1 Week in Malaysia - 6 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Best of Malaysia: Melaka to Penang

First-time visitors to Malaysia and those that like to pack their trip with a variety of activities will appreciate this best-of itinerary. You'll experience a mix of urban adventures in Melaka and Kuala Lumpur, outdoor activities in the Cameron Highlands, and the art, culture, and cuisine in Penang. Take walking tours that hit the historical and cultural highlights, try a tasting at a tea plantation, sample street food in the culinary capital of Malaysia, and much more.  

Experience the blend of cultural influences in Melaka, including the Portuguese-built A Famosa Fort, St. Paul's Church (a former burial ground for Dutch nobles), and the Jonker Street Night Market, where you can sample Chinese and Malay flavors. Then head to Kuala Lumpur, where you'll check out the murals on Sultan Street, barter for souvenirs at Rust Market, and visit landmarks, temples, and mosques on a walking tour. Travel north to the Cameron Highlands for a tour and tasting at Boh Tea Plantation, then choose your adventure: strawberry picking on a farm or a history lesson at Tunnel Museum.

Spend a morning touring Mount Brunchang on Day 5, starting with a walk through the Mossy Forest followed by a visit to Sam Poh Buddhist Temple. Transfer to Penang and check out the Penang Peranakan and Cheong Fatt Tze mansions before learning more about local arts and culture on a walking tour. On your final full day, your driver will show you more of Penang, including rural villages, tropical rainforest, and Kek Lok Si Temple, the largest Buddhist temple in the country. Enjoy one last laksa (spicy coconut soup), char kway teow (stir-fried rice noodles), or a favorite Malaysian dish before departure. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Malaysia Food Heaven Tour

Get to know the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia through its cuisine on this food-forward tour. Nibble on fresh produce at Chow Kit in Kuala Lumpur, feast on dim sum in Ipoh, and sample the famed street food of Penang. While this itinerary is focused on taking every opportunity to taste the flavors of Malaysia, you will also tour historic and cultural sites in each location and have the option to hike or bike in Penang.

Get acquainted with Kuala Lumpur on a tour of the city's highlights that include the Moorish Jamek Mosque and Chow Kit Market (your first chance to sample Malaysian street food and fresh produce!) and the 88-story Petronas Towers. Take a day trip outside the city, starting with a taste of kuih kapit (an egg waffle) at Ah Ma House bakery, then on to Sekinchan Wishing Tree, and finally, Batu Caves, where you'll tour limestone caverns and Hindu temples. Transfer to Ipoh on Day 3 and explore the historic downtown on foot, sample some of the famous kopi putih (white coffee), and refuel with a dim sum dinner. 

Transfer to George Town, the culinary capital of Malaysia. Get a feel for the melting pot of cultural influences on a guided tour of the sites, including colonial-era buildings such as the Town Hall and local street food bites. Visit Kek Lok Si, an important pilgrimage destination for Buddhists, then take the funicular up Penang Hill for panoramic views and photos before sampling durian at a local farm. Your final full day is free to spend as you wish—a bike tour through the countryside or a hike in Penang National Park followed by a street-food-stall crawl along Gurney Drive is a great option. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Discover Malaysia's Langkawi Islands

If you're looking for a unique beach getaway with ample opportunities to swim and sunbathe, consider this itinerary of Langkawi, off the northwestern coast of Malaysia. A variety of activities—including kayaking the mangrove forests, engaging in cultural activities in a village, and cruising the coast on a boat tour—that can be adjusted to a range of ages and interests means this trip is an excellent option for families and couples looking to experience memorable moments (and capture beautiful photos!) together. 

Ease into your Malaysia adventure with sunbathing at Pantai Cenang, a popular Langkawi beach. Or, if you prefer to stretch your legs, take a cable car and hike Gunung Machinchang and be rewarded with views of the Andaman Sea. Then, tour the mangrove forests—either by boat or kayak—and keep an eye out for flying lemurs and red eagles. Visit a kampung (village) and connect with residents through immersive activities, including weaving coconut leaves, playing congkak (a popular game), and preparing pastries in a culinary workshop. You'll also get to participate in a batik workshop at Alam Batik Art Village.

Go island hopping on a three-hour boat tour to neighboring islets, where you'll have a chance to swim, sunbathe on quiet beaches, snap photos with rugged rock formations and turquoise waters, and enjoy a beach barbecue. Day 5 is yours to do as you wish: try ziplining over the forest canopy at Skytrex Adventure Park, go souvenir shopping, sample street food at the Ayer Hangat Night Market (Fridays only), or relax on one of the favored beaches, such as Tanjung Rhu. On your final full day, celebrate your journey and make more memories on a sunset cruise along the Langkawi coast. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Explore East Malaysia's National Parks: Gunung Mulu & Niah

This off-the-beaten-track itinerary is ideal for the adventurous traveler keen on a little cave exploration in Malaysian Borneo. You'll have a chance to hike to Clearwater Cave, admire the rock art in Painted Cave, and check out the impressive rock formations—including the 7,795-foot (2,376 m) high sandstone pinnacle—at Gunung Mulu National Park. 

