MALAYSIA A country full of fascinating sights and contrasts that promises an intriguing experience to all its visitors. It is here you will find endless sandy beaches, green golf courses, diverse flora and fauna, spectacular wildlife, irresistible shopping treats and colorful festivals, complimented by friendly and hospitable people. Being one of the most pleasant and hassle free countries to visit. Malaysia is an interesting fusion of Malay, Chinese Indian as well as indigenous cultures and customs. SAMPLER PROGRAM Borneo 4D/3N Superior Category
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT MALAYSIA Malaysia is a country of diverse physical, cultural and social attractions. It is this colorful diversity that offers many different options that appeal to event organizers. Excellent modern infrastructure, exotic food choices and numerous cultural attractions have gained Malaysia prominence in Southeast Asia as a premier destination for business events. Blessed with the best diverse Asia cultural heritage, harmonious living in a modern and progressive society, imbued with natural warmth and hospitality, Malaysia readily welcomes all visitors. In Malaysia, you will find a diversity of people and cultures and an enthralling range of events, festivals and celebrations all year round. The country is home to a wealth of attraction; from modern cities and pristine rainforests to breath-taking islands, beaches and refreshing highland resorts. Be it an adventure in a verdant jungle, diving amidst colorful corals, an evening out enjoying a cultural performance or shopping to one s heat s contentment, Malaysia will delight you with an exciting and unforgettable experience. The country s well developed infrastructure boasts an excellent transportation network, from the state-of-the-art Kuala Lumpur international Airport to the City s monorail and commuter train systems, busses, taxis and car rental services. Besides the transportation infrastructure, Malaysia is also furnished with a wide choice of accommodation of international standards ranging from city hotels and serviced apartments to resorts. In addition, Malaysia is equipped with world class convention centers to facilitate high profile meetings, conferences and exhibitions. Malaysia s stable economy has continued positively to the development of world class facilities and the accumulation of wealth of experience in hosting major international events.
TRAVELLING TO MALAYSIA By Air The main airport into Malaysia is the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). This airport is the hub for the two (2) major airlines in Malaysia, Malaysia Airlines (The National Carrier) and AirAsia (Malaysia s low-fare airline). KLIA is also the destination for over 40 international airlines. The other major point of entry into Malaysia by air is through the other six (6) International airports: Kota Kinabalu International Airport, Kuching International Airport, Penang International Airport, Langkawi International Airport, Batu Berendam International Airport in Malacca and Sultan Ismail International Airport in Senai, Johor. By Sea Malaysia have several ports, the biggest and most modern is Port Klang. The other main ports which are stopover destinations for cruise ships are Pangkor Island, Penang Island, Langkawi Island, Malacca, Kota Kinabalu and Sandakan on the island of Borneo By Land Peninsular Malaysia has a good road network which connects with both Thailand and Singapore to it from both ends of the peninsular. Visitors from Thailand can enter Malaysia through the northern state of Kedah at the Bukit Kayu Hitam immigration checkpoint. From Bukit Kayu Hitam, using the North South Highway, Kuala Lumpur is just 480 kilometers away. While Singapore, on the other hand is connected to Johor, the southernmost state of Malaysia, by the Causeway. From Johor, you can take the North South Highway to Kuala Lumpur as well is about 220 kilometers away.
