What Makes it Special?
- Explore Kuala Lumpur on foot, from Chinatown to the colourful local markets.
- Picnic in the Cameron Highlands, surrounded by tea plantations and mountain views.
- Travel rainforest trails by 4WD, spotting orchids and tropical birds in the highlands.
- Cycle through rural Penang, meeting local artisans and tasting traditional food.
- Tuck into local dim sum on a Penang breakfast tour, a tasty intro to Georgetown.
- Jet-ski around Langkawi’s islands, discovering hidden beaches and turquoise lagoons.
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 Peninsular Malaysia is a brilliant pick if it’s your first ever visit to the country. Travelling overland from south to north, you’ll get a real feel for the country’s culture, landscapes and laid-back charm, with time to spend in the city, countryside and by the coast.
Start in Kuala Lumpur, where shiny skyscrapers tower above tasty street food stalls, before heading up into the cool hills of the Cameron Highlands for tea plantation tours and forest trails. Then it’s on to Penang, a real cultural treat with colourful art-lined streets, historic temples and some of the best food in the country. You’ll finish your Malaysia holiday with five nights on the beaches of Langkawi, the perfect spot to slow down and soak up some sun after the adventure. With a great mix of local stays, iconic sights and easy-going pace, our 'Simply Malaysia' holiday idea is exactly that – simple, well-balanced and a joy to explore.
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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Wave goodbye to the UK as you board your overnight flight to Kuala Lumpur. Flights can also be arranged from other destinations, and we're more than happy to quote without flights if you prefer to arrange your own.
Today, you'll touch down in Malaysia’s lively capital and transfer to your hotel for check-in. This afternoon, either head straight for the pool to shake off the jet lag, or dive into city life with a visit to the local markets, street food stalls, or one of the many rooftop bars. Of course, if you'd like some recommendations on the best place to spend your first evening, that's what we're here for.
A walking tour is a great way to get your bearings and discover the city’s highlights. You'll tick off the key sites, wander through Little India and Chinatown, and soak up the atmosphere of the busy, vibrant markets. Afterwards, the afternoon is yours to explore at your own pace.
You'll leave the city behind today as you head up into the cooler climate of the Cameron Highlands. Tea tasting, forest walks, or a relaxed picnic all await. Along the way, we'd recommend making a stop at the colourful Batu Caves to see the towering golden statue, rainbow-coloured stairway and sprawling temple caves.
Today is a real adventure as you head out to explore the Cameron Highlands by 4WD with your local guide. You’ll explore rainforest trails, look out for tropical birds and spot orchids clinging to the trees. Your day's experiences finish with a visit to the BOH Tea Factory where you'll have the chance to see how Malaysia’s famous tea is made. The rest of the day is yours to relax.
You'll continue your journey north to Penang today, crossing one of Asia’s longest bridges to reach the island. After arriving in Georgetown, spend the rest of the afternoon soaking up its colourful colonial charm, trying out local dishes or browsing the heritage shop fronts.
Today, head up to The Habitat on Penang Hill for rainforest walks and canopy views. Take the funicular railway to the top for sweeping views across Georgetown and beyond. It’s a great way to take in Penang from a different perspective.
This morning, hop on a bike and head out into the countryside. Pedal through quiet villages, meet local artisans, and sample traditional snacks along the way. It’s a great way to see a different side of the island and get a real taste of local life. We're huge fans of getting you off the beaten track and experiencing a taste of authentic day-to-day life on your travels, it's what travel is all about. We're sure today will be a highlight of your time in Penang.
The final stop on your Malaysia holiday is some sunshine, sand and beach time on Langkawi Island. After catching the ferry to Langkawi, you'll check into your beach hotel and settle in for five days of island life. There’s plenty to do here, from jet-skiing to island-hopping. There’s a unique jet-ski island tour that we really recommend, or you can visit the local mangroves for the chance to spot monkeys and plenty of local wildlife. Or, if you’d prefer, just kick back with a good book and enjoy the beach – there’ll be no judgment here!
It's time to wave goodbye to paradise as your private driver will take you to the airport for your flight home today. If this isn't quite enough adventure for your liking, why not add in a visit to the wildlife-packed jungles of Borneo before flying home?
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
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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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Holiday Gallery
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.
Erin Evans
Destination Manager
Erin’s Malaysia adventures have taken her from sizzling hawker stalls in KL to thick rainforest trails. With a passion for local culture and Southeast Asian travel, she’s got plenty of insider insights to help you explore it your way.
Ian Lowbridge
Destination Manager
Ian’s favourite kind of trip blends local culture, natural beauty and plenty of great food, so Malaysia is right up his street. He’s got the tips to help you explore it all, in a way that’s perfect for you.
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