What to expect
Iconic Landmarks
Visit the epic Petronas Towers
Natural Wonders
Witness the majestic Batu Caves
Animal Encounters
Spot Orangutans & Sun Bears in Borneo
Unique Experiences
Cameron Highlands' lush tea plantations
About this trip...
What's Included
Internal flights from Penang to Kula Lumpur, onwards to Sandakan in Borneo-
Internal flight from Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu while in Borneo
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Airport taxes & charges
Twin or double room for single use with private facilities
Solos board - Breakfast daily, two lunches and five dinners
Explore Cameron Highlands, including the Batu Caves, Sungai Palas Tea Plantation and Mossy Forest-
Meet the indigenous Orang Asli people
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Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre & Borneo Sun Bear Conservation Centre
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River cruises along the Kinabatangan River to hopefully see wildlife
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Tour of George Town with Trishaw Ride
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Tour of Kuala Lumper with a visit to the Petronas Towers
Accompanying Solos Tour Leader
What's extra:
- National Tourism Tax, MYR 10 per room per night to be paid at the hotel directly.
- Penang Tourism Tax, MYR 3 per room per night to be paid at the hotel directly.
- Pahang Sustainability Tourism Tax, MYR 3 per room per night to be paid at the hotel directly.
- International flights are not included
- Travel insurance
- Tips & drinks
- Meals when not included in the itinerary
- Activities when not included in the itinerary
Itinerary
- Arrive in to Kuala Lumpur
- Visit the The Orang Asli village and tour of Kuala Lumpur
- Kuala Lumpur to Cameron Highlands
- Cameron Highlands
- Cameron Highlands, Kuala Kangsar and on to Penang
- George Town, Penang
- Flight from Penang to Sandakan
- Orangutan Centre & Sun Bear Conservation
- River cruise on Kinabatangan River
- Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu
- Kota Kinabalu
- Departure Day
What you'll be doing
Day One: Arrive in Kuala Lumpur
- Dinner Included
Day Two: Visit the Orang Asli village & tour of Kuala Lumpur
- Breakfast Included
Day Three: Kuala Lumpur to Cameron Highlands
Following breakfast this morning, we depart to the countryside. We visit the Batu Caves, a huge limestone outcrop that houses some very ornate Hindu temples. The Batu Caves is a popular place of worship for the Hindus. Each year during their celebration of Thaipusam, hundreds of thousands of Hindus will throng the temple. After which, we proceed to the Cameron Highlands, which is 1542 meters above sea level. En route, we view the Lata Iskandar Waterfall. We then head to Tanah Rata and stop at the Lakehouse for afternoon tea with scones served with strawberry jam and cream.
- Breakfast Included
Day Four: The Cameron Highlands
We begin the day with a short stop at the Sungai Palas Tea Plantation - one of the largest plantations in South East Asia, before driving up to the highest peak of Cameron Highlands - Mount Brinchangv (6666 feet above sea level). Here we climb up to the viewing tower where we will be amazed with the magnificent view of the surrounding area with fresh and cool air. We will have an interpretive trek into Mossy Forest that will reveal some of the exotic floras, such as carnivorous Pitcher Plant, wild Ginger, primitive Ferns and wild Orchids. Mossy Forest is also known as the cloudy forest, as it is usually enveloped in mist and gives you a feeling like you’re in a fairy tale. After a short drive down from the mountain, we visit the oldest tea factory in Malaysia. Have a cup of tea at the ‘Ummph’ Tea Café (not included), where we will be fascinated by the wide range of tea offered with panoramic view of the plantation. Finally, our guide will lead us to the last stop of the tour today which is a Butterfly Farm. Here we will observe some beautiful species of butterflies including the renowned Raja Brooke and various kinds of insects and snakes.
- Breakfast Included
Day Five: Cameron Highlands, Kuala Kangsar and on to Penang
After breakfast this morning, we depart the Cameron Highlands and head to Penang. En route, we stop at Kuala Kangsar - an attractive royal town. The route passes the Ubudiah Mosque and the Iskandariah Palace (royal palace). The Ubudiah Mosque is reported to be one of the most beautiful mosques in the country. Not far from Perak’s royal town of Kuala Kangsar, in the district of Sayong, is the centre of a unique cottage industry specialising in the production of earthenware jugs, the Labu Sayong, another of Perak’s famous contribution to Malaysia’s traditional craft heritage. The Labu Sayong is an elegant, gourd shaped carafe that is used to keep water cool. The jug, with the characteristic double bulb design, is burnt to a black colour that gives it the ability to cool its contents quickly. It is even believed that the drinking water stored in the Labu Sayong has certain health properties to cure common ailments like a cough or fever. We then head to the Ubudiah Mosque. Ranking high on the list of Malaysia's most beautiful mosques, Ubudiah Mosque stands proudly and majestically in Kuala Kangsar, with its golden dome and minarets creating a spellbinding sight, from near and afar. The route passes the Ubudiah Mosque, where we see the bands of marble and the golden domes. Afterwards, we view the Iskandariah Palace (royal palace) from the outside. After the visit, we continue our journey towards Penang, crossing over using the fourth longest bridge in Southeast Asia.
