Any mention of Malaysia instantly brings back memories of the popular tourism slogan ‘Malaysia, truly Asia’, and travellers who have visited the gorgeous country will tell you how the slogan is apt. A southeast Asian country, Malaysia occupies parts of the Malay Peninsula and the island of Borneo and is further divided between Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia.
Popular for its abundant natural beauty, lush rainforests, beautiful beaches and urban cities – the country is loved by all kinds of travellers. Offering travellers a break from the hustle-bustle of everyday life, Malaysia is also becoming a huge favourite with backpackers and adventure enthusiasts. The best way to explore Malaysia is through comprehensive and personalised Malaysia tour packages which take you through some of the country’s most beautiful destinations.
The country’s diverse culture is another defining feature which attracts travellers from across the world. Muslim Malays, Hindus, Muslims and Chinese along with numerous tribes which are known as Dayaks call Mayalsia home. With varied cultural and traditional practices, the harmonious way of life is a refreshing change for travellers.
Malaysia’s busy capital is typically a big part of Malaysia tour packages. An erstwhile laidback village, today Kuala Lumpur is counted among the largest cities in the world. Home to the symbolic Petronas Towers, which are the tallest twin towers in the world, Kuala Lumpur is best known for its busy nightlife, distinct architecture and bustling shopping streets. Travellers will often be surprised and grateful by the seamless balance between surreal beauty in quiet towns and the palpable energy in bustling cities that Malaysia offers.
Owing to gorgeous beaches, spell-binding sunsets and lush forests, Langkawi is one of the most important destinations in Malaysia tour packages. Adventure seekers and nature lovers often begin their Malaysia tour from Langkawi and they aren’t disappointed. An archipelago of 99 small islands, it has drastically helped Malaysia tourism to grow. Popularly known as the Jewel of Kedah, Langkawi is home to quite a few beach resorts and is an ideal destination for a laidback vacation. While there are quite a few activities and places to keep you busy, one must try the stunning mangrove tour which is usually a part of all Malaysia tour packages. Taking one through mangrove forests, caves and azure pools, it offers travellers a peek into Malaysia’s untouched beauty. Of course, another popular activity in Malaysia tour packages is a ride aboard the Langkawi cable car. The starting point of the cable car is the Oriental Village and the car takes one to the second highest peak in Langkawi – Mount Mat Cincang. The views from the cable are breathtaking, to say the least, and it is definitely a must try!
Fast gaining popularity as an attractive spot in Malaysia tour packages is Kota Kinabalu or KK. Home to the tallest peak in Malaysia, Mount Kinabalu, Kot Kinabalu is also where travellers can visit tropical islands and admire Malaysia’s popular national parks including the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park. The park is located a few kilometres outside the city and is a treat for adventure lovers. You can also include snorkelling and diving in Malaysia tour packages. Also, if shopping is a part of your Malaysia itinerary, you must include a visit to the Kota Kinabalu Handicraft Market for gorgeous souvenirs and handicrafts.
All Malaysia tour packages include a trip to the capital city of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur. The city's cultural diversity and bustling vibe never fail to charm travellers and if you want to enjoy the vibrant nightlife of Malaysia, there isn’t a better place than Kuala Lumpur. The popular Golden Triangle is another definite must-visit for travellers. Comprising of three streets – Jalan Imbi, Jalan Sultan Ismail and Jalan Raja Chulan, which form a triangle – the area is huge and has everything including shopping malls, popular hotels, restaurants, local eating joints, small cafes and lake gardens. The streets come alive after sunset and the food joints are a great option to try sea-food and local delicacies. Offering Malay, Chinese and Arabian cuisine, local food in Kuala Lumpur is considered the best in the world by food lovers.
