Malaysia - Borneo
Day 1: Off we go to Malaysia and Borneo at a time of enormous conflict in the Middle East. Had we, as so often happens, traveled to Asia via a hub in the Persian Gulf, it would probably have resulted in an expensive rebooking. However, this time we booked the "less risky" option with Turkish Airlines, with a layover in Istanbul. After a long flight, we land in Kuala Lumpur .
Day 2: We arrived at the hotel quite early, hoping to recover a bit from the journey. However, the agency pretty much left us in the lurch, as the reception couldn't find a room reservation for us. After much back and forth and several phone calls, we were finally able to check in. At that point, it was also unclear when and where we would meet the tour guide. Once we had sorted everything out, we embarked on our first exploration of Kuala Lumpur with the Typical sights include the KL Tower and the Petronas Twin Towers . After meeting up with the tour group, we'll set off in the early evening for a street food tour in the Bukit Bintang nightlife district on the lively Jalon Alor street . At the night markets so typical of Asia, we'll sample traditional Malaysian cuisine and get a taste of the local culture.
Day 3: After breakfast, we set off again to explore Kuala Lumpur . First, we visit the Batu Caves, which are overrun with tourists . Back in the city, we made a quick photo stop at the Sultan Abdul Samad Building and St. Mary's Cathedral , as well as the viewpoint overlooking the Jamek Mosque , where we also learned that the name Kuala Lumpur means "Muddy Estuary." We experienced a very impressive, almost mystical visit (photo) at the Taoist temple Sin Sze Si Ya... definitely worth a visit. We also made a quick stop at the Hindu temple Sri Maha Mariamman , which is typically Hindu and colorful . For some more beautiful photos, we went back to the Sultan Abdul Samad Building (definitely go in the afternoon for the best light) and then on to PNB 118 , the second tallest building in the world. After a great cocktail to finish off the day, we returned to the hotel. Tomorrow we leave the city, but we'll be back at the end of our trip to share more interesting experiences and a truly crazy encounter.
Day 4: We leave Kuala Lumpur and drive to the oldest rainforest in the world, Taman Negara National Park (approximately 130 million years old; some sources also cite the Daintree as the oldest rainforest) . After a scenic drive, we reach the heart of the national park in Kuala Tahan . We take a short hike and then embark on a night safari in the park. Taman Negara National Park is home to a wide variety of animals, including elephants, buffalo, tapirs, and over 600 bird species. We see a monitor lizard, manage to get a photo, and a chevrotain, which, however, runs away in fright, as well as various insects and scorpions.
Day 5: In the morning, we hiked through the lush tropical rainforest. Along the way, we discovered quite a few interesting plants. We reached our destination at Teresik Mountain , from which we enjoyed a fantastic panoramic view. Unfortunately, the adventure didn't continue as planned. The planned crossing of several suspension bridges in the rainforest was not possible due to damage (as of 2026). Incidentally, the longest bridge is an impressive 530 meters long and hovers 40 meters above the ground. In the afternoon, we continued with a fantastic boat tour through the impressive scenery to the beautiful Lata Berkoh Cascades , where we swam in the river. We realized a little too late that we had entered the water in the wrong place... we were swept away by the current, thrown against some rocks in the water, and even partially submerged. It was really close to being dangerous. You also have to watch out for the countless wasps there.
Day 6: Today we leave Taman Negara National Park and travel to the Cameron Highlands . The region is best known for its idyllic tea plantations , whose cultivation dates back to the British colonial era. Due to the holiday season in Malaysia, there are endless traffic jams in this popular region, so we have to postpone our planned program until the next day.
Day 7: We'll make up for the program postponed from the previous day with a hike through the spectacular moss-covered forest, learning more about the local flora. The forest is home to pitcher plants, various orchid species, and ferns. With a bit of luck, you might even spot the Rafflesia, the world's largest flower. Due to its location at an altitude of over 2,000 meters, this impressive cloud forest boasts a unique ecosystem. We'll then leave the Cameron Highlands along scenic trails, heading towards Penang . En route, we'll stop in Ipoh to explore this charming city with its street art , whimsical alleyways , and historic town hall . The Perak Tong cave temple in Ipoh is also well worth a visit. We'll arrive in Georgetown on Penang Island late in the evening.
Day 8: Today we remain in beautiful Georgetown. First, we visit the incredibly fascinating Kek Lok Si Temple , the largest Chinese Buddhist temple in Southeast Asia. Take your time here; there's much to discover and magnificent views. Back in the city, Georgetown reveals itself to be a true art paradise. Throughout the old town, we find murals that tell stories and transform the streets into an art gallery. The most famous mural is the interactive artwork by Ernest Zacharevic, "Little Children on Bicycles" ( queue up for photos ). We make another photo stop at St. George's Church , the oldest purpose-built Anglican church in Southeast Asia. Then we visit the Khoo Kongsi Clan House, stroll through the alleyways , take a detour to the waterfront , and visit the Kepitan Kling Mosque . We also learn how the fragrant incense sticks are made, filling the city with their aroma. In the evening, we'll head to the night market to try some street food. Georgetown is world-renowned for its excellent cuisine. We'll have a nightcap at the rather stylish Stage II bar.
