At the halfway point, you stop for a breather, and a monkey stops with you. It perches on the handrail, eyeing your bag with professional interest. Below, a 40-metre golden statue of the Hindu god Lord Murugan glints in the sun. Above, the last of 272 rainbow-painted steps leads to a temple built inside a limestone cave thought to be 400 million years old.
Welcome to the Batu Caves, a short train ride from central Kuala Lumpur. It’s just one of the sights to discover on a Malaysian holiday planned by Travelbag’s Travel Specialists, who can tailor an itinerary around exactly what you want to see and do.
Take their 10-night Kuala Lumpur, Taman Negara and Tanjong Jara multicentre – an adventure from Malaysia’s capital into one of the oldest rainforests on Earth, finishing with lazy days on an east coast beach.
Towers, temples and street food
Your journey begins with four nights at the five-star Shangri-La, right in the heart of the city. A direct flight from the UK takes just under 13 hours, so the hotel’s gardens and swimming pool make a welcome place to recover, and a soothing bolt-hole after days out.
You’ll need it, because Kuala Lumpur, or simply “KL”, will keep you busy. Malay, Chinese and Indian communities share its streets, where three cultures’ worth of religion, language and, best of all, food combine. Dishes borrow flavours from China, India, Indonesia and the Middle East as well as Malaysia itself, so a food tour is a must.
In Chinatown, follow the smell of sizzling street food down Petaling Street, haggle at the market, then hunt for souvenirs at Central Market. In Little India, flower garlands and Bollywood soundtracks spill out of the shops.
Calm spots for reflection are never far away, from the elegant Wilayah Mosque to the elaborate Sri Maha Mariamman Temple and grand St John’s Cathedral. Or for greenery without leaving the city, the Perdana Botanical Gardens have walking trails, orchid and hibiscus gardens, and bird, butterfly and deer parks.
The shopping and entertainment district of Bukit Bintang shows off KL’s modern side, while the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia holds the largest collection of Islamic art in Asia, with more than 7,000 pieces.
Then, of course, there is that famous skyline. Head up the 88-storey Petronas Twin Towers to the Skybridge on the 41st floor, which links the two structures, and look down over the city.
Into the ancient forest
Next, swap skyscrapers for a canopy of a different kind as you drive north into central Malaysia, with the roar of city traffic giving way to birdsong, to arrive at Taman Negara National Park – which covers more than 1,600 sq miles across three states.
Three nights in a rainforest that has been growing for 130 million years let you slow to nature’s pace. Trek the jungle trails, step out onto canopy walkways high among the treetops, float along the rivers and take a dip in clear water beneath waterfalls. After dark, guided night walks show you a whole other side of the forest, as torch beams pick out the nocturnal creatures that emerge once the sun goes down.
Deer, elephants and even Malayan tigers live here, but they’re experts at staying out of sight, so spotting one requires a touch of luck. Keep your eyes peeled for the many birds and smaller mammals that call the park home. Afternoon showers are common in Malaysia’s tropical climate, so a light rain jacket is worth packing.
Slow days by the sea
The final three nights are all about rest. The five-star Tanjong Jara Resort sits on a crescent of golden sand in Terengganu, looking out over the South China Sea from one of Malaysia’s least-discovered coastlines.
Your arrival is marked by a gong, struck three times. The timber buildings take their cue from 17th century Malay palaces, a design that earned the resort an Aga Khan Award for Architecture. Days drift between the beach, the pools and the Spa Village, where treatments begin with mandi bunga, a bathing ritual in which warm water and flower petals are poured over you.
This is also the time to try dishes you may never have come across before. Book dinner, where fish wrapped in banana leaves is slow-cooked in the sand using coconut husks and a charcoal fire. Or spend a morning at the local market before a hands-on Malay cooking class.
If you’d like to see more of the coast, cycle with a guide through the fishing village and harbour of nearby Dungun, stopping for local coffee and kuih, bite-sized Malay cakes and snacks. Nature lovers can join a naturalist on a morning walk to the resort’s Malay Herbal Garden and Jara Hill, or visit its turtle hatchery, and in season there’s diving and snorkelling around Tenggol Island.
Leave the planning to the experts
Travelbag has been putting together holidays since 1979, so it brings nearly 50 years of experience to trips like this. Its Travel Specialists can tailor every detail of this itinerary, from how long you spend in each place to when you go. They can also book everything from a Kuala Lumpur food trail or a cultural and heritage tour to get you started, or plan the perfect layover on the way.
You can book with complete peace of mind, too. Travelbag won 10 British Travel Awards, is rated “Excellent” on Trustpilot and is Which? Recommended, with full Abta and Atol protection.
How to book your getaway
Travelbag’s 10-night Kuala Lumpur, Taman Negara and Tanjong Jara holiday includes four nights at the five-star Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur, a three-night Taman Negara package and three nights at the five-star Tanjong Jara Resort, plus return international and internal flights and transfers.
Simply call 020 3813 2345 to book, or visit travelbag.co.uk.