Malaysia Highlights

8 days
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Small Group Tour
From bustling cityscapes to the blissful countryside to the lush tropical rainforest, this trip showcases the diverse beauty of Malaysia. Across eight days, you’ll learn the local way of life as you journey from the Cameron Highlands to Ulu Muda Forest and on to a local homestay in Penang. You’ll play traditional games with the locals, tuck into a home-cooked...
26%
$1,960
From$1,452
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Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

    • You’ll explore the rolling green Carmeron highlands, blanketed by tea plantations and strawberry fields, and then trek through the mystical Mossy Forest to learn more about the unique plants living beneath the sea of moss
    • Stay in a special eco lodge on the edge of the jungle that’s fighting for the preservation of Ulu Muda Forest with research and awareness, low footprint practices and ecotourism principles.
    • Take not one but two river cruises deep in the Ulu Muda Forest to double your chances of spotting roaming wildlife like elephants as your guide tells you about the native plants and wildlife that call this lush rainforest haven home.
    • Really slip into the local way of life, staying with a family on a homestay that gives real insight into village culture – play traditional games, learn fishing techniques and tuck into a home-cooked dinner.
    • Wander the historic mural-lined streets of Georgetown, the vibrant cultural hub of Penang, and marvel at contemporary art galleries and boutiques, traditional temples and churches.

What's this trip about?

    From bustling cityscapes to the blissful countryside to the lush tropical rainforest, this trip showcases the diverse beauty of Malaysia. Across eight days, you’ll learn the local way of life as you journey from the Cameron Highlands to Ulu Muda Forest and on to a local homestay in Penang. You’ll play traditional games with the locals, tuck into a home-cooked dinner and mingle amongst the street stalls. From trekking through the jungle to spotting elephants from a cruise through the wilderness to learning about local fishing traditions – this trip offers culture, nature and wildlife delights.  

Details

Itinerary focusActive and Outdoor Sports
Group sizeIntimate group - max of 12 people
Age range15 years and up
Flights and transportAll internal ground transport included
Start CityKuala Lumpur
End CityGeorge Town

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • High Adventure
  • Local Immersion & Homestays

Destinations

Max Group Size

  • Max Group Size: 12

Trip includes

    • Cameron Highlands - hike in mossy forest area
    • Cameron Highlands - Tea plantation visit
    • Ulu Muda - River Cruise
    • Ulu Muda - Bukit Labu hike & cave visit
    • Ulu Muda - Hot Spring Saltlick
    • Teluk Bahang - traditional games
    • Teluk Bahang - Home cooking demonstration & dinner
    • Teluk Bahang - Fishing village walking tour
    • Teluk Bahang - Silat (martial art) Performance
    • Teluk Bahang - Local market visit
    • Teluk Bahang - Batik factory visit
    • George Town - Heritage walking tour

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1 Kuala Lumpur

Selamat Datang! Welcome to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. In the bustling capital of Malaysia, you can expect streets lined with colourful food stalls, friendly locals and fast-paced energy flowing throughout the city. Your adventure officially kicks off with a Welcome Meeti...

Day 2 Cameron Highlands

After a short and sweet stay, you’ll wave Kuala Lumpur goodbye after breakfast this morning as you make your way to the Cameron Highlands. A serene spot, the rolling green highlands are blanketed by tea plantations and strawberry fields and boast a refreshingly cool c...

Day 3 Butterworth

This morning you’ll enjoy breakfast just like the locals and treat your tastebuds to some traditional eats straight from a local street stall. This is breakfast on the go – Malay style! After you’ve fueled up with food, we’ll hit the road for a section off the beaten ...

Day 4 Ulu Muda Forest

Today, you’ll be heading to Kuala Labua, your home away from home, for the next two nights. With a slower start today, you’ll arrive at the Lake Muda Jetty just in time for a bite to eat, prepared freshly for you by the locals. Then, you’ll board a boat ride to Earth ...

Day 5 Ulu Muda Forest

After breakfast this morning, you’ll pull on your walking shoes for a trek into Bukit Labu where you’ll be accompanied by an expert guide. Listen carefully as your guide tells you all about the native plants and wildlife that call this lush rainforest haven home. Keep...

Day 6 Teluk Bahang

You’ll kiss the ecolodge goodbye after breakfast this morning and begin an epic overland journey to Teluk Bahang, a small fishing village in Penang. Tuck into lunch before enjoying some fun with a selection of traditional games. Then, take a late afternoon walk around...

Day 7 George Town

You’ll explore the local market this morning before breakfast and then visit a Batik factory where you’ll learn about the art of hand painting Batik patterns onto materials. Then, you’ll enjoy a photography session and souvenir giving ceremony before waving your homes...

