On our trip to Malaysia you will experience both big city, countryside, jungle and beautiful beaches. The journey begins in the modern world city of Singapore, from where we continue to historic Malacca, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In Kuala Lumpur, we experience one of Asia’s most dynamic cities, before it’s time for Borneo’s jungles and beaches. Here we head to Kinabalu National Park and Abai Village, among others. We have time for a few lazy days of sun and swimming before it’s time to go home.
Day 1: Travel to Singapore
Flights to Singapore. Meals are included on board the long-haul flight.
Day 2: Singapore
Arrival in Singapore where we will be met by our local representative. Then we go into the city and check in at our hotel. Overnight in Singapore.
Day 3: Singapore
Today we do a full day city tour of Singapore and pass Padang, the large open space in the center with several historical landmarks. We stop at the parliament, the courthouse and the town hall. At Merlion Park we stop to enjoy the views of Marina Bay. Then we visit the Than Hock King Temple, one of Singapore’s oldest Buddhist-Taoist temples. In Chinatown, we stroll around among shops in historic surroundings. After lunch, there will be a visit to one of Singapore’s pleasant shopping streets. Here we also see the impressive Sultan Mosque. Then we head to Little India and look around among restaurants, temples and shops. Finally, we visit the botanical garden where we can enjoy, among other things, 60,000 different orchid plants. Overnight in Singapore. (Breakfast and lunch)
Day 4: Singapore – Malacca
Malacca, this formerly important port city, offers a lot of interesting things from both before and after the colonial era. In the morning we cross the border into Malaysia and arrive in the port city of Malacca in the afternoon. We come to Dutch Square or as it is also called Red Square, as it is surrounded by red-painted buildings. It is reminiscent of Malacca’s historical past and the Dutch administration (Town Hall, Church of Christ), British colonization (Queen Victoria’s fountain) and the Chinese settlers (Tan Beng Swee bell tower in memory of a generous Chinese businessman).
Stadthuys – Built in 1650 as the official residence of the Dutch governor and for his officers, is a fine example of Dutch architecture from that time. It is believed to be the oldest Dutch building in Asia. Overnight in Malacca. (Breakfast and lunch)
Day 5: Malacca – Kula Lumpur
In the morning we go to St. Paul’s Hill for a panoramic view of Malacca and the strait. Here we see the famous gate, the well-known Portuguese Santiago fort and the ruins of St. Paul’s Church with 17th century Dutch tombstones. Before heading to Kuala Lumpur, we stop at Cheng Hoon Teng, the oldest Chinese temple in Malaysia. On our way to Kuala Lumpur, we visit Putrajaya, Malaysia’s third and most recent federal territory. Built on an expansive swamp and a former oil palm grove in Selangor, the city stretches over an area of almost 5,000 hectares and is located 25 km from Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya takes over the administrative functions of the capital Kuala Lumpur. Overnight in Kuala Lumpur. (Breakfast and lunch)
Day 6: Kuala Lumpur
Today we first visit the magnificent Batu Caves, one of the main tourist attractions in Malaysia. The cave functions as a temple and has statues erected in the main caves. The temple is considered an important religious landmark for Hindus outside India. In the afternoon we return to Kuala Lumpur. We stop at Petronas Twin Towers and take unforgettable pictures. Then we go to Chinatown where we walk the streets and shop in alleys packed with small shops selling a wide variety of food and local goods. At Central Market (Pasar Seni), another indoor bazaar, not far from Chinatown, there are various foods and souvenirs along with traditional Malaysian goods. We pass the old train station and stop at Independent Square and take some photos around the amazing building Sultan Abdul Samad, built by the British as a palace of justice and government office. Overnight in Kuala Lumpur. (Breakfast and lunch)
Day 7: Kuala Lumpur – Sandakan
We fly to Sandakan in the morning. After arriving at Sandakan, we continue directly to the Rainforest Discovery Center (RDC). The rainforest center is part of the Kabili-Sepilok Forest Reserve – here is the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Center. Located in Sabah, it is one of the state’s most popular environmental education centers today. We visit the plant garden and see native orchids, pitcher plants, dry land plants, aquatic plants and more. Then we experience the rainforest from a 147 meter long walkway up among the treetops 28 meters above the ground. The walkway with its two towers offers a unique way to see Sabah’s rainforest and is a great place for bird watching. Overnight at MY Nature Resort. (Breakfast and dinner)
Day 8: Seplok – Borneon Sun Bear Center – Kinabatangan River – Abai
In the morning we visit the Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary where rescued orphaned orangutans are trained to be released and survive again in the wild and they are released as soon as they are ready. We will be able to see them at their feeding stations in the rainforest and at the nursery (if it is open). Then we come to the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Center (BSBCC), a wildlife conservation and research center to improve animal welfare and rehabilitate the Malaysian sun bear. After lunch we take a cruise by boat up the Lower China Batangan. After passing untouched mangrove forests and watching wildlife, we arrive at Abai Jungle Lodge. Overnight at Abai Jungle Lodge. (Breakfast, lunch and dinner)
Day 9: Pitas Lake – Abai Village – Sukau
Early in the morning we do another boat trip for bird watching and watching wildlife at the nearby Pita Lake. After breakfast we come to the nearby village of Abai and participate in a tree planting project. After lunch we continue the cruise up to Sukau and here we check in at Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge. Overnight at Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge Sukau. (Breakfast, lunch and dinner)
Day 10: Sukau – Abai – Sandakan – Kota Kinabalu
After breakfast we leave the lodge and return to Sandakan by boat. The 2.5-hour journey offers another chance to see wildlife. After arrival at Sandakan jetty, transfer to airport for flight to Kota Kinabalu. Overnight in Kota Kinabalu. (Breakfast)
Day 11: Kota Kinabalu – Kinabalu Botanical National Park
In the morning we take a 2 hour journey through a breathtakingly beautiful landscape to Kinabalu Park (UNESCO), 88 km from Kota Kinabalu. We do a guided nature walk and then explore the park’s botanical garden, which shows some of the many plants found in the park. After lunch, we walk upwards for 30 minutes for an opportunity to witness life in the treetops as we walk along a walkway up among the treetops 60 meters above ground level. Overnight in Kota Kinabalu. (Breakfast and lunch)
Day 12: Kota Kinabalu
All day free time. Enjoy sunbathing and swimming or ask the tour guide for tips for excursions, shopping …
Overnight stay in Kota Kinabalu. (Breakfast)
Day 13: Kota Kinabalu – Kuala Lumpur
Transfer to the airport and flight to Kuala Lumpur. The rest of the day is free time in Kuala Lumpur. Overnight in Kuala Lumpur. (Breakfast)
Day 14: Return
Transfer to the airport for departure. Meals are included on board the long-haul flight. (Breakfast)
