7 Days Self Drive Classic Malaysia Explorer

^{7 Days / 6 Nights}

Itinerary (Kuala Lumpur - Batu Caves - Cameron Highlands - Ipoh - Penang - Kota Bharu - Tasik Kenyir - Kuantan / Cherating - Kuala Lumpur)

7 Days Self Drive Classic Malaysia Explorer (Suggested itinerary 7 Days / 6 Nights)

Day 1 : Kuala Lumpur - Batu Caves - Cameron Highlands (214 kms)
09.00 hrs The pick up/delivery of your rented car takes place and then it's time to depart from your hotel/Kuala Lumpur Int. Airport to Cameron Highlands. Famous for its' world-renowned tea and gorgeous rolling hill slopes, Cameron Highlands is located 1542 meters above sea level. Simply drive north towards Ipoh on the North-South Highway. 
09.30 hrs A suggested visit at this point would be the Batu Caves, which is only 13 kilometers from the nation's capital, Kuala Lumpur. After a walk up the many stairs that lead to the wide opening of the cave's mouth you'll see that this marvelous limestone formation holds a Hindu Temple within - definitely a must see. Next, take the Tapah exit and leave the Highway.
13.00 hrs Another suggested stopover would be for lunch at the Tapah Rest house, which is a simple and clean local restaurant. Then continue the journey to Cameron Highlands which is about another 65 kilometers away. The drive is a gradual and often scenic climb from Tapah to the Highlands, with plenty of corners on the way - one visitor reported as many as 653 bends! Yet another suggested visit en route is the Lata Iskandar Waterfall, which is about 25 km from Tapah on the way to the Highlands. Cameron Highlands consists of Ringlet, Tanah Rata and Brinchang. The Strawberry park Resort, is at Tanah Rata which is second of the 3 towns. 
15.30 hrs Suggested visits at Cameron Highlands are the vegetable and strawberry farms, the Butterfly Garden, the local market, the tea plantations and the tea factory. The easiest estate to visit is BOH's Sungai Palas Estate, north of Brinchang off the road to Gunung Brinchang. Free tours are conducted regularly, except on Monday when the estate is closed.

Optional Tour : USD 25.- p.p., min. 2 persons (to be pre booked in advance)
- The Village and Nature Tour, which will give you an insight of Cameron Highlands. Visit the Cloud Forest, the peak of Gunung Brinchang, view the rolling tea hills, and tour of tea factory. The tour is conducted by local guide driving a Land Rover. 
- Accommodation will be at the Strawberry Park Resort at Tanah Rata (Cameron Highlands)

Day 2 : Cameron Highlands - Ipoh - Penang (295 km) (Breakfast)
08.00 hrs Breakfast at the hotel before the drive back to Tapah. Take the North-South Highway northwards to Penang. Use the Gopeng exit, which is about 30 km south of Ipoh and leave the Highway. 
10.30 hrs A suggested visit at this point is Kellies Castle, which still stands from colonial times. William Kellie Smith, a wealthy British plantation owner, planned to build this splendid mansion for his yet unborn son. Smith died in 1926 and the mansion was never finished. Next to the mansion is a Hindu temple, built for the 70 artisans who were brought in from Madras when a mysterious illness decimated the workforce.

Drive back to the highway and continue northwards. Take the Simpang Pulai exit (approx. 10 km before Ipoh). A suggested visit - the Sam Poh Tong Temple which is right on the main road. Turn right and continue the journey, driving straight on the main road towards Ipoh. 
12.30 hrs We suggest lunch at the Heritage Hotel. Return to the highway and continue towards Kuala Kangsar, the royal town of Perak. Located 50 km North-West of Ipoh and just beside the highway, this town stands quietly still and still full of grace from the olden days. 
14.30 hrs Some suggested visits are the Ubadiah Mosque, which some say is probably one of the finest mosques in Malaysia. Also visit the Istana Iskandariah (Kings' Palace) and the Istana Kenangan, which was built in 1926 - without using even a single nail! Time to drive north and take the Changkat Jering exit to visit Taiping, which several kilometers of the highway and 88 km south of Butterworth. 

16.00 hrs A Suggested visit is the beautiful Lake Garden. Continue the drive on the highway, heading straight up toward Penang. 
18.00 hrs Cross over to Penang using the Penang Bridge, which by the way is the third longest bridge in the world. Arrive in the evening. Head toward Tanjung Bungah, which is the first stretch of beach after Georgetown as it is quite a distance before reaching another prominent beach, Batu Ferringhi. We suggest to visit the esplanades of Gurney Drive for a taste of the magnificent and cheap local food and nightlife a la' Penang style. Accommodation will be at Copthorne Resort, Tanjung Bungah.

