MALAYSIAN MASALA

FROM USD$2,490.00

(A CHOICE OF EITHER QUALITY OR BUDGET ACCOMMODATION)
As Malaysia heads towards a developed nation it now has most of the mod cons of the west. But thankfully it still hasn't lost it's cultures of the past as yet, and that's what this trip is mostly about.

You can visit the twin towers and use the new light rail system in K.L. that's taken the hard work out of seeing the capital,. but it's the history of Melacca, a lesser known island along with the more famous Langkawi that we've really come to experience. Add to that the scenic Cameron highlands with a chance to cool down in the hill station town. Then onto a little known town before the food capital of the world on Penang island.

Food is no doubt a major highlight of this trip.
Baktrax's food advisor from France declares without hesitation that, "Malaysia is undoubtably the food capital of the world." And Penang is the best place in Malaysia to try a lot of it. Baktrax takes no responsibility whatsoever for gained weight during this trip. Whether it's Indian roti, Chinese dim sum or Malay nasi lemak for breakfast, This trip has it all. Baked beans on toast can even be found occasionally. For lunch & dinner you'll have to come to do this trip yourself to find out more.

NO LOCAL PAYMENT REQUIRED ON ARRIVAL

GROUP SIZE: Minimum one, Maximum eight.

Guaranteed to depart.

English speaking tour coordinator.

VISITING:
BANGKOK - KUALA LUMPUR (K.L) - MELAKA - LUMUT - PANGKOR ISLAND - CAMERON HIGHLANDS (Tanah Rata) - KUALA KANGSAR - PENANG ISLAND - LANGKAWI ISLAND.

ACCOMMODATION:
QUALITY:
Four star hotels, ( 6 nights).
Three star hotel, (2 nights).
One to two star guest houses and hotels, (13 nights).
Second class overnight sleeper train, (1 night).

BUDGET:
One to two star guest houses and hotels, (11 nights).
Simple or basic guest houses, (10 nights).
Second class overnight sleeper train, (1 night).

TRANSPORT:
Plane, bus, boat, taxi, train.

DAY TRIPS:
K.L. city tour, (half day).
Melacca river boat tour, (two hours).
Sights of Melacca tour, (two to three hours).
Tour of Cameron highlands, (half day).
Tour on Penang Island, (half day).

ENTRY FEES:
All included when part of the itinerary.

MEALS:
24 meals included. B = Breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner.

DAY 1: BANGKOK - Your trip officially starts after checking into your Bangkok accommodation. A welcoming dinner will be had in the evening. D.

DAY 2: BANGKOK - A free day to explore the city of angels. A trip to the gigantic weekend market is just one of the myriad of possibilities today. B. D.

DAY 3: KUALA LUMPUR - A short flight will see you in the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur. Better known to all as simply K.L. B.

DAY 4: KUALA LUMPUR - A K.L. city tour is included today. Rest of the day is free. B.

DAY 5: KUALA LUMPUR - Now that you have the feel of this fascinating, multicultural city you have a full day to explore. With the new, cheap and extensive light rail and monorail things are now a breeze to get around to see the twin towers, central market, China town, Batu caves or any number of other attractions. B.

DAY 6: MELAKA - A short bus ride will have you in the historical town of Melaka. The rest of the day is free before a late afternoon (depending on the tide) short but interesting boat trip on the Melaka River. B.

DAY 7: MELAKA - A short two to three hour tour to some of Melaka's historical attractions is included today. Rest of day is free to stroll along the famous Jonkers street to browse and/or shop. Little India is nearby also. B.

DAY 8: LUMUT - By bus today to the seaside town of Lumut for an overnight stay. B.

DAY 9: PANGKOR ISLAND - With only a 30 minute ferry ride to the lesser known island of Pangkor you will have a full two days to relax at the beachside. B.

Day 10: PANGKOR ISLAND - Relax on the beach or go for a stroll on this small but beautiful island. B.

