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Luxury Malaysia Travel
Malaysia is colourful, multi-cultural, and in many ways a mini-Asia in itself. The population is made up of three core groups – ethnic Malay, Chinese, and Indian – with dozens more minor groups in thrown in for good measure: Persian, Arab, Filipino, Javanese, Nepalese, Burmese…to name just a few. Count in the historic influences of various colonial settlers – Portuguese, then Dutch, then British – and you have quite the melting pot.
Malaysia’s multi-culturalism is exhibited in a colourful array of languages, architectural styles, festivals, and – above all else – in possibly the world’s best cuisine. If you’ve ever wanted to taste ‘the world on a plate’ (or the eastern half of it at least!) – this is the place. A trip to Malaysia is an absolute must for foodies, with historic ports Malacca and Penang in particular offering possibly the finest street food scenes anywhere on the planet.
You’ll also find great variety in the travel experiences on offer. A typical tour of Malaysia takes in vibrant urban spaces (Kuala Lumpur), historic ports (Malacca; Penang), cool tea-carpeted hills (the Cameron Highlands), jungles (Taman Negara; Belum) and all around the coast, tropical islands offering postcard-perfect white sand and azure blue beaches. Your time in Malaysia will include elements of history, culture, food, landscapes, adventure, all packed into a relatively compact area with minimal time lost to transfers as you move around.
These pages cover all aspects of luxury travel in Peninsular Malaysia (also known as West Malaysia); please see our Borneo pages for information on travel to Malaysian Borneo. Although they make up two halves of the same nation, Peninsular Malaysia and Malaysian Borneo are two distinct experiences and often treated as two standalone destinations. If you’re interested in combining the two – and it’s quite the heady combination! – you’ll see some suggestions on how to do so in our luxury tour selection below.
Tours of Malaysia are a kaleidoscope of alluring locations and exciting experiences . Whether you’re looking for a straightforward city and beach break, or a more complex multi-stop tour, our specialists will delight in using Malaysia’s many attractions to build the perfect itinerary.
Most tours of Malaysia will start in capital Kuala Lumpur – universally referred to as ‘KL’ – which is an intriguing mix of modern and traditional. At first glance KL is mostly gleaming skyscrapers and sprawling shopping malls, but dig a little deeper and you’ll find ample historical sightseeing and lots of busy smaller neighbourhoods to explore. A ‘classic’ Malaysia itinerary then explores the more populous and developed West coast: the historic port of Malacca just to the south of KL, the alluring foodie destination Penang, and the idyllic beaches of Langkawi up in the north-west. Coming inland you may also pass through the cool tea-covered hills of the Cameron Highlands, or the steamy jungles of Belum or Taman Negara.
During the northern hemisphere summer months of May to September the western beaches of Langkawi, Penang or Pangkor are wetter; at which time we recommend shifting to the east coast for your r&r time. The Perhentians, Tioman, and Redang are all idyllic at this time. It’s also the ideal season for pairing both Peninsular Malaysia and Malaysian Borneo.
Whatever time of year you visit Malaysia you’ll find an enticing menu of heritage sites, walking tours, cooking classes, jungle hikes, train journeys…just ask our consultants and they’ll be delighted to run through the full spectrum of what the peninsula can offer! With this compact country well-linked by good quality roads and extensive internal flights there’s no limit to what you can achieve – whether you have just a few days or a several weeks to explore.
Peninsular Malaysia is a compact destination with excellent internal travel links, and so lends itself easily to multi-stop cultural tours. With alluring tropical coastline on either side, lush rainforests and cool hills through the centre, and vibrant, multi-cultural cities littered throughout you’ll find variety and intrigue wherever you travel.
Malaysia’s western coast is exposed to the Malacca Strait – one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world – and further on the Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal. This side of Malaysia was of most interest to the Portuguese, then Dutch, then British colonising powers and as such over time has become the more developed and populated. It’s on this side of the peninsula that you’ll find sprawling capital city Kuala Lumpur (universally known as ‘KL’), idyllic resort island Langkawi, and the characterful and historic port cities Malacca and Penang.
The east coast is more sparsely populated and also, particularly in the northeast states of Kelantan and Terengganu, more traditional. You’ll find the beaches here quieter – both in development, and in tourist numbers – and with just a handful of genuinely upmarket accommodation choices on offer. The east coast also experiences Malaysia’s heaviest rainy season: the region gets a thorough soaking from November to February, with all hotels closed and off-shore islands such as Redang or the Perhentians completely cut off.
