Explore Malaysia - Bangkok to Singapore
Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore
14 days,
Style: From Budget to Private
This tour is the perfect way to experience the variety of cultures and cuisines of Southeast Asia, starting in Bangkok and travelling through Southern Thailand, the Malay Peninsula and on to Singapore. You’ll stay in stunning beach resorts, British colonial towns and the dynamic cities of Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.
Tour briefing at 6pm.
Bangkok is gaining recognition for its art, culture, food, shopping, hospitality and affordability. The city combines some of Asia’s oldest and most elaborately adorned temples with modern shopping malls and skyscrapers – a city that packs in so many sights and attractions you won’t know where to begin. However, your friendly and knowledgeable local leader will give you a helping hand and introduce you to some of Bangkok’s most famous sights - including the impressive Grand Palace (former residence of the Thai monarchy), Wat Phra Kaew (home of the Emerald Buddha) and Wat Po (housing Thailand’s largest reclining Buddha).
In the evening, we transfer to the Hualamphong train station and board the overnight sleeper south to Surat Thani.
The train is scheduled to arrive in the early morning and we transfer by bus to the ferry terminal (approximately 2 hours) for the two-hour ferry trip to the beautiful island of Koh Samui. In the afternoon, we take a trip around the island in a songthaew, visiting the 15-metre tall Big Buddha, Grandma & Grandpa Rock and the Mummified Monk. There’s also time to take a refreshing dip in the cool tropical Na Muang Waterfall. The rest of your time on Koh Samui is free to choose amongst a multitude of activities. Swim, laze in the sun, ride an elephant, dive or snorkel, take an optional day tour to the breath taking Ang Thong National Marine Park - the decisions are yours. In the evenings, you can relax, dine on the beach at the water’s edge and soak up the pleasant tropical atmosphere.
Today, we leave one tropical paradise behind and head to another. After a ferry ride back to the mainland we transfer by local bus to Krabi then on to Ao Nang, where we spend two days kicking back, relaxing and swimming in the warm waters. Our accommodation is in comfortable, but basic, fan cooled bungalows. There are plenty of optional activities to fill your time, you can choose from cave exploring, sea kayaking, diving, rock climbing or exploring one of the nearby islands - such as Koh Phi Phi.
Reluctantly, we leave behind the sands of Ao Nang and board the bus for the nine-hour drive to Penang. The first part of the journey takes us to Hat Yai where we change buses for the onward journey to Penang. During the afternoon we will cross the border into Malaysia, so keep your passports handy. The whole process is very quick and before you know it, we’ll be driving down the multi-lane highway on your way to Penang. We arrive in Georgetown, the largest town on the island, in the evening.
In the morning, we enjoy a walking tour of Georgetown, following the Heritage Trail. The city’s population is probably the most diverse in all of Malaysia, with influences from Thailand, Myanmar (Burma), Sumatra, Java, India, South China and Europe. Penang was the oldest British settlement in Malaya (1786) and as our tour winds its way around the busy narrow streets, you’ll witness all the different elements that contributed to its rich cultural heritage. We visit Fort Cornwallis, built on the site where Captain Francis Light first set foot on the island, and the fascinating Penang Museum, a small eclectic collection showcasing the various cultures. On the ground floor are displays about the customs and traditions of the island, whilst the first floor recounts the local history. There’s free time here for you to discover the colourful markets, old temples and historic Chinese clan houses of Georgetown or to catch the bus to Batu Ferringhi Beach (bus depot situated at the base of the Komtar Building). At some stage during your stay, be sure to hunt down a street stall in Little India, where you can buy cheap snacks such as samosas or pakoras - they are a real taste sensation! Penang’s population is dominated by Hokkien Chinese and their cuisine is everywhere to be seen. An optional evening rickshaw ride to Gurney Drive enables you to dine at one of the many hawker food stalls there – local specialities include Char kway teow, Penang prawn mee (noodles) and Laksa.
