Arrive in Kuala Lumpur on suggested flights and transfer to the hotel (private transfer included in tour price). Renaissance Tours or your travel agent can assist you with your flights and other travel arrangements, including travel insurance (a condition of travel) and accommodation before or after the tour.

At 18:00, join your tour leader Claudia Chan Shaw and fellow travellers for a welcome briefing at the hotel, followed by dinner.

(D)

Begin the day with a talk by Claudia, then explore the vibrant city centre of Kuala Lumpur, dominated by modern skyscrapers, rich heritage buildings and renowned street food. See Independence Square, where the Union Jack was lowered and the new Malaysian flag was raised in 1957. Admire the exquisite Sri Mariamman Temple and appreciate the colours and character of Chinatown, particularly on Petaling Street, Jalan Panggung and Kwai Chai Hong.

Stop at the bustling Central Market for lunch before visiting select local art museums and galleries that showcase collections of native, ethnic and contemporary art.

In the evening, delve into Malaysian cuisine through a specially curated cooking demonstration and dinner at a renowned restaurant.

(BLD)

This morning, drive to the famous Batu Caves for a private, guided tour. Guarded at the entrance by one of the largest Murugan statues in the world, the cave complex contains many Hindu temples and shrines and is the focal point of the Tamil Hindu festival of Thaipusam in Malaysia.

Afterwards, return to Kuala Lumpur to visit the Blue Mosque, Malaysia’s largest mosque and second largest in Southeast Asia, featuring one of the world’s biggest domes and towering 142-metre minarets, blending modern architecture with classic Islamic art.

Tonight, browse a local Ramadan Bazaar that only takes place once a year during February, offering diverse culinary options, from traditional gourmet to innovative fusion dishes.

(B)

After breakfast, gain an in-depth insight into Malay culture by visiting Kampung Baru, a preserved traditional Malay village in central Kuala Lumpur, forming a stark contrast with its urban counterparts. Connecting it to the city centre over the Klang River is the Saloma Bridge, named after a famous Malaysian-Singaporean singer, offering an impressive view of the metropolis.

Continue to Rumah Penghulu Abu Seman, one of the oldest surviving and finest remaining examples of traditional Malay houses, exhibiting vernacular architecture and local culture.

Then, admire the iconic Petronas Towers, the world’s tallest twin skyscrapers and a major landmark of Kuala Lumpur.

After lunch, the remainder of the afternoon and evening is at leisure to relax or to further explore the city at your own pace.

(BL)

Check out of the hotel and depart for Malacca, a historic city on the southwest coast declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its rich Portuguese, Dutch and British colonial history and culture. Founded in the 15th century, it was once the largest port in Asia and now harbours a mix of Malay, Indian, Chinese and European influences, reflected in the distinctive Peranakan, or Baba-Nyonya, culture.

Upon arrival, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, before checking into the hotel.

This evening, enjoy a cruise on the Malacca River for enchanting night views of the city, followed by dinner.

(BLD)

Following a talk by Claudia, join a private, guided walking tour of Malaccan heritage sites including St. Paul’s Hill and Church, A Famosa Fort, the Dutch Square, Christ Church, Queen Victoria Fountain and the Old Town Hall. These historical places exhibit over 500 years of trading and cultural exchanges between the East and West in the Straits of Malacca.

After lunch, learn more about local history at the Baba & Nyonya Heritage Museum and the Fort of Melaka Heritage Gallery.

Return to the hotel in the late afternoon for an evening at leisure.

(BL)

In the morning, visit the Portuguese Settlement area, serving as a home for the Kristang, or Portuguese-Eurasian people of Malacca. Note the streets with their distinctive Portuguese names and characterful buildings.

Then, take a guided stroll along Malacca’s emblematic Jonker Street and be immersed in the incredibly rich and colourful street art that exudes this city’s charm. Browse unique handicraft and antique stores owned by skilled local artisans.

After lunch at a local restaurant, enjoy the remainder of the afternoon and evening at leisure.

(BL)

Check out of the hotel and drive to Kuala Lumpur airport for a domestic flight to Penang, located on the northwest coast (Economy class flight included in tour cost).

Penang was founded in 1786 by British explorer Francis Light and became a crown colony along with Malacca and Singapore. Today, it is one of Malaysia’s most densely populated states, comprising the cultures of Eurasians, Malays, Chinese, Indians and Siamese.

Upon arrival in the mid-afternoon, check in to the hotel and enjoy some time at leisure before dinner.

(BD)

After a morning talk by Claudia, enjoy a private, guided tour of George Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Admire the city’s characteristic architectural and cultural townscape that is shaped by centuries of intermingling between various cultures and religions.

Later, visit the lavish Blue Mansion, once belonging to the ‘Rockefeller of the East’, Cheong Fatt Tze, who combined Eastern craftsmanship and Western artisanship to design his residence. Admire the home’s old-world charm and discover its cultural treasures before dinner at the on-site restaurant.

(BD)

Start the day with a visit to Kek Lok Si Temple, the largest Buddhist temple in Malaysia and an important pilgrimage centre for Chinese Buddhist teachings in Southeast Asia. Founded by the priest Venerable Beow Lean, it has undergone many renovations and structural additions, with the most recent being the installation of giant statue of Kuan Yin.

Continue to Penang Hill to board the funicular to the peak for panoramic views of the city.

After lunch, return to the hotel and enjoy the remainder of the afternoon and evening at leisure.

(BL)

This morning, enjoy a guided trishaw ride around Armenian Street, known for its street art by Ernest Zacharevic, most notably his ‘Little Children on a Bicycle’ mural. Once the centre of the 19th-century Armenian community, it is now a cultural confluence with well-preserved traditional Peranakan shophouses, Chinese clan houses and contemporary buildings.

Enter the Khoo Kongsi nearby, the largest Hokkien clan house in Malaysia, with its elaborate and highly ornamented architecture. This grand clan temple has retained its historic setting, which also includes a traditional theatre and rowhouses for clan members, clustered around a square. Then, walk to the Chew Jetty area, a cluster of wooden stilt houses built around a walkway in a waterside village by the Chew clan, dating back to the 19th century.

Return to the hotel for some free time, before celebrating the conclusion of the tour this evening with a special farewell dinner with Claudia and fellow travellers.

(BD)

Tour arrangements conclude with an included transfer from the hotel to Penang Airport for suggested flights to Australia or New Zealand. Renaissance Tours or your travel agent can assist you with your flights and other travel arrangements, including additional nights’ accommodation either before or after the tour and travel insurance (a condition of travel).

(B)