- Malaysia Private Tours
- Singapore, Malaysia and Borneo's Orangutans - Private Tour
From colourful colonial towns and buzzing modern cities to stunning highlands and pristine beaches, Malaysia and Singapore have it all. Discover street culture in Georgetown, admire the tea plantations of the Cameron Highlands, meet Orangutans in Borneo and experience Asia's city of the future in Singapore.
Dinner
On arrival into Penang, meet your local guide and transfer to tonight's hotel.
If you are arranging your own international flights, free airport transfers are available and included in the price. Transfers need to be booked with us at least two weeks before the tour starts and you will need to provide your inbound and outbound flight details.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Take the morning to relax and enjoy the serene surroundings of Penang. In the afternoon, embark on a half-day driving tour of Georgetown, where you will explore the vibrant Street of Harmony, known for its diverse religious sites coexisting peacefully. Visit the historic Goddess of Mercy Temple, a beautiful example of traditional Chinese architecture and a place of spiritual significance. Return to the hotel for a welcome dinner this evening, where you can unwind and reflect on the day's experiences.
Breakfast & Lunch
Depart for Penang Botanical Garden, home to huge variety of indigenous and exotic plant species and established by the British in 1884. Next, travel along the beautiful coastline and sandy beaches of Batu Ferringhi stopping to witness traditional Batik weaving and dying processes. Return to Georgetown to marvel at the extravagant 33-metre-long gold-plated reclining Buddha, situated inside a magnificent Thai temple on Burma Lane.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Begin your day with a visit to Orangutan Island, a renowned rehabilitation and conservation centre dedicated to the protection and care of orangutans. Here, you will have the unique opportunity to observe these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat and learn about the efforts being made to ensure their survival. Afterward, continue to a nearby mangrove swamp for an exciting wildlife river cruise. As you navigate through the serene waters, keep an eye out for various species of birds, fish, and other wildlife that inhabit this rich ecosystem. Arrive at your hotel in the early evening, where you can relax and reflect on the day's adventures.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After breakfast, depart for the Cameron Highlands, a scenic region rising nearly 2,000 metres above sea level and renowned for its lush tea plantations. Upon arrival, immerse yourself in Malaysia’s natural beauty at the BOH Tea Plantation, where rolling tea gardens stretch across more than 465 hectares. Wander through this verdant landscape before taking a guided tour of BOH’s original tea factory, one of the few in the world still using the traditional Rotorvane tea processing system. Enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding highlands, before returning to your hotel. This afternoon, enjoy an optional visit to a local Strawberry Farm, where you can stroll through rows of strawberry plants typically grown under cover to shield them from excessive sun and rain. The cool climate of the Cameron Highlands makes it ideal for strawberry cultivation, with the peak season running from May to August. Depending on the time of year, you may even have the chance to pick your own strawberries, fresh from the vine.
Breakfast & Lunch
After breakfast, embark on a scenic journey through rural countryside to Malaysia's capital city. En route you will visit the Batu Caves, a complex set of limestone grottoes guarded by a colossal gold-painted statue of ancient god Murugan. Your evening is free to begin exploring this fascinating city at your own pace.
Breakfast
A half day sightseeing tour begins gazing 452 metres into the sky for a photo opportunity of one of Malaysia's most iconic buildings - Petronas Twin Towers. Continue to Kuala Lumpur's Chinatown district and immerse yourself in authentic oriental culture as you crisscross through swarming, vibrant market stalls. Next, witness Parliament House's unique contemporary design distinguished by its eleven triangular peaks, before a poignant visit to the National War Memorial monument, whose bronze cenotaph serves as a moving tribute to Malaysia's fallen Soldiers. Journey onwards to the New Kings Palace for a glimpse of the remarkable 22 golden domes enclosed within a heavily guarded palace complex, before heading to the grand Federal Court. On your return, look out for the Masjid Negara mosque as you drive by a striking example of modernistic Malaysian architecture Later, enjoy an evening at leisure.
