Day 1 | Depart Heathrow* on Malaysia Airlines non-stop flight to Kuala Lumpur.
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Day 2 | Arrive KL and transfer to the Renaissance Malacca. Check in for 2 nights.
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Day 3 | Your self-drive Proton Wira 1.5 will be available for exploring Malacca. A delightful blend of East and West reflected in the architecture and traditions, Malacca's importance as a port may have declined, but it remains steeped in history and is a fascinating place to visit. Highlights include: the Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum, A'Famosa Christ Church, St Paul's Hill and the Dutch Studhuys.
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Day 4 | Drive north (89 miles/2 hrs) to KL and the Royale Bintang Hotel. Check in for 2 nights.
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Day 5 | At leisure in KL. Explore behind the modern, high-rise, well-organised exterior and discover a charming, colourful melting pot of Indian, Chinese and Malay cultures. Highlights include: Chinatown, the splendid Moorish architecture of the Sultan Abdul Samad Building, the Petronas Twin Towers and the Lake Garden.
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Day 6 | Head north into the hills (133 miles/4 hrs) to the Strawberry Park, Cameron Highlands. On the way you could visit the Batu Caves, a short distance outside Kuala Lumpur.
Malaysia's premier hill resort was attractive to the colonial British because of its cooler temperatures. Its modern appeal now lies in the sprawling tea plantations dating back to 1929; the strawberry farms; vegetable gardens and nature trails. Most unusual are the mock Tudor style hotels found dotted between the three main towns.
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Day 7 | Continue northwards via Ipoh, the "city of millionaires" which made its fortune from the rich tin mines, across the Penang Bridge to the historic Eastern & Oriental Hotel, Penang to check in for 2 nights. (193 miles/4.5 hrs)
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Day 8 | At leisure in Penang. Penang is like Malaysia in miniature: modern high-rise buildings and fishing kampungs; Indian, Chinese and Malay communities; rubber plantations and jungle; an international beach resort and deserted bays; Penang Hill and Botanical Gardens; and food, glorious food!
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Day 9 | Drive across country (240 miles/7 hrs) to the Renaissance Kota Bharu. Kota Bharu, close to the Thai Border, is famous for the colourful displays of kite-flying, its bustling central market and numerous local crafts including batik and silverware.
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Day 10 | Head south along the coast (85 miles/2 hrs) to the Primula Beach Resort, Kuala Terengganu. A medium sized city built up around a busy fishing port it is a good base to explore the surrounding area and in particular Rantau Abang, the principal beach for spotting great leatherback turtles during the laying season (May-Nov).
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Day 11 | Next stop, Kuantan (130 miles/3.5 hrs) to check in for 3 nights at the Hyatt Regency Resort: the perfect place to relax after your self drive tour.
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Day 12 | At leisure Kuantan.
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Day 13 | At leisure Kuantan.
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Day 14 | Drop-off car at Kuantan Airport. Fly to KL and connect with the overnight flight to Heathrow.
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Day 15 | Drop-off car at Kuantan (20 miles/0.5 hrs). Fly to KL and connect with the overnight flight to Heathrow. |
Day 16 | Arrive Heathrow*.
*Manchester departures can be arranged at no additional air supplement.
N.B. All distances are approximate and driving times are the minimum recommended: further allowance should be made for meal breaks, sightseeing etc.
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For centuries Malaysia has been a meeting place for merchants and travellers: Indian and Chinese traders came in search of gold; Cambodian, Sumatran and Javanese empires at different times have encompassed the Peninsula; and Europeans, most notably the British, have ruled there. Rich in culture and natural resources Malaysia offers a wide range of holiday experiences, from Peninsular Malaysia on the mainland, to Sabah and Sarawak on the island once known as Borneo. This tour allows you to go at your own pace, visiting the main cities and sights, before ending with a relaxing stay at a traditional-style resort in Penang. 
