Best Day Trips from Kuala Lumpur

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

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

Ipoh is 200km from Kuala Lumpur and is famous for its limestone caves and lush jungle, as well as its temples and colonial buildings, making it one of the must-see destinations near Kuala Lumpur. Tours to Ipoh are usually full day trips and usually include a return transfer. You also have the option of visiting privately with your fellow travellers.

Ipoh is one of the most important cities in Malaysia, and is popular for its limestone caves where temples such as Ling Sen Tong, Nam Thean Tong, Sam Poh Tong and Perak Tong Cave are located. While visiting these temples, you can walk along nature trails, see turtle and fish ponds and learn more about local customs. The town is also very interesting, with buildings worth seeing, such as the train station and Kellie Castle.

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

Many of these tours may include a lunch of typical Malaysian food, as well as breakfast and snacks, as they are very complete options, but it's worth checking just in case. They are also conducted with local guides, who can give you a lot of information about the sites you visit and the local history and culture. On the other hand, it's an ideal plan if you're visiting Kuala Lumpur with children, as they'll really enjoy seeing the orangutans in their habitat.

Interesting details

• Price: from approximately €130 per person. Group offers available.
• Duration: about 14 hours.
• Means of transport: private car and boat.
• Advantages of this option: you will see the city of Ipoh, with its natural limestone caves and temples, and the main buildings of the city. You will also get to see Orang Utan Island, where orangutans live free. Breakfast, lunch and snacks are usually included.
• Disadvantages of this option: as these are private tours, they are somewhat more expensive than group tours.

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

This type of tour usually lasts half a day and can be done in the morning or 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 it has some 40 km of landscaped waterfront, which runs into the long Putrajaya.

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

Interesting details

• Price: from approximately 65 € per person.
• 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've already been on the best tours in Kuala Lumpur, and 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 where you are accompanied by a professional guide who provides you with all the necessary equipment and instructions to get the most out of your trip.

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 from your hotel and others will provide a meeting point nearby for both the outward and return journeys. They are also likely to include a lunch of typical Indonesian food, so you can recharge your batteries after the trip.

The Kampar River is noted for its white water rapids, ideal for rafting and experiencing the speed. You don't need to have any rafting experience, as this is a beginner-friendly activity and the instructors will be able to teach you everything you need to know to enjoy the experience.

Details of interest

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

If you're a nature lover, you'll love Kuala Selangor, a town about an hour from Kuala Lumpur where you can take a boat ride 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 tram, such as the historic Bukit Melawati Hill, where the Lighthouse and Altingsburg Fort are located, while a guide provides information about each site. Tours also usually include a dinner of local dishes, especially seafood, which you can savour before embarking on the boat trip.

The jewel in the crown of this tour is the fireflies found in the Kampung Kuantan Reserve. You are usually taken on a paddle-less boat to the firefly reserve, where you will see thousands of fireflies glowing in the dark, creating a dreamlike atmosphere. Throughout the walk you'll see a variety of bird species and the silver leaf monkey, which lives on Bukit Melawati Hill. This is definitely one of the most popular walks to do with children in Kuala Lumpur.

Details of interest

• Price: from approximately €38 per person.
• Duration: about 6 hours.
• Means of transport: air-conditioned vehicle and boat.
• Benefits of this option: You will see the main attractions of Kuala Selangor city and cruise by boat through the Kampung Kuantan Reserve, where you will see thousands of fireflies in the dark. Dinner and transfer to and from your hotel is usually included.
• Disadvantages of this option: it may include walking, so you'll need to be in average physical condition to fully enjoy the tour.

Cameron Highlands is a natural paradise nestled in the mountains, and a favourite destination for a stay of at least 2 days in Kuala Lumpur. Here, jungle mountains combine with tea plantations to allow you to hike through nature trails and visit picturesque villages. Tours are usuallyfull days, including transfer to and from your hotel or a nearby meeting point. It is about 150km from Kuala Lumpur.

If you're looking for a day of relaxation in nature, this tour to Cameron Highlands, Malaysia's premier 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. Tours can also include a lunch of traditional Malaysian food.

One of the must-see sites on these itineraries is a visit to the Lata Iskandar waterfall, whose 25-metre waterfall forms a pool where you can take a dip. The waterfall is an intermediate stop before you reach Cameron Highlands, where you'll see rolling green hills covered in tea and strawberry plantations and jungle. If you visit the strawberry farms, you can pick your own strawberries.

Interesting details

• Price: around £85 per person approx.
• Duration: about 12 hours.
• Means of transport: minibus.
• Advantages of this option: You will get to know the Cameron Highlands, famous for its tea and strawberry plantations, in comfort and with a professional guide.
• Disadvantages of this option: Many tours only include pick-up from selected hotels in Kuala Lumpur.

If you're looking to immerse yourself in the wilderness of Malaysia, Taman Negara, Malaysia's National Park, is a must-visit. It is a place of deep wilderness, home to animals such as tigers, Asian elephants, leopards, rhinos, Malayan bears and an abundance of birds. It's about 3 hours from Kuala Lumpur, so you'll need to set aside a full day to visit.

Most tours to Taman Negara include transport 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 to be 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 hikes is up Mount Tahan, which is almost 2200m high and has unmissable panoramic views of the area.

Another favourite is the Canopy Walkway, a network of suspension bridges at a height of about 45 metres, spanning a distance of about 500 metres. You can also cruise down the Sungai Tembeling River by boat, and admire the rainforest from the water.

Interesting details

• Price: from approximately €121 per person.
• 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 transport and with a local guide who knows the area well.
• Disadvantages of this option: A good state of health and fitness 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 link 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 about 150 kilometres from Kuala Lumpur.

Excursions to Malacca are usually full day trips 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's left), the oldest church in Malaysia, which began construction in 1521; and Middleburg Bastion, a fort built by the Dutch in 1660, among others.

You'll also see temples, such as Cheng Hoon Teng, whose origins date back to 1645; and buildings worth seeing such as the Sultanate of Melaka 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 can give you the historical and cultural background of the sites you visit to enrich the tour. They also usually include transfer to and from your hotel and a lunch of typical Malaysian food.

Details of interest

• Price: from approximately €45 per person.
• 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 lunch only, so the rest of the meals will be on your own.