In the morning, we leave for the mainland and continue on the hot coastal plains until the turn-off for the Cameron Highlands (approximately 4-5 hours). It was here that the famous silk trader, Jim Thompson, vanished back on March 26, 1967, when he went out for a pre-dinner stroll and never came back. No trace of him was ever found! The bus ride will take up much of the afternoon, but will take you through a wide variety of scenery from the flat lowlands up through mountainous terrain, before arriving at the scenic hill town of Tanah Rata. Here you can choose from the many optional activities (at your own expense) such as a trek along one of the many surrounding mountain trails, a visit to the lush green tea plantations that have made this region famous (this can be pre-arranged with the local taxi drivers) or maybe you would prefer a relaxing day enjoying afternoon tea and scones at a quaint English-style place of lodging called ‘Ye Olde Smokehouse’. Please note that all walking trails are numbered and well marked, so it is relatively simple to organise your walk.
We leave Tana Rata and travel by bus for the five-hour journey to the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur. Meaning ‘Muddy Confluence’, it was settled in the 1860s by tin prospectors who named it after its location at the meeting point of the Kelang and Gombak rivers. An orientation tour will take us past some of its most famous sights including Merdeka Square, Lake Gardens, National Monument and the impressive old railway station, designed in a Moorish style. KL, as it is commonly known, is home to the world’s tallest twin-towered buildings, the Petronas Towers (491 metres), as well as many impressive colonial structures. Here you have time to discover and experience for yourself the diversity of old and new Malaysia. With its strong Indian and Chinese influences, the city contains some of the finest markets and restaurants in South East Asia. Our hotel is located right in the heart of Chinatown – all you need do is walk out the front door and you are spoilt for choice with a multitude of hawker stalls and cafes to pick from. For the best views of the city, we suggest you take a ride up the elevators of the 421 metre tall Menara Kuala Lumpur (KL Tower)
We continue heading south to 15th-Century port town of Malacca (Melaka). It all began in 1403 when an exiled Hindu prince from Sumatra sought refuge in the little fishing village. The Malay name ‘Melaka’ comes from the name of the tree the prince sat under when he first arrived here. Under his rule, the little village quickly became a strong maritime trading port visited by merchants from China, India, Arabia and Europe. Due to the spice trade, it wasn’t long before its prosperity attracted the attention of European maritime powers. The Portuguese were first to arrive in 1511, colonising and ruling it for 130 years. Then in 1641 it was taken over by the Dutch, who ruled before the British came in 1824. It remained part of the British Empire until Malaysia gained independence in 1957. Our accommodation is located in the heart of the old town, and is an old Baba home. As we step out the front door of our guesthouse, we take a walking tour through these ancient streets and experience the eclectic cultural mix. We visit a variety of temples such as Cheng Hoon Teng Temple, Kampung Kling Mosque and Sri Poyatha Venayagar Moorthi Temple. We also visit the fascinating Baba Nonya Museum, which showcases the history of the Straits Chinese immigrants, who were the result of the original Chinese overture dating back to 1405. In your free time, you can hire one of the colourful rickshaws and explore the intriguing Chinese side streets that are dotted with old churches, antique shops, temples and other remnants of the past.
This morning, we head off on the four-hour bus ride that brings us to the Straits of Johor and then on to the island state of Singapore. The border crossing from Malaysia into Singapore is one the largest you will ever come across, yet it is usually very efficient. After arriving at our hotel, we are soon out exploring this modern city. Making our way past modern skyscrapers and bustling street stalls, we visit Chinatown, Boat Quay, as well as the Merlion statue - the half-fish, half-lion icon that became the symbol of Singapore in the 1960s. The remainder of the day is yours to sample the contrasts in this exciting Asian city. Our tour finishes on the morning of Day 14.
Wat Po Reclining Buddha
Island life
Cameron Highlands
Local food and delicacies
Chinatown Kuala Lumpur |
Arrived home safe and well and had a wonderful holiday in Nepal and Bhutan.