Breakfast & Lunch
After breakfast travel to Malacca. On arrival take a walking tour passing by the solemn Bukit Cina, the largest Chinese cemetery outside of China. Continue your journey to the Cheng Hoon Teng Temple, the oldest Chinese temple in Malaysia, where, upon arrival, you will be greeted by the powerful aromas of joss sticks and the temples' richly ornate exterior, adorned with mystical carvings. Next, at Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum, witness a collection of restored houses, designed to showcase the distinctive influence that these ancient Chinese settlers had on Malaysian culture. After lunch, take a boat cruise before continuing to Porta De Santiago, the 'Red Square', visit the 18th century Christ Church, majestically stood in the plaza's centre.
Breakfast
This morning, transfer by road from Malacca to the vibrant island nation of Singapore. Upon arrival, you will have the afternoon to explore this cosmopolitan city at your own pace. You might choose to explore the stunning Gardens by the Bay, featuring futuristic architecture and diverse flora. Enjoy the freedom to discover the many facets of Singapore that appeal to you.
Breakfast
From the dizzying heights of Marina Bay Sands' futuristic Skypark Observation Deck enjoy breath-taking views of Singapore's impressive cityscape before continuing to Merlion Park for a glimpse of its iconic fountain, a symbol of Singapore's humble beginnings. Visit the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum located in the China town district of Singapore. Later this afternoon, explore an enormous variety of thriving flora at the National Orchid Garden within the city's beautiful Botanical Gardens. Finally, experience the buzz of Chinatown, winding through teeming market stalls and inhaling aromatic scents.
Breakfast
Depart Singapore this morning and journey towards Kuching, the capital of Sarawak. Upon arrival, embark on a city tour of Kuching, where you will discover its rich history and cultural heritage. Visit the iconic giant cat statue, a beloved mascot of the city, and drive through the vibrant streets of Chinatown.
Witness landmarks such as the Astana, the former palace of the White Rajahs, and the picturesque waterfront. Stop at the historic Tua Pek Kong Temple, one of the oldest Chinese temples in Kuching, known for its intricate architecture and cultural significance. In the evening, enjoy leisure time to further explore the city or relax at your hotel.
Breakfast & Lunch
A once-in-a-lifetime experience awaits this morning as you transfer to Semenggoh Nature Reserve to catch a glimpse of Borneo’s most famous residents. Established in 1975, this enchanting sanctuary rescues and nurtures orphaned Orangutans with the intention of releasing the endangered animals back into the wild. Observe these primates glide between the trees; they sometimes return to the centre at feeding time, for a chance to nibble on a tasty treat. This afternoon you will visit the Sarawak Museum, the museum showcases Sarawak’s rich cultural heritage. *Please note the Orangutans are semi wild and sightings are not guaranteed
Breakfast
Travel to the captivating capital of Sabah, Kota Kinabalu, located on Borneo's northwest coast. Upon arrival after your early afternoon flight, transfer to your hotel and settle in, ready to explore the vibrant city and its stunning surroundings.
Breakfast & Dinner
Embark on a short boat transfer from Kota Kinabalu to the picturesque Manukan Island. Spend the rest of the day at leisure, enjoying the powder-soft sands and crystal-clear waters. Whether you choose to relax on the beach, swim, or snorkel in the vibrant coral reefs, Manukan Island offers a perfect tropical escape. Return to Kota Kinabalu in the evening for a delightful dinner.
Breakfast
Depart Kota Kinabalu today for your return flight to the UK or follow onto your chosen extension.
If you are arranging your own international flights, free airport transfers are available and included in the price. Transfers need to be booked with us at least two weeks before the tour starts and you will need to provide your inbound and outbound flight details.
Your Next Adventure Awaits! We've been arranging award-winning, expertly crafted hoildays and tours since 1980. We're also ABTA protected and ATOL bonded for your total peace of mind. Call us today to book your next unforgettable holiday!
The Tour Manager, Melvin Benedict, was superb - thorough, efficient, caring, cheerful - always checking arrangements ahead and arranging porterage at every hotel. He was one of the best Tour Managers we have ever had with any company.
Denis Whitehead
09 DecemberThe tour manager, Melvin Benedict, was second to none. He was so organised and attentive. It was a pleasure to spend a holiday with him as a guide. The other guides were also excellent with their knowledge and presentation.