Begin your Borneo adventures with a stroll on Tusan Beach in Miri (if you're visiting between September and December, be sure to check out the glow of the bioluminescent algae after dark). Catch a quick flight to Gunung Mulu National Park, where you'll check out Gunung Mulu, a 7,795-foot (2,376 m) high sandstone pinnacle, and explore caves, including Deer Cave, home to 12 species of bats. Hike or ride a longboat to Clearwater Cave with a stop at Wind Cave en route to admire the illuminated stalactites and stalagmites in the Kings Room chamber. Then enjoy a picnic and a dip in a natural pool.

Day 4 is all yours: take a hike in Gunung Mulu National Park, visit some waterfalls, go bird-watching at Tree Top Tower, or opt for a relaxing day at the hotel pool or spa. Get a bird's-eye view on the Mulu Canopy Walk, a 1,378-foot (420 m) walkway suspended 82 feet (25 m) above the ground before boarding your return flight to Miri. Spend your final full day at Niah National Park, where you'll tour an Indigenous Iban longhouse, visit the Niah Archaeological Museum, and explore Painted Cave which contains rock art more than 1,000 years old. Indulge in one final Malaysian feast in Miri before departure. Learn more

Itinerary #5: Malaysia's Gunung Mulu Hiking Adventure

Featuring daily hikes and two nights of camping in Malaysian Borneo with an extra night in Mulu, this adventure is for outdoorsy travelers that enjoy hiking, rustic camping, and caves. You'll trek among karst formations and hit the highlights of Gunung Mulu National Park, including Deer Cave and Lang Cave, visit an Indigenous Penan village, hike to Gunung Api, and then enjoy some leisure time to reflect on your journey and treat yourself to a spa experience. 

Get the lay of the land and stretch your legs with a cliff walk at Tusan Beach on arrival. Catch a flight to Gunung Mulu National Park and walk the planks through peat swamps and limestone outcrops to Deer Cave, one of the world's largest cave passages. Spot cave critters, including bats and snakes, and more interesting rock formations at Lang Cave. Visit an Indigenous Penan village on the Melinau River, and learn about their lifestyle, which includes hunting, fishing, and farming. Then it's onward to Clearwater Cave—you can opt to hike the trail in or catch a ride on a longboat, depending on your energy level.

After you've checked out the formations in King's Room, continue hiking to Camp 5, your campground home for two nights. Take a day hike to Gunung Api and enjoy the views and plant life, including eight species of pitcher plants, along the trails. On Day 5, hike out of your camp to Long Litu, then catch a boat to Clearwater Cave before transferring to a hotel where you can refresh with a shower, spa treatment, and a hearty Malaysian meal. Fly back to Miri and spend your final day at the pool, or visit Tua Pek Kong Temple, then hit the outdoor markets for some street eats and souvenir shopping. Learn more

Itinerary #6: Malaysian Borneo Adventure

If you prefer a mix of outdoor activities with culture and comfort and are curious about Maalaysian Borneo, consider this adventure, perfect for wildlife enthusiasts and photographers. You'll overnight in jungle lodges and have several opportunities for wildlife safaris—on foot and by boat, including the chance to hike in Batang Ai National Park and take boat safaris on the Kinabatangan River—and educational experiences such as a visit to the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Center. 

Head for Batang Ai National Park, stopping in Lachau for lunch and a bit of souvenir shopping en route. On arrival in Batang Ai, you'll cruise on a longboat to Nanga Sumpa Lodge. Take a hike on the jungle trails, searching for gibbons and orangutans, then continue by longboat to Enseluai Waterfall for a swim. Your next stop is Jambu Longhouse, a traditional-style dwelling where multiple families live. Your Iban hosts will share a barbecue lunch with you before you return to the lodge. Start Day 3 with a hike or a swim in the river before heading to Kuching, then catch a flight to Sandakan the next day and transfer to the inland rainforest.

Hike to the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Center to learn about rehabilitation efforts. Board a speedboat to Sukau Rainforest Lodge and embark on a wildlife river cruise, keeping watch for proboscis monkeys and macaques. End the evening with a riverside candlelit dinner and a presentation by a naturalist. Take a cruise to Kelenanap Oxbow Lake on Day 5 for more wildlife sightings, then go on a guided nature trek along Hornbill Boardwalk. Spend your last full day hiking in Kinabalu National Park, then end on a high note with a canopy walk over a 100-million-year-old rainforest in Poring. Learn more

More Great 1-Week Destination Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Malaysia? Check out these other one-week Malaysia itineraries, with outdoor adventures, cultural trips, and best-of tours to hit the highlights.