Malaysia holidays

Experience many facets of Malay culture on this fascinating tour, visiting traditional houses, the Malaysian Batik Cottage and a rubber plantation. Next is a trip to the famous Batu Caves, where a limestone hill is riddled with caves and cave temples. Climb 272 steps to the shrine of Hindu deity Lord Subramaniam within an outcrop of caves. You’ll also visit the Royal Selangor Pewter factory, a working foundary. Learn about this family-run company and see how pewter goods are made.

At 4,095 metres, Mount Kinabalu's jagged granite peaks tower above one of the most biologically diverse areas in the world. Nominated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, Kinabalu Park is a natural wonder and day visitors can glimpse its fascinating and often unique plant and animal life as montane oak and chestnut forest gives way to lowland dipterocarp forest. Enjoy a short trek through the rainforest and witness life in the treetops as you walk along the 100ft high Canopy Walkway (if closed, you’ll visit the Tropical Garden instead). After lunch trek along a mountain trail and visit the mountain garden.

Visit Kuala Lumpur's distinguished National Mosque and war memorial Tugu Negara, where Malay people honour those who perished in the war. Chinatown in Petaling Street is a vibrant cultural hub where you can hunt for bargains and try local food. You’ll pass the Moorish-style Fedeal Court, the old railway station with its striking Mohammedan architecture, the Tudor-style cricket club and the King's Palace. Continue to Thena Hou Temple in Robson Heights, home to patron Goddess Thena Hou of the Hainananese community. This striking six-tiered structure is one of south-east Asia’s biggest Chinese temples.

Savour a sumptuous dinner at a local Malay restaurant while watching a spectacular array of traditional Malaysian cultural dancing. Your magical evening continues with a walk through colourful Chinatown before you visit the night market, ablaze with lights and lined with rows of stalls selling speciality goods at bargain prices. You can choose to be dropped off to continue your evening at Bitang Walk, Kuala Lumpur's trendy nightspot.

Savour a sumptuous dinner at a local Malay restaurant while watching a spectacular array of traditional Malaysian cultural dancing. Your magical evening continues with a walk through colourful Chinatown to see the ornate Sri Mahamariamman Temple, where you may catch sight of a Hindu wedding. Visit the night market, ablaze with lights and lined with rows of stalls selling speciality goods at bargain prices. You can choose to be dropped off to continue your evening at Bitang Walk, Kuala Lumpur's trendy nightspot.

Mingle with locals at the fishermens' jetty on this wonderful private tour. Visit the pastel blue-coloured mosque, the Kompleks Teruntum (the tallest building on the east coast) a Hindu temple and the colorful Central Market, where you'll watch as skilful batik-makers deftly intersperse dye and wax to transform a sheet of white cloth into a work of art.

Mingle with locals at the fishermens' jetty on this wonderful private tour. Visit the pastel blue-coloured mosque, the Kompleks Teruntum (the tallest building on the east coast) a Hindu temple and the colorful Central Market, where you'll watch as skilful batik-makers deftly intersperse dye and wax to transform a sheet of white cloth into a work of art. Next, watch as sea-faring giant turtles lumber up to the beaches, where they return every year to lay their eggs. These nestling grounds are monitored by the Malaysian Fisheries Department and the best time to witness the spectacle is from May to September, especially during high tides.

Embark on a breathtaking cruise into Langkawi’s impressive wetland and lush mangrove forest, observing the island's diverse flora and fauna from the unique perspective of the river. Discover how mangrove wood is processed into charcoal and see the spectacular time-sculptured limestone cliffs at Bad Cave, all the while spotting wildlife including birds, fish and sea otters. You'll also visit some of the Langkawi archipelago’s other islands – there are 104 in total (99 during low tide) – seeing the legendary Pulau Dayang Bunting or Lake of Pregnant Maiden. Boating between tiny undeveloped islands, see eagles dipping for fish, watch crab-eating monkeys and marvel at Pulau Singa Besar’s verdant rainforest. At Pulau Beras Basah take a dip in crystal clear water or relax by the uninhabited beach.