For history buffs, Melaka is a must visit in Malaysia. Part of all Malaysia tour packages, this World Heritage Site is home to a number of historical monuments. An erstwhile port in the sea route between India and China, Melaka has been at the centre of many conflicts. Among important architectural marvels in the city, A’Famosa Fort, Christ Church and the Stadthuys which served as the official residence of Dutch officers are must-visits. Among other things, Melaka is also known for its vibrant night market and small cafes. Perfect for a relaxed two-day trip, offbeat Malaysia tour packages definitely include a tour of this quaint city.
Another must-visit in Malaysia tour packages are the islands of Perhentian. Pulao Perhentian is made up of two islands – Kecil and Besar. While the former is more popular with backpackers, the latter is a huge favourite with luxury travellers. With budget scuba diving tours, cheap local restaurants and backpacker hostels, Kecil is an ideal beach town, especially if you are looking for a quiet holiday. Besar, also known as the ‘big island’, is a huge attraction for families and couples. With private luxury bungalows and health resorts, you will be spoilt for choice in this surreal beach town. As is with Kecil, Besar is also known for memorable scuba diving and snorkelling tours which should certainly be part of Malaysia holiday packages.
If you are taken in by architecture and heritage, George Town should also be a part of your Malaysia packages. Ideal for photographers, artists, history enthusiasts and food lovers, the second largest city in Malaysia offers a number of unforgettable experiences. A typical weekend at this UNESCO World Heritage site will include informative walking tours of the Lebuh Acheh historical enclave which is home to a number of colonial buildings and architectural marvels, followed by lunch at one of the family-run cafes and a shopping spree at Little India. In fact, the Little India district with colourful rows of shops is quite popular with travellers and should be included in Malaysia tour packages. Adventure enthusiasts can also explore the stunning Penang National Park, which is located 90km away from George Town. One of Malaysia’s smallest national parks, it is a great option for short hiking tours.
One of the most visited destinations in the world, Malaysia is a huge favourite with travellers. Offering all kinds of travellers something to look forward to, the country has recently gained popularity with solo travellers and backpackers. With so many places to visit and a number of experiences, choosing among numerous Malaysia tour packages can get a little confusing. The Tripoto blogger community is an authentic source of information with a collection of numerous experiences by travellers. Read on to find out what travellers have to say about Malaysia, before you finalise your Malaysia trip.
“So yes, I had a great, memorable time in Malaysia as a solo traveller and I would recommend to everyone that has some courage and travel alone as much as u can. This world is a beautiful place and believe me that you will feel that in your life something has definitely changed. :)”
Atul Gupta
“It is very easy to misunderstand Kuala Lumpur as a mere concrete jungle. But once you set foot inside, you will find that the blessed forests and landscapes of Malaysia, have been retained with great care, discipline and love in the capital city. There are not many cities in Asia which have a rainforest at its heart, and urge people to take long hikes just as much as they spoil them with magnanimous shopping malls.”
Sreshti Verma
“The first stop for us was Bukit Bintang, which is part of the Kuala Lumpur's Golden Triangle, spans over 3 roads, namely Jalan Bukit Bintang, Jalan Imbi and Jalan Sultan Ismail. It houses various cafes, dining outlets and shopping complexes. We still ended up roaming around the lanes around this central city area for almost the entire day but now when I think about it, the area didn't look very different from any other urban agglomerate.”
Anubhav Tyagi
Owing to its location, Malaysia enjoys tropical weather. It's sunny and humid throughout the year with heavy rainfall during some months.
While there is a dry season, one should always be prepared for unexpected showers. Most travellers prefer travelling between the months of October and March, making it the best time to visit Malaysia. One can also expect the best discounts on Malaysia tour packages during the peak season.
If you'd like to experience the vibrant Chinese New Year and Thaipusam, you can plan your trip and book Malaysia tour packages during January or February. The whole country is in a celebratory mood and the experience is memorable.
Malaysia is an ideal destination for couples. With a plethora of experiences, you can be assured of an action-packed trip. Couples can cover the cities of Kuala Lumpur and George Town for a busy vacation or head to Langkawi or Besar for a relaxing break. Among the most popular destinations for couples in Malaysia, you can try Tioman Island for its stunning beaches and adventure activities or the idyllic Cameron Highlands in Pahang. An ideal destination with lush tea plantations and strawberry farms, it’s a delight for nature lovers. If you don’t want to spend time in one place for the entire duration of your vacation, you can also choose Malaysia tour packages which include short trips to multiple islands.
