Malaysia Heritage Discovery Trail

ARRIVAL IN KUALA LUMPUR

TRAVEL TO MALACCA: Your Malaysia heritage tour begins with a warm welcome at Kuala Lumpur International Airport, where your expert guide awaits. Drive to Malacca (2 hours) a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its colonial past and cultural diversity. Upon arrival, check-in at the stylish Casa del Rio, a riverside retreat. Spend the rest of the day relaxing or take a stroll along the historic Malacca River and soak in the Portuguese, Dutch and British influences that make this city so charming. Driving Time/Distance: 2 hours, 150 km

Malacca

EXPLORING MALACCA’S HERITAGE: Dive into the heart of Malaysia’s heritage as you explore Malacca’s landmarks. Start with a visit to St. Peter’s Church, Malaysia’s oldest functioning church, then Bukit China, the largest Chinese cemetery outside China. Visit the A Famosa fortress, a Portuguese relic and St. Paul’s Church, set amidst 17th-century Dutch tombstones. Walk through the Red Square and visit the Stadthuys, a former Dutch administrative hub now a museum. Later, enjoy a Malacca River cruise and pass colonial architecture and traditional Malay villages. End the day with a visit to the Cheng Hoon Teng Temple and Jonker Street. Tour Start Time: 9:00 am

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Kuala Lumpur

STREET FOOD EXPERIENCE: Spend a relaxed morning soaking in Malacca’s heritage before driving back to Kuala Lumpur (2 hours) the cultural and economic heart of Malaysia. Upon arrival, check-in at the Ruma Hotel, a modern oasis. In the evening, join a Heritage on a Plate food tour and experience Kuala Lumpur’s multicultural flavours. Try Chinese dishes in Jalan Imbi, visit an Indian-Muslim Mamak shop and participate in a hands-on experience preparing traditional Malay snacks like popiah and onde-onde. This is a taste of Malaysia’s culinary heritage. Driving Time/Distance: 2 hours, 150 km

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur

KUALA LUMPUR HERITAGE TRAIL: Walk back in time as you join a guided heritage walking tour of Kuala Lumpur’s historic centre. Start at Masjid Jamek, one of the city’s oldest mosques, then visit Merdeka Square. See the grand Sultan Abdul Samad Building, the elegant Royal Selangor Club and the Textile Museum, each a reflection of Malaysia’s diverse architectural influences. Pass St Mary’s Cathedral, a beautiful Gothic-style church and Masjid India, a lively Indian district. The rest of the day is free to explore or relax at your hotel.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Kuala Lumpur

FORGOTTEN TRAILS OF KUALA LUMPUR: Go beyond the tourist trail and discover Kuala Lumpur’s hidden gems. Start at Kampung Baru, a traditional Malay village where wooden houses stand in contrast to the city’s skyscrapers. Visit the bustling Chow Kit Market, Kuala Lumpur’s largest fresh market, then venture into Little India. Walk through Chinatown, where old shophouses and street vendors bring history to life and experience an authentic Chinese tea house. Along the way, try local dishes and uncover Kuala Lumpur’s multicultural heritage.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Ipoh

BATU CAVES & JOURNEY TO IPOH: Start the day with a visit to the famous Batu Caves, home to a 140-foot golden statue of Lord Murugan and a Hindu temple inside a limestone cave. Climb the 272 steps for great views of Kuala Lumpur before continuing your Malaysia heritage tour to Ipoh, a city known for its colonial architecture and tin-mining history. Walk through Ipoh Old Town and admire British-era buildings and street art. Later, check-in at the luxurious Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat, where natural hot springs and tropical surroundings offer the perfect relaxation. Driving Time/Distance: Kuala Lumpur to Batu Caves: 30 min, 17 km | Batu Caves to Ipoh: 3 hours, 200 km.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Ipoh

HOTSPRINGS: Wake up to the peaceful surroundings of Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat, a secluded retreat perfect for relaxation. Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before spending the day in the hot spring pools, exploring cave chambers, or strolling through tropical gardens. This exclusive retreat is a tranquil escape in the heart of Ipoh’s colonial town. Take advantage of spa treatments or simply soak in the peaceful atmosphere of this luxurious wellness haven. The evening is yours to relax under the stars, enjoying the heritage and charm of Ipoh.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Penang Island

