Days 1-2 | BangkokYour Thai-Malaysia Tour begins in Bangkok, the capital city of Thailand and a fantastic city to xplore.
You can arrive at any time on day 1 as there are no activities planned until the important welcome meeting at 6 pm. Your leader will leave a note at reception telling you where the meeting will take place. Please ask at reception for this information.
We will be collecting your local payment, insurance details and next of kin information so please ensure you have all these details on hand to provide to your leader. After the group meeting there is the option of a group dinner.
The first night accommodation is in a 2 star hotel in a central location with twin share and private facilities.
Check-in time at our joining point hotel is after 2.00 pm. Early check-in is not guaranteed, however if you arrive early, luggage storage can be arranged. Speak to the hotel reception on arrival. Please note that luggage storage in our hotels is at your own risk and generally these areas are not locked or completely secure so we recommend you bring your own luggage lock.
We depart Bangkok on day 2 so if you wanted to spend more time visiting the many sights of Bangkok, we recommend you arrive a day or two early.
On day 2 perhaps take a longtail boat to explore Bangkok's web of canals. Life along these canals is very laid-back, and is a great contrast to the hustle and bustle of city living. We also recommend visiting Wat Pho, home to the country's largest reclining Buddha. Enjoy a traditional Thai massage at a school that teaches massage within the temple. Alternatively, you can enjoy a massage somewhere nearer to your hotel – this is a Thai specialty and is highly recommended.
Late in the afternoon of day 2, we leave bustling Bangkok behind, taking an overnight train south to Surat Thani (approx. 12 hours). The train is fan cooled and we sleep in bunk bedded carriages with shared facilities.
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Days 3-4 | Khao Sok National ParkWe arrive into Surat Thani in the morning and stop for breakfast at a local restaurant before catching a songthaew to Khao Sok (approx 1.5 hours).
Set amid hectares of thick jungle, waterfalls, limestone cliffs and topped off with an island-studded lake, Khao Sok is a nature lover's paradise. Featuring some of the best remaining rainforest in Thailand, Khao Sok is reputably older than the Amazon Basin. In your free time there are options to take an elephant ride or to head out on foot to explore the many forest walking trails, rivers and waterfalls. Be sure to bring good walking shoes with grip and be prepared to work up a sweat.
Our guesthouse sits by a clear stream at the edge of the tropical jungle and consists of basic but comfortable bungalows with local-style bathrooms. Sleeping in these small rustic bungalows surrounded by the sounds of the jungle is an evocative experience. Our accommodation is just outside the Khao Sok National Park.
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Days 5-7 | KrabiToday we travel by public bus and songthaew to Krabi Province on the beautiful west coast (approx. 2-3 hours). Fringed by sun-drenched beaches and limestone scenery, this was the region that put Thailand on the map as one of the world's most beautiful destinations.
Weather permitting you can take a boat out to nearby islands to snorkel amongst spectacular reefs teeming with tropical fish. Your leader will fill you in on all the other interesting options available in the area, such as sea kayaking and rock-climbing - so get out there and make the most of your time. This is the perfect place to get active or simply relax!
Our guesthouse is close to the beach and provides a perfect spot to mellow out and relax.
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Days 8-9 | PenangToday is quite a long travel day (approx. 10 hours), as we say goodbye to southern Thailand and hello to the cultural melting pot of Malaysia.
We arrive in Penang on the evening of day 8. The original Chinese atmosphere of the island still exists today, making it a fascinating place to explore.
On the morning of day 9 your leader can take you on a stroll down the Street of Harmony, get amongst the morning traders at the bustling Chinese market. Take this opportunity to have your fortune told by a traditional Chinese fortune teller, or visit a Chinese herbalist to see how they make up traditional medicines. Alternatively, try some freshly prepared local snacks - there's so much to see and do here!
At night, don't miss the local food stalls that set up along many of Penang's streets. This island is famous for its food, thanks to the many cultures that have lived side-by-side here for centuries. Be sure to try a refreshing ice kacang (a dessert made with crushed ice, syrup and a mixture of jellies, nuts and sweet beans), or a hearty nasi kandar (a dish of steamed rice accompanied by curries, fried chicken, seafood or vegetables).
