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Introducing Malaysia

Diverse food, varied landscape along the South China Sea, and a refreshing lack of other tourists compared to other Southeast Asian countries make Malasia a very attractive destination.

When is the best time to visit?
Malaysia is hot and humid year-round. The dry season on the west coast lasts from November through February, although the east coast is wet and stormy that time of year.

Where to go in Malaysia?
From the urban hustle and bustle of Kuala Lumpur to the traditional way of life found still in the Sarawak longhouse villages, there are plenty of cultural opportunities to delight any traveler. Pair those with the tea plantations and islands of the peninsula and the wild jungle, granite peaks, and opportunities for recreation of Malaysian Borneo. The food is flavorful and enchanting and absolutely essential to the Malaysian experience.

How many days do I need?
Spend at least 5 days absorbing this country’s culture and landscape, and more ideally around 2 weeks.

Explore trips by duration: 5 days · 7 days · 10 days · 14 days

Malaysia Tours & Itineraries

Get inspired by trips other travelers have loved
Spend time on the stunning island of Penang toward the end of your two week trip
Map of Highlights of Singapore & West Malaysia - 14 Days
Highlights of Singapore & West Malaysia - 14 Days

Experience the energy of Singapore before setting off along the western coast of Malaysia on this epic two-week trip. Cycle around the charming streets of Melaka, see the Petronas Twin Towers and Mahamariamman Temple in Kuala Lumpur, and take a twilight river cruise in coastal Kuala Selangor. Strike out into the ancient rainforests of Taman Negara for wildlife and canopy tours, visit the tea plantations and strawberry farms of Cameron Highlands, and learn to cook delicious Malay dishes in Penang.

One of Borneo's many colorful birds
Map of Borneo Adventure - 10 Days
Borneo Adventure - 10 Days

Love adventure, nature, and getting off the beaten track? If so, this Borneo tour is for you. Dive, walk, and bird-watch your way through 10 days of wildlife reserves and resorts, tucked away islands, and lush valleys.

Experience Langkawi's verdant hillsides on an daytime boat cruise
Map of Discover Malaysia's Langkawi Islands - 7 Days
Discover Malaysia's Langkawi Islands - 7 Days

Get off the beaten path in Malaysia on this epic adventure to the islands of Langkawi in the Andaman Sea. Over seven event-filled days, you'll enjoy nature tours, Indigenous exchanges, and water-based activities that range from kayaking to island hopping. In between, ride a gondola, shop in duty-free stores, and immerse yourself in Malay culture as you learn the techniques for creating traditional batik art.

Cruise along the Kinabatangan River in Malaysian Borneo
Map of Malaysian Borneo Adventure - 7 Days
Malaysian Borneo Adventure - 7 Days

Head off to East Malaysia and the island of Borneo for a week of off-the-beaten-path adventures and wildlife excursions. On this unforgettable holiday, you'll trek through virgin rainforest, go on a riverboat safari, tour local villages, and go hiking in Kinabalu National Park.

Spend two nights in the Cameron Highlands, surrounded by tea plantations
Map of Wonders of West Malaysia: Kuala Lumpur to Langkawi Island - 14 Days
Wonders of West Malaysia: Kuala Lumpur to Langkawi Island - 14 Days

Enjoy a bit of everything, from big-city attractions to natural wonders, on this two-week tour of Malaysia. Start in Kuala Lumpur, where you'll visit the famous Petronas Twin Towers and take a day trip to UNESCO-listed Melaka. Then transfer to Taman Negara for some jungle trekking and a river cruise before moving on to the tea plantations of the Cameron Highlands. Finish with sightseeing in Georgetown and island-hopping in tropical Langkawi to complete the adventure.

Discover the rainforests of East Malaysia's Danum Valley
Map of Borneo Eastern Wildlife Adventure - 5 Days
Borneo Eastern Wildlife Adventure - 5 Days

With flora and fauna unlike anywhere else in the world, the Borneo rainforest offers a thrilling experience to anyone willing to venture this far. During this 5-day journey, you will explore the jungle by both river and land in search of elusive wildlife, as well as encounter endangered species through the local conservation and rehabilitation centers.

Make the Most of Your Time in Malaysia

Have a fixed number of days? Maximize the things to see and do during your visit
Discover Malaysian Borneo's Mount Kinabalu
How Many Days To Spend in Malaysia

Two weeks is the perfect amount of time to spend in Malaysia, allowing you to explore the region's top wilderness venues and experience many of its cultural highlights. However,...