- Breakfast Included
Day Six: George Town with Trishaw ride
This morning, after breakfast, we meet our guide and transfer by coach to view Fort Cornwallis. This is where Francis Light and the crew landed in 1786. After this, we make our way to visit a joss stick maker where the local specialist will explain how to make a joss stick. We also visit the Khoo Kongsi – a magnificent hall embellished with intricate carvings and wood work. From Khoo Kongsi, we hop on a trishaw ride. We get to view the colonial buildings in Georgetown such as The City Hall, the Muntri Street and the Art Street. We have the afternoon at leisure before we head to dinner together this evening, enjoying Peranakan cuisine.
- Breakfast & Dinner Included
Day Seven: Flight from Penang to Sandakan
Today we head to Borneo, flying from Penang Airport, to Kuala Lumpur Airport and then on to Sandakan in Borneo. Upon arrival this afternoon, we transfer to the hotel. This evening, we have the optional tour of a Rainforest Guided Walk (please see optional tours below).
- Breakfast Included
Day Eight: Orangutan Centre & Sun Bear Conservation
After breakfast this morning, we head to the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre. We take a short walk through the rainforest on wooden boardwalks to witness the feeding of the orangutans and then continue to the newly completed enclosed nursery area for young orangutans. We then visit the Borneo Sun Bear Conservation Centre to learn about conservation of the world’s smallest bear. Please see important information for camera usage at Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre. After our visits, we transfer to Bilit Rainforest Resort, where we enjoy dinner and have the option to take an afternoon river cruise in search of wildlife and birds.
- Breakfast & Dinner Included
Day Nine: River cruise on Kinabatangan River
We rise early this morning, and embark on a morning river cruise to observe wildlife and experience the early morning river ambience along the longest river of Sabah. We return to the lodge for a late breakfast. We have the rest of the day free to enjoy the natural surroundings before heading out on another river cruise this afternoon to search for wildlife. After the cruise, we return to the lodge for dinner.
- Breakfast & Dinner Included
Day Ten: Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu
This morning, we enjoy breakfast in the rainforest before heading to the airport for a flight to Kota Kinabalu, a coastal city partly surrounded by rainforest. It's known for its bustling markets, modern boardwalk, beaches and waterfront. Here we transfer to the Nexus Resort and Spa, nestled on a white sandy beach amidst the tropical landscape. We spend the rest of today and tomorrow at leisure, relaxing after a busy but exciting number of days.
- Breakfast Included
Day Eleven: Kota Kinabalu
Today we have a day at leisure. We can relax using the hotel's spa facilities, head to the beach and listen to the lapping waves on the shore or enjoy something more active such as kayaking, paddle boarding or jet skiing. There is also the option to join a Coral Island Tour to spend the day on a tropical island with sandy beaches, translucent waters and coral gardens (great for snorkelling and scuba diving). Including a BBQ lunch, this tour is at an extra cost and can be booked in resort. This evening we get together for dinner in resort where we can swap stories with our fellow travellers of highlights of the tour.
- Breakfast & Dinner Included
Day Twelve: Transfer to the airport
We have a final breakfast this morning and transfer to Kota Kinabalu Airport for our onward flight.
- Breakfast Included
Accommodation
Malaysia and Borneo accommodation:
- Kuala Lumpur: Melia four-star - 2 nights
- Cameron Highlands: Strawberry Park Resort four-star - 2 nights
- Penang: Areca Hotel *boutique hotel* - 2 nights
- Sandakan: Sabah Hotel three-star - 1 night
- Sukau/Bilit: Bilit Rainforest Lodge - 2 nights
- Kota Kinabalu: Nexus Resort & Spa Karambunai four-star - 2 nights
Dates & Prices
Essential Information
We recommend that you check passport and visa requirements for the country you are visiting at the State Department if you have a U.S. Passport. Most countries require that your passport have at least six months validity when traveling internationally, and many require that you have one to two blank visa pages for either an entry stamp or visa. As a general rule, please check that your passport has six months validity beyond your planned trip, and if not, please renew your passport with plenty of time to provide Solos with your updated passport information by the final payment due date.
We recommend that you check if vaccinations are required for your destination at the CDC’s recommendations for your visited destination(s). We also recommend you purchase travel protection. A travel protection plan can often assist with medical emergencies and reimburse costs that are covered by the plan. Please verify coverage details with Solos before you travel.
- National Tourism Tax, MYR 10 per room per night to be paid at the hotel directly.
- Penang Tourism Tax, MYR 3 per room per night to be paid at the hotel directly.
- Pahang Sustainability Tourism Tax, MYR 3 per room per night to be paid at the hotel directly.