Day 9: We head to Penang Airport for our flight to Kuching on the island of Borneo . We can already tell you that the culture, flora, and fauna on Borneo are very different from those on the Malaysian peninsula. Upon arrival in Kuching , we go to our hotel and spend the rest of the day at our leisure. We stroll through the city to get a first impression. A must-see is definitely Carpenter Street with its numerous restaurants and shops, and the Darul Hana Bridge, which offers a fantastic view of the architecturally unique Sarawak State Assembly building .
Day 10: We drive to Semenggoh to observe orangutans. Unfortunately, none make an appearance. After the rainy season, the abundance of fruit means the animals can't be lured, even with tasty food. Rather disappointed, we drive back to Kuching to see the Kuching City Mosque and spend some time at the Borneo Cultural Museum . Our guide proudly tells us that he belongs to the Iban tribe, who live here in the state of Sarawak. Of course, he also mentions that headhunting was practiced as a sign of masculinity and prestige until the 1970s, and the severed heads were displayed in the family longhouse (the corresponding photo below is intentionally not taken too close up). In the evening, we go to the banks of the Sarawak River for the light show in front of the State Assembly building... not to be missed.
Day 11: Today we visit a small market in Kuching to learn more about local vegetables, fish, meat, and spices. Afterward, we cook a traditional six-course Malaysian meal together with a chef and enjoy our self-prepared meal. In the afternoon, we take a scenic boat trip on the Santubong River and get our photo of the adorable proboscis monkeys. Crocodiles and Irrawaddy dolphins also inhabit the Santubong. The sunset is beautiful, and in the evening, fireflies illuminate the mangrove forests.
Day 12: We take a boat to the wild Bako National Park , a true natural paradise! The excursion is a truly wonderful experience... a must-do. On our hike along the pristine coast, we immerse ourselves in a world of lush rainforest, beaches, and flora bursting with color. Nature also offers fantastic wildlife encounters. We try to spot the famous proboscis monkeys, green vipers, bearded pigs, and silvery langurs that inhabit the reserve. We manage to take some fantastic photos and return to Kuching with unforgettable memories.
Day 13: Today another domestic flight is on the agenda... off to Sandakan in the state of Sabah. However, things don't go quite as planned. After the alarm rings at 3:00 a.m., we're supposed to catch the 6:00 a.m. Air Asia flight from Kuching via Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan. At the airport, we learn that this flight is canceled. So we have to go back to Kuala Lumpur first, and after a six-hour layover, we finally get to Sandakan. As a result, we miss our visit to the Rainforest Discovery Centre (RDC). After spending the whole day in airports, we're glad to be at the hotel.
Day 14: Early in the morning, we visited the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre . I forgot my poncho in the pouring rain, so the two of us had to squeeze under one, along with all the equipment. We got soaked, of course, but at least the cameras stayed dry. At the centre, we learned about orangutan conservation, strolled through the rainforest, and watched the feeding from two platforms ( note for photographers: one platform is behind glass ). Afterwards, we visited the neighboring Sun Bear Conservation Centre to see the world's smallest bears, unfortunately also in heavy rain, resulting in poor photo opportunities. After lunch, we finally made up for the tour we missed the previous day at the Rainforest Discovery Centre (RDC), which was definitely worthwhile. The highlights were certainly the Rainforest Walk with its suspension bridges and the Canopy Walkway , a 347-meter-long treetop walkway offering spectacular views of the rainforest. We also saw some animals, such as the famous hornbill. Afterwards, we'll take a two-hour drive to Sukau Greenview Lodge. After dinner, a night boat trip awaits us to observe nocturnal animals.
Day 15: Today we spent almost the entire day on the Kinabatangan River , observing birds and wildlife. We were incredibly lucky to spot a Borneo pygmy elephant on the riverbank, as this species is critically endangered due to deforestation and the establishment of palm oil plantations, and very few animals remain on Borneo. Our river trip was only interrupted by a short jungle hike through the pristine rainforest and a brief cultural program about the life and traditions of the Orang Sungai, a group of indigenous peoples who live along the rivers in the Malaysian state of Sabah, some of whom reside in remote mountainous areas. The Murut, for example, known for their headhunting culture, still have very little contact with the local population. After two days in the jungles of Sabah on Borneo, we are deeply impressed by nature. It feels almost surreal to be back in Kuala Lumpur tomorrow.
Day 16: From Kinabatangan, we return to Sandakan. The official part of our tour of Malaysia ends at the airport. We fly back to Kuala Lumpur and, as mentioned earlier, stay in the city for a few more days.
Days 17 to 19: We explore Kuala Lumpur on our own. After the tour, we take a leisurely stroll through the city and capture some photo opportunities. In the evening, we're almost struck by lightning, so shaken up, we don't dare leave the hotel. The following day, we visit the Tan Hou Temple , one of the largest and oldest Chinese temples in Southeast Asia. We also go to the Botanical Garden , the National Monument , and the old train station , which looks like a Maharaja's palace. On the last day, there are two more highlights and one completely crazy experience. The two highlights are a visit to the KL Tower and the Petronas Twin Towers . Neither is exactly cheap. To be honest, we liked the Sky Deck of the KL Tower the best because it's open and offers a fantastic panoramic view of the city. Before leaving, we had the aforementioned crazy experience... we meet a friend from Hamburg, 9,900 km away. After a long and boozy evening, the alarm clock rings very early. Quite tired and hungover, we make our way to the airport and have to leave a country that boasts diverse and rich nature and culture.
