Code:	MLS 12
Routes:	Kuala Lumpur - Cameron Highlands - Penang
Duration:	10 Days

Itinerary in brief

Day 1   : Singapore - Johore Bahru - Malacca
Day 2   : Malacca - Kuala Lumpur
Day 3   : Kuala Lumpur - Cameron Highlands
Day 4   : Cameron Highlands - Ipoh - Penang
Day 5   : Penang
Day 6   : Penang - Banding
Day 7   : Banding - Kota Bharu
Day 8   : Kota Bharu - Kuantan
Day 9   : Kuantan
Day 10 : Kuantan - Johore Bahru - Singapore

SELF DRIVE MALAYSIA EXPLORER (EX./TO SINGAPORE)
Some say to see is to believe. And others say beauty lies in the eyes' of the beholder. Now you can see the beauty of Malaysia and behold all that she can offer by discovering Malaysia at your own leisurely pace. Take in all the scenery, discover the rich and varied cultures, sample the delightful local cuisines and soak in the sun at the many long, white sandy beaches. Our Malaysian Discovery by Self-Drive packages will make a believer out of you yet.

Detail Itinerary

Day 1 : Singapore - Johore Bahru - Malacca (240 kms)
09.30hrs You will be picked-up from your hotel in Singapore and transfer-driven to Johore Bahru. Pick-up your car from the pick-up point and start your journey north to the Historical City of Malacca.
12.30 hrs Arrive at Malacca. This charming city was founded some 590 years ago by a crown prince called Parameswara. From a humble beginning, Malacca rose to become a prosperous and powerful trading empire sought after by the powers of Europe. They came and they conquered and the Portuguese, the Dutch and the English respectively left behind their mark that stands till this day. Go around town and see some of the oldest relics in the country like the Dutch Square with the pink colored Stadthuys, Christ Church, Clock Tower and the Queen Victoria Fountain.
You will also see the Cheng Hoon Teng, which is the oldest functioning Chinese temple in Malaysia founded in 1645. The Porta De Santiago, the Gate to the Portuguese fortress "La Formosa", built in 1511, the St. Paul's Church where St. Francis Xavier was once buried and many more interesting sites would also be worth a look. Accomodation at the Equatorial Hotel in Malacca.

Day 2 : Malacca - Kuala Lumpur (144 kms)(Breakfast)
08.00hrs Breakfast at the hotel. Depart after checking-out for the capital city, Kuala Lumpur. 
14.00 hrs Arrive around noon and check into your hotel. Drive around town to take in the sights, sounds and smells. Visit the Jamek Mosque, oldest mosque in KL, the War Memorial and Chinatown. You must also not miss the Moorish-styled Federal Court, the Railway station, a striking piece of Mohammedan architecture, the Tudor-styled Cricket Club and the King's Palace. Certainly the most spectacular new sight in Malaysia are the Petronas Twin Towers, one of the tallest buildings in the world, which just recently opened its doors to the public. In the evening, try the local delights at the many food stalls all over town and try your hand at bargaining at the night market in Chinatown. Accomodation at the Impiana Hotel KLCC in Kuala Lumpur.

Day 3 : Kuala Lumpur - Cameron Highlands (214 kms)(B)
08.00 hrs Breakfast at the hotel.
09.00 hrs Depart from Kuala Lumpur for Cameron Highlands via the North-South Highway. Cameron Highlands, which is 1542 meters above sea level, is famous for its world-renowned tea and its sprawling tea plantation. Take the Tapah exit and leave the Highway. We suggest lunch at Tapah Resthouse (simple but clean local restaurant). Continue your journey to Cameron Highlands for another 65 kms. It's a long, gradual and often scenic climb from Tapah to the Highlands with plenty of corners on the way, one visitor reported 653 bends! Suggested visit en route: the Lata Iskandar Waterfall which is about 25 km from Tapah on the way to the Highlands. Cameron Highlands consists of three towns namely Ringlet, Tanah Rata and Brinchang in that order when you are on your way up. Suggested visits are the vegetable and strawberry farm, Butterfly Garden, local market and Tea Plantations. The easiest estate to visit is BOH's Sungai Palas Estate, north of Brinchang off the road to Gunung Brinchang. Free tours are conducted regularly, except on Mondays when the estate is closed. Accomodation is at the Strawberry Park Resort, at Tanah Rata which is the second of the three towns.

