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The Great Malaysian Adventure no one will tell you about
Travel itineraries to Malaysia will have the likes of shopping and dining in the buzzing city of Kuala Lumpur, watching wildlife at the KL Bird Park or Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, exploring the Batu Caves and the Penang Hill in Penang. But Malaysia has much more to offer than fine dining and chilling on the beach. Discover the hidden gems of Malaysia with Malaysian Airlines, now with flights to Kuala Lumpur, with up to 30% off in conjunction with their mid-year deals. Now lets get started on planning your great Malaysian adventure!
Cameron Highlands, Pahang- Malaysias largest hill-station with stunning vistas and undulating mountains covered with lush green tea plantations is nothing short of heaven on Earth. With temperatures rarely topping 30 degree Celcius, you can lounge around, sipping tea and eating strawberries from the many strawberry farms that dot the place. And when you are done with it, we strongly recommend you walk through the Mossy Forest located at the top of Gunung Brinchang and chill along the lovely waterfalls that the place offers- definitely every travellers cup of tea!
Mount Kinabalu, Sabah- If you are an adventure junkie, have tonnes of stamina to burn, and like getting high on heights, both literally and figuratively, Mount Kinabalu, South Asias highest peak is totally your thing! Rising jagged and dark in sharp contrast to the lush surrounding jungle, Mount Kinabalu is indeed an imposing sight to behold. Constantly veiled in wisps of clouds, this mountain is considered sacred by the Kadazan Dusun tribe that believes that spirits dwell here. Keep your eyes open for some interesting sights such as the Villosa pitcher plant or the Carson miniature waterfall. Still not giving you an adrenaline rush? Opt for the Ferrata trail through Mountain Torq and you will be left breathless!
Bukit Keteri, Perlis- A small village in the state of Perlis with spectacular limestone towers, Bukit Keteri is next on our list. Surrounded by an endless sea of green rice paddies, the rock is an extension of the karst limestone made famous by Thailand. The 20-minute trek through the paddy fields till you reach the foot of the hill is straight out of a dream. And if scenic landscapes are totally your thing, stay back till the sunset and watch the sun drench the entire landscape in fiery hues.
Bohey Dulang island, Sabah- Once upon a time, a mountainous island sprouted up as a result of a volcanic explosion. Over the next few years, it grew the most incredible of flora and became home to numerous fauna. The crater that formed the island flooded up with sea water and became a majestic sapphire blue lagoon. Imagine the romance and the adventure of this place! Welcome to the Bohey Dulang Island, one of the Islands in the Tun Sakaran Marine Park. While you are here, opt for the arduous yet rewarding hiking trail to the top of the Bohey Dulang peak. Go diving and snorkelling once back from your hike to cool down and then check out how giant clams are bred at the Giant Clam and Marine Invertebrate Hatchery. Also get a chance to see how this side of the world lives by taking a walk through the settlement of the nomadic, seafaring Sea Gypsy community.
Sungai Cherating, Pahang- Sign up for the experience of a lifetime by taking the Firefly Tour along the river. Prepare to be enchanted and spellbound by what you see - it's probably the most romantic setting too. You'll learn about the many species of fireflies in Malaysia and watch them light up the mangroves in the night sky. That's not all. In the day time, you can take the Mangrove River Tour and discover Malaysia's wildlife while cruising down the tree lined waterway - from owls to snakes and monitor lizards, you'll need to keep your eyes peeled during this two to three hour ride. We recommend kayaking but you could also take a motorised sampan (a small boat).
Bukit Panorama, Kuantan- Enjoy the quiet and peace? Head to Sungai Lembing, just 45 kms from Kuantan. This is where you can catch a glimpse of paradise up the Bukit Panorama, a small hill that offers a view like never before. And if you can be the early bird and head there at dawn, a 45 minute climb will take you to the summit where a panoramic view will greet you with perhaps the whole place to yourself. While you're there, you could also make a short trip to the tin mines at Sungai Lembing. Take a train into the tunnels and learn a bit about the history of tin mining in Malaysia and visit what they call the Million Dollar Chamber - called so because they clocked business worth a million dollars.
So this time, go to Malaysia to explore the hidden Malaysia, its very heart, its treasured, well-preserved gems. As a part of their mid-year deals, Malaysia Airlines is offering flights to Kuala Lumpur starting Rs.13,128. With exit points from Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Colombo (Sri Lanka), this is the cheapest that travel can get. But tarry not, because this offer ends on the 15th of June and we dont want you to feel left out of The Great Malaysian Adventure, do we?