Jackie M’s 10-Day, 9-Night Durian & Culinary Tour of Malaysia
Since Covid travel restrictions ended in 2022, Paul, Noah, and I have visited Malaysia five times.
During some of these trips, we teamed up with our Masters of Malaysian Cuisine (MOMC) chefs and YouTube content creators like the Dodo Explorers and the Jetlag Warriors. Other times, it was just the three of us.
We even joined an exclusive durian fam tour hosted by the Malaysian Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security –
And created lots of content, including:
- The award-winning Durian Cookbook in collaboration with the Malaysian Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security
- Five series of Street Food Journeys for Tourism Malaysia Australia
- A series on Famous Malaysian Cuisine with Tourism Malaysia Australia, featuring 50 eateries beloved by locals but often overlooked by tourists.
Now, in August 2024, we’re tying it all together:
We’re excited to announce that our Durian Cookbook will be officially launched on 11 August 2024, in partnership with local durian distributors DKing (featured in Famous Malaysian Cuisine).
To celebrate, I’m organising a 10-day, 9-night Durian and Culinary Tour of Malaysia.
This tour includes:
- The Durian Cookbook launch with an all-you-can-eat durian buffet (RM80, not included in the tour fare), meet-and-greet, and book signing with me and some of our elite MOMC chefs.
- TWO days of UNLIMITED DURIAN at the resort in Pahang where we’ll be staying.
- Visits to eateries in Penang, KL, and Ipoh featured in Famous Malaysian Cuisine, such as
Bisu Asam Laksa, Rojak Ho Wei Jing, Kim Lian Kee Hokkien Mee, Hameed Pata Mee Sotong, Onn Kee Chicken & Beansprouts, Maya Banana Leaf Curry, Aung Kheng Lim Salt-Baked Chicken, Ding Feng Taufu Fa, and Tambun Pomelo GoChin Agro Farm. - Stops at other eateries Paul and I love, like Zhen Hi Hao Restaurant Dim Sum and Restoran WSF33 Centre Point.
If our Malaysian food adventures have made your mouth water over the past couple of years, now’s your chance to join us.
You can travel with us from Sydney or meet us in Malaysia.
Here’s our itinerary as it stands (note: the Genting Highlands day trip is included by popular demand; I haven’t been there in over 40 years, so we can explore it together). If you’re interested, book your spot by contacting me on WhatsApp at +61 (0) 425 797 718 or via email.
Durian Culinary Tour Proposed Itinerary
09 Aug, Day 1: Sydney – Kuala Lumpur (MH122 1305-2000)
Friday
– Meet & Greet at KLIA Airport.
– Check-in at Maya Hotel.
– Overnight at Maya Hotel.
10 Aug, Day 2: Kuala Lumpur – Genting Highlands – Kuala Lumpur (B/D)
Saturday
– Breakfast at the hotel.
– Depart for Genting Highlands.
– Visit Gohtong Jaya and take a cable car ride to Genting Highlands, visiting Chin Swee Temple en route.
– Dinner at Restoran Kim Lian Kee (Hokkien Mee) on Petaling Street.
– Explore Petaling Street.
– Overnight at Maya Hotel.
11 Aug, Day 3: Kuala Lumpur – Bilut Hills Eco Resort & Eco Park – Raub (B/L/TB/D)
Sunday
– Breakfast at the hotel and check out.
– Durian feast at Dking Bukit Bintang (all-you-can-eat buffet, own expense).
– Lunch at Wong Kham Makanan Cina Muslim in Bentong.
– Check-in at Bilut Hills Eco Resort & Eco Park. Free and easy time.
– Dinner (Steamboat) at Bilut Hills Eco Resort.
– Overnight at Bilut Hills Eco Resort & Eco Park.
12 Aug, Day 4: Bilut Hills Eco Resort & Eco Park – Raub (B/L/D)
Monday
– Breakfast at the resort.
– Durian feast at Bilut Hills Eco Resort.
