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Malaysia Destination guide

As the world leader in travel experiences since 1947, we connect you to the real Malaysia in a way like no other. One of the most diverse countries in southeast Asia, Malaysia is a land where cultures and religions live in harmony. There are Malays, Indians, Chinese, Hindus, the indigenous Orang Asli and Dayak tribes in Borneo, and each group celebrates their differences through vibrant festivals and cuisine. Malaysia’s history also tells a complex story, and you can find a fusion of Malay, Dutch, British and Portuguese influences in the UNESCO-listed towns of Malacca and George Town. Our Malaysia holidays will take you from sharing lunch with a local family in Kampung Cantik village, to climbing the rainbow staircase to Batu Caves, a mystical shrine in the mountains. Sample local fruits at Chow Kit Market, set beside the gleaming towers of Kuala Lumpur, then drive through the Cameron Highlands' emerald valleys for local tea and scones. From pulsing cities to pristine beaches, and rainforest-clad mountains teeming with wildlife, Malaysia is bound to inspire. Travel with us and unlock the infinite possibilities thanks to our exclusive Trafalgar Highlights.
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12 Day trip

6 Cities in

2 Countries

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Colonial Singapore and Malaysia Summer 2023

4.3 12 reviews

From £2,633 Was £2,925

4.3 12 reviews

From £2,633 Was £2,925

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Visiting

  1. Malaysia

    Georgetown Ipoh Kuala Lumpur Malacca City Tanah Rata

  2. Singapore

    Singapore

5 million happy guests and counting

Overall Rating

4.6

Out of 5

Based on 96,679 independent reviews
"There is so much to explore in Malaysia, and I'll take you from sharing lunch with a local family in a Kampung Cantik village, to enjoying tea and scones in the emerald valleys of the Cameron Highlands."
Travel Director
Malaysia at a glance
From pulsing cities to pristine beaches, from the mystical Batu Caves to the emerald valleys of Cameron Highlands, and from powdery beaches to rainforest-clad mountains teeming with wildlife, Malaysia is bound to inspire. Join your expert Trafalgar Travel Director and discover one of the most diverse countries in Southeast Asia.
Currency
Malaysian ringgit
Winter avg temp
25°C
Summer avg temp
31°C
Time Zone
GMT+8
Capital City
Kuala Lumpur
Language
Malay
Good morning
Selamat Pagi
Good evening
Selamat petang
Malaysian Food

Our top 5 things to do in Malaysia

Our Malaysia holiday packages take in all the incredible sights of Malaysia, from the cultural fusion of Malacca, to the emerald valleys of the Cameron Highlands.

Enjoy the fusion of international influences in Malacca

Our Local Specialists will reveal the blend of Malay, British, Dutch and Portuguese influences behind the UNESCO-listed city of Malacca. It was once a vital trading port, and we’ll take you from the Dutch Square to the top of Malacca Hill, then to Kampung Kuli, where you’ll find traditional crafts.
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Try local delicacies at Chow Kit Market in Kuala Lumpur

Wander the stalls of Chow Kit Market, the largest wet market in Malaysia. It’s filled with hundreds of shopfronts piled with fresh fruit, vegetables, fish and meat, and there’s also a dry market where you’ll find clothes and crafts. Our Local Specialists will show you how the locals haggle for their fresh produce.
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Visit the Kampung Cantik village

Join a local family for lunch in the village of Kampung Cantik, and take a walk around the village to see the Malacca kampong stilt houses. You’ll discover the friendly culture of the village as you participate in some of their favourite games including silat, an indigenous form of martial arts.
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Climb up the rainbow staircase to Batu Caves

The Batu Caves is a popular Tamil shrine and one of Malaysia’s most spectacular sights. You’ll admire a towering golden statue, before ascending 272 rainbow steps up the limestone hill to find a complex of cave temples. We’ll go exploring through the caves, including Temple Cave, where you’ll discover a number of Hindu shrines.
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Drive through the Cameron Highlands

We’ll take you on a journey through the magical green valleys and tea plantations of the Cameron Highlands. You’ll see the painted murals and gold Buddha statue of Perak Cave Temple, see the colonial-style town of Ipoh, and enjoy an afternoon tea of scones and local strawberry jam at Tanah Rata.
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Best museums in Malaysia

We’ll reveal the dynamic history of Malaysia through its museums, from hilltop Buddhist temples, to the arts of the Orang Asli people.
Kuala lumpur

Orang Asli Museum

The aboriginal Orang Asli people of the Malaysian Peninsula are renowned for their handicrafts and wood carving skills. The Orang Asli Museum in Kuala Lumpur displays their arts and crafts, including the famed wooden carved masks and figures by the Mah Meri and Jah Hut tribes.
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Ipoh

Perak Cave Temple

One of the most famous temples in Ipoh, Perak Cave Temple was created in 1926 by a Chinese Buddhist couple. You can climb the staircase into the cave to find a golden Buddha statue surrounded by beautifully painted murals. Continue climbing and you’ll discover a viewpoint with panoramic views across the hills of Ipoh.
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Penang

Kek Lok Si Temple

The largest Buddhist temple in Malaysia, Kek Lok Si Temple towers on a hilltop in Penang. You can explore the temple grounds to find the pagoda, the four heavenly kings pavilion, tranquil gardens and the turtle liberation pond. At the top of the hill, you’ll see the giant statue of the Goddess of Mercy.
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Best food in Malaysia

The best Malaysia tour packages take in the country’s diverse cuisine, and we’ll show you all the favourites from fiery Rendang to Nasi Goreng.

Nasi Lemak

The beloved national food of Malaysia, Nasi Lemak is an aromatic dish of rice cooked with coconut milk and pandan leaf. It’s served with spicy sambal and a variety of sides like eggs, beef, chicken curry, cucumber and fried anchovies. Nasi Lemak is commonly eaten at breakfast, although you’ll find it served all day.
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Rendang

Rendang is one of Malaysia's favourite traditional dishes. It’s a fragrant curry served during celebrations and festivals, and the flavours are rich and spicy. Commonly served with beef or chicken, the curry is made from turmeric, lemongrass, galangal, kaffir leaves, tamarind and coconut milk.
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Nasi Goreng

Found all over the country, Nasi Goreng is Malaysia’s answer to fried rice. This traditional rice dish is cooked with onions, shallots, chilli, soy sauce, tamarind, nuts and spices and served with your choice of egg, pork, prawns or crispy fried chicken.
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What to pack for Malaysia

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Adaptor plug

In Malaysia the standard voltage is 240 V and the power plugs and sockets are of type G. The standard frequency is 50 Hz.

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Comfortable shoes

From climbing Malacca Hill and hiking through forested mountains, to walking the cobbled streets of George Town, you’ll need a reliable pair of walking shoes.

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Light modest clothing

Malaysia is hot and humid for most of the year and you’ll need light and loose clothing. It’s also a highly religious country and it’s best to dress modestly with shoulders and thighs covered.

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Sunscreen and repellent

Protect yourself from the natural elements of Malaysia with at least SPF 30 sunscreen and a strong DEET insect repellent.

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Umbrella

A small travel umbrella will come in handy in Malaysia, from shielding you from the monsoon rains to blocking out the blazing sunshine.

Other things to know before you go

Depending on your nationality, you'll need a valid passport and may also need visas to enter. Please check this well in advance of your trip departure date here. Some countries also require passports to have 3-6 months left on them before the given expiry date, so be sure to double check this before booking your travels.

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