Day 4 : Cameron Highlands - Ipoh - Penang (295 km)(B)
08.00 hrs Breakfast at hotel. 
09.00 hrs Drive back to Tapah and take the North-South Highway northwards to Penang. Take the Gopeng exit, which is about 30 km south of Ipoh and leave the Highway. Suggested visit is the Kellie's Castle, an amazing leftover from the colonial times. William Kellie Smith, a wealthy British plantation owner, planned to build this splendid mansion for his unborn son. Smith died in 1926 and the mansion was never finished. Next to the mansion is a Hindu temple, built in memory of the 70 artisans who were brought in from Madras to work on the mansion when a mysterious illness decimated the workforce. Drive back to the highway and continue northwards. Take the Simpang Pulai exit (approx. 10 km before Ipoh). Suggested visit is the Sam Poh Tong Temple which is by the main road. Turn right to continue your journey and drive straight on the main road to Ipoh. We suggest lunch at Heritage Hotel. Return to the highway and continue to Kuala Kangsar, the royal town of Perak, which is 50 km North-West of Ipoh and just beside the highway. Suggested visits are the Ubadiah Mosque, one of the finest mosques in Malaysia. See the Istana Iskandariah (King's Palace) and the Istana Kenangan, which was built in 1926 entirely without the use of nails. Drive north and take the Changkat Jering exit to visit Taiping which is several kilometers off the highway and 88 km south of Butterworth. Suggested visit is the beautiful Lake Garden. Continue your drive on the highway to Penang.
12.00 hrs Cross over to Penang using the third longest bridge in the world, the Penang Bridge. Tanjung Bungah is the first real beach after Georgetown and quite a bit before Batu Ferringhi. Check-in at your hotel before going on a night out at the Esplanade at Gurney Drive for a taste of the nightlife - Penang style. Accommodation at Copthorne Orchid Hotel, Tanjung Bungah.

Day 5 : Penang (B)
08.00 hrs Breakfast at hotel. 
09.00 hrs Explore Georgetown or the entire island. It is about 70 km all the way round, but only the north coast road runs right on the coast, so you are not beside the beach all the way. Georgetown is a compact city and most places can easily be reached on foot or by trishaw. Suggested visits in Georgetown are Fort Cornwallis, built by the British East India Company in 1808, the Khoo Kongsi Clan House, a magnificent building with intricate carvings worked by master craftsman from China, the Goddess of Mercy Temple, Kapitan Keling Masjid, the Wat Chayamangkalaram with its 33 meters long reclining Buddha statue, the Dharmmikarama Burmese Temple and the Penang's Millionaires Row with many beautiful colonial mansions. Accommodation at Copthorne Orchid Hotel, Tanjung Bungah.

Day 6 : Penang - Banding (180 kms)(B)
08.00 hrs Breakfast at hotel. 
09.00 hrs Drive up in a north-easterly direction to Gerik using the East-West Highway. The Highway cuts through the main mountain range and offers breathtaking views of the tropical rain forest and if you are lucky you may catch a glimpse of elephants crossing the road! Temengor Lake, located some 35 km north - east of the town of Gerik, is your stopover point here. This huge lake was formed by the damming of the upper reaches of the Sungai Perak, and now is one of the largest bodies of water in the country. It is at the center of the most undeveloped region of the peninsula, surrounded by dense jungle, and home to the negrito Orang Asli tribes of the Kintak and Jahai. Pulau Banding, a small island in the middle of the lake houses your accommodation for the night. Offering comfortable rooms with decent meals and wonderful views of the lake, the Banding Island Resort is a perfect place to take in a little rest and relax. Take a boat tour, or a fishing trip, or maybe take a trip to an Orang Asli village on the edge of the lake which can be organized by the resort. Accommodation at Banding Island Resort.

