Classic Malaysia: KL, Penang, Malacca, Cameron
Duration : 10 days
Route : Kuala Lumpur (3 nights) → Cameron Highlands train (2 nights) → Penang train (3 nights) → Malacca train (1 night) → return KL (1 night)
Custom travel to Malaysia
Malaysia is one of Southeast Asia's most diverse destinations — a cosmopolitan country (60% Malay Muslims, 23% Chinese, 7% Indians) where mosques, Buddhist, Hindu, and Christian temples coexist peacefully. 33 million inhabitants, two territories separated by the South China Sea: Peninsular Malaysia (south of Thailand) and Malaysian Borneo (Sabah and Sarawak, shares the island with Brunei and Indonesia). Kuala Lumpur (8 million inhabitants, capital) — Petronas Twin Towers (88 floors, 452 m, world's tallest twin towers 1998-2004), KL Tower (421 m), Batu Caves (Hindu sanctuary with giant golden Murugan statue, 272 colorful steps), Chinatown, Petaling Street. Penang (UNESCO 2008, Georgetown) — British colonial heritage, world-ranked street food (Anthony Bourdain), street art. Malacca (UNESCO 2008) — Portuguese (1511), Dutch (1641), British (1824) heritage. Cameron Highlands (Boh tea plantations at 1,500 m, coolness). Borneo: Sabah (4,095-m Mount Kinabalu, Sandakan, Sepilok orangutans, Sipadan diving world top 5), Sarawak (Kuching, UNESCO Mulu Caves). Exceptional fusion cuisine (nasi lemak, char kway teow, laksa). 12-15 days ideal to combine peninsula and Borneo.
Highlights
- Kuala Lumpur: Petronas Towers and Batu Caves
- Penang: UNESCO Georgetown and street food
- Malacca: UNESCO and colonial heritage
- Borneo (Sabah): orangutans and Mount Kinabalu
- Sipadan: world top 5 diving
- Cameron Highlands: tea plantations
Sample itineraries
Complete Malaysia: peninsula and Borneo
Duration : 14 days
Route : KL (2) → Penang (3) → Malacca (1) → Borneo Sabah flight (5, Sepilok + Kinabatangan + Kinabalu) → Sandakan-Sipadan flight (2 diving) → return KL flight (1)
Exclusive KL and Borneo
Duration : 10 days
Route : Kuala Lumpur Mandarin Oriental (3 nights) → Borneo Sabah flight → Borneo Rainforest Lodge (3 nights Danum Valley) → Sipadan-Mabul Resort (3 nights) → return flight
When to go
March-October is the best period for the peninsula (dry season). May-September for Borneo (calm sea at Sipadan, visible wildlife). Avoid November-February (monsoon on east peninsular coast, some islands closed).
- Dry season (March – October) — All peninsular sites, festivals
- Borneo dry season (May – September) — Sipadan diving, Kinabatangan wildlife, Kinabalu ascent
- East coast monsoon (November – February) — West coast and KL still accessible, Tioman and Perhentian closed
- Inter-season (April, October) — Ideal to combine peninsula and Borneo
Practical information
Generally safe. Vigilance for pickpockets in KL tourist zones. No visa for French citizens < 90 days. Cards accepted in hotels, restaurants, malls. Cash useful for street food and markets. Avoid tap water (bottled water). Covering attire in mosques (shoulders, knees; headscarf for women). Malaysia is a moderate Muslim country: tolerance for alcohol consumption in licensed restaurants and hotels (except Kelantan, Terengganu stricter).
Frequently asked questions
When?
March-October peninsula. May-September Borneo (calm sea at Sipadan). Avoid November-February (east coast monsoon).
How long?
10 days for peninsula. 14 days to add Borneo (Sabah).
Budget?
€2,600-€3,600 per person for 12 days in comfort, excluding flights. Premium: €4,200-€6,000. Flights: €700-€1,100.
Visa?
No for French citizens < 90 days.
Family?
Yes, from age 8. KL and peninsula very suitable. Borneo: from age 12 (jungle, diving).
How to get around?
Malaysia Airlines/AirAsia domestic flights (KL-Borneo 2 h 30). ETS train for peninsula. Private car with driver.
Sipadan: how to book?
120 permits/day, distributed 1-3 months in advance by resorts (Mabul, Kapalai, Mataking). Minimum Open Water level, 20 dives recommended.
See orangutans: where?
Sepilok (Sandakan, Sabah) — sanctuary with feedings. Danum Valley (Sabah) — wild observation. Semenggoh (Kuching, Sarawak) — alternative.
Combine?
Yes: Malaysia + Singapore (40-min flight, 7-h train), Malaysia + Indonesia (Bali), Malaysia + Thailand.
Tips?
Service charge 10% often included. Appreciated in hotels, with guides.