A Passage Through Time
- 9 Days
- From : Kuala Lampur
- To : Penang
- Private
- Guide : English, Spanish
- Minimum age : 10 Years Old
* This product requests separate payment. Promotion code or coupon from Ticket Here is not applicable.
Embark on a journey through Malaysia’s past, present and future with this spellbinding tour, which over nine unforgettable days takes you to its most emblematic cities and some of its most spectacular landscapes. Malaysia is a melting pot of such diversity that every destination you visit brings a new sense of adventure and wonderment. It is a country that looks to the future but cherishes the past. Blessed with nature’s bountiful gifts, it also offers age old forests, beautiful beaches, idyllic islands, hills and mountains. With expert guides and good accommodation throughout, this tour is the ideal way to discover the real Malaysia and all she has to offer.
Kuala Lumpur:Tour the historical heart of the capital, visiting the National Mosque, Royal Selangor Club and Thean Hou Temple amongst other sights
Melaka: Discover the European colonial heritage of Malaysia’s oldest city and enjoy a scenic river cruise
Cameron Highlands: : Escape from it all in this English-style hill station where tea, strawberry and rose plantations abound
Kuala Kangsar: Visit former royal palaces and the golden-domed Ubudiah Mosque, considered to be the most beautiful in the country
Taiping: Stroll through the spectacular Lake Gardens of Malaysia’s wettest city and visit the poignant war cemetery
Penang: Explore the capital, George Town, a UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site, a variety of temples and the War Museum
What’s included?
TOUR GUIDE:
- Operated with English-speaking driver-guide
- Operated with English speaking driver and Spanish speaking guide, upon additional cost (optional Extra)
ACCOMMODATION:
- 8 nights’ accommodation
MEALS:
- 8 breakfasts, 5 lunches
TRANSPORT:
- Inbound airport transfers from Kuala Lumpur Airport
- Air-conditioned transportation, transfers as stated in the programme
- Outbound airport transfers to Penang Airport
ENTRANCE FEES AND ACTIVITIES:
- All entrance fees as indicated: National Monument, Federated Malay States Railway Station, National Mosque, KL City Gallery, Dataran Merdeka, Sultan Abdul Samad Building, Former High Court building, St Mary’s Cathedral, Royal Selangor Club, Jamek Mosque, Central Market, Thean Hou Temple, Sri Mahamariamman Temple, St John’s Fort, Cheng Hoon Teng Temple, Tranquerah Mosque, St Peter’s Church, Bukit Cina, Melaka River cruise and trishaw ride, Villa Sentosa, Gua Tempurung cave, Rose Garden and Strawberry Farm and Kuala Sepetang charcoal factory, Pinang Peranakan Mansion. River cruise in Melaka is on a shared basis with other passengers.
OTHER:
- Meet & Greet on arrival at Kuala Lumpur Airport
Exclusions
- Expenditures of a personal nature, drinks and meals if not stated explicitly in the programme
- Gratuity for driver and guide
- Optional tours and activities during free time
- International or domestic flight tickets and airport taxes or visa fees
- Tourism tax is payable directly to the hotels
Please note
In the case that clients can’t find their driver-guide on arrival at Kuala Lampur, please proceed to the following meeting point:
KLIA 1 – Meeting Point near Door 6, arrival hall, Level 3.
KLIA 2 (this is the Low Cost Carrier Terminal) – Near Old Town White Coffee, arrival hall, Level 2.
Day 9: Drop-off at Penang Airport
Local conditions prevalent at the time of travel may result in modifications to the tour contents without prior notice
What do I need to bring?
Comfortable and light clothing is the most suitable for travelling in Malaysia. Visitors should not wear sleeveless shirts, shorts, short skirts or skimpy clothing when visiting places of worship, religious or official buildings. Shoes should be removed before entering a temple or private house. Sun protection, sun glasses, a hat and mosquito repellent can be very useful during your stay. A light sweater is recommended for the cooler evenings in Cameron Highlands.
Accommodation options
ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS
Day 1-2, 4 Kuala Lumpur:
- Superior Hotel Category = Furama Bukit Bintang or similar 4*
Day 3 Melaka:
- Superior Hotel Category = Swiss Garden Hotel or similar 4*
Day 5-6 Cameron Highlands:
- Superior Hotel Category = Heritage Hotel Cameron Highlands or similar 4*
Day 7-8 Penang:
- Superior Hotel Category = Royale Chulan Penang or similar 4*
Cancellation policy
- Once ordered, this tour cannot be cancelled or refund or amended at any circumstances.
Day 1 : ARRIVAL KUALA LUMPUR
Upon arrival at Kuala Lumpur International Airport, meet your tour representative at the arrivals hall before being transferred to what will be your accommodation for the next three nights. Spend the rest of the day getting acquainted with the magical city of Kuala Lumpur at leisure, or enjoying the services available at the hotel.
