Best Day Trips from Kuala Lumpur

If you have already seen the highlights of Kuala Lumpur and plan to stay longer in this part of Malaysia, one of the best things to do is to visit the surrounding towns and natural wonders.

From historic cities like Malacca to hanging bridges that cross the jungle and an orangutan island, the excursions you can do from Kuala Lumpur will make you want to spend a long time in this part of Malaysia. In this article I will tell you about the most interesting destinations you can visit from the capital, so you can make the most of your stay.

Ipoh is located 200 km from Kuala Lumpur city, a city famous for its limestone caves and lush jungle, and also for its temples and colonial buildings, which make it one of the must-see destinations near Kuala Lumpur. Excursions to Ipoh are usually full day tours and usually include round trip transfers. You also have the option to visit privately, accompanied only by your travel companions.

Ipoh is one of the most important cities in Malaysia, much visited for the limestone caves where temples such as Ling Sen Tong, Nam Thean Tong, Sam Poh Tong and Perak Tong Cave have been located. Visiting these temples, you can walk along nature trails, see turtle and fish ponds and learn more about local customs. The city is also very interesting, as it has buildings worth seeing, such as the train station and Kellie Castle.

Another very interesting activity that is usually included in the tours to Ipoh is the visit to Orang Utan Island, where orangutans live free and visitors can see them from the cages arranged for this purpose at one end of the island. The visit is made by boat to the Bukit Merah Orang Utang Foundation, which is in charge of the conservation of these animals.

Many of these excursions could include a lunch of typical Malaysian food, and also breakfast and snacks, as they are very complete options, but you should check just in case. They are also conducted with local guides, who can provide you with a lot of information about the sites you visit and the local history and culture. On the other hand, it is an ideal plan if you visit Kuala Lumpur with children, as they will enjoy seeing the orangutans in their habitat.

Details of interest

• Price: from 130 € per person approximately. Offers for groups.
• Duration: about 14 hours.
• Means of transport: private car and boat.
• Advantages of this option: you will visit the city of Ipoh, with its natural limestone caves and temples, and the main buildings of the city. You will also visit Orang Utan Island, where orangutans live free. It usually includes breakfast, lunch and snacks.
• Disadvantages of this option: being private excursions, they are somewhat more expensive than group excursions.

One of the must-see cities near Kuala Lumpur is Putrajaya, its administrative center, which is considered the "other capital of the country". There you can visit the famous pink Putra Mosque, located on the shores of Putrajaya Lake, and take a cruise on this lake to visit other emblematic sites. The city is about 30 minutes from Kuala Lumpur.

This type of tour usually lasts half a day and can be done either in the morning or in the afternoon. It also usually includes transfer to and from your hotel and the accompaniment of a local guide who can provide you with a wealth of information on local culture and history, which will certainly enrich the experience.

Designed from scratch in 1995 Putrajaya, is one of the newest and greenest cities on the planet. It was conceived as a garden city, so almost 40% of the city is made up of green parks and has about 40 km of garden shorelines that bathe in the long Putrajaya.

It is a very interesting city to visit, especially if you are interested in architecture, as you can admire the modern and elegant Islamic buildings and the concept of open spaces with which the city was designed. You can also visit the Putrajaya Mosque, built in rose-colored granite, which is one of the most beautiful and modern mosques in the country.

Details of interest

• Price: from 65 € per person approximately.
• Duration: between 4 and 5 hours.
• Means of transport: air-conditioned minibus and cruise.
• Advantages of this option: most include transfer to and from the hotel and all meals.
• Disadvantages of this option: many cruises are not adapted for wheelchair users.

If you have already done the best tours in Kuala Lumpur, and you are looking for a more adrenaline-filled experience, rafting on the Kampar River is an option that can fulfill your expectations. These are small group tours in which you are accompanied by a professional guide who provides you with all the necessary equipment and instructions to make the most of the navigation.

The Kampar River is located on the island of Sumatra, in an area of lush rainforest and volcanoes, on the shores of the Indian Ocean. Many tours will pick you up at your hotel and others will provide a nearby meeting point for both the outward and return journeys. They are also likely to include a lunch of typical Indonesian foods, so you can replenish your energy after the trip.

The Kampar River is noted for its whitewater, ideal for rafting and experiencing the speed. You do not need to have experience in rafting, as it is an activity suitable for beginners and the instructors will be able to teach you everything you need to know to enjoy the experience.

Details of interest

• Price: from 130 € per person approximately.
• Duration: between 6 and 8 hours.
• Means of transportation: air-conditioned vehicle and raft.
• Advantages of this option: guided by an expert instructor and includes all safety equipment, round trip transportation and lunch.
• Disadvantages of this option: not suitable for pregnant women or people with back problems.

If you are a nature lover, you will love Kuala Selangor, a city located one hour from Kuala Lumpur where you can sail by boat to the Kampung Kuantan mangrove swamp and admire one of the largest firefly colonies in the world. Most tours include transfer to and from your hotel, so you can relax and enjoy the experience from the start.

This tour usually starts in the evening, as the fireflies can only be seen in the dark. As dusk falls, you are usually taken to see Kuala Selangor's most iconic attractions, either on foot or by streetcar, such as the historic Bukit Melawati Hill, where the Lighthouse and Altingsburg Fort are located, while a guide gives you information about each site. The tours also usually include a dinner of typical dishes, especially seafood, which you can savor before embarking on the boat trip.