Day 7 : Banding - Kota Bharu (230 kms)(B)
08.00 hrs Breakfast at hotel. 
09.00 hrs Continue your drive to Kota Bharu, the bastion of traditional Malay culture. Much to see and do in this bustling town where you can experience age-old customs and traditions maintained in gracious beauty and charm. Visit the Cultural Centre, where you can witness Kelantan's rich cultural heritage. Performances are carried out regularly here that is sure to enthral you for hours. Also visit the many museums housing countless artifacts, handicrafts and exhibits, located conveniently in the cultural zone. Try going to the "Pasar Malam" or night market where a varied spread of Malay food is laid out for you to savour and taste. Special Events to take note : May : Spectacular kite festival. , August : Bird-singing contest where you can see birds singing popular Malay tunes., September : Top-spinning contest. Accommodation at the Renaissance Hotel, Kota Bharu.

Day 8 : Kota Bharu - Kuantan (371 kms)(B)
08.00 hrs Breakfast at hotel. 
09.00 hrs In the morning, explore Kota Bharu. Suggested visits are the Central Market which is one of the most colorful and active in Malaysia. You can see fresh produce on the ground floor and stalls on the first floor above selling spices, basketware and other goods. Kota Bharu is also the center for Malay crafts. You may visit a Batik, Songket, Silverware, woodcarving and kite-making workshop. There are several workshops on the way to Pantai Cahaya Bulan (PCB), which is 10 km north of the town.
12.00 hrs After checking-out, depart southwards to Kuantan via Kuala Terengganu and enjoy the scenic drive through the Malaysian countryside. There are many places of interest where you can make a quick stop and take a short break. The suggested visits/stops are Marang (ca. 30 minutes south of Terengganu), a picturesque fishing village, Rantau Abang (80 km south of Terenggganu), which is the principal beach for spotting the great leatherback turtles during the laying season (May to August). Continue your drive along the East Coast. You will pass Kerteh where Esso and Petronas have their oil refineries. 
16.00 hrs Arrive in the afternoon at Cherating, which is about 20 km north of Kuantan. Spend the rest of the day at leisure at the beach to soak in some sun and fun.  Accommodation at Swiss Garden Resort, Cherating.

Day 9 : Kuantan (B)
08.00 hrs Breakfast at hotel. 
09.00 hrs Take a tour of Kuantan town where you can visit the Kompleks Teruntum, the tallest building at the East Coast, a Hindu temple and the colorful Central Market in Kuantan. Or take a drive down to Lake Chini, a mystical lake riddled with facts and fiction, a sunken Khmer City and a mythical "naga" (Dragon). Lake Chini remains an attraction for the nature lover with a spirit for adventure. Located south-west of Kuantan in the wilds and surrounded by mountains, Lake Chini is accessible by Sampan (local boat) ride under the canopy of some very old and interesting tropical trees lining the narrow winding river. Highlight is a visit to an Orang Asli settlement to witness their way of life and the natives will enlighten you to their way of hunting with the use of a blow pipe. You might even catch, when in season, the startling beauty of a pink lotus in full bloom. Another place of interest is a Thai-Buddhist Cave Temple found in the Bukit Charah limestone outcrop situated north-west of Kuantan. A short climb up a narrow footway leads to the entrance and it is in the main cathedral cave where the 9 meters Reclining Buddha lies. All noon, when sunlight penetrates through a natural opening in the roof, the Buddha figure is lighted up. Not so far away in a Nature Reserve, where there is an Arboretum for Rattan, is a beautiful cascading waterfall. Don't miss a cool and refreshing dip in the natural pool. Accommodation at Swiss Garden Resort, Cherating.

Day 10 : Kuantan - Johore Bahru - Singapore (325 kms)(B)
08.00 hrs Breakfast at hotel.
09.00 hrs After check-out, drive back to Johore Bahru using the coastal road down to the sea-side town of Mersing. Have lunch or just stop for a drink here before continuing your journey. On the way, you'll pass by the popular vacation spot for locals at the Kota Tinggi waterfalls. Estimated arrival time in Johore Bahru is probably early evening. Drop-off your car and be transfer-driven back to your hotel or the airport in Singapore. End of tour.