Peninsular Malaysia’s interior is dense rainforest – largely still wild and undeveloped. Protected reserves such as Taman Negara and Belum provide access to the jungle, with simple lodges offering hikes, birdwatching, boat tours, and canopy walks. In a few pockets the hills rise up out of tropical lowlands up to cooler mountain retreats: Fraser’s Hill and the Cameron Highlands offer a throwback to colonial times with twee British hill station villages, tea plantations, and strawberry farms.
Our guide to Malaysia’s principal destinations is below. You’ll find there’s a lot to see and a great deal of variety on offer! Please speak to our specialists if you’d like more information on any of these locations.
Malaysia’s capital and largest city, Kuala Lumpur is defined by its colourful culture and friendly locals. You’ll find a mix of towering skyscrapers, gleaming malls, colonial architecture, a strong Islamic influence in its mosques, minarets, and Mughal domes, plus a wealth of cultural attractions. Notable landmarks include the Petronas Twin Towers, the world’s tallest twin skyscrapers, and the Batu Caves which date back more than 400 million years. While there is a reverence for ancient culture, it’s balanced with a plugged-in modern world and a contemporary art scene. Visitors can mingle with the locals in their favourite pastimes – shopping and dining – in air-conditioned malls and the popular Central Market.
Malacca is situated roughly equidistant between KL and Singapore and makes a convenient and highly characterful stopping point between the two. This historic port has a broad mix of British, Chinese, Portuguese and Dutch influences and features an intriguing mix of architecture, religion and food. Along the cobbled streets you’ll find impressive Hindu and Buddhist temples as well as Christ Church, Malaysia’s oldest functioning Protestant church which dates back to 1753. Malacca also has a strong Straits Chinese influence, notably from its Peranakan (also known as Nyonya) community. The Baba-Nyonya Heritage Museum, a collection of three gorgeous, restored homes is arranged to look like a typical 19th-cenutry Baba-Nyonya residence. At the summit of St. Paul’s Hill are the ruins of St. Paul’s Church, built on the site of the last Malaccan sultan’s palace.
Around three hours’ to the north of KL, Ipoh is the capital city of central Perak state. It’s known for a large ethnic Chinese population, evidenced in several colourful temples and a distinctly Chinese-influenced cuisine: noted dishes include Chicken Rice, Hor Fun noodles, and caramel egg custard tarts. Just outside Ipoh you’ll find the luxurious Banjaran Retreat – an exclusive retreat in a dramatic limestone setting which offers hot spring pools, natural cave saunas, and a lengthy spa menu. Ipoh’s central location makes for a convenient mid-tour stopping point, with easy onward travel to Penang, Pangkor island, and the Cameron Highlands.
Malaysia’s most popular highland retreat, the Cameron Highlands sit at nearly 6562 feet at their highest point, enjoying a climate that’s cooler than the rest of the country, boasting a stunning landscape carpeted in emerald green. Travelers come to walk through charming villages and forests, visit waterfalls, sprawling emerald tea plantations, strawberry, butterfly, and honeybee farms, while escaping the sweltering heat of the lowlands. Both wildflowers and vegetables thrive here, with vendors selling organic onions, carrots and cauliflower grown by local farmers along the main road in the eight loosely connected villages.
The ‘Pearl of the Orient’, Penang is a tropical city which offers it all: home to gastronomic delights, a mix of historic and modern architecture, soft white sandy beaches, and numerous excellent hotels. It has a diverse mix of cultures, with modern developments juxtaposed with mosques, temples and historic buildings, while the coast is lined with sleepy fishing villages and luxury resorts. The colonial city of George Town is its multicultural capital with historic British buildings, magnificent mosques and crumbling shophouses in its oldest section. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it’s also one of the top spots in all of Southeast Asia for mouth-watering street food.
The ‘Jewel of Kedah’, Langkawi is an archipelago of 99 islands in the Andaman Sea, approximately 30 miles off the mainland coast of north western Malaysia. Just two are inhabited, Pulau Tuba and Pulau Langkawi, the largest and most populated, synonymous with pristine sandy beaches, wildlife-filled jungles and fantastic shopping, dining, and entertainment. Its striking rugged beauty can be found in forest parks, hot springs and magnificent waterfalls. The island is not overly developed – although there are plenty of beach bars, seafood restaurants and spas, it’s also home to villages that have managed to preserve local traditions.