Malaysia Travel Advice

Read our detailed insights to make sure you have the best trip
An aerial view of Segama River, Danum Valley 
Unique Places to Visit in Sabah, Borneo

Sabah is a rich microcosm of authentic culture, incredible wildlife, awe-inspiring natural wonder, and endless adventure that together make this Malaysian state a true gem of...

Dreamy sunset in Kota Belud
Best Local Experiences in Sabah, Borneo

To experience Sabah as the locals do requires expert insight. Our Sabah specialist has put together a list of places where you can get off-the-beaten-path and discover the...

Our Latest Malaysia Content

Observe native East Malaysian wildlife as you boat along the Kinabatangan River
Map of 5 Days in Malaysia - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas
5 Days in Malaysia - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

With only five days in Malaysia, focusing on one to two destinations is best. Travelers interested in urban adventures can sample street food in Kuala Lumpur and take a boat tour of UNESCO-listed Melaka. Wildlife enthusiasts can spot orangutans and more on Kinabatangan River safaris in Malaysian Borneo, while beach lovers can snorkel at Lankayan Island. Those looking for variety should head to Kuching, where they'll visit historical sites, learn about Bidayuh culture, and see endemic species at Bako National Park.

See orangutans in the wild in East Malaysia's Borneo
Map of Wildlife & Islands of Borneo - 5 Days
Wildlife & Islands of Borneo - 5 Days

In just five days, you can experience Malaysian Borneo's highlights on wildlife tours and island trips. Take a boat ride along the Kinabatangan River deep into the rainforest to witness orangutans, proboscis monkeys, and other wildlife in their natural habitat. After a few nature tours with naturalist guides, you'll transfer to Lankayan Island to enjoy white-sand beaches and snorkeling trips to coral reefs.

Observe orangutans in a rehabilitation center in West Malaysia's Sepilok
Map of 2 Weeks in Malaysia - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas
2 Weeks in Malaysia - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

With two weeks in Malaysia, you can visit five to eight destinations. Adventurous travelers should explore Langkawi island in West Malaysia while those wanting an off-the-beaten-path experience should consider Malaysian Borneo for cultural village visits and cave excursions at Gunung Mulu National Park. For natural highlights, snorkel at Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park and see orangutan sanctuaries, and add a fun day at Universal Studios Singapore for a multicountry trip.

Malaysia Travel Maps

Get the lay of land, and understand distances between the places you want to visit
Map 1 Week in Malaysia - 6 Unique Itinerary Ideas
1 Week in Malaysia - 6 Unique Itinerary Ideas
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Map 10 Days in Malaysia - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas
10 Days in Malaysia - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas
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Map 5 Days in Malaysia - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas
5 Days in Malaysia - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas
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Trip Reviews for Malaysia

The latest reviews by travelers who booked their trip on kimkim

Jason, Joe and Vincent were great!
Malaysia | Oct 6 - Oct 22, 2026

Penny
Penny M.
Anchorage, AK, USA | Reviewed on Oct 27, 2026
Jason, Joe and Vincent were great! Read more

Jason, Joe and Vincent were great!

Hotel Reviews
Casa Del Rio Hotel Melaka

Absolutely a beautiful luxurious hotel. Everything about it was beauty with all the amenities. The breakfasts were fabulous and everything was within walking distance! It was definitely a 5 star hotel. Oh, the infinity pool was great too.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Grandis Kota Kinabalu
Kota Kinabalu

This was basically a very fine hotel in a very busy city. There were very nice restaurants nearby and shopping but the traffic was unbelievable. The breakfasts were very good. The hotel was great but the city was huge.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Waterfront Hotel
Kuching

The view was fabulous. Also the location was great. Close to many restaurants and the shopping was the best of all the locations. The breakfasts were also great. All in all this was a truly 5 star hotel. Loved it!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The Rock Resort
Aur Island

Beds were unique…3 levels, but the most comfortable of all the hotels we visited. Meals were just ok at best but final outdoor barbecue was excellent. Snorkeling trip was great. I guess the best way to describe the facility would be primitive or rustic.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Verdant Hill Hotel

Great location, close to restaurants. Beds very comfortable and staff were all great. Pool was very nice too.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Kinabalu Park & Poring Hot Springs
Kinabalu Park & Poring Hot Springs
Malaysia

This was interesting and we saw new and different parts of the countryside. But the transport was terrible! The shocks on the van were gone and the ride was very uncomfortable. All our backs were truly bounced around and shaken.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Coral Island & Snorkeling Excursion
Coral Island & Snorkeling Excursion
Kota Kinabalu
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Semenggoh Orangutan, Lunch & Sarawak Cultural Village
Semenggoh Orangutan, Lunch & Sarawak Cultural Village
Kuching

