Diverse destinations for a multicentre holiday in Malaysia

Relax and explore

After sampling Malaysian culture and heritage in Kuala Lumpur, many travellers want to experience some of the country's stunningly beautiful tropical islands. To the west, the island of Pangkor is relatively close to Kuala Lumpur, making it ideal as part of a city and beach break combo.

To the north, the paradisiacal Langkawi archipelago is the most popular option for a relaxing beach holiday. Though there are a number of hotels and resorts, its picturesque forested peaks and pearlescent beaches have remained unspoilt, and travellers can enjoy a range of activities from scaling its loftiest peaks by cable car to hiking in lush national parks.

East of Peninsula Malaysia yet more idyllic islands tempt travellers with tropical paradise. Ringed with protected rainbow reefs and topped with verdant peaks, Tioman Island is a natural haven which never-the-less has plenty of affordable places to stay. Accessed from the southern mainland by plane or ferry, the island was used as a backdrop in the classic movie South Pacific and is rimmed with spectacular dive sites, ideal for underwater explorers.

Equally beguiling, Redang is one of the biggest east coast islands known for its diaphanous waters and creamy sand beaches. Like Tioman it is part of a marine reserve and is a sea turtle conservation area. There are a smattering of luxury resorts where you can simply relax on the beach or explore the coral gardens just offshore.

Natural immersion

Visiting Malaysian Borneo adds an unforgettable dimension to your trip. It's the perfect place to get immersed in nature and is a short hop from Kuala Lumpur via internal flights. The city of Kuching in Sarawak province is a comfortable base from which to make forays into the rainforest and visit nearby orangutan sanctuaries such as Semenggoh Wildlife Centre.

In northern Borneo, the Malaysian province of Sabah is a world biodiversity hotspot. National Parks protect pristine wilderness areas and orangutan habitats around towering Mount Kinabalu and Sepilok. From the coastal city of Kota Kinabalu you can explore the national park crisscrossed with hiking trails, underground streams and waterfalls. Canopy bridges allow visitors a glimpse into the treetops teeming with monkeys and birds, and natural hot springs offer a fantastic place to relax at the edge of the park.

Less accessible but well worth the effort, head deep into wild territory with a journey through Sepilok to orangutan and sunbear reserves on the edge of the jungle, before plunging deep into the Danum Valley, said to have the highest concentration of orang-utans in the world.

You'll find endless reasons to make your trip to Malaysia a multicentre holiday. And whether you want to explore Kuala Lumpur, Borneo and Penang for a taste of the best sights, culture and wildlife Malaysia has to offer or even take a full Peninsula tour from Singapore to Malacca, Kuala Lumpur, the Cameron Highlands, Penang and Langkawi, our Malaysia experts can put together a seamless itinerary for your dream holiday.