Wildlife lovers unite in the warm and wonderful country of Malaysia

Immerse yourself in a world entirely different from your own when taking part in a small group tour through Malaysia. Solo travelling through Malaysia in a small group tour will have you sharing the surprises of sighting a wild ape or monkey, celebrating your climb to the summit of Mt Kinabalu or even just having someone to try your first crunchy jungle fern with! Another benefit is that your tour will be run under the expert guidance of a local leader who'll take care of the nitty-gritty logistics and share with you a unique side of the country that you might not see anywhere else.

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The perks of solo travel to Malaysia with Intrepid

Walking along the Sepilok Rainforest, Malaysia

A local leader

Being on an Intrepid tour means you’ll be guided through your trip by a local leader. These leaders are local to the country you’re travelling in and are ready to handle any situations, recommendations, history or cuisine questions (among other things) that arise. They have the insider knowledge to get you the best chance of sighting a proboscis monkey or the world’s largest flower (the rafflesia) while en route. So know you're in good hands when on a tour with us.

Sitting by the view at Mulu National Park limestone pinnacles, Malaysia

Safety

We make safety our number one concern so that fun can be your priority. Malaysia hosts many tourists throughout the year and while the odd bag snatching and petty crime does occur, it’s generally a safe area to visit. But travelling in a small tour group can be a great way to enjoy new places. Aside from sharing the joys of travel, it also means there are ready-made travel companions who'll be just as keen to try a few curries at one of the many great street stalls or night markets.

Hikers on top of Mount Kinabalu, Malaysia

Ready-made friends

Travelling goes hand-in-hand with new faces, shared stories and memorable sights. Our group tours hold an average of 10 guests from all walks of life, who - just like you - have all ventured from their hometowns for a one-of-a-kind Malaysian adventure. So while checking ou the jungle walkways, scenic mountain paths and hidden treasures of the urban landscapes, you’re sure to collect friends as well as souvenirs from your time on an Intrepid tour.

Sitting in a jungle camp in Kinabatangan, Malaysia

Logistics and convenience

Are you hoping to hit off the must-see sights on a tour through Malaysia but don’t know where to start? Take a load off and simply travel with us. During an Intrepid tour, your accommodation, transport and daily activities are all handled by your local leader. This only leaves you to choose from a range of non-included activities to take part in, or simply wind down and soak up the sun in this beautiful tropical climate. So, put your feet up! Because the next step is already taken care of.

Reviews

FAQs

Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards

From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travellers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (excluding all Polar trips and select adventure cruises).

However, we continue to strongly recommend that all Intrepid travellers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.

Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.

Learn more about Intrepid's COVID-19 policy

It's your call. Rooming on our trips is organised on a twin-share basis, but most of our trips also have the option to pay an extra fee for your own room. Just let us know at the time of booking and we'll arrange it for you.

For twin-share rooms, we pair up solo travellers with another traveller of the same gender as per the gender marker on each of their passports. As a responsible tour operator, we strive to create a safe and inclusive environment for everyone. In the case that your gender identity differs from what's indicated on your passport, please contact us so that we can discuss rooming options with you.

On a small selection of itineraries some accommodations are booked on an open-gender, multi-share basis. In those instances it will clearly be stated in your Essential Trip Information.

Whether you’re travelling alone or with a partner, our trips have a set itinerary. But within that there’s time set aside for your own exploration (if you want to – no pressure). Depending on how you're feeling, you may want to have some downtime, ask your guide for a few tips then head out alone, or hang out with the group and see where the day takes you.

You sure do. All passengers travelling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their tour. Your travel insurance details will be recorded by your leader on the first day of the trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is very much an essential and necessary part of every journey.

Learn more about travel Insurance

Credit cards are widely accepted by malls, hotels and large restaurants in Malaysia. Smaller guesthouses, shops and cafes may not accept credit cards, so ensure you have enough cash to cover purchases in smaller establishments.

Intrepid is committed to making travel widely accessible, regardless of ability or disability. That’s why we do our best to help as many people see the world as possible, regardless of any physical or mental limitations they might have. However, we’re always happy to talk to travellers with disabilities and see if we can help guide them towards the most suitable itinerary for their needs and where possible, make reasonable adjustments to our itineraries.

Learn more about accessible travel with Intrepid

Solo travel guide

Good advice for us all, but particularly for people travelling solo. Make copies of your itinerary, contact details, passport and travel insurance, then email them to yourself and to one or two friends/family at home. Check-in on social media when you can so people can keep track of where you are. 

If you’re arriving late in a city by yourself, book a hotel with a front desk or concierge service (many hotels also offer private transfers that don’t cost the earth from the airport or train station). If you're travelling with us, we can help you organise an arrival transfer. Read your maps before you head out for a walk (you can use a map app on your smartphone – or take screenshots of where you’re going if you don’t want to use up your precious data). If you need to check your map when you’re out and about, duck into a shop or café to do it. Leave the blingy jewellery, wedding rings and designer clothes at home, and aim to dress like the locals do – hit up the local markets if you haven’t packed the right outfits. Aim to keep track of travel times, so you’re not caught out after dark.

Most mobile/cell providers now offer travel passes to help manage your international roaming costs (which, let’s face it, are expensive!). For a few dollars a day, you’ll have access to data, which means you can log into your apps (like Skype, email and WhatsApp) when you’re out of WiFi zones and quickly get in touch with someone – a friend at home, someone in your group, or the police – if you need to. It might also be worth checking out the local cell/mobile providers as these can be quite cost effective. 

Solo travellers are way more likely to be ‘taken for a ride’ at the airport by unscrupulous taxi drivers, so do your research before you arrive. Make sure you get a cab from the airport/station taxi rank – if you’re not sure where to go, just head to the information desk for help. Touts tend to hang out in the arrivals area and promise cheaper rates, but can often be dodgy. When you get to the cab rank, ask the driver to use the meter or request a cost estimate before you hop in the car – if it’s way higher than it should be, pick another vehicle. A lot of airports have train stations attached as well, so consider public transport if you want to save a dollar or two.

It’s one of the advantages of travelling solo on a group tour: safety in numbers. The big, 50-person bus groups stand out on the road, but a small Intrepid group of eight or nine people, with a local leader showing the way – including areas to avoid and getting around safely – won’t draw much attention. Plus, it’s a great way to see parts of the world you may feel uncomfortable exploring on your own. If you want to do things on your own, consider a day tour to familiarise yourself with a city and get to know the local way of life. 

Solo travel is all about confidence. If you’re relaxed and self-assured on the street, you’re more likely to blend in. When you meet new people, don’t assume they’re all out to get you, but be sensible too and trust your gut. If it feels wrong, it probably is. Remember: the popular tourist areas are often the most well-lit and secure, but they’re often a juicier target for pickpockets and scammers. Just use your common sense; half of travel safety is simply being aware of your surroundings.

Read more about Malaysia