Overnight in Kuala Lumpur
Day 2 : CITY TOUR KUALA LUMPUR
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the hotel in preparation for a seven-hour tour dedicated to exploring the city’s top cultural and historical sites, with Muslim, Christian, Hindu and Buddhist places of worship on the itinerary. See the National Monument commemorating those who died in Malaysia’s struggle for independence and during the Japanese occupation of World War II. Continue to the landmark Federated Malay States Railway Station, whose eye-catching architecture blends European, Arabesque, Indian and oriental elements. Then head to the radically modern National Mosque, built in the mid-1960s. Reflective pools and fountains are spread throughout the mosque, which is surrounded by lush, landscaped gardens. Also see the KL City Gallery, as famous for its neo-Renaissance façade as for its stunning scale model exhibits. Later, head to Dataran Merdeka (Independence Square) and admire the Moorish-style Sultan Abdul Samad Building, the former High Court building, the late Victorian St Mary’s Anglican Cathedral and the Tudor-style Royal Selangor Club. Nearby is the magnificent Moorish-style Masjid Jamek, one of the oldest mosques in Kuala Lumpur. It lies at the confluence of two rivers and is surrounded by palm trees of all shapes and sizes. Continue to the art deco Central Market, where the scents and sounds of KL come to life, and the adjacent Annexe Gallery. After picking a locale for lunch, head to the dazzling Thean Hou Temple, considered one of the finest examples of Chinese architecture in Malaysia; and the Sri Mahamariamman Temple, the oldest Hindu temple in Kuala Lumpur, famed for its multifaceted Dravidian-style gopuram tower. Return to the hotel and enjoy a free evening.
Overnight in Kuala Lumpur
Day 3 : KUALA LUMPUR – MELAKA (160km – 2.5 hrs)
After breakfast at the hotel, depart for Melaka by driving south through the verdant countryside. Melaka was founded by a Hindu prince in the 14th century but its strategic location on the Strait of Melaka, a vital route in the mediaeval spice trade, made it an attractive prize for European colonists. It was successively ruled by the Portuguese, the Dutch and the British, each leaving a legacy that can still be spotted today. The result is a fascinating multi-cultural city that will captivate your heart. On arrival, savour the local Peranakan cuisine (also known as Baba & Nyonya), which blends Chinese and Malay flavours. After lunch, begin a four-hour tour of Melaka. Head to the Dutch-era St John’s Fort for a panoramic view of the city – on a clear day, Indonesia can be seen on the other side of the strait. Discover Bandar Hilir, the city’s oldest area, and climb St Paul’s Hill, where the ruins of St Paul’s Church stand, before continuing to the Porta de Santiago, which is all that remains of the Portuguese-built A Famosa. Visit the ‘antiques row’ of the always-colourful Jonker Street, where shops and stalls will tempt you with their historic and folkloric wares. Complete the tour with stops at Cheng Hoon Teng Temple, the Tranquerah Mosque, the three-century-old St Peter’s Church and the haunting Bukit Cina, where Chinese burial sites are scattered on a barren hill. Return to the hotel with the rest of the evening free. For dinner, you can ask the driver-guide to take you to one of the many restaurants in the city, such as those in the Portuguese Square.
Overnight in Melaka. Breakfast and lunch included
Day 4 : MELAKA – KUALA LUMPUR (160km – 2.5 hrs)
Breakfast at the hotel is followed by a gentle sightseeing cruise up the Melaka River, which is flanked by historic homes, old warehouses, mangrove stands and churches. Expect to pass under some rather colourful bridges, too. The river featured in the 1998 Hollywood blockbuster Entrapment, starring Sean Connery and Catherine Zeta-Jones. After the cruise, enjoy a trishaw ride to Villa Sentosa, a family home located on a bend of the river. The house has been turned into a museum of early 20th century Malaysian family living. Admire the intriguing collections of costumes, embroidery, furniture, muskets and other everyday items. The combined cruise and trishaw tour take about four hours. Have lunch at a local restaurant before returning to hotel. Check-out and depart for Kuala Lumpur in the afternoon. The evening back in the capital is at your own leisure.
Overnight in Kuala Lumpur. Breakfast and lunch included
Day 5 : KUALA LUMPUR – TAPAH – CAMERON HIGHLANDS (260km – 4 hrs)
Take to the road after breakfast with a stunning scenic drive to Cameron Highlands in the state of Pahang. The highlands are a resort area situated at 1,500 metres above sea level in the Titiwangsa Range, renowned for their pleasant cool climate, romantic rolling countryside and their tea plantations. En route, there is a one-hour stop to visit Gua Tempurung, a spectacular cave that was used as a hideout by communist guerrillas in the tumultuous years of the Emergency. Apart from the impressive stalagmites and stalactites, there are also rim stone pools, curtains, straws, calcite crystals and pillars to admire. There are also magnificent marble columns inside a huge cavern honeycombed with smaller caves of different dimensions. Stop for lunch at a local restaurant in Tapah, a quiet country town. After eating, head back on the road with a brief sightseeing stop at the Iskandar waterfall, which is almost at the halfway point between Tapah and Cameron Highlands. Here you can meet members of the local hill tribe and maybe even witness a blow pipe demonstration. Continue to the hotel for check-in and enjoy the rest of your day at leisure. For dinner, you may choose to eat in your hotel or ask the driver to take you to check out the many types of cuisine that can be found in Cameron Highlands. Chinese restaurants are favoured by locals for steamboat, a novel ‘do-it-yourself’ style of cooking in a boiling pot of hot soup – perfect for a cool evening!
