Malaysia's Jungle Railway Adventure

Selamat datang! Welcome to Malaysia. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm at your hotel to 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.

After breakfast, head to Kuala Lumpur's historical Railway Station to board a high-speed train to the UNESCO-listed Ipoh – the capital of the Perak state. Don't forget to look out the window for views of palm plantations and rice fields as you whizz through the countryside! After arriving 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-m-tall golden Buddha statue. Then, return to the city to check into your hotel and explore Ipoh’s 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.

After breakfast, take a private vehicle to Gua Musang station to board a train 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. This is the first segment of the Jungle Railway – and arguably one of the most scenic – so you're in for a treat! You’ll rumble past towering karst cliffs that loom over the tracks, virgin forests in all the shades of green and traditional Kampung stilt villages. After arriving in Tanah Merah, the evening is yours to relax or explore. Maybe check out Pasar Besar Tanah Merah market or sample some local dishes – roti canai or nasi kerabu are always a hit.

This morning, get your vitamin-sea fix on a speedboat ride to the Perhentian Islands for a snorkelling adventure. Spend the next few hours cruising along clear waters to colour-popping reefs – including Turtle Point and Coral Garden – where you’ll get eye level with curious clownfish, parrotfish, rays and turtles (if you’re lucky). Hop back on the speedboat to Tanah Merah and settle back into your hotel by the late 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.

It’s time to get back on board the Jungle Railway! It’s any early start this morning (around 4 or 5 am) to catch the train to Kuala Lipis – it’s a great chance to watch how the mornings unfold in the countryside. After a lunch stop, hop on a bus to Taman Negara National Park and check into your jungle chalet 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 listen to and 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.

After breakfast, get your blood pumping on an easy to moderate hike to Bukit Teresek – a 334 m-tall hill overlooking the national park with panoramas that stretch as far as Mount Tahan (2,187 m) on a clear day. The hill is accessible via jungle trails interconnected with a canopy walk. After the hike, continue to 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 afternoon and evening.

This morning, take a bus to Jerantut station to board a Jungle Railway train to Gemas. From here, hop on a bus to the UNESCO World Heritage city of Melaka and check into your hotel at around 5 pm. 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 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 ideas or recommendations, just ask your knowledgeable local leader!

Today, dive deeper into the layers of Melaka’s history on a trishaw ride through the winding streets of its heritage area. Admire 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 temples and a traditional Muslim house-museum along the way. During free time in the afternoon, maybe check out the red buildings in Dutch Square or grab a drink in one of the riverside bars. If you're feeling active, you could jump on an Eco Bike tour or take a boat ride along the scenic Melaka River.

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 – perhaps exploring the colourful shopfronts of Little India and Chinatown – before regrouping with your leader and fellow travellers for a farewell dinner at Lau Pa Sat. One of Singapore’s oldest hawker markets and listed as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, it’s 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 toast to an unforgettable trip!

With no activities planned, your Jungle Railway 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.