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Day 1: Join tour Penang
Join tour Penang and check into hotel. This afternoon we have a short sightseeing trip around Georgetown, Penang's bustling capital. Local bus is by far the easiest and most interesting way to get around and allows us to visit parts of this varied city including Chinatown, 'the colonial district' and a floating village. In the evening we will probably eat at one of the many local food outlets scattered around the town, whether Indian, Chinese or Malay, the choice is yours!
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+)
Day 2: On Penang Island
Often called the 'Pearl of the Orient' by the local people, Penang lies some 4km off the Malay mainland. Its deep-water harbour is ideal for trade and so the island has become a haven of commerce. This morning we take an excursion around the island by local bus; visiting the majestic Kek Lok Si Temple, located on top of a hill in Air Itan; and Balik Pulau, a lovely village dotted with coconut plantations, orchards and paddy fields. This gives us a good insight into local life as it takes us through rural villages. You can also ride on the funicular railway to the top of Penang Hill (690m) for far reaching views across the island. In the afternoon you are free to explore more of this tropical island. The Botanical Gardens are beautiful and can bereached quite easily by local bus, and there are many other interesting mosques and Buddhist temples to see. Serious students of art should search out the local batik work at the Penang Art Gallery.
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast
Day 3: Drive to Cameron Highlands
We begin today by crossing the narrow strait separating the island of Penang and the mainland; then continue south to Ipoh stopping to visit the Ubadiah Mosque, the Sultan's Iskandariah Palace and the Sam Pho Tong cave temple before venturing into the mountains. Our route takes us through agricultural land then along a winding route up to 1525m above sea level and the old colonial hill station of the Cameron Highlands. Due to its altitude and more temperate climate, a range of products such as tea and strawberries grow in abundance and the hills are covered in lush green vegetation.
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast
Day 4: In Cameron Highlands
We have a full day to enjoy the cooler lush surroundings. In the morning we plan to visit a tea factory and plantation for an insight into this labour intensive industry, and later explore the local markets of the area. The afternoon has been left free, there are plenty of opportunities to take a stroll on the many hiking trails that radiate from near our hotel. Your tour leader will propose one of these; perhaps a trek to the Robinson Waterfall which rewards the traveller with beautiful mountain and forest scenery, (approx 2 hours walking). Alternatively you may like to wander around on your own.
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast
Day 5: Drive Kuala Tembling via Kuala Lipis and boat to Taman Negara
Leaving the cool highlands behind we descend to the small town of Kuala Lipis, once famed for its gold mining and trade. Kuala literally means river mouth or confluence and it is here the Lipis river meets the Jelai. Upon reaching Kuala Tembling we begin a fascinating 56km journey by motor-launch into the jungle region of Taman Negara National Park. This immense virgin rainforest is estimated to be 130 million years old (even older than the rainforest of the Amazon and the Congo) and is home to numerous species of wildlife – look out for kingfishers along the banks and eagles that swoop low over the water. We arrive at the headquarters of this vast game sanctuary (4343 square kilometres) at Kuala Tahan where we we plan various excursions in to the jungle to understand the fragile existence of this huge wilderness area and to observe some of the animals that inhabit the forest.
Overnight Chalet (H+) Included meals: Breakfast
Day 6: In Taman Negara
The park offers a wide choice of optional activities including boat trips, jungle walks and the famous Canopy Walk, a 400m rope bridge walk above the forest treetops – only if you dare! Several salt licks are placed within reach of the lodge with 'hides' close by, and there is the chance to overnight in one of these hides, or take an evening walk with a local guide to experience the night sounds of the jungle. The forest scenery, wild orchids, exotic plants and butterflies are a photographer's delight. There may also be the opportunity to visit a bat-cave or to trek up Teresik Hill.
Overnight Chalet (H+) Included meals: Breakfast
Day 7: Boat and Drive to Kuala Lumpur
Today we retrace our steps by boat to Kuala Tembling and then head south by bus via the Batu caves to Malaysia's capital, Kuala Lumpur. East and West rub shoulders in this energetic city. Its population is composed of Malays, Sikhs, Chinese, Indians, Tamils (many in local dress), and the odd splash of saffron of a robed Buddhist monk adding colour to the street scenes. Your tour leader will give you an orientation and then the evening is yours to wonder through chinatown, the shopping districts and the twin towers - a great sight to be seen at night.
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast
Day 8: In Kuala Lumpur and drive to Malacca
We start early this morning for our city tour by bus visiting Independence Square – perhaps even see a game of cricket on the Padang – a very British scene with a sublime backdrop of Moorish styled buildings! We travel to the Kings Palace, Jamek Mosque and plan to finish at the Sky Tower. You may like to visit the tower (optional) for the most amazing views over Kuala Lumpur and the Petronas Twin Towers. This afternoon we journey to the old colonial port of Malacca. It is one of the oldest towns of Malaysia, and the most cosmopolitan. In its time it has been ruled by the Portugese, the Dutch, the British and the Japanese, finally becoming Malay in 1957. Old Malacca is a fascinating area to wander around by yourself, and we include a walking tour of some of the major sights such as the tomb of Huang Kasturi, one of Malacca's five great 15th century warriors, and Cheng Hoon the oldest Chinese temple in Malaysia. Malacca is the place to pick up antiques along 'antique row', and there are plenty of open-air restaurants along the water front in which to try the local speciality 'steamboat' – satay sticks of all types cooked in a pot in the middle of your table and eaten communally.
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast
Day 9: Drive to Tioman Island
Today after a tour around Malacca, we head across the Malay Peninsula to the fishing port of Mersing (4.5 hour drive), our ferry ride to the tropical island of Tioman will take approx 1.5 hours, then time for some well earned rest and relaxation.
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast
Day 10: On Tioman island
This is an idyllic mountainous island, covered with tropical rainforest and encircled by white coral beaches, shadowed only by coconut palms. Over a thousand years ago, Arab traders wrote that Tioman offered good anchorage and a fresh water spring, plus wood and game from the forests. Ever since, the twin granite peaks 1000m in the south of the island have acted as a navigational guide to shipping. Further evidence of trade can be found at the village of Juara, where 12th century Chinese pottery has been discovered. Tioman is the largest island in the area, 38km by 20km, and was used by Hollywood for the filming of 'South Pacific'. Although there has been some development it still retains its charm and character and is an ideal place to relax and unwind. There are snorkelling trips available and the chance to do a trek into the forest with your tour leader.
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast
Day 11: On Tioman; drive to Singapore
We have some more time to enjoy the beauty and tranquillity of the island before taking the boat back to Mersing from where we take a public bus (shared coach) for the four hour journey to Singapore. Our timings today will depend on ferry times and tides. This evening we can stroll around the lively port area with its many restaurants and bars.
Overnight Comfortable Hotel (H++) Included meals: Breakfast
Day 12: Tour Ends Singapore
Included meals: Breakfast