– Free and easy time with sports activities such as ATV riding, flying fox, archery, and rock climbing (own expense).
– Dinner (BBQ) at Bilut Hills Eco Resort.
– Overnight at Bilut Hills Eco Resort & Eco Park.
13 Aug, Day 5: Bilut Hills Eco Resort & Eco Park – Ipoh (B/L/D)
Tuesday
– Breakfast at the resort and check out. Transfer to Ipoh.
– Lunch at Thong Lok Seafood Restaurant (famous for steamed big head prawn).
– Visit Tambun Pomelo GoChin Agro Farm.
– Visit Kedai Makanan Nam Heong (own expense).
– Explore Mural Art’s Lane.
– Shop for souvenirs at Sin Weng Fai Peanut Candy Shop and a biscuit shop.
– Dinner at Onn Kee (Chicken & Beansprouts).
– Check-in at M Roof Hotel & Residences.
14 Aug, Day 6: Ipoh (B/L)
Wednesday
– Breakfast at the hotel.
– Visit Kek Look Tong Cave Temple.
– Explore Qing Xin Ling Leisure & Cultural Village.
– Lunch at Zhen Hi Hao Restaurant Dim Sum or Restoran Chooi Yue Dim Sum.
– Visit Han Chin Pet Soo.
– Try Ding Feng Taufu Fa (own expense).
– Visit Restoran WSF33 Centre Point (own expense).
– Takeaway from Aung Kheng Lim Salt-baked Chicken.
– Overnight at M Roof Hotel & Residences.
15 Aug, Day 7: Ipoh – Penang (B)
Thursday
– Breakfast at the hotel and check out. Transfer to Penang.
– Visit Batu Lanchang Food Court (own expense).
– Visit Kek Lok Si Temple.
– Try Bisu Asam Laksa Ayer Itam (own expense).
– Explore Chulia Street Night Market.
– Check-in at Cititel Hotel.
16 Aug, Day 8: Penang (B/L/D)
Friday
– Breakfast at the hotel.
– Visit Peranakan Mansion.
– Lunch at Hameed Pata Mee Sotong (Esplanade Park Food Court).
– Try Rojak Ho Wei Jeng (101 Rojak) (own expense).
– Explore Penang Street Art.
– Visit Chew’s Jetty.
– Dinner at a Nyonya Cuisine Restaurant.
– Visit Rainbow Sky Walk Penang.
– Overnight at Cititel Hotel.
17 Aug, Day 9: Penang – Kuala Lumpur (B/L/D)
Saturday
– Breakfast at the hotel and check out. Transfer to Kuala Lumpur.
– Lunch at Restaurant Bali Thai (Kuala Kangsar).
– Dinner at Yu Yi Bak Kut Teh (Jalan Pudu).
– Check-in at Maya Hotel.
18 Aug, Day 10: Kuala Lumpur – Sydney (B/L/D) (MH123 2345-1000)
Sunday
– Breakfast at the hotel and check out.
– Visit Little India.
– Lunch at Maya Bangsar (Banana Leaf Curry).
– Photo stop at KL Petronas Tower / KLCC.
– Try Ampang Homeland Yong Tau Foo.
– Transfer to KLIA Airport for the flight back home.
Additional Notes:
Hotels (Local 4-star):
– Kuala Lumpur: 3 Nights at Maya Hotel or similar class.
– Penang: 2 Nights at Cititel Hotel Penang or similar class.
– Ipoh: 2 Nights at M Roof Hotel & Residences or similar class.
– Raub: 2 Nights at Bilut Hills Eco Resort & Eco Park or similar class.
Package Includes:
– 9 nights hotel accommodation as per itinerary
– Meals as stated in the itinerary (8 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 7 dinners)
– Tour and land transportation as per itinerary
– Return cable car tickets to Genting Highlands
– English & Mandarin-speaking guide
Package Excludes:
– All entrance fees where applicable and optional activities
– All personal incidental charges such as room service, laundry, telephone, etc.
– Any optional tours, meals, or activities not specified in the itinerary