Malaysia's Jungle Railway Adventure

The adventure

Climb aboard one of South East Asia’s most historic rail journeys on this 10-day adventure from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore. Rolling past forests, rural villages, palm trees and fields, you’ll experience the beauty and cultural heritage of the less-travelled reaches of Malaysia. Kick off in vibrant Kuala Lumpur, then head to Ipoh to stand beneath a giant Buddha statue in Perak Cave Temple and uncover the stories of Old Town. Swap the trees for coral reefs on a snorkelling trip to the Perhentian Islands, then get back on track to Taman Negara to learn jungle survival skills with Orang Asli tribes. After uncovering Melaka’s rich history by trishaw, wrap it all up with satay and char kway teow in Singapore’s hawker halls.

At a glance

Where you'll go

Day by day

Your journey through

China

Day 1Kuala LumpurSelamat datang! Welcome to Malaysia. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm at your hotel, where you'll meet your local leader and fellow travellers. There’s plenty to do and see in Malaysia’s multicultural capital if you arrive early – you could check out the markets and street food along Petaling Street, admire the views at the iconic Petronas Towers or take in the various styles of architecture at Dataran Merdeka. This evening, maybe head out for an optional dinner with your group and get to know each other.

Kuala Lumpur

Selamat datang! Welcome to Malaysia. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm at your hotel, where you'll meet your local leader and fellow travellers. There’s plenty to do and see in Malaysia’s multicultural capital if you arrive early – you could check out the markets and street food along Petaling Street, admire the views at the iconic Petronas Towers or take in the various styles of architecture at Dataran Merdeka. This evening, maybe head out for an optional dinner with your group and get to know each other.

Your journey through

Malaysia

Day 2IpohAfter breakfast, head to Kuala Lumpur's historic Railway Station to board a high-speed train to Ipoh – the capital of the Perak state, recognised as a UNESCO Creative City of Music. Don't forget to look out the window for views of palm plantations and rice fields as you whizz through the countryside! When you arrive in Ipoh, take a private transfer to Perak Cave Temple – a tranquil Buddhist temple on a limestone hill. Wander through cool caverns where paintings of Chinese legends adorn the walls and stand beneath a 40-ft-tall golden Buddha statue. Then, return to the city to check into your hotel and explore Old Town with your leader. Ipoh was a major hub during the tin rush in the 1800s and is now a haven for creatives with a thriving music scene, well-preserved heritage buildings and mural-filled laneways.

Ipoh

After breakfast, head to Kuala Lumpur's historic Railway Station to board a high-speed train to Ipoh – the capital of the Perak state, recognised as a UNESCO Creative City of Music. Don't forget to look out the window for views of palm plantations and rice fields as you whizz through the countryside! When you arrive in Ipoh, take a private transfer to Perak Cave Temple – a tranquil Buddhist temple on a limestone hill. Wander through cool caverns where paintings of Chinese legends adorn the walls and stand beneath a 40-ft-tall golden Buddha statue. Then, return to the city to check into your hotel and explore Old Town with your leader. Ipoh was a major hub during the tin rush in the 1800s and is now a haven for creatives with a thriving music scene, well-preserved heritage buildings and mural-filled laneways.

Day 3Kuala BesutTake a private vehicle to Gua Musang station to board your first train on the Jungle Railway, headed to Tanah Merah. With hand-painted wooden signs and a low-key vibe, Gua Musang station remains much the same as when it was built in 1938. Watch local life unfold as you see locals getting on and off the train, plus learn about the history of the railway and the environmental challenges faced by the surrounding landscapes as they’ve been reshaped by human activity. When you arrive, board a transfer to Kuala Besut, your base for visiting the Perhentian Islands tomorrow.

Take a private vehicle to Gua Musang station to board your first train on the Jungle Railway, headed to Tanah Merah. With hand-painted wooden signs and a low-key vibe, Gua Musang station remains much the same as when it was built in 1938. Watch local life unfold as you see locals getting on and off the train, plus learn about the history of the railway and the environmental challenges faced by the surrounding landscapes as they’ve been reshaped by human activity. When you arrive, board a transfer to Kuala Besut, your base for visiting the Perhentian Islands tomorrow.

Day 4Perhentian Islands / Kuala BesutGet your vitamin-sea fix today on a speedboat ride to the Perhentian Islands for a snorkelling adventure. Spend the next few hours cruising to reefs – including Turtle Point and Coral Garden – where you’ll get eye level with clownfish, parrotfish, rays and maybe even turtles if you’re lucky. Return to Kuala Besut in the afternoon. All that sea air is bound to rouse your appetite, so maybe head out for dinner with your group and toast to a day well spent on the water.

Get your vitamin-sea fix today on a speedboat ride to the Perhentian Islands for a snorkelling adventure. Spend the next few hours cruising to reefs – including Turtle Point and Coral Garden – where you’ll get eye level with clownfish, parrotfish, rays and maybe even turtles if you’re lucky. Return to Kuala Besut in the afternoon. All that sea air is bound to rouse your appetite, so maybe head out for dinner with your group and toast to a day well spent on the water.

Day 5Taman NegaraLeave the sea behind and head into the jungle today, boarding a private vehicle to Taman Negara. Arrive in the mid afternoon and check into the jungle resort where you'll stay for the next two nights. The rest of the evening is yours to unwind. If you’re keen to stretch your legs after a long day of travel, why not join an optional night jungle walk to spot some of the park’s nocturnal creatures. For dinner, stay local at the hotel or check out one of the floating restaurants just across the water.

