Travel advice for Malaysia
From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for traveling to Malaysia
Book your individual trip, stress-free with local travel experts
written by Marco Ferrarese
updated 30.03.2020
Already gaped at the Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur, lazed on a white beach in the Perhentians, met orangutans at Sepilok and filled a whole SD card with Georgetown’s street art? That’s what most travellers come to Malaysia for.
But there’s much more mystery, adventure and hidden secrets for those who dare to venture a bit further. Here are seven suggestions to help you get off the beaten track.
12 days / from2350 USD
Uniquely Rustic Malaysia
Malaysia has it all: great beaches, fascinating history, natural habitats and remarkable wildlife. Bustling KL offers the perfect city break; while further afield hiking trails, pristine jungles and fascinating ecosystems will keep the more adventurous visitors entertained.
customize ⤍7 days / from1200 USD
Hidden UNESCO Sites of Malaysia
Steeped in historical significance and natural beauty, Malaysia is home to several emotionally moving UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It seems fitting, given the country's cultural touchstones and awe-inspiring parks—from solitude amidst the mangroves to history walks among colonial buildings.
customize ⤍3 days / from450 USD
The Cameron Highlands in a Nutshell
Experience Malaysia's largest and most impressive hill station, the Cameron Highlands, in all their glory, with this compact trip. Let your picturesque surroundings soak in as you visit the famous Batu Caves, the Lata Iskandar Waterfalls and a local tea plantation.
customize ⤍3 days / from593 USD
Malaysian Wildlife Explorer
Experience the stunning and varied wildlife of Malaysia with this exciting trip: meet the world's smallest bear, the Bornean sun bear; encounter injured orangutans preparing to rejoin the wild; then embark on a series of cruises on the Kinabatangan River to spot yet more Malaysian wildlife!
customize ⤍13 days / from2450 USD
Traditional Malaysia & Wild Borneo
Combine the culture and traditions of Malaysia with jungle outposts and adventure in Borneo. From lively Kuala Lumpur to desert island beaches, highlands and dense rainforest, this is a wonderful introduction to Southeast Asia.
customize ⤍4 days / from882 USD
Highlands and Islands of West Malaysia
Experience the rolling highlands and stunning islands of West Malaysia, with this exciting, compact trip that would make the perfect add-on to an existing trip to Malaysia.
customize ⤍7 days / from980 USD
Dazzling Kuching: Malaysia's Hidden Gem
Sarawak's capital city is known for its old-world flare, bustling markets, and delightful locals. The eponymous winding river that makes up the celebrated Kuching Waterfront may be the town's claim to fame, but hiding just behind it are historical buildings begging to be discovered.
customize ⤍15 days / from2235 USD
Malaysia Explored: Culture, Wildlife and History
Discover the magnificence of Malaysia with this comprehensive trip. Stroll around picturesque tea plantations, trek through dense rainforests, watch elephants in the wild, laze around on paradise beaches, explore immense religious monuments and much more, all with this fantastic trip!
customize ⤍7 days / from896 USD
Experience Nature in the Wilds of Sabah
Tucked away on the island of Borneo is the state of Sabah, a true nature-lover's paradise. From whitewater rafting down wild rivers to scuba diving in crystal-clear waters among exotic marine life, Sabah has something for anyone looking to experience nature in its purest form.
customize ⤍10 days / from1730 USD
Taking in the Splendour of Malaysia
Malaysia is a vast, sweeping jewel of Southeast Asia, with much to do and see. It's particularly known for its serene rainforests, captivating wildlife, and pristine coastlines. The country is also synonymous with bustling cities, cherished historical sites, and progressive points of view.
customize ⤍14 days / from5876 USD
Malaysia, Brunei and Singapore adventure
A diverse and unforgettable exploration awaits! From the vibrant city of Kuala Lumpur to the cool retreat of Cameron Highlands. Immerse yourself in lush tea plantations before heading to Borneo for thrilling orangutan encounters and unforgettable river safaris. Brunei and Singapore conclude the trip
customize ⤍13 days / from5920 USD
Indulgent Malaysia
Discover fascinating Malaysia, a multicultural hotspot with amazing food, stunning beaches and vibrant culture. Take in popular KL’s malls, architecture, landmarks and gardens, before hitting colonial towns and luxurious tropical beaches.
customize ⤍7 days / from1750 USD
Malaysia Express from Singapore
A captivating 7-day tour that unveils the beauty of Malaysia, commencing from Singapore. Traverse the border into Malacca to uncover its rich heritage gems. Progress to Kuala Lumpur, where iconic landmarks await your exploration. Culminate your journey in George Town, Penang.
customize ⤍5 days / from2580 USD
Rainforest Adventure in Borneo
Indecisive between Tabin and Danum Valley in Borneo? Opt for a unique two-in-one adventure, where you'll revel in a mesmerizing transformation from regenerating forests to pristine virgin rainforests. Embrace the allure of both destinations in a single, unforgettable journey.
customize ⤍11 days / from1899 USD
Best of Peninsular Malaysia
A beautiful journey through Peninsular Malaysia. Start in dynamic Kuala Lumpur, explore Malacca's heritage, delve into Cameron Highlands' tea culture, discover Penang's vibrant art scene, and savor its renowned street food. Cap off your adventure with serene beach relaxation in Langkawi.
customize ⤍6 days / from1685 USD
Wildlife Spotting in Borneo
Observe the human-like Orangutans and Bornean Sun Bear, enjoy relaxing cruises along the Kinabatangan River, and encounter fascinating species like proboscis monkeys, hornbills, crocodiles, and more. For those with an interest, partake in engaging wildlife discussions at the lodge.
customize ⤍A mystery even to most locals, Aman Island (”Island of Peace”) is so close to the hustle of Georgetown, yet so different. Just a 5-minute boat ride off the southern coast of Seberang Perai – Penang State’s part of Malaysia's mainland – this little blue-ringed jewel was once a pirates’ cove. Today, Aman Island hides no bounties, but it's still a treasure, with no cars, no paved roads and an ancient well that’s said to breed gold.
