What Makes it Special?
- Taste Malacca’s best street food on an evening food tour with a local guide.
- Dine at 282 metres high with Kuala Lumpur’s skyline as your backdrop.
- Discover Georgetown’s famous street art and heritage trails.
- Explore the Cameron Highlands on an epic 4WD tour through the highlights.
- Visit Batu Caves, home to towering Hindu shrines and cheeky monkeys.
- Relax on Langkawi’s pristine white sand beaches.
Your tailor-made holiday will be as unique as you are. These itineraries are just a starting point, a bit of inspiration to show what’s possible. Your own trip all starts with a conversation with one of our Malaysia experts, who’ll take the time to understand what matters most to you and design the perfect holiday to match.
This two-week holiday around Malaysia takes in the main sights, experiences and highlights from south to north. Travel from the bright lights of Singapore to the colonial charms of Malacca before heading into the bright lights of the capital, Kuala Lumpur. Trishaw tours, street food discoveries and majestic mosques will fill your days before a refreshing break in the home of tea, the Cameron Highlands. Tour the plantations and take your time soaking up the panoramic views before an easy drive to the arty streets of Georgetown, Penang. Finish with your toes in the sand on the beaches of Langkawi, the perfect paradise escape.
We've designed this holiday to be a great first-time trip to Malaysia. As always, though, it's just the start. To extend the trip, we can add in additional time on the beach, a rainforest discovery or even an adventure into the jungles of Borneo. There are always lots of choices available – and every single holiday we design will be tweaked until it’s perfect for you, so please do get in touch if you’d like to chat.
13 hours from London
When to go
- All year round
Average temperature
- 29°C
Average rainfall
- 180mm/month
Itinerary at a Glance
Day by Day
Here's a summary of what you might get up to day-to-day on this Malaysia holiday. As always, this is just an idea. Every single day of your holiday will be tailored to suit you.
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Your adventure begins with an overnight flight from the UK to Singapore. If you’re flying from another destination, we’re happy to arrange flights or quote without them if you prefer to book your own. Get ready for a journey through vibrant cities, colonial heritage, lush highlands, and idyllic beaches.
You'll arrive in Singapore today, where your private driver-guide will be waiting to transfer you to your centrally located hotel. After some time to relax, you'll head out this evening to explore Singapore’s spectacular Gardens by the Bay. The towering Supertrees, futuristic Cloud Forest, and Flower Dome make for a breathtaking introduction to the city. As night falls, the light and sound show at the Supertree Grove is a must-see.
You'll have a full day at leisure to experience the bright lights of Singapore today. Wander through the iconic neighbourhoods of Little India, Chinatown, and Kampong Glam, each offering a unique cultural insight. You might visit Marina Bay Sands SkyPark for panoramic views, explore the hawker centres for famous dishes like Hainanese chicken rice (we hugely recommend!), or take a boat cruise along the Singapore River to soak up the city's dazzling skyline.
You'll head north by private vehicle to Malacca today, one of Malaysia’s most historic cities and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This evening, you'll set off on a guided street food tour, sampling Nyonya cuisine, a fusion of Chinese and Malay flavours, and local delights such as chicken rice balls and satay celup. As you explore Jonker Street, you'll see colonial architecture and lively night markets filled with street performances and craft stalls.
You'll spend today exploring Malacca with your private guide, delving into its Portuguese, Dutch, and British colonial past. Along the way, you'll visit countless multicultural temples, traditional villages and Peranakan restaurants. Lastly, you'll visit the charming Baba-Nyonya Heritage museum, which showcases the rich culture of the Peranakan Chinese community, and take a trishaw ride through the old town for a fun and immersive experience.
You'll take a two-hour drive to Kuala Lumpur today, Malaysia’s shining capital. This evening, you'll ascend to the observation deck of the Petronas Towers, standing at 452 metres tall, for breathtaking views over the glittering cityscape. Afterwards, you'll dine at a revolving restaurant high above the city, where you can enjoy panoramic night views while sampling a range of international and local dishes.
You'll have the day at leisure to explore Kuala Lumpur at your own pace. Visit Merdeka Square, home to colonial-era buildings, or explore the vibrant markets of Petaling Street in Chinatown. For a taste of local culture, head to Thean Hou Temple, a striking six-tiered Chinese temple with fantastic city views. If you’re a foodie, don’t miss a visit to Jalan Alor, a local night food market with incredible street food.
You'll leave the skyscrapers behind as you head to the lush Cameron Highlands, Malaysia’s tea-growing region. Along the way, you'll stop at the famous Batu Caves, where a towering golden statue of Lord Murugan guards the entrance to a series of Hindu cave temples. Further along, you'll pass through the charming town of Tapah, known for its fruit stalls and traditional crafts. Once in the highlands, enjoy a traditional high tea at your hotel, surrounded by misty tea plantations. The best introduction to Malaysia's tea country.
Today's an adventure as you'll set off on a 4WD ride through the Cameron Highlands today, visiting the mysterious Mossy Forest, a prehistoric jungle filled with rare flora along the way. Continue to the BOH Tea Factory, where you’ll learn about Malaysia’s tea industry and enjoy a tasting session with breathtaking plantation views. If you’re up for a walk, take a gentle trek through the scenic countryside, spotting colourful butterflies and exotic birds along the way.