FAST FACTS ABOUT MALAYSIA Country - The Federation of Malaysia comprises Peninsular Malaysia and the states of Sabah and Sarawak on the island of Borneo. Geographical Location - Located between 2º and 7º north of the Equator, Peninsular Malaysia is separated from the states of Sabah and Sarawak by the South China Sea. To the north of Peninsular Malaysia is Thailand while its southern neighbour is Singapore. Sabah and Sarawak are north of Indonesia in Borneo while Sarawak also shares a border with Brunei. Area - 329,758 sq km Population - 26 million Capital - Kuala Lumpur People - Malays who make up about 57% of the population are the predominant group with Chinese, Indians and other ethnic groups making up the rest. Language - Bahasa Melayu (Malay) is the national language but English is widely spoken. The ethnic groups also speak various languages and dialects. Currency - The unit of currency is Malaysian Ringgit indicated as RM. USD1 is roughly equivalent to RM3.75. Foreign currency can be converted at banks and money changers. Climate - Tropical climate with warm weather all year round. Temperatures in the lowlands range from 21ºC (70ºF) to 32ºC (90ºF). The highlands are cooler, where temperatures range between 15 C (59 F) to 25 C (77 F). Annual rainfall varies from 2,000mm to 2,500mm. Major Holidays - New Year's Day* Hari Raya Aidiladha* Federal Territory Day ** Chinese New Year* Awal Muharam* Birthday of Prophet Muhammad* Labour Day* Wesak Day* King's Birthday* National Day* Deepavali # Hari Raya Aidilfitri* Christmas* - Note: (*) - National holidays (**) - Putrajaya, Kuala Lumpur & Labuan only (#) - Except Labuan & Sarawak
MALAYSIA 4D/3N - PROGRAM OVERVIEW Date/Day Morning Afternoon Evening Day 1 Arrive Kota Kinabalu Airport. Meet & Greet at the exit and coach transfer to hotel. Check-in and freshen up. You will be free at leisure whole afternoon if you are early. 17:30-21:00 KK by Night with Dinner Dance Show Visit the night market and dinner at Kg Nelayan Restaurant Day 2 Breakfast at Hotel 08:00-13:30 Kiulu River Rafting A day of fun activity at Kiulu River inclusive lunch. 16:45-20:45 Countryside Dinner with Panoramic View Have an amazing dinner with view today. Day 3 Breakfast at Hotel 09:00-13:00 Borneo Traditional Living inclusive lunch Capture the cultural diversity of Borneo s ethnic groups and their simple way of traditional living. 15:30-21:00 Tamau River & Firefly cruise Enjoy 2 river cruise and dinner serve by the villagers. Day 4 Breakfast at Hotel 0900Hrs - 1300Hrs City Highlights City drive by major landmarks such as the State & City Mosque, Tg. Aru Beach & the highest building, Tun Mustapha Tower. Afternoon Free at own leisure till check out and proceed with departure transfer to airport for your onwards flight. Overview of an interesting program to wow a group of guests seeking unforgettable incentive program experience
DAY #1 ARRIVAL, KK BY NIGHT WITH DINNER DANCE SHOW Arrival Guests are met and greeted at the airport and transfer to hotel by coach and guide. Rest of day at leisure 1730 Feel the heartbeat of Kota Kinabalu as you drive pass some of the city's landmarks before putting your bargaining skills to the test at the Night Market. Enjoy a sumptuous dinner featuring an array of Malaysian cuisine. The evening s entertainment is a lively presentation of music and dance. The colourful attire of different ethnic groups and the rhythm and beat of local musical instruments will leave lasting memories of Borneo s rich cultural diversity. 2100 End of an enjoyable evening Our comments: A restaurant to experience the Ultimate Malaysian Cuisine and Cultural.
DAY #2 KIULU RIVER RAFTING & Countryside Dinner with Panoramic View 0700 Breakfast and proceed to Kiulu River. The beautiful and scenic Kiulu River is an exciting introduction to river rafting. The journey winds through the undulating hills of Kiulu. The bamboo-fringed river provides for a pleasant respite from the tropical heat as the cool waters invigorate your senses. For the thrill seekers, try body rafting down the rapids before enjoying a relaxing swim along the calm stretches between rapids. 1330 Return to hotel to freshen up and get ready for dinner. 1645 Enjoy a panoramic tour of Kota Kinabalu countryside as you traverse up Kokol hills to 800 meters elevation for a spectacular view of the city and surrounding suburbs. Enjoy the serenity of village life as you pass by a typical Dusun community. Stop at a private orchard and on a clear day enjoy a magnificent view of Mt Kinabalu and the Crocker Range. Complete your rustic experience with a typical hot pot dinner at a hilltop restaurant where on a nice day, you may view an amazing sunset before the city awakens at night in full panoramic view. 2045 Return to your hotel. Our comments: Experience the water rafting and enjoy the scenic view of Kota Kinabalu via Kokol Hill