Taman Negara is Peninsular Malaysia’ premier rainforest reserve. Housing patches of the world’s old primary rainforest – outdating the dinosaurs – the park has simple accommodation but a range of enticing jungle activities. You’ll arrive at the park via a long road journey into the jungle and then a dramatic longtail boat transfer up to your lodge. The most popular attraction here is the canopy walkway, the longest in the world, which spans a distance of 1,738 feet while hovering 147 feet above the forest floor. From here you can watch for the park’s famous flora and fauna, which includes tapirs, long-tailed macaques, hornbills, pygmy elephants, and – allegedly – a tiny remaining population of leopard and Malayan tiger.
Further north from Taman Negara almost on the border with Thailand, the Belum-Temengor Reserve is another patch of pristine ancient rainforest. Activity is centred around the manmade Temengor Lake from where intrepid visitors can enjoy bird-watching (hornbills are a particularly exciting sighting), forest walks, fishing, kayaking, and visits to traditional ‘orang asli’ villages. Belum is also believed to house a tiny population of Malayan tigers – but you’ll need to be deep in the forest for weeks to see one! As with Taman Negara, accommodation here is simple so you’ll need a sense of adventure to get involved.
Sitting off Malaysia’s lower east coast, around 5 hours’ transfer from Singapore and 6 from Kuala Lumpur, Tioman is a small volcanic island with barely any tourism (or other) development…and all the better for it. The challenging transfers mean you’ll need to make a little extra effort to get here but it is absolutely worth it, with the island offering totally pristine and near-deserted white sand beaches and a mountainous interior which begs for exploration. The luxurious Japamala Resort is our pick here – one of the very best boutique beach retreats in all Southeast Asia.
The eastern coast of Malaysia is quieter, more traditional, and somewhat cut-off from the busier west coast by the mountains and jungles of the interior. Handily, the east coast climate is the exact inverse of the west coast, meaning that whenever you travel to Malaysia there is a tropical paradise in season. Mainland Terengganu, and off-shore islands Redang, and the Perhentians take a little bit of getting to but are absolutely gorgeous island escapes, with several excellent accommodation options on offer.
Malaysia is blessed with outstanding accommodation. In all of its key destinations you’ll find an enticing selection of upmarket and luxury hotels: ranging from a more private and boutique style, particularly in the secluded beach areas, up to large resorts from established brands which boasts all the bells and whistles.
Capital city Kuala Lumpur is primarily a business travel destination and you’ll find its hotel scene catered as such. All the big international brands are here – Four Seasons, Grand Hyatt, Mandarin Oriental, Banyan Tree – represented in large tower hotels spread throughout the city centre. If you’re looking for something more intimate however there is a growing boutique hotel scene: the secluded Villa Samadhi, the stylish Chow Kit, and converted shophouse Anggun Boutique are all intriguing choices.
Outside of the capital the higher quality end of the hotel market trends towards smaller, highly attractive, boutique options. Properties such as the Majestic in Malacca, the Seven Terraces or the Edison in Penang, the Cameron Highlands Resort, or the Banjaran in Ipoh all keep a low-key presence within their locales while offering high comfort, polished service, and bags of character.
On Malaysia’s beaches you’ll find a wide range of accommodation to suit all tastes and budgets. If large family-friendly resorts are your preference look to the Shangri-La in Penang, or the Meritus Pelangi at the quieter end of Langkawi’s Pantai Cenang beach. If you prefer a more exclusive and elegant beach stay however then look towards the Japamala on east coast Tioman, the famed Pulau Pangkor Resort off the west coast, while on Langkawi we can suggest the Casa Del Mar with local amenities nearby, or the Datai in a totally secluded setting on the island’s pristine northern coast.
One of the world’s most enchanting vacation destinations, Malaysia offers everything from postcard-perfect beaches framed by pristine waters for diving to wildlife-filled jungle, well-preserved historic treasures and mouth-watering cuisine, and some of the friendliest locals you’ll ever meet.
