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Route through Malaysia and Singapore in 21 days
Malaysia is one of our favorite countries, so much so that we've visited it three years in a row. Singapore is also one of the best cities we've been to, so combining both destinations in one route through Malaysia and Singapore in 21 days We think it's a great plan. They go perfectly together. cultural, culinary, adventure and relaxation tourism.
On this 21-day route we propose you to live very different experiences, visiting modern cities, others more traditional, jungles, mountains and tropical beachesThere will be days with more active plans, such as hikes or tours, and other days with a completely relaxed atmosphere to recharge your batteries.
- Summary | 21-Day Route Through Malaysia and Singapore
- Day 1 – Arrival in Malaysia
- Day 2 and 3: Kuala Lumpur
- Day 4: Transfer to Singapore and overnight visit
- Days 5 and 6: Discover Singapore
- Day 7: Penang, the culinary capital of Malaysia
- Days 8 and 9: Cameron Highlands
- Days 10 to 14: Perhentian Islands
- Langkawi – The best alternative to the Perhentian Islands
- Day 15: Transfer from Perhentian to Sandakan (Borneo)
- Day 16: Seeing orangutans in Sepilok, a unique experience on the 21-day Malaysia tour
- Days 17 and 18: Safaris on the Kinabatangan River
- Days 19 and 20: Semporna and island tours
- Day 21: End of the 21-day tour of Malaysia and Singapore
- Preparations for the Malaysia and Singapore itinerary
Summary | Route through Malaysia and Singapore in 21 days
Preparing a 21-day itinerary through Malaysia is not easy., since, despite being quite long, organizing transfers to make the most of the days becomes a puzzle. Plus, there are so many different combinations! In this article, we suggest an efficient route which combines ground transfers between nearby points and some flights lowcost for longer distances.
Throughout the guide there are also some alternative plans and we link to more complete guides for each place so you can continue researching and creating your own. perfect itinerary through Malaysia and Singapore.
- Day 1: Arrival in Lumpur
- Day 2 and 3: Touring Kuala Lumpur
- Day 4: Transfer to Singapore and overnight visit
- Days 5 and 6: Singapore and flight to Penang
- Daytime 7: Get to know Penang
- Days 8 and 9: Cameron Highlands
- Days 10 to 14: Perhentian Islands
- Day 15: Transfers from Perhentian to Sandakan (Borneo)
- Day 16: See orangutans in Sepilok
- Day 17 and 18: Kinabatangan River Safaris
- Days 19 and 20: Semporna and island tours
- Day 21: Fly from Tawau to Kuala Lumpur and back home
💡AlternativeFlying to Kuala Lumpur is usually cheaper than flying to Singapore, but If it is more convenient for you to fly directly to Singapore You can start the route there and go up to Penang, spending the same number of days and using land transport in this order: Singapore-Kuala Lumpur-Cameron Highlands-Penang, finally you can fly from Penang to Kota Bharu to reach the Perhentian Islands.
Day 1 – Arrival in Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur is one of Southeast Asia's most iconic and modern cities and the ideal entry point for this 21-day Malaysia itinerary. You have many days of travel ahead of you, so it's better to take the first day easy, trying some good restaurant in town and visiting some iconic places that you will surely want to see.
💡 To get around the city quickly you can use apps like Grab or BoltThey are the Asian version of Uber and in Kuala Lumpur they are really useful and cheap.
Depending on how much time and energy you have after your flights, you can visit some of these places. Anything left to do can be postponed to day 2 or 3.
- Chinatown District: A great multicultural neighborhood where Chinese and Hindu influences blend. You can visit several temples and explore the Petaling Street Market, the heart of the neighborhood, where souvenirs and counterfeits are sold.
- Kwai Chai Hong: A Chinatown alley filled with urban art on decaying buildings.
- Merdeka SquareThe most important square in Malaysia, the buildings surrounding it are the most beautiful in the city, combining a wide variety of architectural styles. The most notable is undoubtedly the Sultan Abdul Samad Building.
- Masjid Negara Mosque: It is the national mosque and can be visited for free.
- Petronas TowersThese world-famous towers are breathtaking both day and night. That's why we recommend visiting them at dusk and waiting until nightfall. We also recommend staying in one of the many Hotels with views of the Petronas.
