Malaysia Itinerary: A 10-Day Route Through Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Borneo

Malaysia is two countries in one: the high-rise capital, colonial Penang and jungle highlands of Peninsular Malaysia, and the rainforests, mountains and wildlife of Malaysian Borneo across the South China Sea. Ten days is enough for a taste of both if you choose carefully. Here is the Malaysia itinerary we like.

The 10-day route

Days 1 to 3: Kuala Lumpur

Malaysia’s capital mixes soaring towers and old temples. See the Petronas Twin Towers at dusk, climb the 272 steps to the Batu Caves temple, wander Chinatown and Little India, and eat widely: nasi lemak, satay, roti canai and char kway teow. Add a day trip to the Cameron Highlands tea estates if you have time.

Kuala Lumpur in more detail. Book a time slot for the Petronas Twin Towers skybridge and observation deck online in advance, as visits are timed. Go to the Batu Caves early in the morning before the heat and the crowds; during the Hindu festival of Thaipusam in January or February, the caves attract huge pilgrimages. For food, spend an evening on Jalan Alor or at the stalls of Kampung Baru, the traditional Malay village in the shadow of the towers. The Islamic Arts Museum, near the old railway station, is one of the finest in Asia.

Optional day trip: Malacca, about two hours south by road, shares UNESCO World Heritage status with George Town. Its Dutch Square, Chinese temples and Peranakan houses are best explored on foot, with a river cruise in the evening.

Days 4 to 6: Penang

A short flight north, Penang’s capital George Town is a UNESCO World Heritage city of shophouses, clan houses and street art. Visit the Kek Lok Si temple and take the funicular up Penang Hill for views. Penang is Malaysia’s food capital: street stalls and hawker centers are the main attraction.

Penang in more detail. Follow the street-art trail of murals and wrought-iron caricatures through the old town, visit the ornate Khoo Kongsi clan house and the indigo-blue Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion, then take the funicular railway up Penang Hill for views across the strait. Penang is Malaysia’s food capital: try char kway teow, assam laksa, nasi kandar and the desserts at the hawker centers. The trip from Kuala Lumpur takes about an hour by air, or around four hours on the fast ETS train to Butterworth, followed by a short ferry ride.

Days 7 to 10: Borneo

Fly to Kota Kinabalu in Sabah, then on to Sandakan for the Sepilok orangutan centre and a river cruise on the Kinabatangan. Alternatively, fly from Penang or Kuala Lumpur to Kuching in Sarawak and see orangutans at Semenggoh, with a visit to Bako National Park. See our guides to where to see orangutans and the Borneo island travel guide.

Borneo in more detail. At the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, time your visit with one of the daily feeding sessions. Next door, the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre and the canopy walkways of the Rainforest Discovery Centre are worth a few hours. On the Kinabatangan River, early-morning and late-afternoon boat trips are the best time to see proboscis monkeys, hornbills, macaques and, with luck, Borneo’s pygmy elephants. Two nights at a riverside lodge is the minimum.

The Sarawak alternative

For a different side of Borneo, fly to Kuching, a relaxed riverside city. Nearby, Semenggoh Nature Reserve is home to semi-wild orangutans, while Bako National Park has proboscis monkeys and coastal trails. Gunung Mulu National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site reached by a short flight, has some of the largest caves in the world.

Is 10 days enough?

For Kuala Lumpur, Penang and one region of Borneo, yes, but at a brisk pace. Operators suggest at least four to six days for Malaysian Borneo on its own, so with 10 days we recommend dropping either Penang or the Cameron Highlands. With 14 days you can relax and add Mulu or Mount Kinabalu.

A shorter, Borneo-focused version

• 2 days: Kuala Lumpur.
• 8 days: Sabah: Kota Kinabalu, Sepilok, Kinabatangan and an island stay.

Swap or add: Langkawi, the highlands and the islands

• Langkawi: a short flight from Kuala Lumpur or Penang, with resort beaches, mangrove tours and a cable car to the Sky Bridge. The island is a UNESCO Global Geopark.
• Cameron Highlands: cool tea plantations and walking trails, about three to four hours by road from Kuala Lumpur.
• Perhentian and Redang islands: clear water and snorkeling off the east coast, but only outside the monsoon, which runs roughly from November to February.
• Mount Kinabalu: Southeast Asia’s highest peak, climbed over two days with a licensed guide. Permits are limited and should be booked well ahead.

Getting around Malaysia

Domestic flights are short and affordable: Kuala Lumpur to Penang is about an hour, and Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu around two and a half hours. Note that Sabah and Sarawak have their own immigration controls, so you show your passport even on domestic flights to Borneo. In cities, ride-hailing apps such as Grab are the easiest way to get around.

When to go

Malaysia is warm all year. The west coast of the peninsula is driest from November to March, the east coast has its monsoon from November to February, and Borneo is generally easiest from March to October. See our best time to visit Malaysia.

What Malaysia is known for

Its food, a blend of Malay, Chinese and Indian cooking; the Petronas Towers; orangutans and rainforest in Borneo; and the mix of cultures that shapes everyday life.

Before you go

• US citizens can visit Malaysia without a visa for a tourist stay; check the current length of stay for your passport.
• Complete the free Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) online within three days before you arrive.
• Dress modestly for mosques and temples; robes are often lent at the entrance of major mosques.
• Bring insect repellent and light, long clothing for the rainforest, and leech socks for jungle walks.

Malaysia on a private tour

Explore our Classic Malaysia, Malaysia and Borneo and all our Malaysia tours, or discover places to visit in Malaysia.

Malaysia itinerary: FAQ

How many days do you need in Malaysia?

Ten days for the highlights; two weeks to add Borneo comfortably.

What is the best route in Malaysia?

Kuala Lumpur, Penang and either Sabah or Sarawak.

Is Malaysia worth visiting?

Yes, for its food, cities and rainforest wildlife.

What is the best time to visit Malaysia?

It depends on the region; roughly March to October for Borneo, November to March for the west coast.

Should I visit Penang or Langkawi?

Penang for food and culture; Langkawi for beaches.

Can I see orangutans on a 10-day Malaysia trip?

Yes. Fly from Kuala Lumpur to Sabah (via Kota Kinabalu or directly to Sandakan) for Sepilok and the Kinabatangan River, or to Kuching in Sarawak for Semenggoh.