Visit the Bon Ton Kampung Houses and illusive Mahsuri’s Tomb – this vengeful woman cursed Langkawi for seven generations after she was wrongfully convicted of adultery and sentenced to death. At Black Sand Beach discover whether the remains from the great battle between Garuda and Jentayu still exist, as some believe. This peaceful beach is stained with black sand that’s thought to be caused by iron oxide, although legend suggests it’s due to the soil of rice fields burnt in the Siamese war. Just down the road, see the intricate Malaysian batik on display at a craft centre. Try your hand at batik making, a dyeing process that uses wax to produce various designs and motifs. Lastly, marvel at the towering statue of a reddish brown eagle, its wings outstretched in flight, at Eagle Square in the centre of town.

This thrilling boat trip takes you to some of the Langkawi archipelago’s other islands – there are 104 in total (99 during low tide) – seeing the legendary Pulau Dayang Bunting or Lake of Pregnant Maiden. Boating between tiny undeveloped islands, see eagles dipping for fish, watch crab-eating monkeys and marvel at Pulau Singa Besar’s verdant rainforest. At Pulau Beras Basah take a dip in crystal clear water or relax by the uninhabited beach.

Spend a few hours immersed in the craft of Malaysian cuisine, a delectable fusion of flavours including Malay, Chinese and Indian. Learn how to prepare sumptuous Malaysian dishes that have been traditionally home-cooked for generations before enjoying your flavoursome creations for lunch.

Embark on a breathtaking cruise into Langkawi’s impressive wetland and lush mangrove forest, observing the island's diverse flora and fauna from the unique perspective of the river. Discover how mangrove wood is processed into charcoal and see the spectacular time-sculptured limestone cliffs at Bad Cave, all the while spotting wildlife including birds, fish and sea otters.

Explore Penang, the 'Treasure of the Orient', from sandy shores to quaint countryside. Visit the batik factory and watch this traditional technique, which is achieved using wax and dyes, and in Batik Pulau discover rubber tapping, spices and local fruits. Stop at a tranquil Malay village and visit the legendary Snake Temple, where pit vipers adorn the altars. At the free trade zone, enter OE Design and observe the art of jewellery making (on weekends and public holidays you’ll visit Penang Butterfly Farm). Finally, marvel at Penang Bridge, the world’s third-longest, which links this magical island to the mainland.

Explore Penang, the 'Treasure of the Orient', from sandy shores to quaint countryside. Visit the batik factory and watch this traditional technique, which is achieved using wax and dyes, and in Batik Pulau discover rubber tapping, spices and local fruits. Stop at a tranquil Malay village and visit the legendary Snake Temple, where pit vipers adorn the altars. At the free trade zone, enter OE Design and observe the art of jewellery making (on weekends and public holidays you’ll visit Penang Butterfly Farm). Finally, marvel at Penang Bridge, the world’s third-longest, which links this magical island to the mainland.

Come face to face with the famed Wildman of Borneo, meeting this remarkable creature in its natural habitat as it learns to thrive once more in Borneo's teeming jungles. Fly from Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan and visit the nearby Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, a forest reserve where orphaned or captive orangutans are taught survival skills so they can return to roam free in the forest. Bananas and milk are laid on feeding platforms twice a day and visitors can photograph the orangutans swinging into view on ropes and vines. Later, take in panoramic views of Sandakan from magnificent Buddhist temple Puh Jih Shih before catching your return flight. Available from Shangri La's Rasa Ria hotel.

Come face to face with the famed Wildman of Borneo, meeting this remarkable creature in its natural habitat as it learns to thrive once more in Borneo's teeming jungles. Fly from Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan and visit the nearby Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, a forest reserve where orphaned or captive orangutans are taught survival skills so they can return to roam free in the forest. Bananas and milk are laid on feeding platforms twice a day and visitors can photograph the orangutans swinging into view on ropes and vines. Later, take in panoramic views of Sandakan from magnificent Buddhist temple Puh Jih Shih before catching your return flight.