The Legendary Malaysia

14 days – 11 nights

Day 1   WED              Depart USA for Malaysia.

Day 2   THU                En Route

Day 3   FRI                 Arrive Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

You tour guide will greet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel. Rest of the day is at leisure.

Accommodation:          Hotel Equatorial

Day 4   SAT                 Kuala Lumpur

From its humble beginnings as a tin-mining town, Kuala Lumpur has developed into an exciting blend of colonial and modern architectures. The tour of this capital city provides an overview of Kuala Lumpur as it developed today from the city’s colonial roots along the river to mosques, palaces and modern buildings with high-rise structures like the Petronas Twin Towers and KL Tower along the wide boulevards. Visit stops are at Independence Square, the moorish styled Federal Court Houses, and Heritage Railway Station. National Monument, National Museum and the king’s palace. Photo stops at the Parliament House, National Mosque and the Twin Towers. The tour will also pass by Chinatown and Lake Gardens. Rest of the day is at leisure.

Day 5   SUN                Kuala Lumpur - Cameron Highlands (B/L/-)

Depart Kuala Lumpur in the morning and drive to Cameron Highlands, which is situated about 1542 meters above sea level. On the way, you will stop at the Batu Caves to view a huge limestone outcrop that houses a Hindu temple. Enjoy a short lunch stop at Tapah town before proceeding north to the hill resort of Cameron Highlands. Along the way to Cameron Highlands, you will stop at the Lata Iskandar Waterfall and a bamboo making cottage industry. Upon arrival at the Cameron Highlands, visit the tea plantation and vegetable markets, before checking in to the hotel.

In the evening visit the township of Tanah Rata with its colorful local fares. Explore Cameron Highlands at night and try some of the local cuisine. With the fresh vegetables available in abundance in Cameron Highlands, one should try the Chinese steamboat, a kind of a fondue that is very popular in Cameron Highlands.

Accommodation:

The Lakehouse - Tudor-style country house, four-poster bed, antique furnishings, Cameron Highlands.

Strawberry Park ****

Day 6   MON              Cameron Highlands, Ipoh, Kuala Kangsar, Pangkor (B/L/-)

After breakfast at hotel. You will depart Cameron Highlands, and make en route stops to visit an Aborigines settlement. Following which you will continue your journey and drive towards Ipoh. An en route stop will be made at the Sam Poh Tong Cave temple in Gunung Rapat, 5km south of Ipoh. The temple houses an impressive work of art with various statues of Buddha set among the natural stalactites and stalagmites. Local lunch en route. Next stop will be at Kuala Kangsar, a most attractive royal town, around 60 km north of Ipoh. En route visits will also be made at the Ubudiah Mosque, the Iskandariah Palace (royal palace), the Istana Kenangan Museum .

The Ubudiah Mosque is reputed to be one of the most beautiful mosques in the country. Its construction began in the reign of Sultan Idris Murshidul Adzam Shah 1, the 28th Sultan of Perak. Elephants damaged the Italian marble flooring twice during the 1st WW. The Istana Kenangan or the Royal Museum is a unique wooden building built without any plans or nails. It now houses the Royal Regalia, photographs of the Royal Family, illustrations and artifacts of the past and present monarchy in Perak.

We end today by driving to Pangkor's jetty (arriving around 0300hr to 0330hr). Here you will be transferred by ferry and on land, to your accommodation;

Accommodation:

Tiger Rock, an island and jungle hideaway - max capacity 14 pax

Pangkor Laut,***** deluxe, 125 rooms Tiger Rock, set in 12 acres of jungle, backing onto 200 acres of forest reserve, is a special island jungle retreat, with hill houses cocooned on slopes overlooking the sea and mainland. The houses designed around the style of a wooden Malay house & a colonial hill station bungalow offers creature comforts with unexpected colors and inspiration. Enjoy the rainforest by the gorgeous pool overlooking bamboo and jungle with hornbills & eagles soaring & gliding across the skies - and a great ice tea! The personal touch of Mohan (the manager) & his wife Bavanni (a great chef) adds to the whole hideaway, making it a truly unforgettable experience.

Day 7   TUE     Pangkor Island- Penang /GeorgeTown (B/L/D)

Depart for a round the island trip with stops at various temples, Malay fishing villages, drying areas for "ikan bilis" (anchovies), salted fish, and other dried seafood, boat building yards, ending up with a picnic lunch by one of the beaches. After lunch, return to Pangkor jetty, and transfer to the mainland, to continue overland trip to Penang, arriving in the evening.