Peninsula Malaysia enjoys a strategic location on global trading routes: dating back to the historic spice trading days its tropical coastline has seen much coming and going, resulting in the cultural melting point one finds today. Nowhere is this more evident than in Malaysian cuisine: it’s not unusual to enjoy an Indian breakfast, a Straits Chinese lunch, a Malay-dinner, and a kaleidoscope of mouth-watering snacks in between. Food tourism is a huge highlight of travel to Malaysia, with street food walks, cooking classes, fishing trips, dining tours all enticing ways to get stuck in.
Malaysia’s rich cultural heritage is further evidenced in its historic towns and cities, where it’s common to find colonial shophouses, traditional wet markets, and atmospheric temples and mosques sitting adjacent to gleaming 21st-century skyscrapers and air-conditioned mega malls. Guided city tours and heritage walks will help you uncover the history and architecture of capital KL and the lively port cities (and UNESCO World Heritage-protected) George Town and Malacca.
In between the east and west coasts, central Malaysia offers ancient rainforests with pockets of jungle unspoiled and protected in national parks. Reserves such as Belum and Taman Negara showcase remarkable biodiversity that includes everything from rhododendrons in high altitude forests to orchids in the lowlands; common wildlife sightings including colourful birds – notably hornbills – silvered leaf monkeys, and tapirs.
UTC can arrange an enticing variety of tours and activities across Malaysia. We’ve picked our just a few of our favourites below. There’s plenty more to recommend though; let us know what excites you most about Malaysia, and we’ll map out the perfect itinerary.
At a huge 1482ft tall, Kuala Lumpur’s iconic Petronas Towers are the world’s tallest twin skyscrapers. The towers take their inspiration from typical Islamic motifs, with a shimmering steel and glass facade. The 558ft high sky bridge which links the two is again, the highest in the world, and here you’ll find a viewing deck offering the very best views of the city. A visit to the viewing deck can be included on your sightseeing tour of the city.
The Batu Caves are situated in the suburb of Gombak, around 45 minutes from KL city centre, and are a staggering sight. The 400million year-old cave complex is cut into an imposing limestone cliff, reached by a 272-step staircase. At the top of the stairs, within the caves, you’ll find a colourful Hindu temple which is of huge significance to Malaysia’s large Tamil Indian population. The base of the climb is guarded by an enormous statue of Lord Morugan, the Hindu God of War.
Penang is Malaysia’s food capital. The port city is the multicultural Malaysia at its best, with a vibrant mix of Malay, Indian, Chinese, Arab, and western gastronomic influences. The island’s historic capital George Town is renowned for its diverse street food: with high-end restaurants sitting amongst street upon street of food stalls and hawker markets. Guided street food walks and expert-led cooking classes are an absolute must during any stay here.
Sitting at 6600ft above sea level the Cameron Highlands offer a cool high-elevation retreat. The villages of the area were developed by British colonial rulers as an escape from the sweltering lowlands, and the British imprint is firmly visible to this day with rolling hill of tea plantations, strawberry farms, lavender gardens, and twee mock Tudor cottages. It’s a fun area to explore for a day or two while enjoying the cool mountain air, with hikes and treks on offer should you be looking for a bit more adventure.
Langkawi is an island paradise and an idyllic setting to relax and unwind at the end of tour. If you have itchy feet though it also huge list of activities: visitors can enjoy all sorts of thrilling watersports from all island resorts, including sea kayaking, parasailing, windsurfing, snorkelling and diving; you’ll also find mangrove boat tours on Kilim River, hikes to waterfalls and look-out points in the interior, various museums, galleries, and an aquarium, and a dramatic cable car ride over Cinang Mountain which offers views as far as Sumatra.
Belum and Taman Negara are the two best reserves in interior Malaysia. Both made up of sprawling ancient tropical rainforest, home to around 150 mammal species, including Asian elephants, monkeys and tapirs, along with an estimated 3,000 flora species. In Belum much of the activity is on the waters of the huge manmade reservoir, while visitors to Taman Negara can take in hikes including the world’s longest canopy walk. A key sighting in either reserve is of Malaysia’s 10 hornbill species.
Train travel is a popular way to link up Malaysia’s key west coast destinations, also running down to Singapore in the south and up into Thailand (eventually to Bangkok) in the north. The infamous ‘jungle line’ takes an alternate route, going right up through the centre of the country passing through dense forest and palm oil plantations and across numerous deep muddy rivers. Although less convenient than the west coast line the scenery is dramatic and offers a useful (if lengthy!) link to the Perhentians and Redang off the northeast coast.
