Custom Singapore, Malaysia & Bali

Tour Highlights

About Singapore, Bali & Malaysia Luxury Travel

Singapore:  Red coiled incense smoldering just outside ancient temples, brilliantly colored song birds in birdcages along the street, monks in morning prayer.  Tropical Singapore is an ideal place to begin getting acquainted with Southeast Asia.  It is also a great way to end any journey.  On the major sea routes at the tip of the Malay Peninsula, the city-state has been visited by Chinese junks, Indian vessels, Arab dhows, and Portuguese and English battleships.  Singapore reflects that dynamic mix in sleek skyscrapers, tropical gardens and pockets of traditional neighborhoods, including Chinatown with its shops of crafts, clothes, teas and potions; and Little India with its pungent spices in stalls along Arab Street and its colorful Sri Mariammam Temple so boldly adorned with gods, demons, mortals and animals.  Luxurious hotels, fine restaurants, a thriving nightlife, and nearby Sentosa Island’s relaxed resorts make this a well-rounded destination.

Bali & Lombok:  The coast of both these islands boasts miles of soft, sand beaches, luxury resorts and spas and nearly endless opportunities for water sports.  In the center of Bali, the town of Ubud retains its sense of identity through its arts and crafts communities, temples and palaces.  It has been inhabited as far back as the Bronze Age.  Megalithic ruins and stepped pyramids were found along with an enormous Bronze Age gong known as “The Moon of Pejeng.”  Hindu-Buddhist culture spread through Bali between the 10th and 12th centuries, leading to the establishment of many temples and monasteries along the way.  The eloquent Balinese dances, dramas and puppet plays originated in these early kingdoms. Just east of Bali, Lombok is less developed, dryer and more rugged than its cousin.  The island has the third largest volcano in Indonesia, Mount Rinjani, which contains a horseshoe-shaped lake in its cone.  It is part of Rinjani National Park, which is inhabited by the rare black ebony leaf monkey, long-tailed gray macaque, Rusa deer, the smaller barking deer, wild pig and a host of colorful birds.  Lombok’s history is seen in Ampenana’s grand palace and temple, Narmada Water Palace, Mayura Water Palace and the Hindu-Muslim Lingsar Temple.  These delicious islands represent the quintessential beach getaway.

Kuala Lumpur:  Often referred to simply as KL, the capital city is the largest in Malaysia, and is its economic engine.  It is a designated global city, meaning that it is an important part of the global economic system.  KL is the cultural hub of Malaysia. It is home to Petronas Philharmonic Hall, several national museums including the national art museum, and the Islamic Arts Museum houses more than 7,000 Islamic artifacts, including rare exhibits from China.

Penang:  Penang is the second smallest state in Malaysia, and sits on the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia by the Strait of Malacca.  It was originally part of the Malay Sultanate of Kedah, but in 1786, the sultan handed control over to the British East India Company in exchange for promised military protection from invading Siamese and Burmese armies.  That help never came.  In 1826, Penang, along with Malacca and Singapore, became part of the Straits Settlements, and came under direct British colonial rule in 1867.  In 1948, it became part of the Federation of Malaya, which gained independence in 1957.  George Town, the capital of Penang, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site recognized for its unique architectural and cultural townscape.  A walk around town captures the essence of its mixed heritage with rows of century-old “shophouses,” colonial villas and old houses with columns or multi-colored tiles.  Aceh Mosque is the oldest religious house in the city. The smell of incense drifts in the air amid the gold settings of Burmese, Thai and Chinese temples.  Here, you see delicately carved wooden panels of a traditional Chinese art called Khoo Kongsi.

Kuching:  The once-colonial city is the capital of Sarawak, Malaysia’s largest state.  All manner of traders landed in this port in the 19th century in search of exotic spices.  The palace once belonged to the White Rajah (Englishman James Brooke).  Now it serves as the residence of the governor, and overlooks traditional sampans cruising the river.  Semonggok Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre is south of Kuching.  It is a sanctuary for orangutans that have been injured or captured.  The semi-wild orangutans roam freely in the rainforest and often return to the center at feeding time.  Thanks to the successful breeding program at Semonggok there is a good possibility of experiencing one of the most heart-warming sights in Borneo – an orangutan mother with a young baby.

Cameron Highlands:  Cameron Highlands is north of Kuala Lumpur, in Pahang, Malaysia. At 5,000 feet above sea level, it offers a cool retreat.  The highland district is ideal for growing strawberries, roses, vegetables and tea.  It also has a butterfly farm, the Brinchang Hindu Temples and the Sam Poh Chinese Mahayana Buddhist Temple and Market Square.

Best Time to Travel
Festivals & Special Events:

• This region can be enjoyed year around as it is generally hot, sunny and fairly uniform.  It usually rains for a bit every day with more rain during the monsoons.  Southwest Monsoon is from late May to September, and Northeast Monsoon from November to March.  In Borneo, travel is possible year round, but the best season is March-October, during the dry season, although it still rains in the forest.  This is also the best time for diving.
• Lunar New Year comes in January or February and is the highlight of the Chinese calendar.  It is celebrated throughout Southeast Asia.  The festival lasts for 15 days and includes the famous Dragon dance and parades all along the streets.  The atmosphere in Singapore’s Chinatown is a visual treat with fireworks and more.
• Moon Cake Festival, a mid-autumn festival (Chung Chiu), is the third major festival of the Chinese calendar, and is celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth month in Singapore and Malaysia.  It corresponds to the harvest festival observed by Western cultures (in Hong Kong, it is held in conjunction with the annual Lantern Festival).
• Balinese Odalan celebrates a particular temple.  Each of Bali’s more than 20,000 temples has its own Odalan, or anniversary celebration.  Elaborate offerings are presented to the gods and the goddesses.  Ritual dances are accompanied by the brilliant sound of a gamelan orchestra.
• Sarawak Extravaganza, in August, is a month-long celebration in Kuching, featuing arts and crafts, street parades, food fairs and traditional games – all celebrating the culture of Sarawak.