MOSTLY MALAYSIA
A cultural tour of Singapore & Malaysia

Because of its strategic position between the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea, Malaysia has long been the meeting place for the traders and travelers from west and east. Given this, the history of Malaysia is one of continuous interaction with foreign powers and influences. This 13-day tour of "Mostly Malaysia" provides one which the perfect opportunity to explore this diverse and extraordinary country.

Day 2 Tuesday: Singapore
Come on this trail and discover the history, culture and lifestyle of multi-racial Singapore.  Stroll along the colorful streets of Little India and be dazzled by the hive of activity that permeates every nook and cranny of the area.  Then visit the Esplanade, our latest multi-million dollar theatre attraction located in the Marina Bay.  Drive past the Financial District of Chinatown, a place where many of our immigrant forefathers set up home.  Patronize the varied and unique shops and visit the oldest Hindu Temple in Singapore, the magnificent Sri Mariamman Temple.  Last stop is the Singapore Botanic Gardens, the “green lung” of our city center, and experience the calm and serenity of this 52 hectares garden.  Located within the grounds of the park is the National Orchild Garden, where you can marvel at the wide variety and colors of Orchids on display.  Tour includes a visit to a jewellery factory you can engage in one of Singaporeans favorite pass time – shopping or simple admire the fine designs of Singapore jewelers. (B)

Day 3 Wednesday: Singapore / Tampin / Malacca
This morning we are transferred to the railway station for an 0800 hrs departure on an interesting train ride to Tampin without guide on board (train timings are subject to change). Enjoy the rural scenery as the train passes through villages and plantations. Arrive Tampin railway station at 1300 hours. The driver/guide will meet you here and proceed to Malacca. Tour the historic sites such as Cheng Hoon Teng Temple – the oldest functioning Chinese temple in Malaysia, Kampung Kling Mosque, Jonker Street (Antique Row), Baba & Nyonya Museum, Stadhuy’s Building, Malacca Clock Tower, Christchurch and the famous Porta de Santiago.
Overnight: Equatorial Hotel, Malacca (1 night) (B)

Day 4 Thursday: Malacca / Kuala Lumpur
Depart by 0830 hours to Kuala Lumpur, the capital city of Malaysia.   Afternoon tour includes the King’s Palace (photo stop), National Mosque & Railway Station, National Monument, Independence Square, Sultan Abdul, Samad building (photo stop), Selangor Club (photo stop), St Mary’s Church and the world tallest free-standing flagpole. Continue to visit the Seri Mahamariaman Temple and Chinatown for bargain hunting.   Visit the tallest Communication Tower in S. E. Asia for a panoramic view of the City.
Overnight: Corus Hotel, Kuala Lumpur (2 nights) (B)

Day 5 Friday: Kuala Lumpur
Morning tour of the Countryside visiting the Ambassadors road, a pewter factory, Malaysia is one of the biggest producer of tin, Batu Caves, (except during Thaipusam in January), the sacred cave temple for the Hindus and a batik factory.  Rest of the day at leisure for you to discover the amazing bargains in Kuala Lumpur. (B)

Day 6 Saturday: Kuala Lumpur / Cameron Highlands
Depart by 0830 hours for Cameron Highland, which is located at 1542 meters above sea level. Famed for its tea plantations and cool temperatures. On the way, we will stop at visit a basket weaving cottage industry, Lata Iskandar Waterfall and a native settlement.   Afternoon tour of Cameron Highlands includes the tea plantation, tea factory, market place and butterfly farm.
Overnight: Strawberry Park, Cameron Highlands (1 night) (B)

Day 7 Sunday: Cameron Highlands / Penang
Early morning set off to Penang. En route visit the Sam Poh Tong cave temple. Thereafter stop at the Royal town of Kuala Kangsar for a spell of photographing of the exterior view only of Ubudiah Mosque, Iskandariah Palace and Istana Kenangan. Proceed further to Kuala Sepetang mangrove forest, the best-managed mangrove forest in Malaysia and one that serves a very important ecological role in protecting the coastline from erosion. Delight in the novelty of walking through natural mangrove forest on a boardwalk. Kuala Sepetang produces the bulk of the nation’s top quality mangrove charcoal. Visit a charcoal kiln where charcoals are produced. Cross over to Penang, better known as the “Pearl of the Orient” via one of the longest bridge in the world.
Overnight: Bayview Beach Resort, Penang (2 nights) (B)

Day 8 Monday: Penang
At 0900 hours, we will proceed for a City, Culture, and Heritage tour. Visit first 3rd longest Reclining Buddha in the world, next is the Botanical Gardens which offers lush green surroundings with a wide variety of tropical plants and bird life. Visit the Kek Lok Si Temple built in 1904, the most beautiful and largest Buddha Temple Complex in South East Asia and is known as the Temple of 1000 Buddhas and Fort Cornwallis where Captain Francis Light first landed. Continue to the old part of Georgetown where the Khoo Kong Si Clan House is located. Enjoy a breezy trishaw ride. Return to the hotel and the rest of the day is at leisure.  In the late evening, you can explore the nightlife along Batu Ferringhi, Penang style! (B)