A special evening treat: Since the 16th Century, Chinese traders arrived in Penang and married the local Malay women. Their male offspring came to be known as Baba (male Sino Malays) while the females were known as Nyonyas. Babas and Nyonyas are also known as Straits Chinese (Peranakan) because of their unique culture, which gives way to the famous Baba Nyonya cuisine. Enjoy an evening with Nyonya Lin See, at her restaurant, the Nyonya Secrets (closed on Tuesday). The Nyonya Secrets restaurant, converted from a quaint double-storey pre war building, oozes traditional Straits Chinese (Peranakan) ambience with its furniture and decorations which have been in Nyonya Lin See's family for denerations.

Try dishes like Assam Laksa- Rice noodle in spiced fish soup, Curry Kapitan- A Peranakan styled Chicken Curry dish, Spicy Prawn, Cuttlefish and Spinach Salad, Pai Tee- Vegetables in Top Hats', Chendol- A delightful coconut based dessert.

Accommodation:

Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion ***

The Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion, built in the 1880's by master craftsmen from China, dazzles in its original indigo blue! With 38 rooms, 5 granite paved courtyards, 7 staircases, 220 windows...this paradigm Chinese Courtyard house has been embellished with Chinese timber carvings and porcelain cut & paste decorative shard works as well as Gothic louvred windows, art noveau stained glass panels, Stoke -On Trent floor tiles and Scottish cast iron works. It is an edifice of impressive delicacy, awesome in its feng shui' subtleties and is an extraordinary tribute to the construction and design skills of the past.

The Eastern & Oriental, (E&O)*****deluxe

The E&O Hotel was built 1884 as the Eastern hotel. When the Oriental hotel was added in, they combined both to form the new E&O hotel. This exclusive 101 all suite grand hotel, evokes an aura of a bygone era. Each suite is accompanied by a 24hr personalized butler service.

Day 8   WED               George Town (B/L/D)

After breakfast, venture onto Little India in Market Street. Today’s sightseeing highlights  include:

Local Coffee Making Factory (closed on Sunday & public holiday) ~ Stop at this quaint house of the Ong family, over 100 years old and discover how coffee was made here since the 1800-s, with the "still in use" ancient toasting machines at the rear. Be ready for the delightsul smellsm of roasting coffee beans that have a mixture of either butter or margarine as the Ong's demonstrate how it's done. This is the local coffee that has been enjoyed for generations by the folks of Penang, at their local kopitiams (coffee shops)

The Sri Mahamariamman Temple: This Hindu temple was built in 1833 by the association of 'Chettiars' (moneylenders) of early Penang. The temple features the Hindu goddess Mariamman in her many incarnations. The complexity of Hindu mythology is reflected in the sculpture(gopuram) which is over 23 feet high and features 38 statues of gods and goddesses over the entrance.

The Indian Flour and Spice Mill (closed on Sunday) ~ Visit and view a century old Mill that still utilizes early turn of the century (circa 1900) Dutch and Danish machinery to process flour and various spices.

Spice Market : Experience the hustle and bustle of GeorgeTown's spice trade by visiting the many wholesale and retail traders dealing in age old spices eg. Cinammon, Cloves Nutmeg, Pepper, Cumin and much much more. This spice market has been in existence since the 18th Century and is located still next to the wharves from whence trading ships berthed.

Proceed for lunch at a traditional banana leaf restaurant. Experiment eating rice with curry on a banana leaf, with your hands, like the early Indian settlers used to.

After lunch, venture into the historical 'inner' enclave of Georgetown

Highlights of tour include:

The Kuan Yin (Goddess of Mercy) Temple: The first temple built by Chinese settlers in the early  19th Century. The Kuan Yin is a Boddhisattva- a being who has actually attained Nirvana but stays behind to save those souls who have not escaped the world of suffering.

The Kapitan Kling Mosque: As soon as the East India Company stationed itself in Penang, the Muslim section of its troops comprising the Havildars, Jemadars and Sepoys founded this first mosque in 1801. The mosque is named after Caude Mydin Merican alias Kapitan Kling who was headman at the time. He brought in builders, Masons and stones from India for the building of this magnificent moorish styled mosque.

Cannon Square and the Khoo Kongsi Clan House: A cannon shot fired by the British during the secret society fights of the Penang Riots of 1867, lends its name to the square. The famous Khoo Kongsi located at the square is the grandest clan house in the country. The clan house has retained its authentic historic setting, which includes an association building, a traditional theatre and late 19th century rowhouses for clan members, all clustered around a granite paved square. The clan temple itself is a monument of Zhang Zhou architecture of typical late Chng dynasty baroqueness.

Sun Yat  Sen   base:  Visit a late 19th century shophouse which was the base of the Tung Meng Hooi arty when it was headquartered in Penang from 1909 to 1911. This was the party of  Dr Sun Yat Sen,  leader of the  Chinese nationalist revolution. From Penang, Dr Sun and his friends planned the Canton Uprising of Spring 1911. Although the Canton Uprising was defeated, it was considered the turning point of the revolution which led to the Double Tenth   Revolution and subsequent overthrow of China's Manchu Dynasty (The Chings). China was then to become the first republic in Asia.

