We're looking at a trip offered by Peterson-Travel, Malaysia called the The Aryani (10 days). It starts in Singamore and covers Malacca, KL, Cameron Highlands, Penang, Kota Bharu, ending in Terengganu. This trip can be customised if desired.

So far it looks good and its our first visit to Malaysia but we're not beach people and wonder if anyone has alternative suggestions to Terengganu? Or can advise us what attractions this place has without having to lie on a beach doing nothing. The trip also includes a flight from Terengganu to KL for any return flights home.

We're in our 40's and we like nature, wildlife, walking, culture.

Incidentially, does anyone know about Peterson-Travel, are they reputable/trustworthy?

Thanks in advance.

If you are not beach people i can think of no real reason to visit Kota Bharu. We learnt to dive on Redang Island just off the coast. The diving was good but apart from that there did not seem a lot else to hold are interest in the Terrenganu region. Admittedly, this was 10 plus years ago and things may have changed a bit.

Some people on this forum are not keen on KL but I really like it. It has a great mix of cultures,Indian, Malay, Chinese, colonial British and Dutch which makes for some interesting sightseeing and some of teh best food in Asia.

We loved Melaka and Penang both of which are worth at least acouple of days and the Cameron Highlands are very scenic with some great hiking in the area.

Otherwise Taman Negara national park is worty of consideration and, if you have the time then a trip to Malaysian borneo opens up a whole host of other opportunities.

Sorry, but I forgot to add that i don't think you really need a tour operator as it would be easy enough to DIY at probably at considerably less cost

If you like nature and wildlife, you might re-focus your trip on Malaysian Borneo. In no way do you need a tour operator, it will be easy (and much cheaper) to do it yourself.

It's getting a bit old, but here's my Borneo trip report: http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...rip-report.cfm

and our photos: www.marlandc.com/Borneo/index.htm

And here is my trip report on Penang: http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...rip-report.cfm

and our photos: www.marlandc.com/Bangkok2006/index.htm

If I understand correctly, the end portion of the trip includes Kota Bharu (Kelantan State) and Kuala Terengganu (Terengganu State). I assume you are starting in Singapore (not “Singamore” as you mention above, which I don’t think is an actual place).

Without knowing the time of your trip it is a bit harder to advise, but IMO to miss the absolutely gorgeous east coast area of Malaysia would be a shame. (Unless it is during the rainy season, about late October though late Feb or early March). Assuming your trip is not in the rainy months, I would say to include both, although my slight preference would be to KT over KB, and I would say that staying in a resort on the beach, as opposed to a city hotel in either, would be preferable. Even if you are not “beach people” you can certainly appreciate the <i>beauty</i> of the beaches, esp. sunrise over them. (I am not one for lying on beaches myself, but just love this part of Malaysia for overall scenic beauty and laid-back lifestyle.) You can hire boats for the day to take you out to deserted islands for snorkeling. Moreover, the coast itself is just beautiful, with lovely little coastal fishing villages (kampong) which are definitely worth a stop. I would rent a car for a day or so, and just drive down the coast, stopping as you want to. (The drive from KB to KT should itself very pretty, esp. if you take the coastal roads rather than the main highways which are a bit inland. If you are not driving yourself, get the driver to use the coast roads.) Your itin is larger cities and cooler hillside areas, and IMO going to the east coast would give you a chance to see smaller villages. There are also a variety of Buddhist temples in the area. There are some national parks in the area as well, including Taman Negara National Park Kelantan (entrance at Kuala Koh). This mix of Thai and Malay cuisines which is part of this area would offer some contrast to the rest of Malaysia (all of Malaysia has good food, don’t get me wrong.)

Kuala Terengganu also offers picturesque beaches and small fishing village. If you are very lucky, you may be able to see the giant leatherback turtles which come to lay eggs along the north part of the coast in July and August. KT itself has some nice local markets. It is also about a half hour drive from the huge and gorgeous Lake Kenyir, which also is one of the eastern entrances of Taman Negara National Park , which would probably be of most interest to you.

I agree you could do this easily on your own. You can even rent a car and drive yourself, although a combo of cheap flights, trains, buses and taxis would also work too.

It appears you may not have yet consulted any guidebooks, as most of the above would be mentioned in them. It might be helpful to do so.

I have to say we're very busy people and don't really have the time to in-depth research/book accomodation, flights, transfers between places. We tend to do a bit of online research to get a rough idea of what places to visit in a country, book flights (to secure the precious time off work) and then get the guide book to make the most of our stay.

IMO this trip didn't seem very expensive for all inclusive, transport, entry fees and accomodation plus 1 internal flight to be honest.

BUT I do admit I'm a bit dubious about this trip only allowing for one night in Malacca, KL (2 nights), Penang and Cameron Highlands.

Yes the trip starts in Singapore (we fly from Manchester) and SA probably offers more flight options.

As for Borneo, we'd love to see that but thought that would be best left for another trip perhaps in 2012

Most tours hurry you along so you have no time to just experience a place. This itinerary is no exception.

How much does the travel agency want to charge you for this trip? Arranging transport, hotel, etc is very easy and quite affordable in Malaysia.

Hello
I think it is starting to look like we'll probably make our own way by bus from Singapore to Malacca, KL, a driver or tour of Taman Negara National Park (thanks for that Cicerone), Cameron Highlands and Penang. This fits in better with getting a flight back to Singapore from Penang for the flight back home (UK). We only have 14 days from late August.

The 9 nights tour was slightly cheaper than the ones offered by Exodus/Explore (approx £810) - own driver/guide, all hotels and entrance fees, several stops along the way between places plus the Terengganu to KL flight but we've decided we don't want to end up in Terengganu and more time in Malacca/Penang.