Again, a great tour. Our tour guide explained many of the sights on the ride to the exhibits.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Aman was the best of our guides!
Transport
Wet Market & Anah Rais Longhouse with Cooking Class
Wet Market & Anah Rais Longhouse with Cooking Class
Kuching

This was a very interesting tour. The wet market we saw the local fruits and vegetables. I saw foods I have never seen before. The longhouse was very interesting communal living arrangement. The cooking class was fun and the food was very good. Aman, our tour guide was fabulous.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Aman explained so much
Transport
Kuching City Tour
Kuching City Tour
Kuching

Great overview of city. I learned quite about the ethnic groups of Malaysia and its geography.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Kuala Selangor Fireflies Cruise & Dinner
Kuala Selangor Fireflies Cruise & Dinner
Kuala Lumpur

Both were good and interesting. Loved the brief stop at the lighthouse and all the monkeys.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Kuala Lumpur Walking City Tour
Kuala Lumpur Walking City Tour
Kuala Lumpur

Tour was very informative . My only complaint was that we were promised a bit of shopping time in Chinatown and there was none. The bit of food tasting was blah and could have been eliminated in my opinion. But the tour itself was really good.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Comfortable modern van and great drivers in challenging traffic!
Local specialist: Nick Jansen

Let Nick plan your Borneo holiday!!
Malaysia | Jul 1 - Jul 11, 2026

L
Lisa P.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on Sep 01, 2026
Nick did a fabulous job to curating the perfect itinerary for my teen son and me. I shared our likes and dislikes and he built a plan that met our ideas and our budget. He and his team were attentive and communicative throughout our holiday. I highly recommend them and seeing Borneo! Read more

Nick did a fabulous job to curating the perfect itinerary for my teen son and me. I shared our likes and dislikes and he built a plan that met our ideas and our budget. He and his team were attentive and communicative throughout our holiday. I highly recommend them and seeing Borneo!

Hotel Reviews
The Buwan Dive Resort
Semporna

Just stayed one night but it was a nice rustic resort. Equipment was in great shape and they had SUPs you could borrow for free! I liked that meals were outside!

Borneo Divers Mabul Resort

Wonderful stay. Lovely meals. Wished they kept A/C on all the time. Dive operations were ok. Some guides were fantastic. Even though there was a small smoking area on the deck, a lot of the guides/ staff smoked wherever and it was annoying. I appreciated the guides were focused on eco-appropriate ways to treat the reef and underwater life. I was irritated that I was only diving 3 days and we went back to one of the same sites. I did share my feedback and the guide tried to show me new stuff. I wasn't the only one who was annoyed.

Sukau Greenview Lodge
Kinabatangan River

Wonderful hotel and great guide (Kiki) in Kinabatangan River. Meals were so-so - but they were VERY accommodating my dietary restrictions (e.g. made special vegan meals for me). Highly recommend!

Borneo Sepilok Rainforest Resort
Sandakan

Nice, rustic hotel. We enjoyed our stay!

Local specialist: Nick Jansen

Nick was very responsive and did a great job ...
Malaysia | Jul 5 - Jul 10, 2026

R
Roshni J.
San Jose, CA | Reviewed on Aug 04, 2026
Nick was very responsive and did a great job providing us with an itinerary and multiple options as we changed our dates. He landed us in solid places and we had a wonderful trip! The only bit of feedback is that it took a few days after we paid/confirmed for the final bookings to get made which made me a little nervous. Read more

Nick was very responsive and did a great job providing us with an itinerary and multiple options as we changed our dates. He landed us in solid places and we had a wonderful trip! The only bit of feedback is that it took a few days after we paid/confirmed for the final bookings to get made which made me a little nervous.

Hotel Review
MY Nature Resort
Sandakan

Wonderful place, the flying squirrel demo and tours were fantastic!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Review
Kinabalu Park Hiking
Kinabalu Park Hiking
Kundasang

Our guide was wonderful and flexible - she adjusted the plans based on our preferences. She was knowledgable and warm. We had a great time!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Nick Jansen
Nick
Nick Jansen
Local specialist in Malaysia | Replied on Aug 06, 2026

Hey Roshni,

Thanks for the review. I enjoyed putting this trip together with you. Good to read you had a good time in Borneo!

Thanks for the feedback on the booking-process. Feedback is always appreciated!

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