Besides chilling and climbing to the the top of the highest hill to enjoy the views, the place is dear to local foodies. They come here for the delicious endemic mantis prawns – a mean crustacean – cooked to perfection in simple restaurants on stilts lining the shore.
© ez tokboi/Shutterstock
Chinese Hakka traders came to the jungles of Southern Kelantan half a century ago, lured by the prospect of finding gold. They settled next to a quiet river surrounded by lush thicket and jagged limestone peaks – a setting that seems to belong to famous Yangshuo, in China’s Guanxi province – and called the village Kampung Pulai.
The first tarred road to nearby Gua Musang arrived only in the 1980s; seclusion kept the migrants’ traditions intact for four centuries. Today, the Water and Moon temple, the oldest in Peninsular Malaysia, still stands at the centre of the village, overlooking the river.
On the other side, a large limestone outcrop named Princess Hill hides ancient meditation caves and a huge statue of Goddess of Mercy Kuan Yin carved out of a stalagmite. The best part is, very few travellers know that this place even exists.
Marco Ferrarese
A few kilometres from the Sarawak-Kalimantan border is Bario, a cluster of villages on the Kelabit Highlands, now easily accessible from coastal city Miri by 18-seater twin otter planes – an adventure in itself.
Bario is home to the Kelabit, once fierce headhunters and now proud Christians. Don't miss Bario Asal, the area’s very first longhouse, still inhabited by new and older generations, some of which still sport the traditional elongated earlobes the Kelabit were famous for.
Kelabit longhouses are made up of row of hearths, each belonging to one family
© shaifulzamri/Shutterstock
Perak’s capital Ipoh is rising and gentrifying, but the state’s incredible history still haunts some of its undiscovered backwoods. Rent a car and head south to Menglembu, driving off to the mostly abandoned village of Papan. This is where Eurasian nurse Sybil Kathigasu supported the anti-Japanese resistance and was tortured for her bravery.
More spirits are thought to float south of Tronoh in Tanjung Tualan which, besides its nationwide famous giant river prawns, has the last tin dredge left in Malaysia. Not far away is Kellie's Castle, a manor built by William Kellie Smith, who was Scottish. In stereotypical Scot flavour, the manor is believed to teem with ghosts.
© iamzealot/Shutterstock
Rent a bicycle in Kota Bharu and spend a day cycling north to Tumpat, the last township before the Thai border, to demystify all the stereotypes you may still have about Muslim Kelantan. This is a land of brightly coloured temples that mix Thai and Chinese-Buddhist cultures.
The country's biggest sleeping Buddha is en route. Be sure to visit the temple he lays on, Wat Photivihan, which is filled with gruesome three-dimensional paintings of Buddhist hell. End up your quest by kneeling before life-sized stone tigers and dragons, right next to a dragon boat-shaped shrine, floating over its own pool.
© Mark Pitt Images/Shutterstock
Soaring from the ancient jungle of Taman Negara is 2187m-tall Gunung Tahan, a tough hike that’s sadly overshadowed by the tourist glamour of Sabah’s Mount Kinabalu. It’s a tough slog, without tourist facilities besides your own camping gear, but it's manageable with a guide in 5 to 8 days from either Kuala Tahan or Merapoh.
Regardless of the path you take, look out for elephant tracks and elusive yet friendly tapirs, who may come out of the jungle to suck the salt off your sweaty skin. Yikes.
© Afiq Tannasir/Shutterstock
When expert nature guide Eddie Chia (whose mother managed pioneering Sabah operator Api Tours) married his Dusun wife a few years ago, they decided to move back to her home town. Kampung Bestaria is a village on the fringes of Telupid forest reserve, a swat of untamed jungle between Mount Kinabalu and Sandakan. None of the villagers believed the place could become more than a free-for-all natural supermarket, but Chia’s intervention changed that.
Kampung Bestaria now has a cooperative, KOBEST, that organises jaunts into the newly opened forest reserve. The still partly unexplored reserve has at least two waterfalls and hundreds of rare species of Borneo plants and fungi, including giant pitcher plants and the rare micro Rafflesia tengku-adinii.
The villagers participate directly in the hospitality and guiding operations. Whether you decide to hang a hammock in the forest or share communal meals with jovial Dusun villagers, seated on the floor of their family homes, Telupid Forest Reserve will be a diversion you will most certainly remember.
Marco Ferrarese
Explore more of Malaysia with The Rough Guide to Malaysia, Singapore & Brunei. Compare flights, find tours, book hostels and hotels for your trip, and don’t forget to purchase travel insurance before you go. Header image: Pixabay/CC0.
written by Marco Ferrarese
updated 30.03.2020
Marco Ferrarese has lived in Penang since 2009 and is an expert on South and Southeast Asia, with a deep personal connection to Malaysia and Borneo. He has reported from 70+ countries and authored books on Malaysia, Brunei, Thailand, India and China for the Rough Guides, and published several books and a novel, "Nazi Goreng" (2013). He has written about travel, culture and extreme music in Asia for a variety of top-tier international publications and is a long-term correspondent for Nikkei Asia. He shares his Penang intelligence on Penang Insider. Follow him on Twitter @monkeyrockworld.
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