Savor nightfall on a trishaw through old George Town. Ride through the streets of old George Town on a trishaw. Take in all the sights, smells and sounds of the inner city, as your trishaw brings you from Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion, riding through the historical Faquhar Road, passing the St. Xaviers1 Institution and Convent Light Street, both established in the 19th century by early Christian missionaries. Continue along Chulia Street, cutting into Love Lane and Muntri Street, the infamous "red light" districts of bygone days. Ending up by the sea- side esplanade located at Light Street and savor an outdoor hawker dining experience as the locals do - with the South China Sea as a backdrop.

Day 9   THU               Penang to Kota Bahru (B/L/-)

After breakfast, prepare yourself for a long and scenic drive through the East West highway. The highway cuts through the Mountain Range of Malaysia and offers breathtaking views of the tropical rainforest, rubber and oil plam plantations and a vast lake. Stop for photographs along the way. En route lunch at a local restaurant.  Finishing the day by driving to Kota Bahru, checking into Renaissance Kota Bahru****, 142 rooms.

Day10  FRI                  Kota Bahru to Kuala Terengganu (B/L/-)

After breakfast, join for a visit to the Central market. This colorful market bustles with activity. Women sitting on mats offer farm-fresh vegetables, fish, preserved food, dried seafood and sweetmeats. Kota Bahru is also the center for Malay crafts. Proceed to Jelawang/Dabong area. Here you will find several caves in limestone outcrops. Visit the Stepping Stone cave, a narrow 30m corridor through a limestone wall that leads to a hidden grotto and then on to a Kris cave...named for a stalactite that resembles a Kris (a traditional Malay knife). After which, continue along the coastal roads to head towards Kuala Terengganu, making a stop at the Sekitar Wat Bodhiyan, where you can take a traditional sauna in the temple's ground (available from 3pm to 10pm). Those on duty in the temple will check the fire and insert 10 types of herbs into the hot water. Enroute local lunch. Continue journey to Kuala Terengganu with en route stops along the way, at small cottage industries to see boat making, typical Malay village to see the local folks showing off their skills in top spinning and kite flying. Be sure that you keep out of the way of the monkey as they pluck coconuts for you.

Accommodation:

Sutera Beach resort ***, 120 rooms

The Aryani*****, 20 rooms

Day11  SAT                 Kuala Terengganu to Kuantan (B/L/-)

After breakfast, visit the Terengganu State Museum Complex, the famous floating mosque, fishing villages, brassware making and mengkuang weaving cottage industries, and the turtle museum. A highlight will be to watch the local folks make brown sugar. On the way to Kuantan, make an en route stop at Beserah, to see some of the best-salted fish in the region. An unusual sight is the way the Beserah fisherman utilize water buffaloes on the beach to transport baskets  of  fish from  the boats to the processing centers.

Accommodation:

Swiss Garden Kuantan***

Hyatt Kuantan****

Day12 SUN                 Kuantan (B/L/-)

After breakfast, depart for Lake Cini. Located some 100km from Kuantan, this is a string of several connected lakes. Legend has it that a sea serpent inhabits one of the lakes, Lake Gumun. Lake Cini is also believed to be the site of a sunken Khmer city. A main highlight is the boat ride through the tropical forest....and through the lake amongst hundreds if not thousands of white and pink lotus flowers (normally blooms from July to January). Overnight in Kuantan, same as day 12.

Day13  MON              KUANTAN / KUALA LUMPUR (B/L/-)

After breakfast, drive from Kuantan to Kuala Lumpur, with an en route stop for local lunch. Arrive in Kuala Lumpur.  

Day14 TUE                  Kuala Lumpur / USA

Transfer to the airport for your flight home.

Prices:

The above prices are per person, based on double occupancy.

Prices include:

Round trip international airfare departure from Los Angles. Add-ons from other US cities are available upon request.

8 nights hotel accommodation.

All overland transfer.

Meals as specified in the program (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner) and sightseeing as specified in the program with an English speaking driver cum guide. 

Not included:

Airport departure taxes and fuel surcharges.

Beverages consumed during meals, optional tours and expenditures of personal nature.

 Note: In the event that the above proposed hotels are not available, a similar alternative hotel will be provided

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Space is limited for this special offer. Submit your booking request now or call 800 -717 -7752 to secure your space. You may also e-mail us at: sales@asiaclassictours.com for further questions.

* We strongly recommend that you purchase Travel Insurance so that your travel investments are protected in the event of a sudden emergency and you will travel with “Peace of Mind.”

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