DAY 11: TANAH RATA - An early start sees you on the ferry back to Lumut to connect to a bus to Ipoh followed by another to Tanah Rata, the main town, in the Cameron Highlands. At almost 1,800 metres above sea level it will be cool relief from the heat below. No meals.

DAY 12: TANAH RATA - Either a morning or afternoon half day tour of the region is included today. The tour includes a visit to a tea plantation and factory, a chinese temple and a butterfly farm while all the time enjoying the sensational scenery as you go. B.

DAY 13: TANAH RATA - With lots of walks to do in the cooler air there's no excuse for just sitting around and trying the sensational food. You can still do that after working up an appetite. B.

DAY 14: KUALA KANGSAR - Back down to the heat at sea level today.
Firstly a bus back to Ipoh and then immediately on to the small town of Kuala Kangsar. B.

DAY 15: KUALA KANGSAR - Although small, Kuala Kangsar has a number of its own attractions including one of the most photographed mosques in the country. All the attractions are easily accessible by foot. B.

DAY 16: PENANG ISLAND - A late morning bus will see you mid afternoon in Georgetown, the big and busy capital of Penang Island. Georgetown has an atmosphere unlike any other place known to Baktrax in Malaysia and possibly all of S.E. asia. It's one of our all time favourite destinations. B.

DAY 17: PENANG ISLAND - A half day local tour is included today. But without doubt the main purpose of coming to Penang is the FOOD! Your accommodation is within a few minutes walk of a multitude of Malay, Chinese or Indian restaurants. Penang's curry laksa, Chinese dim sum or Indian tandoori chicken with garlic nan bread are just but 3 of the options available. And if they haven't done so already, your tour coordinator will be more than happy to show you how to eat the local way with a banana leaf meal. B.

DAY 18: PENANG ISLAND - A free day to explore some more of the island and more FOOD! FOOD! FOOD! China town, Little India or the modern Komtar shopping mall will keep you busy today. B.

DAY 19: LANGKAWI ISLAND - An early start to the ferry terminal will see you on the beautiful island of Langkawi before lunch time. L. D.

DAY 20: LANGKAWI ISLAND - Your beachside accommodation and warm waters will be a special way to finish seeing MAGNIFICENT MALAYSIA. A Malaysia that few tourists really get to see. B.

DAY 21: OVERNIGHT SLEEPER TRAIN - A little bit different in getting back to Bangkok today. Firstly a ferry back to the Thai border province of Satun. Then after immigration duties a bus trip to nearby Trang province for a few hours. Late afternoon we catch the sleeper train back to Bangkok. B.

DAY 22: BANGKOK - Arrive a.m. in Bangkok for a final nights accommodation. A farewell dinner will be had in the evening. Being a Saturday you may wish to fill in the time in between with a visit to the gigantic weekend market, or maybe you'd rather visit one of the famous Bangkok temples within easy reach of your accommodation. Very few people ever get bored in Bangkok. Just watching the amount and chaos of the traffic is entertaining enough in itself. D.

DAY 23: Your trip is officially over when you check out of your Bangkok accommodation. An airport transfer is included also. B.

(Note: On your way home you may wonder why the seatbelt on your plane seat is so tight. We warned you though, didn't we?)

TOUR DATES:
2009: Jan 3; Feb 7; Mar 7; April 4; May 2; June 6; July 4; Aug 1; Sept 5; Oct 3; Nov 7; Dec 5.

2010; Jan 2; Feb 6; Mar 6; Apr 3; May 1; Jun 5; Jul 3; Aug 7; Sep 4; Oct 2; Nov 6; Dec 4.

Any other date on application. (Minimum two people).

PRICE:
P/P, land only; (Included is one way flight from Bangkok to Kuala Lumpur).
QUALITY: USD$3,250.00.
Single Suppliment: USD$1,350.00
BUDGET: USD$2,490.00.
Single Suppliment: USD$550.00