Malaysia island holiday - Paradise beaches

Malaysia Travel Plan Choice

Route: Malacca - Kuala Lumpur - Taman Negara - Cameron Highlands - Kota Bahru - Pulau Perhentian - Gem Island

This Malaysia island holiday itinerary will show you Malaysia at its very best and take you to places off the tourist trail. You'll start by exploring colonial Malacca by bike, then travel from the towering skyscrapers of Kuala Lumpur to the towering jungle giants of the Taman Negara rainforest and finally the deserted beaches of a paradise island.

The great thing about Malaysia is that you can use different modes of transport, and that’s exactly what makes this Malaysia island holiday itinerary so exciting. From Malacca to Kuala Lumpur you’ll travel by fast, affordable and comfortable bus. It’s a fun way to meet the locals and other travellers. Further inland you’ll drive across the Malaysian countryside by private hire car so you can set your own pace. Finally, you’ll take an open speedboat to the tropical islands on the east coast.

During your trip you’ll be staying in authentic, charming guesthouses, a jungle lodge and a traditional Malaysian village. You’ll end your trip in a beach cottage and a comfortable resort with stilted bungalows above the water. No wonder this island holiday is our Malaysia Travel Plan Choice…

Duration	19 days / 18 nights Departure daily from March - mid October	Accommodation	Comfortable hotels and resorts with character, traditional homestay and charming wooden bungalows. Comfort level 3 (see accommodation).
Price	£1188 per person - based on 2 people sharing	Includes	Accommodation with breakfast - 12 days hire car with pick-up and drop-off - transfers as described - excursions as described
Transport	Minibus, hire car, boat	Excludes	Flights - (airport) taxes - additional costs for car hire e.g. petrol and insurance - other meals

Day 1 and 2 - Arrival Kuala Lumpur - Malacca

On arrival at the airport for this Malaysia island holiday, you’ll be met by your driver and transferred directly to Malacca. 1 ½ - 2 hours later depending on traffic you’ll be dropped off at your cosy hotel in the heart of historical Malacca. The hotel is built in the Baba-style of the Chinese community that has lived in Malacca for over 600 years. Many of the traditional Baba houses have now been turned into small, authentic guesthouses.

If you’ve arrived early in the morning you can have a rest, freshen up and then spend the rest of the afternoon exploring the city. Malacca’s pride and joy are the ornately decorated trishaws, the local bike taxis you’ll see riding around everywhere. For about £8 you can get an interesting tour past all the historic colonial sights. On your second day in Malacca, you’ll go on a bike ride through the less touristy parts of the city. Your guide will tell you all about the local history and architecture as you’re chased by excited little kids. In the evening head to one of the many restaurants in the area and make sure you try the fantastic local specialities…

Malaysia island holiday - Petronas towers in Kuala Lumpur

Day 3 - Malacca - Kuala Lumpur

Travel time: 2 hours

After breakfast at the hotel in Malacca you’ll leave the colonial city and take the bus to Kuala Lumpur. 2 hours later you’ll find yourself in the thriving metropolis surrounded by towering skyscrapers, honking cars and mouth-watering aromas wafting out from the food stalls in Chinatown. You’ll be staying in the heart of Chinatown on Petaling Street, where you can score some great cheap fakes an the evening market. The local restaurants serve fantastic local food, try the Malaysian satay and fish head soup. Kuala Lumpur offers plenty for the more western inclined traveller like fast food restaurants and huge air-conditioned shopping malls where you can burn all the holiday cash burning in your pocket.

Day 4 - Kuala Lumpur - Taman Negara

Travel time: 5 hours

On Day 4 of the Malaysia island holiday your hire car will be dropped off at your hotel and you'll make your own way to Taman Negara, the oldest rainforest in Asia. It's a 5-hour drive and on the way you'll pass the Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary where you can join in the daily bathtime with the elephants at 2pm. From there you'll drive deep into the jungle, where you'll gradually see a couple of resorts and restaurants popping up among the trees. You'll be staying in the middle of the jungle where you'll be joined by cute but cheeky monkeys playing around your bungalow. There's plenty to do around the resort, but if there's anything that takes your fancy we suggest booking an activity as soon as you check in to make sure you're on time. You'll arrive at the resort towards the end of the afternoon so you can spend the rest of the evening relaxing on your private veranda, or perhaps go on one of the evening activities. For dinner the resort has a good restaurant, or try one of the floating restaurants on the river.