Day 8 George Town

Your great Malaysian adventure will come to an end after breakfast this morning. If you’re keen to keep the good times rolling, why not check out our Sabah Adventure, and explore Borneo on a combo style trip

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Dates & Availability

Price From $1,452
Price per day$182
Last Updated: 12/3/2024
Departure Date
Finish Date
Base Price
Availability
04 Jan 2025
11 Jan 2025
$2,280
30 Jan 2025
08 Feb 2025
$1,662
01 Feb 2025
08 Feb 2025
$2,280
06 Mar 2025
15 Mar 2025
$1,662
08 Mar 2025
15 Mar 2025
$2,280
10 Apr 2025
19 Apr 2025
$1,662
12 Apr 2025
19 Apr 2025
$2,370
15 May 2025
24 May 2025
$1,726
17 May 2025
24 May 2025
$2,370
05 Jun 2025
14 Jun 2025
$1,726

Check current availability, prices, specials & more.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Intrepid Travel Reviews & Ratings

4.5/5  Excellent
Excellent
3,381
Great
677
Average
150
Disappointing
84
Terrible
226
A

Anne

Sep 2015

Written on

Liked the free time as well as

Liked the free time as well as organised activities....

r

roger

Sep 2015

Written on

It was well organised, full of interest

It was well organised, full of interest with hotels of a standard we expected and some very good local experiences. The leadership of Jeremy Mak was excellent. He wa...

J

John

Sep 2015

Written on

Excellent organisation and a first class tour

Excellent organisation and a first class tour leader, Jeremy Mak, who was well o...

Write a Review

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Tour Operator

Intrepid Travel

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The Intrepid Travel Experience

If you’re looking for adventure, you’ve come to the right place. For the past 25 years, we’ve been taking small groups of travelers on unforgettable trips around the world. What makes them unforgettable? Take a look for yourself and discover the Intrepid experience.

Our travelers have three styles of tour to choose from: Basix, Original and Comfort. Each has a different level of inclusions and accommodation, but all have unforgettable real life experiences as part of the package. Travellers can also choose themed trips, such as Family, Sailing or Food, to suit their interests.

Our group size has an average of just ten travellers, which allows us to get off the beaten track, use local accommodation and transport, and really get to know the culture. It also ensures we are contributing to the local economy; by choosing local suppliers we were able to keep AUD 60 million in local economies in 2012. We’re also working hard to reduce our carbon footprint and were the first in our sector to introduce carbon offset trips. This, along with our many corporate sustainability activities, has meant we’re one of the travel industry’s leaders in responsible travel.

Why Intrepid?

  •   Small groups - average of 10 people per trip
  •   Sustainability - pioneers for the industry
  •   Local leaders - authentic perspectives
  •   Local transport - get close and personal
  •   Local accommodation - experience real living
  •   Intrepid travelers - like-minded companions 

History

Intrepid Travel has come a long way since its beginnings in 1989. From two university friends, a typewriter and a kitchen desk, it is now a proud member of The Intrepid Group, taking over 100,000 travelers every year.

Intrepid Travel is part of The Intrepid Group of companies, alongside leading small group adventure companies Peregrine, Urban Adventures and PEAK DMC.

Despite growing into a global business with over 1,000 staff based all over the world and over 800 different trips across every continent, we’ve remained devoted to the same grassroots values and responsible travel philosophies that we had at the very beginning.

 

Values

On every trip we operate and in every interaction we have with a client, supplier or local, we live our core values everyday:

  • Integrity – Doing the right thing
  • Responsible – Think global, act local
  • Growth – Stakeholders in our own success
  • Innovation – Thriving on new ideas and embracing change
  • Fun – It’s engrained into who we are and what we do
  • Passion – We are inspired by the work we do and the trips we offer

 

Why we love this operator
They're highly committed to sustainable tourism and contribute to crucial initiatives like climate action, focusing on local cultures and more.
What they’re known for
Small group tours for all types of travelers at a range of different price points and trips to off-the-beaten-path destinations.

