Fly direct or one-stop to Kuala Lumpur (KUL), with seamless domestic connections to Penang, Langkawi beaches, the Cameron Highlands, and Malaysian Borneo.
Petronas Twin Towers and Kuala Lumpur city skyline at dusk, Malaysia
Malaysia brings together Malay, Chinese, Indian, and indigenous Borneo cultures across two distinct regions separated by the South China Sea. On the peninsula, cosmopolitan Kuala Lumpur leads north to the cool tea estates of the Cameron Highlands, the UNESCO-listed streets of George Town in Penang, and the island beaches of Langkawi.
Across in East Malaysia, the states of Sabah and Sarawak on the island of Borneo protect some of the planet’s oldest lowland rainforests, where travellers can spot wild orangutans, pygmy elephants, and proboscis monkeys along the Kinabatangan River.
Essential cities, cultural heartlands, and coastal regions
Malaysia’s capital contrasts the twin spires of the Petronas Towers with Sultan Abdul Samad’s Moorish architecture and the limestone shrines of Batu Caves. Two hours south, historic Malacca preserves Dutch, Portuguese, and Peranakan heritage.
Celebrated as one of Southeast Asia’s premier food capitals, UNESCO-listed George Town is a walkable tapestry of Chinese clan houses, colonial mansions, street murals, and hawker stalls.
Pair the cool hill-station tea plantations and mossy forests of the Cameron Highlands with five-star beachfront resorts framed by ancient limestone cliffs on the island of Langkawi.
Fly east to Kuching, Sandakan, or Kota Kinabalu to explore Bako National Park, the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, and wildlife lodges along the Kinabatangan River.
Tailor-made excursions and private local touring
Visit ornate clan houses such as Khoo Kongsi and taste char kway teow, Penang asam laksa, and cendol from multi-generational vendors.
Set out by boat at dawn and dusk with a naturalist guide to observe proboscis monkeys, hornbills, and wild orangutans in riverside rainforest.
Walk through rolling highland tea plantations established in the 1920s and sample freshly brewed single-estate teas.
Ride the SkyCab above Machinchang’s 500-million-year-old rock formations and cruise through Kilim Karst Geoforest Park.
Tailor-made routes crafted by NZ travel specialists
Every itinerary is handcrafted to fit your preferred pace, accommodation style, and flight schedule from Auckland, Wellington, or Christchurch. Explore our popular route frameworks below, or customise them in our interactive studio.
Covers Kuala Lumpur & Malacca, Penang (George Town), Langkawi & The Cameron Highlands, Sabah & Sarawak (Malaysian Borneo) with private local guides
Arrive from Auckland (AKL) and transfer privately to your hotel in Kuala Lumpur & Malacca. Malaysia’s capital contrasts the twin spires of the Petronas Towers with Sultan Abdul Samad’s Moorish architecture and the limestone shrines of Batu Caves. Two hours south, historic Malacca preserves Dutch, Portuguese, and Peranakan heritage. Includes take a private heritage and street-food walk through george town, penang.
Celebrated as one of Southeast Asia’s premier food capitals, UNESCO-listed George Town is a walkable tapestry of Chinese clan houses, colonial mansions, street murals, and hawker stalls. Enjoy cruise the kinabatangan river in sabah to spot borneo wildlife with time tailored for private specialist-guided monument, palace, and temple visits and evening street-food walks, market tastings, and regional dining.
Pair the cool hill-station tea plantations and mossy forests of the Cameron Highlands with five-star beachfront resorts framed by ancient limestone cliffs on the island of Langkawi. Enjoy tour the tea estates of the cameron highlands with time tailored for private specialist-guided monument, palace, and temple visits and evening street-food walks, market tastings, and regional dining.
Fly east to Kuching, Sandakan, or Kota Kinabalu to explore Bako National Park, the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, and wildlife lodges along the Kinabatangan River. Enjoy explore langkawi’s unesco global geopark by boat and cable car with time tailored for private specialist-guided monument, palace, and temple visits and evening street-food walks, market tastings, and regional dining.
Slower-paced stays across Kuala Lumpur & Malacca, Penang (George Town), Langkawi & The Cameron Highlands, Sabah & Sarawak (Malaysian Borneo)
Touch down from Auckland (AKL) with a private transfer to a boutique property in Kuala Lumpur & Malacca. Settle in at an easy pace before cruise the kinabatangan river in sabah to spot borneo wildlife.
Spend 3 nights based in Penang (George Town) with flexible mornings, walk through rolling highland tea plantations established in the 1920s and sample freshly brewed single-estate teas.
Spend 3 nights based in Langkawi & The Cameron Highlands with flexible mornings, ride the SkyCab above Machinchang’s 500-million-year-old rock formations and cruise through Kilim Karst Geoforest Park.
Spend 3 nights based in Sabah & Sarawak (Malaysian Borneo) with flexible mornings, visit ornate clan houses such as Khoo Kongsi and taste char kway teow, Penang asam laksa, and cendol from multi-generational vendors.
Because Peninsular Malaysia’s coasts and Borneo experience different monsoon patterns, Malaysia is an excellent year-round destination. Penang and Langkawi are sunniest from December to April, while Malaysian Borneo is drier from March to October.
Calm seas and bright sunshine on Langkawi and Penang, ideal for pairing beach stays with Kuala Lumpur.
Best months for rainforest wildlife viewing in Sabah and Sarawak and visiting the east coast islands.
Warm temperatures year-round in Kuala Lumpur and the Cameron Highlands with brief afternoon tropical showers.
Direct flights from Auckland to Kuala Lumpur, plus daily one-stop connections from Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch via Singapore or Australia.
Arrival hubs: Kuala Lumpur International (KUL), Penang (PEN), Kota Kinabalu (BKI)
Covers Kuala Lumpur & Malacca, Penang (George Town), Langkawi & The Cameron Highlands, Sabah & Sarawak (Malaysian Borneo) with private local guides
Arrive from Auckland (AKL) and transfer privately to your hotel in Kuala Lumpur & Malacca. Malaysia’s capital contrasts the twin spires of the Petronas Towers with Sultan Abdul Samad’s Moorish architecture and the limestone shrines of Batu Caves. Two hours south, historic Malacca preserves Dutch, Portuguese, and Peranakan heritage. Includes take a private heritage and street-food walk through george town, penang.
Celebrated as one of Southeast Asia’s premier food capitals, UNESCO-listed George Town is a walkable tapestry of Chinese clan houses, colonial mansions, street murals, and hawker stalls. Enjoy cruise the kinabatangan river in sabah to spot borneo wildlife with time tailored for private specialist-guided monument, palace, and temple visits and evening street-food walks, market tastings, and regional dining.
Pair the cool hill-station tea plantations and mossy forests of the Cameron Highlands with five-star beachfront resorts framed by ancient limestone cliffs on the island of Langkawi. Enjoy tour the tea estates of the cameron highlands with time tailored for private specialist-guided monument, palace, and temple visits and evening street-food walks, market tastings, and regional dining.
Fly east to Kuching, Sandakan, or Kota Kinabalu to explore Bako National Park, the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, and wildlife lodges along the Kinabatangan River. Enjoy explore langkawi’s unesco global geopark by boat and cable car with time tailored for private specialist-guided monument, palace, and temple visits and evening street-food walks, market tastings, and regional dining.