Malaysia island holiday - Boat trip in Taman Negara

Day 5 and 6 - Taman Negara

This morning enjoy a breakfast of freshly baked rolls and fresh fruit. You're free to make your own plans on the Malaysia island holiday for the next couple of days. Make sure you do the canopy walk, unless you're afraid of heights that is. From the walkway suspended 30m above the ground you’ll get a completely different perspective of the rainforest around you. Despite crowds in July and August we thought it was a spectacular experience. The entire walk takes around 3 hours.

There are lots of other exciting activities in the jungle. Go rafting or visit a local village of the Orang Asli tribe, Malaysia’s indigenous inhabitants, go on a sunset cruise or discover the secrets of the jungle at night on the daily night walk. If you're interested make sure you book ahead though, for example at reception when you check in at the hotel. For dinner head to the excellent hotel restaurant, or one of the riverside restaurants.

Day 7 - Taman Negara - Cameron Highlands

Travel time: 7 hours

After breakfast it's time to bid farewell to the jungle and make your way to the Cameron Highlands. It's a 7-hour drive, so you might want to leave early. Your car is standard equipped with GPS so you don't need to worry about getting lost. On the way into the highlands you'll pass through small villages and tiny shops. Wherever you stop off you'll be greeted by friendly, inquisitive locals. The countryside is spectacular which more than makes up for the long drive, and the roads are well-maintained and fairly quiet. Following a couple of winding roads and hairpin bends you'll finally arrive in the magical town of Tanah Rata. Your hotel is perched on a hill with breathtaking views across the endless green valleys. There are lots of British and Indian influences in this area especially in the architecture and local cuisine. In the evening you can have dinner at the hotel, or head into the town centre where you'll also find a large variety of restaurants.

Malaysia island holiday - Explore the country by rental vehicle

Malaysia island holiday - Cameron Highlands

Day 8 - Cameron Highlands

After breakfast in the wonderfully kitsch dining room you’ll be picked up at the hotel by our local guide. Depending on the weather you’ll drive to the tea plantations where they will tell you all about the history of the plantations and the surrounding area.

After touring the tea plantations they will take you to a viewpoint where you can admire the views across the green, rolling hills – if the weather’s clear that is. On the way back you’ll go on a short walk through the jungle of Mossy Forest. The path can be slippery in places so make sure you wear sturdy shoes or boots. By this time you’ll probably fancy a cuppa so, following a winding road downhill you’ll head back to the tea plantations and the most famous tea factory in the area, the Boh Tea Estate (closed Mondays). Your guide will give you a tour of the estate and show you how the tea leaves, freshly picked from the fields, are processed into the more familiar brown brew. This factory produces enough tea for 5.5 million cups a day and no less than 4 million kg of tea per year.

Day 9 - Cameron Highlands - Kota Bharu

Travel time: 7 hours

After breakfast in your colonial hotel you’ll hop back into the car for the drive to Kota Bharu in Northeast Malaysia, the most authentic part of the country. Your host Harry lives in a small Malaysian village 10 minutes drive from Kota Bharu city centre. He’s built a couple of small cottages for guests next to his traditional wooden house on the banks of a river. Harry and his family have lived here for years and have become part of the community, they speak the language and they know everyone in the village. They’re very involved in the community life, their neighbours and the local village culture.

Once you’ve arrived and met your hosts, you can settle into your cottage and recover from your long trip here. If you’re arriving in the afternoon and still want to get a bite to eat, just ask Harry for some suggestions. Further up the road you can get some Laksam, soft rice noodles in a coconut-fish soup. In Kota Bharu there are plenty of restaurants and food stalls. In the evening we had dinner with the next-door neighbour Makcik who prepared an entire feast for us for just a small contribution of a couple of pounds. Feeling full and satisfied you’ll get a good night’s sleep in your cottage in the kampung.

Malaysia island holiday - Get to see a different side of the country

Day 10 - Kota Bharu

After breakfast with homemade bread and fresh eggs Harry will take you to meet the neighbour and show you round the village. We were amazed to find so many tiny workshops hidden behind the houses and Harry knows exactly who does what; this is where the silversmith lives, this is where they make ‘keropok’ fish crackers, further up is where they make kites. Harry’s next door neighbour has a small batik factory in his shed where he designs colourful batiks using traditional methods. A typical Malaysian design is usually made up of beautiful flowers but they also use more modern designs. You can have a go at designing your own batik cloth using hot wax while the neighbour tells you all about the history of this colourful art form and the specific techniques he uses.

In the afternoon you can relax on the veranda in front your little cottage, or explore the rest of the village and the surrounding area. Take the car or a bike and with a map and directions you can find your own way around. It’s the best way to experience the kampung at its best especially by bike. In the evening you’ll join Makcik the neighbour for dinner again, or even take a cooking course with her. Just ask Harry a day ahead if you’re interested.