Check out Kek Lok Sii Temple (the largest Buddhist temple in Malaysia), Khoo Kongsi (amazingly ornate and one of the oldest clan houses in Malaysia), Cheong Fat Tze Museum (fascinating if you have an interest in Feng Shui). If you want more of the Beach or want a unique Penang experience, grab a Taxi over to Batu Ferringhi or take the unspoilt trails of Malaysia's smallest National Park at Teluk Bahang.
Our accommodation for these 2 nights is located in the heart of historical Georgetown. Twin share with private facilities, our hotel is basic and a great base for exploring the temples, mosques and museums of Penang.
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Days 10-11| Kuala LumpurThe bus trip to Malaysia's capital, Kuala Lumpur takes approximately 5 hours. On arrival, we have time to view the impressive architecture and experience the fascinating cultural mix that gives this city such a uniquely cosmopolitan feel.
On the afternoon of day 10 your leader will take you on an orientation walk of the local area surrounding our hotel - pointing out how and where to catch public transport and where to head to for the best KL has to offer - food, temples, major sites, museums and of course, shopping!
Day 11 is a free day. Grab a map and explore the many walkable areas in KL. Bukit Bintang, the Golden Triangle with the latest shopping and just a short stroll to Menara Tower (entry fee applies). You might like to head out of town to visit the famous Batu Caves or the head over to the Lakes Gardens to visit the Islamic Arts Museum and the National Mosque before the fascinating Orang Asli Museum. Get up early to get your free tickets to the second-tallest buildings in the world? Ask your Leader how the system works!
The evening is best spent at the night market sampling the different cuisines on offer and bargain hunting among the stalls of the famous Petaling Street Chinatown Night Markets.
In Kuala Lumpur we stay amongst the night markets and hawker stalls of the famous Petaling Street in Chinatown. Our hotel is twin share with private facilities.
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Days 12-13 | Port DicksonThis morning we head off to Port Dickson, Peninsula Malaysia's beach playground. A short (approx. 2 hour) local bus ride to the beach we then transfer via taxi to our action packed accommodation. Here you have all the free time you need to indulge in optional activities such as tennis, canoeing or simply reclining in the Jacuzzi. Take a stroll around the beaches on the Melaka Straits and meet locals, or relax by the pool and spa. Sweat it out on the trails around the environmentally important Tanjung Tuan Lighthouse followed by a dip in the Blue Lagoon.
Our unique accommodation is equipped with twin beds, colour TV and is situated next to Tanjung Tuan wild life sanctuary with a vast array of optional activities to suit every budget.
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Day 14 MelakaEnjoy breakfast by the pool before we head back to the city of Seremban to transfer to the bus to Melaka (approx. 1 hour), a journey that takes us to the old port town of Melaka where we can wander the narrow streets and absorb the atmosphere of this historically important town.
With the beginning of trade with China in the early 15th century, Melaka rapidly became the most important trading port in South-East Asia. Chinese traders were followed by those from India. With them came Islam and soon the Melaka sultans ruled the largest empire in Malaysia's history. Successively the Portuguese, Dutch and British arrived in search of trading wealth. All these traders left their mark on the town, and although the effects of recent economic growth are apparent, the town still retains its old-world charm. The streets of Chinatown are lined with Peranakan (Straits Chinese) shophouses offering their traditional cuisine, Nyonya, and there are temples, churches, mosques, museums and forts to explore. It may also be possible to view Melaka from the water by boarding a river boat cruise. This is dependent on river tide levels.
Tonight we stay in traditional Melaka-Chinese style guesthouse. This charming house has shared facilities with cold water showers and basic twin share sleeping.
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Day 15 | SingaporeToday we travel by local bus (approx. 5 hours) to Queen Street Bus station where our tour concludes. Singapore has only a few areas untouched by modernisation but wandering the streets of Little India and Chinatown is a great way to see the old parts of the city.
Please advise Intrepid if you would like to book accommodation in Singapore as none is provided.
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Itinerary DisclaimerPlease note: occasionally our itineraries are updated during the year to incorporate improvements stemming from past travellers' comments and our own research and may change with no prior notice.
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