- Saloma Link: A modern bridge with a light show and views of the Petronas Towers.
Day 2 and 3: Kuala Lumpur
The first day of this Malaysia route in 21 days You may have already seen some of the capital's most iconic buildings, but Kuala Lumpur and its surroundings have much to offer:
- Batu cavesThese are caves that house Hindu temples. The entrance is guarded by a golden statue over 40 meters high, accessed via a colorful and photogenic staircase.
- Thean Hou Temple: Stunning Chinese temple overlooking the city. It's one of our favorite buildings in all of Malaysia; you'll understand when you visit.
- Little IndiaThe Indian community is one of the largest and most visible in Malaysia. It's not known for being a sprawling neighborhood, but its main streets and the businesses you'll find there create an interesting cultural shock. It's also one of the best places to visit. where to eat in Kuala Lumpur.
- Malls: If you like shopping malls in Kuala Lumpur, you won't be bored. The most striking is probably Berjaya Times Square, which has a roller coaster inside, and also the Pavilion, due to its size and number of luxury stores.
- Alor Road: It's the quintessential street for street food and nightlife. The main street is somewhat chaotic, with all kinds of smells mingling, but walking down it is an experience.
- Jardín Botánico: One of the quietest parks in the city, it feels like you're not in a capital city.
- Masjid Wilayah MosqueFew tourists visit this place, but for many, it's the best mosque in the country and one of the best in the world. You can visit it on a free tour.
- Central Market: It used to be a very important local market, but today it's focused on tourism and you can find all kinds of souvenirs.
It may interest you | Kuala Lumpur in 2 days (with all stops well detailed)
Day 4: Transfer to Singapore and overnight visit
One of the easiest ways to get from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore is by direct busIt takes about 5 hours, and you cross the land border. It's best to leave Kuala Lumpur early to enjoy the afternoon in Singapore.
Once you leave your luggage at your accommodation, you can start going to the famous Gardens by the Bay, which has a free light show at 19:45 and 20:45 p.m. and then continue on foot to Marina Bay, where you can see the famous Marina Bay Sands and the rest of the city lit up at night.
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Days 5 and 6: Discover Singapore
The next two days you will be able to dedicatecarto get to know Singapore completely, lthe most modern city in Southeast Asia and one of the best stops on this 21-day tour of Malaysia and Singapore.
One of the days we recommend you take a cultural route visiting the most historic neighborhoods of the city such as Chinatown, Little India and the Arab QuarterAll three are very popular and a great example of Singapore's cultural diversity. There's a lot to see in these three neighborhoods; we explain it in more detail in our guide about What to see in Singapore in 2 days.
The next day you can visit other interesting places in Singapore such as:
- Fort Canning: Today it is a park, formerly it was the city fort and was the British base of operations during World War II. The most famous point of the park is the Tree Tunnel.
- Old Hill Street Police StationSingapore is known for its modern architecture, but this police station is an exception. Its white facade, with its multi-colored windows, stands out.
- Raffles HotelA colonial hotel steeped in history and significance for Singapore. It's an icon of luxury, and you can tour much of the building without actually staying there.
- Hawkers: This is what food markets in Singapore are known as. There are many of them, and they're ideal for reducing your restaurant budget and also for trying traditional food. One of our favorites, due to its architecture and variety of food, is Hawker Lau Pa Sat.
- Urban Circuit: The Singapore F1 circuit is one of the most famous in the world, and you can walk around part of it.
- Esplanade Theater: It's a concert hall next to the circuit and for us it's one of the most beautiful buildings in the city.
If you don't feel like exploring the whole city and prefer an alternative plan or are traveling with children, a great option is spend the day at Universal Studios (The online entry (it's cheaper than at the box office)
In the afternoon or at night the time to change zones and travel to the north of the country on this route through Malaysia and Singapore in 21 days. For this, we recommend taking a flight from Singapore to Penang, there are several companies lowcost that offer this route. Arrive to Singapore airport It's very simple, the best way is by subway.