Peranakan cuisine, also known as Nyonya or Baba Nyonya, is the food of early Chinese migrants to west coast Malaysia, Singapore, and Sumatra. A fusion of Chinese ingredients with the spices and techniques of Malay and Indonesian people, famous dishes include Babi Pongteh (braised pork belly), Rendang (a rich hearty curry, often served at weddings and festivals), and the legendary Laksa – a tangy, coconutty, noodle soup. Malacca is especially well-known for its Peranakan cuisine, and a cooking class here is a great way to learn more and develop skills to take back home.
The east coast islands are much quieter than Langkawi and Penang and all the more alluring for it. The Perhentians are still principally a backpacker destination with fairly simple accommodation and a very laidback atmosphere. Redang, Tioman, and Terengganu are quieter still, with refined upmarket accommodation options in secluded locations. Diving and snorkelling off these islands is notoriously fantastic – the Perhentians in particular are among Southeast Asia’s premier underwater adventure locations.
Of all Malaysia’s epic signature dishes there is one that truly stands out as united the whole nation regardless of Malay, Chinese, Indian, or any other descent. Nasi Lemak is a mound of gently simmered coconut rice, served with a lip-smacking array of accompaniments including fiery sambal, crispy anchovies, toasted peanuts, cucumber, and a rendang curry of beef or chicken. Served with a hot sweet teh tarik (pulled tea), as a breakfast dish quite simply nothing else comes close!
Malaysia’s setting just north of the equator provides a year-round tropical climate. No matter when you plan your visit you’ll find average temperature fairly static, hovering between 80-90F most days. An equatorial climate also means frequent rainfall: dramatic thunderstorms are common, but usually last for under an hour, with the sun breaking through and drying up and puddles within minutes.
There is no high or low season as such, but when you travel will influence the places that you visit. November through to March is the ideal time for the west coast, and with all Malaysia’s best known travel destinations on this side of the peninsula its these months which tend to see the highest numbers of international visitors.
The east coast destinations on the other hand are ideal from June through to October. While the east coast is less developed in terms of tourism infrastructure, it does boast a small selection of outstanding island retreats, and its seasonality pairs well with Borneo and Indonesia providing the enticing prospect of adventurous family holidays or action-packed honeymoons.
April and May are the inter-monsoonal months of change. At this time neither west nor east coast is in season, nor completely off limits. There will be occasional showers but tourist activity dips significantly with accommodation rates at their lowest and tourist crowds the thinnest of the year. If you’re careful about where you visit this can be a highly advantageous time of year to visit.
Malaysia is a truly compelling destination, with a varied climate which has something offer all around the year. We’ve put together an overview of climate season-by-season and region-by-region below.
This wide period is considered the high season in Malaysia, with the country’s most popular destinations along the west coast experiencing lowest rainfall of the year. Athough showers may occur daily they rarely last more than an hour, with much of the day filled with sunshine. The seas will be calm, and the weather dry in Langkawi, making it easy to take boat trips to sample the island’s beaches and hike the highest mountains. Penang is best enjoyed now too: whether you plan to take a jungle trek, hike in the hills near George Town, or check out the International Dragon Boat competition in December. The late year months are also prime time for retail therapy in KL, with year-end sales in full swing throughout its numerous luxury shopping malls.
Malaysia’s east coast transitions from a thorough soaking from November to March to reliably warm and clear days from June through to October. The west coast might not offer the best beach weather at this time, but if you’re approaching KL, Penang, Ipoh, and Malacca from a cultural touring perspective then all are still ripe for exploration, and although there are some very hot days you have upcountry escapes such as Fraser’s Hill or the Cameron Highlands for cooler temperatures. You can then head on over to Tioman, Redang, Terengganu, or the Perhentians for idyllic end-of-tour tropical island escapes. November to March is also a great time for jungle treks and wildlife watching: July is one of the best months for birdwatching, while August and September are ideal for seeing thousands of hornbills around Perak’s Temenggor Lake. Note that visitors in July and August will potentially encounter the festivities of Hari Raya Aidilfitri, the Islamic calendar’s most important celebrations, with fantastic feasting opportunities on offer.
K. Devaraj
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Singapore, Malacca, Kuala Lumpur, Taman Negara National Park, Cameron Highlands, Penang, Langkawi