DAY #3 BORNEO TRADITIONAL LIVING, LUNCH, TAMAU RIVER & FIREFLY CRUISE 0900 After breakfast, proceed to Borneo Cultural Village. Capture the cultural diversity of Borneo s ethnic groups and their simple way of traditional living. Each tribe have found ways to adapt to living in Borneo such as cooking using bamboo, starting a fire without matches. making ropes from tree bark and using local plants to create a refreshing drink. Discover the architectural uniqueness of each tribal house as you walk through the cultural village while enjoying the serene jungle environment. Complete your Borneo experience with a live presentation of music and dance and savor traditional cuisine unique to Sabah. Return to hotel. 1530 Proceed to Tamau River & Firefly Cruise. Travel north of Kota Kinabalu to Kota Belud for a riverine cruise in search of wildlife. Enjoy scenes of village life as you watch children playing, fishermen returning home or buffalos wallowing. Look out for the endangered long nose Proboscis monkey which is endemic to Borneo. In the late evenings, possibilities of spotting the monkeys are higher as they settle down to rest for the day by river banks in the riparian forest canopy. After dinner, enjoy another short cruise to witness nature s amazing light show. Flickering fireflies glow in the dark, lighting up the mangrove fringe like Christmas trees and stars illuminate the night skies a mesmerizing magical moment. 2300 End of an enjoyable evening Our comments: Experience the Borneo Cultural Village and River cruise to enjoy the wildlife and scenery
DAY #4 CITY HIGHLIGHTS & DEPARTURE 0900 After breakfast, you will be taken for a city tour. Visit the museum for a closer view of Sabah's ethnic diversity highlighted by the unique local architectural styles of homes in North Borneo and the colourful costume display. Then, proceed for a City drive by major landmarks such as the State & City Mosque, Tg. Aru Beach & the highest building, Tun Mustapha Tower. Enjoy some leisure time mingling with the local people at the Handicraft market before stopping by a typical watervillage to capture the essence of life in Kota Kinabalu 1300 Return to hotel and check out. Get ready for your departure transfer to airport. Our comments: The trip won t be complete without a short city tour of Kota Kinabalu
SOUVENIR IDEAS Though originally influenced by Indonesian batik, Malaysian batik has evolved into its own thing, with the Malaysian versions usually having simpler patterns and larger motifs of flowers and plants, even abstract swirls. Another major difference between the two forms is that Malaysian batik is usually made by painting designs directly on a piece of cloth using a paint brush whereas Indonesian batik usually requires a pattern to be drawn first using wax before painting, making Malaysian batik generally more colourful and vibrant. Malaysia is also known for songkets, silk or cotton textiles intricately woven with gold or silver thread. Songket cloths are traditionally part of the baju melayu worn by men. However, you can also get smaller items made with songket such as wallets, bags, notebooks, and placemats. One of the biggest names in the world for quality pewter is Malaysia s very own Royal Selangor, a pewter company founded over 130 years ago by a pewtersmith who came to Malaya from China. Yong Koon started off making ceremonial items for Chinese prayer altars, but eventually ventured into European-style pieces when the British arrived, making everything from cigarette boxes to teapots. When the Japanese arrived, Yong Koon s company, called Selangor Pewter back then, made sake sets for the Japanese army. Eventually in 1979, the Sultan of Selangor conferred Selangor Pewter the warrant of Royal Pewter.
CONTACT US For more information or if you require a proposal, please contact us or one of our sales representatives near you. MALAYSIA TOUR EAST HOLDINGS AUSTRALIA EUROPE Adam Kamal General Manager T: (60) 12 2280 550 Adamkamal.my@toureast.net www.toureast.net Chris Bailey SVP Sales & Marketing T: (65) 9115 5538 cbailey@toureast.net RUSSIA & CIS Alexandra Sushchinskaya T: (7) 495 641 51 21 (ext.110) M: (7) 916 108 15 44 sales-ru@toureast.net Charlie Ridout T: (61) 2 9252 6880 salesau@toureast.net UK / IRELAND / SCANDINAVIA Jonathan Wilkins T: (44) 7972 908049 salesuk@toureast.net Vishen Mootoo M: (49) 175 1184 631 saleseu@toureast.net USA / CANADA / BRAZIL Wim Crabbe us_mice@toureast.net We know the ground & we are on the spot where it matters. Email us for: Destination info Accommodation Sightseeing Team building events Performers/Bands Function space Off-site venues Conference facilities