The jewel of this tour is undoubtedly the fireflies, which are found in the Kampung Kuantan Reserve. You are usually taken on a paddle-less boat to the firefly reserve, where you will see thousands glowing in the dark, creating a dreamlike atmosphere. Throughout the tour you will see various species of birds and the silver leaf monkey, which inhabits the Bukit Melawati hill. Undoubtedly, it is one of the favorite walks to go with kids in Kuala Lumpur.

Details of interest

• Price: from 38 € per person approximately.
• Duration: about 6 hours.
• Means of transport: air-conditioned vehicle and boat.
• Advantages of this option: you will see the main attractions of the city of Kuala Selangor and you will sail by boat through the Kampung Kuantan Reserve, where you will see thousands of fireflies in the dark. It usually includes dinner and transfer to and from your hotel.
• Disadvantages of this option: it may include walking tours, so you need to be in average physical condition to fully enjoy the excursion.

Cameron Highlands is a natural paradise located in the mountains, and one of the preferred destinations for stays of at least 2 days in Kuala Lumpur. There the jungle mountains combine with tea plantations so you can walk along nature trails and visit picturesque villages. Visits are usuallyfull day, and include transfer to and from your hotel or a nearby meeting point. It is located about 150 km from Kuala Lumpur.

If you are looking for a day of relaxation in nature, this tour to Cameron Highlands, Malaysia's main mountain formation, is a great option. It is usually done in small groups of people and accompanied by a professional local guide who can give you a lot of information about the area and its culture. The tours can also include a lunch of typical Malaysian foods.

One of the sites that is never missing in these itineraries is a visit to the Lata Iskandar waterfall, whose waterfall of more than 25 meters forms a pool where you can take a dip. The waterfall is an intermediate stop before reaching Cameron Highlands, where you will see green hills covered with tea and strawberry plantations and jungle. If you visit the strawberry farms, you can pick your own strawberries.

Details of interest

• Price: about 85 € per person approximately.
• Duration: about 12 hours.
• Means of transport: minibus.
• Advantages of this option: you will get to know the mountainous area of Cameron Highlands, famous for its tea and strawberry plantations, in a comfortable way and with a professional guide.
• Disadvantages of this option: many tours only include pick-up at selected hotels in Kuala Lumpur.

If you are looking to immerse yourself in the jungle nature of Malaysia, you can't miss Taman Negara, Malaysia's National Park. It is a place of deep nature, home to animals such as tigers, Asian elephants, leopards, rhinos, Malayan bears and a large number of birds. It is about 3 hours from Kuala Lumpur, so you should set aside a full day to visit.

Most tours to Taman Negara include transportation to and from your hotel, lunch and a local guide who can give you information about the park and the animals and plants that live there. The Taman Negara rainforest is considered the oldest in the world, estimated to have been formed some 130 million years ago.

It is an ideal place to walk along its trails, where you may be lucky enough to spot the animals that live there. One of the most popular routes is the one that climbs Mount Tahan, almost 2200 meters high, which has unmissable panoramic views of the area.

Another favorite walk is the Canopy Walkway, a network of suspension bridges about 45 meters high, crossing a distance of about 500 meters. You can also navigate the Sungai Tembeling River by boat, and admire the rainforest from the waters.

Details of interest

• Price: from 121 € per person approximately.
• Duration: about 15 hours.
• Means of transport: air-conditioned bus.
• Advantages of this option: you will get to know Taman Negara is a natural paradise that offers you the possibility to connect with the most authentic nature. The trip is done in comfortable transportation and with a local guide who knows the area.
• Disadvantages of this option: a good state of health and physical condition is recommended to enjoy the experience.

If you are interested in learning about Malay history and culture, a very interesting destination is the city of Malacca, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008. The city served as a point of connection between East and West for more than 500 years, and offers an interweaving of the different cultures that have left their mark on the territory. It is located about 150 kilometers from Kuala Lumpur.

Excursions to Malacca are usually full-day and start early in the morning. In the city you can see historic buildings such as St. James Gate, built in the 16th century; St. Paul's Church (what remains), the oldest church in Malaysia, which began construction in 1521; and Middleburg Bastion, a fort built by the Dutch in 1660, among others.

You will also see temples, such as Cheng Hoon Teng, whose origins date back to 1645; and buildings worth seeing such as the Melaka Sultanate Palace, which is a replica of Sultan Mansur Shah's 15th-century palace; or the Malacca Maritime Museum, which mimics the Portuguese ship Flor de la Mar, which sank off the coast of Malacca.

Most of these tours are conducted with an expert local guide, whose commentary will be able to convey the historical and cultural background of the sites you visit, to enrich the tour. In addition, they usually include transfer to and from your hotel and a lunch of typical Malaysian food.

Details of interest

• Price: from 45 € per person approximately.
• Duration: about 11 hours.
• Means of transport: air-conditioned bus.
• Advantages of this option: you will get to know the city of Malacca, a site of great historical and cultural importance in Malaysia, and its most representative buildings.
• Disadvantages of this option: usually includes only lunch, so the rest of the meals will be on your own.