Day 7: Penang, the culinary capital of Malaysia
George Town, the capital of Penang Island, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is of great historical and commercial importance due to its strategic location on the Strait of Malacca. famous for its colonial architecture, its street art, and religious diversity. Some things you can do here include:
- Route through the famous graffiti of George TownGeorge Town's most famous landmark is its street art, which decorates the city center with works by artists Tang Mun Kian and Ernerst Zacharevic.
- Visit Kek Lok Si TempleThis Buddhist temple is located on a hilltop overlooking the entire city of George Town. It is the largest Buddhist temple in the country.
- Get to know the cultural neighborhoodsYou've probably already seen that the cities you'll visit on this 21-day Malaysian itinerary are famous for their cultural diversity. Due to the historical importance of maritime trade, neighborhoods like Little India, Chinatown, and Chew Jetty are once again intertwined.
- Eat: Penang is considered the Malaysia's culinary capitalYou won't have a hard time finding good, affordable restaurants. Street food is also popular, for example on Chulia Street.
You are interested: Best travel insurance for Southeast Asia
Days 8 and 9: Cameron Highlands
Hay Several daily buses run from George Town to Tanah Rata, the main town in Cameron Highlands. It is a drive of about 5 hours and the online ticket It's very economical. Depending on whether you prefer to spend more time in Penang or the Cameron Highlands, you can take the midday bus through 12GoAsia and thus have an extra morning in George Town or catch it first thing in the morning.
Cameron Highlands is famous for its tea plantations and mountainous surroundings, offering several popular hiking trails. Our recommendations here are:
- Tour a tea plantation and taste the tea product: This is the most popular activity. You can walk along some paths within a plantation where you can meet the workers. They also have a cafeteria where they offer sweets and all kinds of teas produced on-site. The most famous plantation is BOH Tea Centre.
- Hiking trails: There are many routes that run through the mountains in the area, some very easy and others quite challenging. The most popular are the 10 Trails and the Mossy Forest.
- Rafflesia Search: It is an activity possible only between November and March, when in the forests of Cameron Highlands you can find this surprising flower, the largest in the world.
- Try Indian food: In Cameron Highland there is a large community of Indian origin and as a result it is an ideal place to try Indian food restaurants, our favorite was Highlands Spice.
Days 10 to 14: Perhentian Islands
El The first day you will spend mostly transferring, but you can still make it in time for your first sunset on the heavenly Perhentian Islands. There is a bus every day which departs from Cameron Highlands towards Kuala Besut, the city where you board to go to Perhentian. Since there is only one bus, I recommend booking the online ticket In advance, it departs at 8:00 a.m. and arrives at the port at 14:00 p.m. Take advantage of the opportunity to eat something and kill time until your boat leaves for the Perhentian Islands, which you can also book online.
two main islands are Perhentian Besar and Perhentian Kecil Both are perfect for a few relaxing days on this 21-day Malaysia itinerary. Besar is more family-friendly with large resorts, while Kecil has a more backpacker-friendly atmosphere with a variety of restaurants, bars, and nightly shows on the beach. Regardless of which you choose, you can take the same excursions and travel from one to the other by taxi boat.
We have one Guide to visiting Perhentian where we talk in detail about each island and the hotels we recommend so you can find the one that best suits you.
These islands are a beach paradise where there are no vehicles or paved roads. Even the restaurant tables for eat in Perhentian are on the sand. For us it is a Ideal destination for snorkelling and diving lovers, as well as being a perfect place to get started in either of the two. We have a good article with the best beaches in Perhentian and the most incredible places to snorkel.
Langkawi – The best alternative to the Perhentian Islands
⚠️ In case of traveling during November – February You won't be able to visit the Perhentian Islands due to the rainy weather, hotels and restaurants close during those months.
As an alternative destination We recommend you visit Langkawi, an island on the west coast of the country that is easily accessible from Penang By ferry or plane. Langkawi doesn't have beaches as spectacular as Perhentian, but it's a tropical island with crystal-clear waters and a wide range of different activities. Some of the best things to see and do on the island include:
- Route along the beaches of LangkawiVisit the most beautiful beaches like Pantai Kok or Tanjung Rhu Beach.
- Sunset at Pantai Cenang: This is the most touristic beach and the area where most hotels and restaurants are located. Although it is not the prettiest, it is an ideal place to watch the sunset.