David Condliffe
23 NovemberJust the most amazing trip, we have used Mercury several times and found them faultless. This trip was our first time doing a private tour, and we would certainly do it again this way. We had amazing guides throughout, great hotels, and felt very well looked after.
Ruth Sabin
01 JuneThe two Orangutan trips were excellent. Singapore was superb, and Borneo generally was a revelation. Special mention to our guide Melvin who was an 11 out of 10. He was ably assisted by the very knowledgeable Ali, the very excitable Andros, and laid back Anthony, all made a great team and added to the experience very well.
Lynda Featherstone
30 OctoberCynthia, our tour manager went above and beyond her job role and made the overall experience so much better in the way she looked after us and made sure we were all comfortable, happy, hydrated and so much more. Ali, our tour guide in Malaysia was so knowledgeable that I came away feeling like I had experienced the real Malaysia.
Maureen Dilloway
05 JuneThis was our third tour with Mercury and will take some beating! Loved the sheer variety of the places we visited and also enjoyed the free time to do what we wanted. Melvin our guide was brilliant and made everything run smoothly.
Helen Humphries
31 MarchWe chose this trip to see specific highlights, and it didn’t disappoint. Our guide Cynthia was without doubt the best we have ever had on any escorted tour, always available, always caring and cheerful, never intrusive - a real gem. Ali, our Malaysian guide, was also just as excellent.
Annette Morrison
05 NovemberThe order of events and sightseeing may vary according to local conditions or for operational purposes. The schedules of the domestic airlines in country are subject to frequent changes. For this reason, we have indicated approximate times only. Your local guide will inform you of any schedule changes as they are informed of them. The driving times listed are point to point and do not include the duration of excursions or stops en route. Some road construction and/or weather conditions may lengthen the driving times. Our intention is to adhere to the day-to-day itinerary as printed; however, order of events and sightseeing may vary according to local conditions.
If booking more than 12 weeks before departure a deposit of £295.00pp will need to be paid at the time of booking with the full amount payable at 12 weeks prior to departure. The deposit applies to adults and children. If you are within 12 weeks of travel then the full balance of the holiday will be payable.
A visa is not required for your trip to Malaysia, Singapore or Borneo. However, your passport should have at least 6 months' validity from the date of entry into Malaysia and Singapore. Further advice should be sought from the applicable tourist authority for other nationalities and for general queries. We strongly advise you check your destinations' Tourist Board or Embassy for the most up-to-date guidelines regarding passport validity.
Declaration form:
You must fill in the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) - https://imigresen-online.imi.gov.my/mdac/main to enter Malaysia. You should complete this within 3 days prior to your arrival. The forms need to be filled in, and the registration email/letter should be printed for presentation at the customs gate. See the Malaysian Immigration website - https://imigresen-online.imi.gov.my/mdac/main for further information, including exemption details.
Singapore Arrival Card:
All arrivals in Singapore must complete an electronic SG Arrival Card in the 3 days before they enter Singapore. This online form asks for travel details and a health declaration. It is illegal to submit a false declaration. Biometric information is also recorded and scanned when you enter and depart Singapore (iris, facial and fingerprints).
We strongly recommend that you and all members of your party are suitably insured as soon as you book your holiday. It is a condition of booking that you must have suitable travel insurance. It is important that you purchase travel insurance that suitably covers your participation in whatever activities you may undertake at the time that you make your booking. To assist you with this, we have arranged travel insurance in partnership with Holiday Extras, including up to a 20% discount, which is given to all Mercury Holidays customers. To arrange your insurance with Holiday Extras, please visit https://www.mercuryholidays.co.uk/info/insurance for more details. Please ensure you provide us with the name of your insurer, policy number and their 24 hour emergency contact number as soon as possible. Mercury Holidays will not be liable for any costs incurred by you due to your failure to take out suitable travel insurance from the date of booking.
It is your responsibility to check any health and vaccination requirements applicable to your booked arrangements. We can only provide general information about this. Health and hygiene facilities and disease risks vary from country to country. You should take health advice about your own needs as early as possible and in good time before your departure. Sources of information include; www.fco.gov.uk, http://travelhealthpro.org.uk/, www.hpa.org.uk, your General Practitioner or a specialist clinic.