Family vacations in Malaysia are a great idea since the country is child-friendly with plenty to keep children busy. From cycling tours and mangrove tours in Kedah, diving workshops in Terengganu to a tour of the eco-friendly Tropical Spice Garden in Penang and shopping in Kuala Lumpur – there are innumerable experiences that families can enjoy together. Ensure that you book customised Malaysia tour packages to get the best out of your trip.
Malaysian cuisine is every food lover’s dream. In fact, Malaysian cuisine is one of the most popular in the world and one can find different variations of it everywhere. Owing to its intriguing cultural melange, local food in the country is influenced by a number of cultures including Indian, Chinese and Malay.
Local cuisine in Malaysia is best experienced through its bustling food joints and hawkers. In every corner of the country, you’ll find a small eating joint serving delicious concoctions of Indian-Chinese or Malay dishes. With a hearty dose of lemongrass, chilli and other local spices, Malay cuisine is a must try. Nasi lemak, satay, rendang curry, nasi dagang, char kuey teow, roti canai and banana leaf rice are some of the most recommended dishes that one should try in Malaysia.
Many countries are making it easier for travellers to acquire tourist visas and Malaysia is no different. Following a seamless visa process, the country offers manual and eVisa services to Indians planning to visit Malaysia. The eVisa is the fastest and easiest option for a Malaysia tourist visa and travellers can go through authorised travel agents or websites to complete the process. Through the eVisa route, one can get either a single entry visa, multiple entry visa or the eNTRI visa.
The single entry visa is valid for 30 days and the multiple entry visa is valid for 30 days to six months. The most budget-friendly option, eNTRI visa is ideal for people looking for a short leisure trip and is valid for 15 days. To apply for any visa, you should have a valid Indian passport, with at least six months validity and two unused pages in the passport for entry and exit stamps.
If you’d like to apply through the manual visa process, applications can be obtained and submitted at One Stop Centres (OSC) of the Malaysian government. These centres are present in Delhi, Chennai and Mumbai.
Malaysia is home to a number of cities which have something unique in store for all kinds of travellers. However, there are a few places which must be a part of all Malaysia tour packages; they are the Menara Kuala Lumpur Tower, Langkawi sky bridge, Cameron Highlands and Golden Triangle in Kuala Lumpur.
The price of Malaysia tour packages will depend on when you are travelling and the number of days you are spending in the country. Typically, Malaysia tour packages from India cost anywhere between Rs.45,000 to Rs.1,50,000.
There are a number of beaches in Malaysia that one should definitely include in Malaysia tour packages. The most popular are Turtle Beach, Coral Beach, Pulau Kapas and Gem Island Beach.
Malaysia is home to a number of national parks and despite heavy tourism, the government has ensured that the natural beauty of each park is preserved. Among the ones that travellers must include in Malaysia tour packages or as part of Malaysia day tours, Gunung Mulu National Park, Taman Negara National Park, Niah National Park, Lambir Hills National Park and Bako National Park stand out for their beauty and variety of fauna and flora.
For travellers planning a trip to Malaysia, eVisa is the most convenient and fastest option. One can apply for Malaysia visas through authorised websites or travel agents. It’s recommended that you apply for your visa before booking Malaysia tour packages.
All major cities in Malaysia have numerous ATMs which operate 24 hours a day. However, smaller cities and beach towns don’t have ATMs which are operational all the time, so it’s best to carry cash on you.
Malaysia has a well-connected railway network. Connecting the length and breadth of the country, trains are the best way to travel in Malaysia. One can also try buses and taxis for short distances. If you have booked Malaysia tour packages, you don’t need to worry about transport since it will be included in your Malaysia packages.