Northern Malaysia tour

Planet

We carefully choose suppliers in Southeast Asia who reflect our responsible and sustainable ethos. Our current supplier not only has a foundation that works with, supports and advises many different projects and NGO’s in Asia, they are also Travelife certified. Travelife is an internationally accredited certification scheme that helps organisations improve their social, economic and environmental impacts that they have as a business.

In this itinerary there are no internal flights and we have chosen to include guided experiences which limit the use of motorized vehicles. In Penang you will tour the city on foot and in a pedal powered trishaw. At the Suka Suka Homestay you will explore the local area on foot and in kayaks.

Motorized boats will be used to head deeper into Upper Belum, during your time at Banding Island, but by visiting this area of protected rainforest you are contributing directly to the survival of the national park, which is home to indigenous communities and endangered wildlife. The waters surrounding the Perhentian Islands have also been designated a marine park, and by visiting the area you will contribute directly to its survival.

People

Wherever possible, we encourage you to spend as much time as possible in local communities, interacting with local people to find out more about their way of life and traditional, cultural practices.

In this itinerary you will have plenty of opportunities to mix with local communities in Northern Malaysia. In Penang you’ll try plenty of local street food from the hawker stalls and visit traditional workshops. At the homestay in Kuala Kangsar you’ll be contributing directly to survival of traditions in this Malay community, as well as having plenty of opportunity for cultural exchange. You’ll also get to visit indigenous communities within the Upper Belum rainforest area whose traditions are under threat from encroaching modern development, but which can be kept alive when these communities are recognised as an important part of the protection of local ecosystems.

We always ensure we use local English speaking guides wherever possible. Our guides are fantastic ambassadors for their own regions, whether it’s explaining the history, culture or food etiquette, but best of all, they act as a bridge to the local people you meet along the way.