Day 11 - Kota Bharu - Pulau Perhentian

Travel time: 2 hours

After another fresh breakfast and some fond farewells to Harry and his family it's a short drive to Kuala Besut, a small harbour town on the east coast where you'll take the boat to the paradise island of Pulau Perhentian. The boat leaves Kuala Besut every half hour between 8am – 4pm and the crossing takes just 30 minutes. Stepping ashore on Perhentian Besar you’re be greeted by palm trees, bleached white sands and a crystal clear turquoise sea... this is when your Malaysia island holiday truly begins. You’ll be staying in a charming resort on one of the most beautiful beaches on the island which its own coral reef which is terrific for snorkelling. In the evening you can have dinner at the resort, or try one of the nearby restaurants. We had a great meal at the Panorama restaurant on Long Beach which will appeal to movie buffs as well.

Malaysia island holiday - Perhentian island

Days 12 and 13 - Pulau Perhentian

For the next few days of the Malaysia island holiday, enjoy a leisurely breakfast in the morning and then wander over to the white beach in front of the resort to find a spot in the soft white sand. The palm trees softly rustling in the wind, the soothing sound of the waves lapping on the beach and the warm sun tickling your skin...life couldn’t be more perfect. You could just lie here for the rest of the day, but if you want a little more activity, take an afternoon snorkelling trip. If you book a half-day trip you can pick up your snorkel, mask and flippers in the morning and snorkel around the reef in front of the resort to spot the most exotic brightly coloured fish swimming among the coral. At the resort reception you can also book a jungle tour (approximately £4), hire a canoe (£1-2 an hour), or a sea-fishing excursion (approximately £52 for 5 hours).

Day 14 - Pulau Perhentian - Merang

Savour the relaxed island atmosphere for a few hours before taking the boat back to Kuala Besut later this morning, where you’ll pick up your hire car and drive on to the coastal town of Merang. Your comfortable resort is right on the beach and has comfortable rooms and a large pool. There’s a lot to do in the area if you want make the most of your Malaysia island holiday; visit some of the local villages, go on a boat trip through the mangroves or visit a sea turtle sanctuary. In the evening, try one of the local dishes in the nearby restaurants, or stay at the resort for dinner.

Day 15 - Merang - Gem Island

Travel time: 1 hour

From Merang you’ll continue your trip south to Marang where you’ll hand in your car to the representative waiting for you in the harbour. Once you’ve handed in your car, take the boat to the hidden paradise of Gem Island, our favourite spot on the Malaysia island holiday itinerary. As the boat sets off from the mainland you can already make out the shape of Gem Island and Kapas on the horizon. Just 15 minutes later you’ll step onto the jetty of your tiny island resort. Welcome to Gem Island! Once you’ve checked in you’ll be shown to your room where you can begin to soak up the island atmosphere. Depending on your arrival time have some lunch at the resort. The restaurant’s excellent as you can tell by the exotic, mouth-watering aromas wafting out of the kitchen. The rest of the day you can keep yourself entertained with swimming, sunbathing and dozing on the beach. If you can drag yourself away from the idyllic beach, you can walk all the way around the island at low tide.

Day 16 and 17 - Gem Island

Start your day by slowly wandering over to the restaurant for a tasty breakfast. In the morning we went on a snorkelling trip with Runi in his speedboat. If you’re with a small group you’ll pay around £2-3 per person including goggles, snorkel and flippers. The coral reef at the other side of Gem and close to the beach of neighbouring Kapas is where you’ll find the most fish – and if you’re lucky a sea turtle.

Later on we hired a kayak to paddle over to Kapas, popular with backpackers, for a fantastic lunch of nasi goreng at the Makcik Gemok (literally Fat Lady) resort before paddling on to one of the many deserted beaches where we spent the rest of the day. Remember to bring water, sunscreen and some food, and your day in private paradise couldn’t be more perfect. In the evening after dinner at the resort we headed to the makeshift reggae café at the end of the beach on Kapas. As Runi to take you in his boat. If you’d rather enjoy a more peaceful ending to your day, your private balcony is a wonderful spot to just sit back and watch the sunset.

Malaysia island holiday - Enjoy your final day on a perfect beach

Day 18 and 19 Gem Island - Kuala Lumpur - End of itinerary

Today marks the end of your stay in this private paradise. In the morning you'll take the boat back to Marang, from where you'll be transferred to Kuala Terengganu airport. From Kuala Terengganu you'll take a domestic flight with Air Asia or Malaysia Airlines back to Kuala Lumpur to catch your connecting flight back home, feeling completely relaxed and full of fantastic experiences....

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