Day 9 Tuesday: Penang / Kota Bahru
Depart at 0830 hours, traveling west to east overland across Peninsular Malaysia through the main mountain range, which offers breathtaking views of the dense tropical rain forest whilst journeying through villages and plantations. En route, we will make a photo stop on Banding Island with its scenic view of the famous Temenggor lake, which is good spot for a lunch break (not inclusive in tour price) or enjoying the scenery of the calm picturesque lake surrounded by the grand and immense tropical rainforest in the background. Further, on, we will stop at the highest mountain point on this route, 1050meters above sea level overlooking Thailand and Malaysian border, offering a breathtaking view of the famous Titiwangsa mountain range with its dense tropical rainforest. On arrival in the state of Kelantan, we will proceed to the border town of Rantau Panjang, a meeting, mingling and trading point for people of Thailand and Malaysia. From the Malaysian side of the border one can see Thai villages across the Golok River, which is the lifeline for the people on both sides, especially as a source of water supply for their daily and agricultural use. Duty free shops offer varieties of products to visitors.
Overnight: Renaissance Kota Bahru Hotel, Kota Bahru (1 night) (B)

Day 10 Wednesday: Kota Bahru / Terengganu
At 0830 hours, we start the day with a visit to the famous and colorful wet market of Kota Bharu and the traditional cottage industries such as silver handicraft and songket weaving. Drive along the scenic coastline southward towards Kuala Terengganu, tasting some keropok, the very popular local chips made of fish or prawn. Check in at the beach hotel. Free and easy day at own leisure.
Overnight: Sutra Beach Resort, Terengganu (1 night) (B)

Day 11 Thursday: Terengganu / Kuantan
Check out of hotel after early breakfast at 0800 hours, heading towards Kuantan. Stop in Kuala Terengganu to visit Pulau Duyong, famous for its traditional way of boat making in the region. A must is the visit to the Islamic Civilization Park at the Waterfront Heritage City of Kuala Terengganu showcasing twenty replicas of great Islamic monuments of the world such as Alhambra Citadel of Spain, Taj Mahal of Agra India, Masjidil Haram of Mecca Saudi Arabia, Dome of the Rock Palestine and many more. Last but not least is the visit to the Grand Crystal Mosque, the icon and the highlight of the park. We continue our visit to a brassware-making centre. As we head further south towards Cherating in the district of Kuantan, we will stop at a scenic coastal fishing village and visit a turtle information Centre where you can learn more of this endangered species of the sea. On route, taste the “lemang”, rice cooked with coconut milk in bamboo, a popular Malay delicacy not to be missed. This is followed by afternoon tea hosted by the local community, after which the tour takes you to Cherating, where the main’s attractions include a trained monkey plucking coconuts and visiting the cottage industry of mengkuang leaves being weaved into bags and mats amongst other things.  Please note that during the fasting month of Ramadan, visit to Islamic Civilization Park will be replaced by a visit to Losong Museum instead.
Overnight: Swiss Garden Resort, Kuantan (1 night) (B)

Day 12 Friday: Kuantan / Singapore
Overland to Singapore departs by 0800hrs. Stop on route at the Royal Town of Pekan where the Sultan resides. Visit the traditional boat museum. Approximate arrival time in Singapore is at 1800 hrs. At the border town of Johor Bahru, you will be accompanied by English speaking driver for the transfer by an authorized vehicle back into Singapore.
Overnight: Copthorn King’s, Singapore (1 night) (B)

Day 13 Saturday: Depart Singapore
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight.  Check out time is by 1100 hrs. (B)

Departure Dates
2012 English Speaking Departures Every Monday
Inclusions
Tour Price Includes Tour Price Does Not Include Hotel Accommodation as mentioned or similar International Airfare & Airport taxes Meal Plan as mentioned (B = Breakfast) Drinks with meals Services of local English speaking guides Visa / Insurance / Tips All sightseeing and transfers on seat-in-coach basis   Entrance fees to the sites included in the itinerary
Tour Price
We accept payment in US $ (US Dollars), CA $ (Canadian Dollars) or equivalent EURO (for clients outside North America). Bestway Tours & Safaris offers conversion rate protection. Once full payment has been received, and no modification has been made to the tour itinerary, we will honour that rate. For complete payment procedures, please download Bestway_Payment_Info.pdf Note: to read this file you must have Adobe Acrobat.
Departure Double Occupancy Single Room Supplement 2012 US $ 2760 US $ 960
Estimated International Airfare - International airfare is NOT included in this tour
Canada - West Coast US $ 1300 USA - West Coast US $ 1200 Canada - East Coast US $ 1300 USA - East Coast US $ 1200
Participants
This tour operates on a minimum of 02 and a maximum of 15 participants.
Notes
Customised Itinerary If you would like to have a tour on dates other than the above ones or with a customised itinerary, please contact us and we will be happy to work out an exclusive program for you. Foreign Language Departures Please contact us for information on French, German, Italian and Spanish speaking departures. You may e-mail us at bestway@bestway.com or call us at 604.264.7378. Residents of U.S.A./Canada may call us toll free at 1.800.663.0844.