Day 3 : Penang (B)
08.00 hrs Breakfast will be at the hotel. Explore Georgetown or the entire island if you're able to. It is about 70 km all the way round, but only the north coast road runs right on the coast, so you are not beside the beach all the way. Georgetown is a compact city and most places can easily be reached by foot or by trishaw. 
09.00 hrs Suggested visits in Georgetown are the Fort Cornwallis, build by British East India Company in 1808, the Khoo Kongsi Clan House which is a magnificent building with intricate carvings worked by master craftsman from China, the Goddess of Mercy (Kuan Yin) Temple, Kapitan Keling Masjid, the Wat Chayamangkalaram with its' 33 meters long 

reclining Buddha/'sleeping Buddha statue, the Dharmmikarama Burmese Temple and Penang's Millionaires Row with the many beautiful colonial mansions. Accommodation will be at Copthorne Resort, Tanjung Bungah.

Day 4 : Penang - Kota Bharu (386 km) (B)
08.00 hrs Breakfast at the hotel before we head out using the East-West Highway to Kota Bharu, the bastion of traditional Malay culture. The Highway cuts through the main mountain range and offers breathtaking views of the tropical rain forest and if you are lucky you may have to even stop for some wild elephants crossing the road.
12.30 hrs We suggest lunch and a short break at Banding Island Resort (nice surroundings, reasonable food). 
17.00 hrs Arrive in the evening in Kota Bharu and check-in at your hotel.
We suggest you visit the night market, or what the locals know as 'Pasar Malam', where some of the best Malay food can be found.
Special Events to take note of : - May : Spectacular kite festival. , - August : Bird-singing contest - Catch birds singing some popular Malay tunes!. , - September : Top-spinning contest. Accommodation will be at the Renaissance.

Day 5 : Kota Bharu - Tasik Kenyir (215 km) (B)
08.00 hrs Breakfast at the hotel. 
09.00 hrs In the morning, explore Kota Bharu. Suggested visits include the central market, which is one of the most colorful and active in Malaysia. You can see fresh products on sale on the ground floor and stalls on the first floor above selling spices, basket ware and other goods. Kota Bharu is also a center of Malay crafts. Visit the Batik, Songket, Silverware, woodcarving and kite-making workshops. There are several workshops on the way to the Pantai Cahaya Bulan (PCB for short) Beach, which is just 10 kilometers north of the town center. 
12.00 hrs Depart to Tasik Kenyir and enjoy the scenic drive through the Malaysian country side. Approximately 30 km before reaching Kuala Terengganu turn right. Some of the most important towns you will pass through are Besut, Bandar Permaisuri, Sungai Tong from where you can follow the signs to the Lake. 
15.00 hrs Arrive at Tasik Kenyir. Tasik Kenyir is an unique lake is surrounded by 1000 acres of woodlands. Lake Kenyir comprises 340 islands, more than 14 waterfalls, rapids, rivers and limestone caves. The Lake Kenyir is the largest manmade lake in Southeast Asia. In the afternoon, enjoy the tranquility of the rain forest or simply unwind with a drink on the hotel terrace. 
Optional Tour : USD 38.- p.p., min. 2 persons (to be pre booked in advance)
Go on an exciting boat safari - you may see wild elephants swimming in the lake!.
 Accommodation at Tasik Kenyir Resort.

Day 6 : Tasik Kenyir - Kuantan / Cherating (200 km) (B)
08.00 hrs Breakfast at hotel before we drive back to Kuala Terengganu and then head southwards to Kuantan. 
10.30 hrs En route we suggest to stop by Pulau Duyong where you can take the opportunity to view traditional boat methods that are still in practice to this very day. 
11.30 hrs Suggested visits/stops include Marang (ca. 30 minutes south of Terengganu) a picturesque fishing village. Rantau Abang (80 km south of Terenggganu) is the principal beach for spotting the great leatherback turtles during the laying season (May to August). 

Another must see, though the turtles only come out at night.
14.00 hrs Stop at Paka where glutinous rice (or Lemang in Malay) is cooked in Bamboo. Delicious!. Continue your drive along the East Coast. You will pass Kerteh where oil companies Esso and Petronas have their oil refineries. 
15.00 hrs Arrive in the afternoon at the Swiss Garden Cherating Resort, which is about 20 km north of Kuantan. You'll be spending your night here.

Day 7 : Kuantan/Cherating - Kuala Lumpur (250 km) (B)
08.00 hrs Breakfast at hotel. 
09.00 hrs Drive from Kuantan / Cherating back to Kuala Lumpur using the East-West Highway. A suggested visit is the magnificent Elephant Sanctuary Camp, which is around a 3 hours drive from Kuantan, and another 2 hours drive to Kuala Lumpur. 
11.00 hrs Leave the main road at Lancang and drive around 10 km north on a small road to the camp. Pack a picnic basket of food for lunch. Continue your journey to Kuala Lumpur, the capital of the nation. 
16.00 hrs Drop off your car in Kuala Lumpur or KL Int. Airport. Your lovely tour ends here.