Jungle Crossing and Island Hopping

Itinerary

Itinerary:
Kuala Lumpur - Taman Negara - Kota Bharu - Perhentian Islands - Redang Island
Duration:
13 days / 12 nights (flexible)
Price:
From £ 1,869.- per person (excluding flights)

This relaxed Malaysian escape is the perfect combination of city and village life, jungle and beach. We've included a whole week of R&R on two of Malaysia's beautiful east coast islands, so if you’re looking for a chance to recharge your batteries, look no further. The tropical islands included in this itinerary are best visited between April and October.

Days 1-3 – Twin Towers & chopsticks

Kuala Lumpur is a city of exciting extremes, where space-age skyscrapers nudge up against cluttered Chinese markets and traditional Indian restaurants. During your time here we’ll arrange some tickets to the KL Tower which provides sweeping views over the rooftops of the city. The panorama is impressive at any time of day, but it’s definitely best just before sunset. It’s a chance to see the Petronas Towers decked out with bright lights. Looking out across the skyline, it’s almost impossible not to feel inspired.

The rest of your stay is free for you to explore independently. If you wish, we can arrange a walking tour to help you get your bearings in the city or a cooking class so you can try your hand at cooking Malay cuisine. Speak to our Malaysia experts about the options.

Days 3-5 – Canopy walk and jungle boat

Time to leave behind the bright city lights as you hop on a bus and head to the border of Taman Negara National Park. Here you’ll take a small wooden boat along the jungle-flanked Sungai Tembeling River to your comfortable resort in the rainforest – the Mutiara Taman Negara – which will be your home for the next two nights. There will be time to settle in before setting off into the jungle as the sun begins to set on a night walk. You’ll be surrounded by the sounds of the rainforest as you search for wildlife and insects hiding in the darkness.

The next day you will continue to explore the world’s oldest tropical rainforest on foot and experience a birds eye view of the rainforest from the canopy walkway. Make sure you keep your eyes peeled for all the wildlife.

Days 5-7 – Creative kampung life

After breakfast it’s time to bid farewell to the jungle and cross the river where you’ll find your driver waiting to take you to the next destination on your Malaysia holiday: Kota Bharu. It’s a journey of 6 to 7 hours and the transfer is shared with other passengers. A private transfer can be arranged at a supplement.

Experience local life in this creative kampung (village), tucked away on a small riverbank near Kota Bharu. You’ll meet the local villagers, try your hand at the traditional art of batik, find out how fiery fish crackers are made and explore the local area. You’ll stay in wooden cottage, equipped with en-suite facilities and a veranda with scenic views. It’s a comfortable compromise between a homestay and a guesthouse and the perfect way to experience real Malaysia!

Days 7-10 – Perhentian Island escape

Today you’ll be transferred to the small port of Kuala Besut, where you board a boat to take you the short way, roughly 30 minutes, to the Perhentian Islands. Stepping ashore you’ll be greeted by palm trees, white sands and a crystal clear turquoise sea.

Your time here is free to explore as you wish. This is a place to kick off your flip-flops, stretch out and listen to the sound of swaying palms. Take a trip into the island’s jungle, hire a canoe, set off on a sea-fishing mission or scuba dive into the deep. At the end of the day, kerosene lamps will begin twinkling all along the beach as the blazing sun sinks into the sea.

Days 10-13 – Paradise on Pulau Redang

Time to hop islands and this morning you’ll take a boat from the Perhentian Islands to Pulau Redang – a swift speedboat journey of 45 minutes to 1 hour.

The picture-postcard island of Redang boasts wide white sandy beaches with clear shallow waters. The island is a protected natural area and sea turtles come here to lay eggs. The waters surrounding the island are home to an abundance of colourful marine life so we have arranged for a snorkelling experience during your stay. The rest of your time is free to relax on the beach, or you can explore the rest of the island where fishing villages are hidden among the greenery.

Day 13 marks the last day of your Malaysia trip. We’ll arrange your boat transfer back to the mainland and a private transfer to take you to the airport, roughly an hour’s journey. You’ll catch a flight back to Kuala Lumpur in time to connect onto your international flight home.