Malaysia with the Family: Bicycles, Batik and Shimmering Bays
Itinerary
Do you want to travel at your own pace? Ask us about self drive options for this trip. The roads are well-developed, signage is in English and they drive on the left-hand side of the road. Your rental car is equipped with a GPS so that you can easily find your way around and our local partners are on hand 24/7 should you need assistance.
Days 1-3 – Malacca: Warm welcome on wheels
Malacca is the melting pot of Malaysia, a mosaic of many different cultures. Here, crumbling European colonial buildings, Indian bazaars, Chinese markets and modern chic all sit side by side. This is the first stop of your family holiday, and you’ll stay in the heart of Malacca’s Chinatown, peppered with paper lanterns. We will organise an eco cycling trip for you, where you’ll learn about the tropical plantations and pedal through local villages (child seats are available).
Days 3-5 – Twin Towers & chopsticks
Today you will make your own way to the bus station where you will catch the bus that will take you the 2.5 hours north to the capital of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur.
Kuala Lumpur is a city of exciting extremes, where space-age skyscrapers nudge up against cluttered Chinese markets and timeless Indian restaurants. You’ll explore Kuala Lumpur independently, watching East bump into West with your own eyes. You can stare up at the famous Petronas Towers and throw yourself into lively food-court culture which is sure to offer cuisine that the whole family will enjoy!
Days 5-8 – Canopy walk and jungle boat
You’ll need to make your own way to the bus station today where you’ll board the bus to Kuala Tembeling, which takes roughly 3 to 4 hours. From here you’ll take a boat ride over to Taman Negara, roughly 2 hours.
Here there are lots of adventure-packed activities to keep the kids entertained. You’ll walk through the treetops, take a boat trip past jungle-flanked riverbanks, and try a wildlife-spotting night safari during this relaxed adventure through Malaysia’s most famous national park. You’ll explore the rainforest from above, following a suspended walkway and looking for wildlife between the branches. By night, you’ll stay in a wooden bungalow in the jungle.
Days 8-10 – 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 please note this transfer is shared with other passengers.
Experience local life in this creative Kampung, tucked away on a small riverbank near Kota Bharu. You’ll meet the local villagers, you can all try your hand at the traditional art of batik, and there’s plenty of space around here where the kids can run around and let off some steam! You’ll take part in village activities by day and stay in a cosy wooden cottage next door to your hosts by night.
Days 10-14 – Perhentian island escape
Today you’ll take a private transfer from Kota Bharu to the small port of Kuala Besut, a little over an hour to the north. From here we’ve arranged a boat to take you the short way, roughly 30 minutes, to the Perhentian Islands.
Today you’ll all take a boat transfer from Kuala Besut to the tropical Perhentian Islands. The first thing you’ll see when you hop off the boat from Kuala Besut onto the island’s warm white sands, is an idyllic palm-lined beach, a crystal clear turquoise sea and small wooden cabins. This is a family-friendly island, and is the perfect place to end your Malaysia family adventure!
Today 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.
Accommodation