Overnight in Cameron Highlands. Breakfast and lunch included
Day 6 : TOUR OF CAMERON HIGHLANDS
Begin the day with a leisurely breakfast before joining the driver-guide for a scenic four-hour tour of Cameron Highlands, taking in the Rose Centre, the BOH tea plantation, a strawberry farm, the Smokehouse Hotel and a vegetable farm. One of the reasons why Cameron Highlands were developed as a resort was because British colonialists wanted a cool retreat from the tropical settlements on the Strait of Melaka, and as you travel through this highland Eden, the bucolic charm of rural England is still visible in the architecture and flora, with an abundance of timber-framed Tudor-style homes as well as plenty of vegetable and fruit farms. Be prepared for the extraordinary sight of seas of flowers you won’t see blooming anywhere else in Malaysia. Return to the hotel for an afternoon and evening of leisure, with the option of enjoying the resort’s available activities and facilities.
Overnight in Cameron Highlands.
Day 7 : CAMERON HIGHLANDS – KUALA KANGSAR – TAIPING – PENANG (285km – 4 hrs)
Check out after breakfast and depart for Penang, driving along a scenic route via Simpang Pulai and Kuala Kangsar, the royal town of the state of Perak, which we stop in for a one-hour tour of its main landmarks. Head to a leafy and exclusive area south-west of the city centre, where a number of historical, cultural and religious attractions are located. Stop by the Sultan Azlan Shah Gallery, which is located in a former royal palace named after the late sultan. The gallery is currently closed for two years, to facilitate maintenance work. However, one can still take photos of the beautiful gallery from the outside. Continue to the nearby golden-domed Ubudiah Mosque, probably the finest mosque in Malaysia, as well as to Istana Iskandariah and Istana Kenangan, two very different but equally beautiful former royal palaces. Take to the road again in the direction of Taiping, which has the dubious honour of being the wettest town in continental Malaysia, with an annual rainfall double that of the rest of the peninsula. All that water has led to a fertile landscape of flora and large and mature rain trees in the moist Taiping Lake Gardens, the first visit of a two-to-three-hour stop in the city. You will also see the old railway station, the first in the country, dating from 1882. Stop for lunch at a local restaurant and maybe try some of the savoury seafood for which the town is renowned. Afterwards, head to the Taiping War Cemetery, where the graves of more than 800 Allied soldiers are neatly laid out in a poignant reminder of the brutality of war. Head to the south-western outskirts of Taiping to visit the Kuala Sepetang charcoal factory in Matang. It is made in kilns using greenwood harvested from the nearby mangrove forest reserve. For each tree that is cut down to be processed into charcoal, a young sapling is planted as replacement. Be careful as everything here is soot black. Continue to Penang island, crossing the 13.5km-long Penang Bridge to check in at your hotel in the evening for the remainder of the tour.
Overnight in Penang. Breakfast and lunch included
Day 8 : TOUR OF PENANG
After breakfast, enjoy a tour of George Town, starting with a visit to the Thai Buddhist temple, which houses a 33-metre-long reclining Buddha. Just across the road is the Burmese Buddhist temple. Down by the bustling waterfront are the ‘homes on stilts’ of Chew Jetty, which form a water village dating back to the early Chinese immigrants. Next, visit the Pinang Peranakan Mansion, the Victorian-style home of a prominent ethnic Chinese merchant from the late 19th century. The Peranakans are assimilated ethnic Chinese who have lived in Malaysia for centuries. This lavishly decorated mansion boasts more than 1,000 pieces of antiques and collectibles, and features an eclectic design, incorporating Chinese carved-wood panels, English ceramic floor tiles and Scottish cast iron balustrades, balconies and railings. Walk along the Street of Harmony, bordered by religious landmarks such as Kapitan Keling Mosque, the Hindu Sri Mahamariaman Temple, the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy Temple and the pristine neo-classical St George’s Church. Along the way, check out ‘Little India’, a colourful area in the heart of the old town, where you will find many specialised Indian stores and diners. Indulge in specialities such as spices, Indian music, garlands, trinkets and gold jewellery. Lunch at a local restaurant to try the banana leaf rice with teh tarik (‘pulled tea’). After eating, return to the hotel and spend the rest of the day at your leisure.
Overnight in Penang. Breakfast and lunch included
Day 9 : DEPART PENANG
Savour one final breakfast at the hotel and enjoy the its facilities until it’s time to leave for the airport for your onward flight.
Breakfast included