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Logistics

Accommodation

Hotel (4 nights),Eco Jungle Lodge ( 2 nights),Home Stay (1 night)

Transportation & Flights

Private Vehicle,Public Bus,Metro,Ferry,Boat,

Transportation & flights

Private Vehicle,Public Bus,Metro,Ferry,Boat
Guides
All group trips are accompanied by one of our group leader or local representative. The aim of the group leader or local representative is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. Intrepid endeavours to provide the services of an experienced group leader or local representative however, due to the seasonality of travel, rare situations may arise where your group leader or local representative is new to a particular region or training other group leader or local representative. Your group leader or local representative will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense, you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the places visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious, and social aspects. At Intrepid we aim to support local guides who have specialised knowledge of the regions we visit. If you are interested in delving deeper into the local culture at a specific site or location then your group leader or local representative can recommend a local guide service in most of the main destinations of your trip.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is compulsory on all our trips for those travelling internationally. We require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation. If you are travelling within your home country or region please confirm before travel that you are entitled to access the public medical system easily should an accident occur. We strongly recommend all travellers have a policy that also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage or personal effects. For international trips, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance and the insurance company's 24-hour emergency contact number has been sighted by your group leader or local representative. If you have credit card insurance your group leader or local representative will require details of the participating insurer/underwriter, the level of coverage, policy number, and emergency contact number rather than the bank's name and your credit card details. Please contact your bank for these details prior to arriving in-country. For travellers who reside within the European Union, Switzerland or USA the requirement to purchase travel insurance cannot be compulsory. However the purchase of travel insurance is still highly recommended, and travellers from these regions who decline travel insurance when travelling outside of their home region must sign a Travel Insurance Waiver Form at the Group Meeting, recognizing personal responsibility for emergency medical and repatriation costs should they arise. For assistance with travel insurance or other services, please visit the link below: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/booking-resources/our-services
Visa requirements
PASSPORT You’ll need a valid passport to travel internationally and most countries require your passport to have a minimum of 6 months validity, so remember to check the expiry date. We need your passport information to get everything ready for your trip so it’s important that the information on your booking matches your passport exactly. Please take care to provide the correct details. We recommend carrying a copy of the photo page of your passport while travelling and leaving a copy at home with family or friends. VISAS & ENTRY REQUIREMENTS Many countries require a visa and obtaining the correct visa for your trip and any countries you may transit through is your responsibility. We recommend you check your visa requirements as soon as you have booked your trip. This will ensure you have time to prepare your documents and for your visa application to be processed. You can check the entry requirements for your nationality on your government's foreign travel advisories, consular websites or on our page here:  www.intrepidtravel.com/visa-entry-requirements
Health & Safety
Most national governments provide regularly updated foreign travel advice on safety issues involved with international travel. We recommend that you check your government's advice for their latest travel information before departure and ensure that your travel insurance covers you for all destinations and activities on your trip. Please refer to our website's safety page for links to major travel advisories and updates on safety issues affecting our trips here: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/travel-alerts We strongly recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt while travelling, for the safe-keeping of your passport, flight tickets, cash and other valuable items. Leave your jewellery at home - you won't need it while travelling. Many of our hotels have safety deposit boxes, which is the most secure way of storing your valuables. A lock is recommended for securing your luggage. Your group leader or local representative will accompany you on all included activities, however, during your trip you'll have some free time to pursue your own interests or relax and take it easy. While your group leader or local representative will assist you with the available options in a given location, please note that any optional activities you undertake are not part of your Intrepid itinerary, and Intrepid makes no representations about the safety of the activity or the standard of the operators running them. Please use your own good judgement when selecting an activity in your free time. Please also note that your group leader or local representative has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if it's deemed necessary due to safety concerns. Intrepid's operational safety policies can be viewed on our website at the link below. We recommend that you take a moment to read through this information before travelling, and would appreciate any feedback on how safety is being managed on our trips. https://www.intrepidtravel.com/safety-guidelines FIRE PRECAUTIONS: Please be aware that local laws governing tourism facilities in this region differ from those in your home country and not all the accommodation which we use has a fire exit, fire extinguishers or smoke alarms. SEAT BELTS: Please be aware that local laws governing transportation safety may differ from those in your home country and not all the transport which we use is able to provide seat belts. PETTY THEFT AND PERSONAL SAFETY: While travelling there is always the risk of pick-pocketing and petty theft, particularly in the more touristy cities. We recommend that you exercise caution when walking alone at night and encourage you to walk together and only on main, well-lit thoroughfares. Be particularly vigilant on public transport. Simple measures like carrying your day pack on your front, not hanging your bag over the back of your chair or on the floor and wearing a money belt will reduce any chance that your valuables should go missing. MOTORBIKE BAG SNATCHING: Be particularly aware of motorbike bag snatching, especially in the bigger cities.
Age Requirements
15 years and up
Additional Information

Finish point

  • Merchant Hotel
  • 55, Jalan Penang
  • George Town
  • MALAYSIA
  • Phone: +60 (4) 263 2828
Trip ID
intrepid-TMSA

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