- Bathe in the Seven Wells Waterfalls: A set of waterfalls and pools that are very popular for swimming.
Day 15: Transfer from Perhentian to Sandakan (Borneo)
We reached the Last days of this 21-day route through Malaysia and Singapore And now we suggest you completely change regions to discover Borneo. You're going to have to dedicatecar a full day of transfers, But is it worth it.
The first step is to get up early to catch the first ferry The bus leaves at 8 a.m. from Perhentian to Kuala Besut. You can then call a Grab or negotiate with a local taxi driver to take you to Kota Bharu Airport (you won't arrive before 11:30 a.m.).
You'll need to take a flight to ✈️Kuala Lumpur and then another to ✈️Sandakan. Book in advance. Domestic flights in Malaysia are really cheap and you will have enough time to reach Sandakan that same day.
Day 16: Seeing orangutans in Sepilok, a unique experience on the 21-day Malaysia tour
For this day we recommend you Visit the Sepilok Orangutan Recovery Center, just outside Sandakan. To get there, you'll need to take a taxi, Grab, or Bolt. Admission costs 30 MYR, and there are free lockers to store your luggage.
Sepilok, founded in 1964, was the The world's first recovery center for orphaned orangutans and today it also houses orangutans that have been left homeless due to the deforestation that is ravaging Borneo.
The center is open from 9 a.m. to 16 p.m. and provides food on the platforms twice a day, at 2 a.m. and 10 p.m. These two times are the best time to see orangutans. We took advantage of our entry fee and went both in the morning and afternoon.
You must take into account that in this center The orangutans are in semi-freedomThis means they can find their own food in the surrounding jungle and don't need to hunt.carsThey are on the feeding platforms, but there are almost always some that approach, especially the recently rescued ones.
Days 17 and 18: Safaris on the Kinabatangan River
One of our favorite activities to spot wildlife is to go on river safaris, following the course of the water. you can go into very difficult areas access where animals take refuge from deforestation and human presence.
To get to the Kinabatangan River from Sepilok, it is best to contact Mr. Choy (+60 19 536 1889), a driver who usually takes people from Sandakan to Sukau via Sepilok.
The River safaris are usually done 3 times a day, at dawn, dusk, and at night. The best times are early and late in the day, but we recommend doing at least one of each to try to see wild orangutans, pygmy elephants, proboscis monkeys, and many other animals.
In guide to the Kinabatangan River to know in detail everything you can do.
Days 19 and 20: Semporna and island tours
This 21-day tour of Malaysia and Singapore is coming to an end, but you still have some of the most beautiful places on the coast of Borneo to explore. We're talking about the islands off the city of Semporna, a town where you can briefly see How the Bajau Laut live o sea gypsies, a community with a unique connection to the sea.
To get from the Kinabatangan River to Semporna it is best to hire a private driver, again you can use Mr. Choy's contact or Ask your accommodation for help in arranging the transferYou can go by bus, but you'll lose a good part of the day.
Once in Semporna head to the port to hire a island hopping (multi-island tour) for the next day. Normally, three tours are offered that visit different islands, for us The best island is Bohey Dulang So we'd opt for the tour that includes it. All include food and stops at different snorkeling spots to enjoy the area.
We recommend that you read in detail our complete guide on what to do in Semporna to know in detail all options available, also what you can do in the city on your first day and where to eat.
Day 21: End of the 21-day tour of Malaysia and Singapore
After 21 days exploring places as diverse as Singapore and the Kinabatangan River, this route comes to an end and it's time to head back home. The most convenient way is to take a bus or taxi to the Tawau Airport, located 1 hour away.
Many come out every day Direct flights from Tawau to Kuala Lumpur.
Preparations Malaysia and Singapore itinerary
To finish you can read some of the following articles, they will be great for you organize your trip to Malaysia and Singapore:
Don't forget to bring a travel card on your trip. avoid commissions in payments and withdrawals. At this time, The best is Trade Republic, we'll tell you why (and you get €10 as a gift) in ▷Trade Republic for travel.
We hope this route through Singapore and Malaysia in 21 days help you organize your trip, if you have any questions about it, we'll read your comments to try to help you.
You can access all the articles we have from Malaysia or see our featured stories from Instagram. Thanks for reading us!
