Culture Trip to Malaysia | School Tours

Malaysia

6 days

Starting from £590

Starting from €675

Starting from $740

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Over 6 days and across 3 cities, this culture trip to Malaysia offers students a fascinating look into Malay history and heritage. Students will take unmissable trips to UNESCO World Heritage districts, explore stunning temple complexes, and get to grips with the country’s diverse and bustling culture.

At a glance:

Days 1-2 in Kuala Lumpur: Chinatown, Guan Yin Temple, KL & Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall, KL & Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall, Old China Café, Petronas Towers, Aquaria KLCC, Merdeka Square

Days 3-4 in Kuala Lumpur & Malacca: Batu Caves, Berjaya Times Square Theme Park, Baba & Nyonya Heritage Museum, Meleka River cruise

Days 5-6 in Penang: Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion, Khoo Kongsi, Kapitan Keling Mosque, Pinang Peranakan Mansion, Georgetown, Kek Lok Si Temple

To view all of our Malaysia school tours, see our full list here.

*Prices based on groups of 20 students with 2 free teacher spots.

What's included?

✓ Local tour guide in each city
✓ All accommodation costs
✓ Full board meals for the entire trip
✓ All transportation costs, including airport pick-up and drop-off
✓ All activities listed in the itinerary

✓ 1 free teacher per 10 paying students
✓ 24-hour emergency contact support during the trip
✓ Detailed pre-departure summary & briefing
✓ Full financial failure protection
✓ Public liability insurance
✓ Our trips are fully risk-assessed

Itinerary

Day 1: Welcome to Malaysia!

Your culture trip to Malaysia begins here! You’ll arrive in Kuala Lumpur, where you’ll be greeted by your Adventure Leaders. They’ll get you transferred and settled to your new accommodation, before you meet for a trip briefing. Here, they’ll tell you about your travel plans and give you advice on adapting to local life. They’ll also let you know the best ways to stay safe whilst travelling.

After lunch, you’re off to explore Kuala Lumpur! Chinatown is the name given to the original commercial heart of Old Kuala Lumpur, which surrounds the busy market of Petaling Street. Follow your leader for an in-depth guide to the area – you’ll learn about business practices, cultural beliefs, and the spiritual life of the community.

Next, pay a visit to Guan Yin Temple. Built in 1880, it’s dedicated to Guan Yin, the Goddess of Compassion. People pray here in the hopes of acquiring the Buddhist quality of compassion. Across the street, you’ll see the KL & Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall. The whitewashed, dome-like building was completed in 1923, as is mainly used for meetings and functions. It was recognised as a National Heritage site back in 2005.

You’ll also see the Chan See Shue Yuen Clan Association Temple. A Clan Association is a kind of club for people with the same surname – in this case, the surname is Chan. This includes Tan and Chen, whose names are written using the same Chinese characters. That makes it a very big clan!

Take a break in the Old China Café, a cosy restaurant that serves delicious Peranakan food. It’s decorated with antiques, old photos, and paintings, and is the perfect place for a rest stop.

You’re then off to see the statue of the Taoist God of War – Guan Di – which is believed to have special powers! Your last stop of the day is the Central Market. In time gone by, the building served as a wet market, but today it’s the best place to shop for gifts and souvenirs.

Day 2: Above the Clouds & Underwater

After breakfast today we’ll take you to the best view in the city. Students will head up into the skies as they take in the skyline from the Petronas Twin Towers – the highest point in Kuala Lumpur.

Next, you’ll head far below the ground with a trip to Aquaria KLCC in the city centre. It’s one of the top five aquariums in Asias, and is home to over 5000 species! The state-of-the-art aquarium features a 90-metre long underwater walkway, where you’ll see tiger sharks, sea snakes, and beautiful coral fish.

You’ll finish your busy day with a trip to Merdeka Square. This beautiful area has a key historical importance, as it was the site where Malaya declared its independence in 1957. It’s filled with stunning examples of architecture, including the Sultan Abdul Samad Building.

Day 3: Batu Caves to Berjaya Times Square

This morning, you and your students will head to the amazing Batu Caves. Located around an hour from Kuala Lumpur, you’ll find limestone cliffs dotted with caves and colourful carved temples. The caves and temples are Hindu shrines, and are considered important places of pilgrimage for many of the Tamil residents of Malaysia. You can visit the caves to learn more about the religious history of the area, while also seeing some of the amazing wildlife that inhabits the area. If you fancy, there are also rock climbing opportunities or treks around the local area.

It’s back to Kuala Lumpur this afternoon, as students have an action-packed afternoon at the Berjaya Times Square Theme Park! This indoor amusement park is spread across the 5th to 8th floors of Berjaya Times Square. It was conceived as the largest indoor, all-weather entertainment destination in the region, and is now the second-largest indoor amusement park in Asia!

This evening, enjoy some free time to explore the sights and sounds of Kuala Lumpur.

Day 4: Malacca

Next stop, Malacca (Melaka)! You’re off to the second base of your culture trip to Malaysia with a private coach transfer. After you’ve checked into your next accommodation, it’s time to explore the UNESCO World Heritage-designated city!

You’ll head through the bustling Jonker Street market on the way to the Baba & Nyonya Heritage Museum. Located in the Old District of the city, the heritage museum consists of three houses that once belonged to the Chan family. (Fun fact: Baba is an honorific term for a Straits-born gentleman, and Nyonya a Straits-born lady.) It’s filled with antique furniture and precious artefacts which date back to the Qing Dynasty, and is a fascinating place to learn about Malaysia’s history.

This evening, you’ll see the city in the best way possible – from the water. You’ll take to the Malacca River for a beautiful cruise along the waterway, where you’ll also learn about the city’s 600-year trading history.

Day 5: Penang

This morning, you’re off to Penang! It’s the final destination on your culture trip to Malaysia, and you’ll arrive around lunchtime.

You’ll spend the afternoon orienting yourself around the beautiful city – there’s so many places to visit! A key historic site is the Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion, also known as the Blue Mansion. You can take a guided tour around this beautifully restored Chinese courtyard house. You can also explore Khoo Kongsi, a Chinese clan temple that showcases intricate carvings and beautiful architecture.

Next, walk along Armenian Street, where you can see famous street art, including ‘Children on a Bicycle.’ You can also explore the Kapitan Keling Mosque, an impressive 19th-century mosque known for its stunning interior. Finally, if you’ve got time you can head to the Pinang Peranakan Mansion, which displays the history and culture of Peranakan communities in Penang.

This evening, you’ve got time free to explore Penang under your own steam.

Day 6: Trains & Temples

This morning, you’ll take the funicular train up to enjoy the cooler climates, beautiful gardens, and stunning views of Georgetown – another UNESCO Heritage zone!

After lunch, students will visit the Kek Lok Si Temple, known as one of the largest and finest temple complexes in Southeast Asia. With millions of magnificent images of Buddha, and hundreds of meaningful carvings, sculptures and murals throughout, Kek Lok Si is an epicentre for Chinese culture and Buddhist teaching. As you explore the complex, you’ll learn more about the heritage of Mahayana Buddhism and traditional Chinese ritual. You’ll also get the chance to see some remarkable architectural feats!

In the evening, you and your students will come together for a reflection session. This gives you the opportunity to not only discuss your amazing experiences, but also consider what you’ve learned about the region as a whole.