IPOH – KUALA KANGSAR – TAIPING – PENANG: After breakfast, travel to Kuala Kangsar, Malaysia’s royal town, steeped in history. Visit the magnificent Ubudiah Mosque, famous for its golden domes and Iskandariah Palace, the residence of the Sultan of Perak. Then to Taiping, a town known for its colonial charm and home to Malaysia’s first museum, public park and railway station. Walk along the heritage trail and see historic landmarks like the Old Market (1884) and All Saints Church (1886).In the afternoon, cross the fourth-longest bridge in Southeast Asia into Penang, the cultural heart of Malaysia. Check into the historic Eastern & Oriental Hotel, an icon of British colonial style. The evening is yours to explore the streets of George Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its eclectic architecture, street food and multicultural history. Driving Time/Distance: Ipoh to Kuala Kangsar: 50 min, 48 km Kuala Kangsar to Taiping: 45 min, 41 km Taiping to Penang: 1.5 hours, 100 km

Meals Included: Breakfast

Hotel Options:

Eastern & Oriental Hotel

WHY WE LOVE THIS HOTEL

The Eastern & Oriental Hotel is located in George Town, Penang. The grand, waterfront facade of the hotel gazes across to the mainland towards the old colonial town. Located at a prime spot, it is within walking distance from the Unesco Heritage Zone of charming colonial villas, ornate Chinese temples and entertainment outlets. With its 125-year history, this luxurious, seafront all-suite hotel, has retained its old colonial charm, along with the finest traditions of comfort and service.

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Penang Island

Penang Island

GEORGE TOWN HERITAGE WALK: Start the day with a guided heritage walk of George Town, an open-air museum of cultural influences. Visit the bustling Chowrasta Market where locals shop for fresh produce and traditional delicacies. Enjoy a charcoal-toasted breakfast at the famous Toh Soon Café before walking through Campbell Street, a historic shopping district with colonial architecture. Visit the stunning Khoo Kongsi Clan House, an architectural masterpiece of Penang’s Chinese heritage. See the Kapitan Keling Mosque, a Moorish-Islamic design icon, before the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple and the Goddess of Mercy Temple, both deeply rooted in Penang’s spiritual history. Enjoy a banana leaf rice meal, a Malaysian culinary experience, before an afternoon of leisure in this heritage city.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Hotel Options:

Eastern & Oriental Hotel

WHY WE LOVE THIS HOTEL

The Eastern & Oriental Hotel is located in George Town, Penang. The grand, waterfront facade of the hotel gazes across to the mainland towards the old colonial town. Located at a prime spot, it is within walking distance from the Unesco Heritage Zone of charming colonial villas, ornate Chinese temples and entertainment outlets. With its 125-year history, this luxurious, seafront all-suite hotel, has retained its old colonial charm, along with the finest traditions of comfort and service.

READ MORE

Historic

Penang Island

Penang Island

ROUND-GEORGE-TOWN TOUR: Today, take a scenic Penang island tour and discover the region’s cultural and natural attractions. Start at the Penang Batik Handicraft Centre where artisans create hand-painted textiles using ancient techniques. Pass through rural Malay villages surrounded by paddy fields and tropical fruit plantations. Visit the Snake Temple, a 19th-century shrine where pit vipers rest among incense-filled altars. Along the way, stop at roadside stalls selling exotic local fruits and spices before seeing the Penang Bridge, the island’s link to the mainland. The evening is yours to relax and enjoy the vibrant Penang, whether by exploring street art, night markets or colonial mansions.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Hotel Options:

Eastern & Oriental Hotel

WHY WE LOVE THIS HOTEL

The Eastern & Oriental Hotel is located in George Town, Penang. The grand, waterfront facade of the hotel gazes across to the mainland towards the old colonial town. Located at a prime spot, it is within walking distance from the Unesco Heritage Zone of charming colonial villas, ornate Chinese temples and entertainment outlets. With its 125-year history, this luxurious, seafront all-suite hotel, has retained its old colonial charm, along with the finest traditions of comfort and service.

READ MORE

Historic

PENANG DEPARTURE

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at your luxury heritage hotel before your transfer to Penang International Airport for your onward journey. As your Malaysia tour ends, depart with cherished memories of the country’s vibrant cultural landscapes, rich traditions, and architectural wonders.

Meals Included: Breakfast