Today, you'll continue your journey to Penang, Malaysia’s cultural heart. The rest of the day is yours to explore Georgetown, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its vibrant street art, colonial mansions, and quirky cafés. You might visit Khoo Kongsi, a beautifully preserved Chinese clan house, or take a rickshaw ride through the historic streets.
Start your morning with a delicious dim sum breakfast first thing, before wandering through Georgetown’s streets keeping an eye out for the city's famous street art. Look out for murals that cleverly incorporate real-life objects like bicycles and swings, the perfect photo opportunities. Walk the heritage trails and explore Clan Jetties, traditional stilted villages built over the water. The afternoon is yours to relax at your hotel or visit the lively Little India district.
You'll have a full day to explore at your own pace today. You could visit Kek Lok Si Temple, one of the largest Buddhist temples in Southeast Asia, or ride the funicular to the top of Penang Hill for sweeping island views. If you’re a nature lover, head to The Habitat, a lush rainforest sanctuary home to Dusky Leaf Langurs and other wildlife.
You'll take a ferry to Langkawi, or opt for a short flight if preferred, today. When you arrive, you'll check into your beachfront hotel ready to spend the rest of the day unwinding on Langkawi’s stunning white sand beaches. A good few days of rest, relaxation and sunshine awaits.
The next couple of days are yours to soak up the sunshine and savour the last few days of your Malaysia holiday. If you’re feeling adventurous, you could take a short hike to the Seven Wells Waterfall or visit Eagle Square, with its giant eagle statue standing as a symbol of the island. Ride the Langkawi SkyCab, one of the steepest cable cars in the world, for jaw-dropping views from Gunung Mat Cincang, or take a sunset cruise to watch the sun dip below the Andaman Sea. You might take a boat tour through the mangroves, go snorkelling at Pulau Payar Marine Park, or simply enjoy the pristine beaches. Or, you might simply while away the hours on the beach with a cocktail in hand.
Today, you'll transfer to the airport in time for your departure flight, bringing your Malaysian adventure to an end. Take one last stroll along the beach or enjoy a relaxed breakfast before saying farewell to this incredible journey.
Places you'll visit
We have hundreds of partner hotels across the world, with our tailor made trips you can pick from our range of beautiful hotels
What You're Saying
“
Ian at Holiday Architects was an absolute pleasure to deal with, from start to finish. We decided on a trip to Singapore & Malaysia and were delighted with the hotels he chose and the itinerary. He was very patient with us as we changed things, and was always on hand to advise and guide. We had total confidence in him. There was a minor issue while we were away and he responded to my email very quickly. Highly recommended and we would definitely book with him/them again. Thank you Ian!!
Julie Lacey
Trustpilot
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“
Right from the very start Erin carefully listened to our interests and preferences and then put together an amazing itinerary. We then tailored it together so that every detail exactly met our needs. We have just returned from that wonderful 2 1/2 week trip. Everything worked like clockwork. The drivers, excursions, and hotels were all excellent exceeding our expectations. It was such a varied trip ranging from jungle immersion to five star luxury. Exactly what he hoped for! We will definitely use Holiday Architects again and highly recommend them.
Ruth Turnball
Trustpilot
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We have just returned from a wonderful holiday in Malaysia organised by Ian from Holiday Architects. Ian was very responsive to all our views when booking the holiday and managed to provide an amazing holiday within the budget we specified. The accommodation was all excellent especially the Eastern and Oriental Hotel in Penang, which was one of the best stays ever. Holiday Architects took all the stress out of travelling to 6 destinations within Malaysia and provided a memorable holiday.
Lucy Love
Trustpilot
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We have just returned from a wonderful trip to Malaysia. Ian Lowbridge on the Holiday Architects team worked brilliantly with us during our planning and everything fell into place as hoped. We started with a broad idea but by the end of the process had a comprehensive plan with hotels, flights and personal guide tours all sorted for us in advance. This resulted in all the stress being taken out of the trip. Having bespoke guides organised gave us so much local insight and added to the whole experience. This was a holiday we won’t ever forget and we would recommend anyone planning something a bit different to partner with the team! Thank you to all involved.
Julia Greenhough
Trustpilot
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Erin organised a truly fantastic holiday for us in Malaysia, listening to us on the places we wanted to visit and the kind of experiences we were looking for (mainly cultural and food-related). She helped us manage our budget effectively, which allowed us to spend time in the luxury of the Banjaran Hot Springs Resort in Ipoh whilst enjoying more modestly priced historic accommodation in Malacca, Cameron Highlands and George Town. Erin really thought of everything to make our holiday a trip of a lifetime.
Andrew
Trustpilot
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This is the first time we have used Holiday Architects but I hope it won’t be our last. Erin was amazing at tailoring a trip that incorporated everything we wanted and was always quick to come back to me to respond to any queries we had. The high spots were Georgetown in Penang and the Seven Terraces was an amazing place to stay as was Casa del Mar on Langawi. Everything worked perfectly, thank you for an amazing time.
Mary
Trustpilot
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Meet our Malaysia experts
We offer tailor-made holidays to suit a wide range of tastes. Our experts Erin and Ian are dedicated to all things Malaysia and are here to help you plan your perfect trip.
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