Taman Negara

Leave the sea behind and head into the jungle today, boarding a private vehicle to Taman Negara. Arrive in the mid afternoon and check into the jungle resort where you'll stay for the next two nights. The rest of the evening is yours to unwind. If you’re keen to stretch your legs after a long day of travel, why not join an optional night jungle walk to spot some of the park’s nocturnal creatures. For dinner, stay local at the hotel or check out one of the floating restaurants just across the water.

Day 6Taman NegaraTake a river cruise along the Tahan River, then go on a short trek through the jungle to reach Lata Berkoh Cascades. Make sure you bring your swimsuit if you’re keen to take a refreshing dip in the waterfall’s pool. After the hike, visit the Batek and Semokberi tribes of the Orang Asli – among the few remaining Indigenous groups in Malaysia – on their ancestral lands. Despite modern influences, the Batek and Semokberi maintain traditions and are deeply connected to Taman Negara’s ecosystem. Learn about communal living in the village, ancient hunting skills using a bamboo blowpipe, and how they gather food and make tools. You have free time for the rest of the day.

Taman Negara

Take a river cruise along the Tahan River, then go on a short trek through the jungle to reach Lata Berkoh Cascades. Make sure you bring your swimsuit if you’re keen to take a refreshing dip in the waterfall’s pool. After the hike, visit the Batek and Semokberi tribes of the Orang Asli – among the few remaining Indigenous groups in Malaysia – on their ancestral lands. Despite modern influences, the Batek and Semokberi maintain traditions and are deeply connected to Taman Negara’s ecosystem. Learn about communal living in the village, ancient hunting skills using a bamboo blowpipe, and how they gather food and make tools. You have free time for the rest of the day.

Your journey through

China

Day 7MelakaTake a bus to Jerantut station this morning to board a Jungle Railway train to Gemas. From here, hop on a bus to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed city of Melaka. Arrive in the early evening and check into your hotel. You'll then join your leader for an orientation walk to find your bearings. With influences from the Malay Sultanate, Portuguese, Dutch and British, Melaka is a multicultural hub of architectural styles, languages and traditions. The rest of the evening is free for you to explore at your own pace. Maybe grab a bite on Jonker Street and taste delicious Nyonya cuisine – a fusion of Chinese, Malay and Indonesian flavours that hails from Melaka. If you need recommendations, just ask your knowledgeable local leader.

Melaka

Take a bus to Jerantut station this morning to board a Jungle Railway train to Gemas. From here, hop on a bus to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed city of Melaka. Arrive in the early evening and check into your hotel. You'll then join your leader for an orientation walk to find your bearings. With influences from the Malay Sultanate, Portuguese, Dutch and British, Melaka is a multicultural hub of architectural styles, languages and traditions. The rest of the evening is free for you to explore at your own pace. Maybe grab a bite on Jonker Street and taste delicious Nyonya cuisine – a fusion of Chinese, Malay and Indonesian flavours that hails from Melaka. If you need recommendations, just ask your knowledgeable local leader.

Day 8MelakaToday, dive deeper into the layers of Melaka’s history on a trishaw ride through the winding streets of the heritage area. Take in the unique Peranakan architecture, learn about the city’s spice trade history and see multiple places of worship on the aptly named Harmony Street. Visit a mosque, Chinese Buddhist temple and a traditional Muslim house-museum along the way. For your free time this afternoon, you could check out the red buildings in Dutch Square or grab a drink in one of the riverside bars. If you're feeling active, maybe jump on an eco bike tour or take a boat ride along the Melaka River.

Melaka

Today, dive deeper into the layers of Melaka’s history on a trishaw ride through the winding streets of the heritage area. Take in the unique Peranakan architecture, learn about the city’s spice trade history and see multiple places of worship on the aptly named Harmony Street. Visit a mosque, Chinese Buddhist temple and a traditional Muslim house-museum along the way. For your free time this afternoon, you could check out the red buildings in Dutch Square or grab a drink in one of the riverside bars. If you're feeling active, maybe jump on an eco bike tour or take a boat ride along the Melaka River.

Day 9SingaporeIt’s time to say goodbye to Malaysia! Take an express bus across the border to Singapore and check into your hotel in the early afternoon. Enjoy some free time in the ‘Garden City’ – maybe exploring the colourful shopfronts of Little India and Chinatown – before regrouping for a farewell dinner at Lau Pa Sat. As one of Singapore’s oldest hawker markets and listed as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, this is the perfect place to feast on local favourites like satay, wonton noodles and carrot cake. After, explore the city lit up at night and maybe raise a glass to an unforgettable trip.

Singapore

It’s time to say goodbye to Malaysia! Take an express bus across the border to Singapore and check into your hotel in the early afternoon. Enjoy some free time in the ‘Garden City’ – maybe exploring the colourful shopfronts of Little India and Chinatown – before regrouping for a farewell dinner at Lau Pa Sat. As one of Singapore’s oldest hawker markets and listed as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, this is the perfect place to feast on local favourites like satay, wonton noodles and carrot cake. After, explore the city lit up at night and maybe raise a glass to an unforgettable trip.

Day 10SingaporeWith no further activities planned, your adventure comes to an end after breakfast. You’re free to leave any time after check-out. If you’d like to extend your stay in Singapore, just get in touch with your booking agent ahead of time.

Singapore

With no further activities planned, your adventure comes to an end after breakfast. You’re free to leave any time after check-out. If you’d like to extend your stay in Singapore, just get in touch with your booking agent ahead of time.

What's included

Discover Malaysia

A glimpse of the destination you'll explore.

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