All our tours feature a “Tour Pace” to help find the right holiday for you. To travel on any of our tours requires unaided mobility and the ability to stroll around the sights, climb stairs and get on and off coaches and boats. The tour pace of Singapore, Malaysia & Borneo is rated as Intermediate. This is largely due to long driving times on low quality roads on the north island. A good level of fitness is required as you may be on your feet for approximately four hours in a day, though this will be interspersed with regular breaks and will vary from day to day. You will be walking around the sights, getting on and off coaches, boats and climbing steps which may be irregular. You will stay in variety of hotels throughout the tour. Our guides will always endeavour to provide the highest level of service and assistance; however, they cannot be expected to cater for customers who are unfit to complete the itinerary. To visit the Batu Temple Caves will involve 272 concrete steps to climb up and down. There are no alternative ways up or down
Malaysia:
The currency in Malaysia & Borneo is the Malaysian ringgit, we recommend that you exchange your currency before you leave the UK. Cash machines are available in all the major cities to withdraw money in the local currency.
Singapore:
The currency in Singapore is the Singapore dollar, we recommend that you exchange your currency before you leave the UK. Cash machines are available in all the major cities to withdraw money in the local currency.
As normal practice you may be asked for your credit card details on check-in at the hotel in order to cover any extras incurred during your stay. If you do not have a credit card, you may be asked for a cash deposit. MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted in hotels as well as American Express.
You will need to take some extra money with you to cover any dinners where these are not mentioned on your itinerary and personal purchases, such as souvenirs, extra drinks and snacks. Approximately £400-500 per person should be sufficient for the duration of your tour.
Tipping
Tipping is not compulsory; it is at your discretion to tip both your driver and guide. Should you wish to tip, your guide will collect it at the end of your tour for your convenience. We recommend approx. £4 per person per day.
This is a fully escorted tour, meaning that you will be met on arrival by your national guide who will remain with you for the duration of your trip. You will also be joined by a local guide in each of the cities which you visit, ensuring that you always have first-hand knowledge. Should the tour not meet minimum numbers, then it will be operated with local guides only.
Your accommodation is selected for convenience, location, comfort or character. Hotel accommodation is generally rated as local three to four-star standard, but please note there is no international classification system for hotels, and differences in facilities and quality do exist between the UK and Malaysia. All group tours hotels have private bathroom facilities and air conditioning, where needed. Rest assured that all accommodation used by Mercury Holidays is regularly inspected by our staff and partners to ensure that standards meet your needs.
Breakfast is always western style and served in the hotel each morning. Lunch and dinner where stated will be taken at local restaurants or at your hotel. A variety of restaurants are visited giving you the chance to experience a range of dishes.
Please contact Customer Experience for questions about other dietary requirements or allergy information. Vegan, and vegetarian options are available, all meal requests need to be sent over to our suppliers before travel.
It is not recommended to drink the tap water, even in developed countries water may contain unfamiliar elements that can cause upset stomachs. In less developed countries water is not filtered in the same way. Bottled of water is supplied daily on your tour.
Malaysia celebrates a wide range of religious holidays, the main two being Hari Raya Aidilfitri to mark the end of Ramadan and Deepavali which is the festival of light. It is a time for people to be with their loved ones, self-reflect and renew their faith. Most attractions will not be closed during this time but might be busier than normal. It is advisable to be more covered up to show respect to the local customs. We would recommend that women cover their shoulders and knees and men should wear knee length shorts or trousers when out in public areas during these times.
During visits to the Hindu temples at Batu Caves please note long trousers or skirts should be worn to cover knees, Long sleeved tops should be worn to cover shoulders.
On your arrival in Penang you will be met by a representative from our local agent, Wildlife Expeditions, holding a sign displaying: “Mercury Holidays”. The Mercury Holidays/Wildlife Expedition representative will show you to your transfer vehicle.
Your national guide will be on hand 24 hours a day should you have any queries, however if you need to contact your representative during your stay the details are:
Head office address: Wildlife expeditions Contact number: 006016 373 2803 Email: wildlife918@gmail.com
Emergency contact information: Please find below the emergency contact details for Wildlife Expeditions: 24 hour Contact number: 006016 373 2803
