamin D and then prise yourself from the sunlounger for your private transfer to Langkawi Airport.
When you arrive, board your one-hour flight to Kuala Lumpur, where you’ll connect onto your overnight flight home, arriving back in the UK the next morning.
You’ll spend around 13 hours in the air – plenty of time to flick through your photos and relive the highlights. And if you’re suffering from a bad case of post-holiday blues, nothing lifts the spirits quite like planning your next big adventure...
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
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Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from checking you in for your flights to our network of local Concierges
