Our favorite Malaysia experiences

These experiences are your passport to Malaysia’s rich and complex culture and history, getting you beneath the surface of one of Asia’s most dynamic modern nations.

Beneath Malaysia’s megamalls and modernity is one of the richest and most fascinating histories of any country in Southeast Asia. To get to the heart of it, you need a local’s perspective – and that’s what these experiences are all about.

Malaysia has an incredibly rich mix of cultures born from centuries at the heart of the world’s historic trade routes, but sometimes it takes a local’s perspective to really put you in touch with it. That’s why we’ve put so much effort into finding these tours, classes and hands-on activities.

These are the Peranakan chefs who’ll teach you how to cook Chinese-Malay fusion cuisine, and the adventure guides who’ll point out wildlife tracks in the rainforest. They’re the food enthusiasts who’ll take you to KL’s secret street-food spots, and the art buffs who’ll point out George Town’s most innovative street art. They’re your passport to Malaysian culture and history, and some of our absolute favorite people on the Peninsula.

Belum Rainforest exploration

You can’t just pitch up at a rainforest and head off on your own. That’d be silly. You need a really fantastic tour with an expert nature guide – and that’s exactly what this is.

Take to Lake Temenggor by boat to spot 10 different species of hornbill, then disembark and go hunting for the biggest and stinkiest flower in the world. Swim beneath multi-tiered cascades, then trek to Orang Asli villages deep in this primary jungle. Every step of the way, your guide is your key to the forest – pointing out rare orchids, explaining indigenous cultural practices, spotting animal tracks, and making sure you never miss that rare bird sighting. With two days of all-inclusive activities, all you need to worry about is taking it all in.

Kuala Lumpur architecture tour

It’s best known for its rocket-like Petronas Towers, but Kuala Lumpur is more than just plate glass and polished steel.

In palm-fringed Merdeka Square, mock-Tudor buildings stand as a reminder of cricket matches on the green, while the horseshoe arches and raised pavilions of the Railway Building pay homage to Moorish Revival. The folded-parasol roof of the National Mosque offers a glimpse of modern Islamic-Malay architecture, while Thean Hou Temple’s six tiers of lantern-strung grandeur reference KL’s Chinese roots. KL is a jumble of architectural influences, and this tour is your ticket inside.

Introduction to Little India

When South Indian immigrants came to Malaysia during British colonial rule, they brought their delicious roti, spicy curries and colorful gopura towers with them.

This tour will introduce you to Malaysia’s rich Indian heritage as you explore in KL’s very own “Little India” – where the aroma of spices mingles with therapeutic massage oils. Try on a traditional sari, break a coconut for the deity at a Hindu temple, then stop in at a local florist to see how they make those famous marigold garlands. Finally, conclude with a banana leaf salad and a nice, cold lassi.

Insider Experience: Evening tour of Kuala Lumpur's street food, hidden art and bars

This isn’t just the best street-food tour in KL, it's one of the best we’ve done anywhere. And we’ve done lots.

What’s special about this experience is that every tour is tailored to you. Pauline (or one of her equally excellent colleagues) will kick off by leading you around some of KL's street art, asking about your travel experiences and food preferences as she goes. Then, she’ll devise an itinerary just for you – combining street food, speakeasies, stalls and restaurants (all of whom clearly love her as much as we do). This is a true insider’s introduction to KL, and it never disappoints.

Whitewater rafting and cave exploration

Over-indulged on Ipoh’s foodie delights? This’ll blow the cobwebs away. Seven kilometers of adrenaline-fueled rafting through the jungle, with drops that’ll have your stomach in your shoes and maneuvers that’ll have your heart in your mouth.

After you’ve returned to dry land (and reset your adrenaline levels), your guide will take you into one of the longest caves in Malaysia, where spectacular stalactites, stalagmites, chimneys and galleries have been formed by 250 million years of erosion. During the Malay emergency in the 1950s they were a hideout for Communist guerrillas – look closely, and you can still see their graffiti etched into the walls today.

Ipoh heritage walk

This half day tour is about getting a sense of Ipoh’s past while enjoying the delights of its present.

Stop in at prime historic sites such as the tin-mining museum and colonial clock tower (built to honor the first British resident of Perak State), then head down cobbled alleys to contemporary art galleries and dilapidated cafés. Stop to sample handmade biscuits and palm-oil-roasted “white coffee” as you go, but don’t forget to keep your eyes peeled for the workshops of rattan weavers and tinsmiths. In-between the ultra-trendy shops and galleries, these are the people keeping traditional crafts alive.