Singapore & Kuala Lumpur – 9 Days by Coach Across the Border

Today is spent in the Mandai wildlife reserve in the north of the island, where Singapore keeps its animal parks side by side. After breakfast you are picked up around 9 AM. River Wonders comes first, with river habitats modelled on the Amazon, the Nile and the Mekong, and the giant pandas in their own climate-controlled home. The day plan also lists Bird Paradise, with over 3,500 birds of more than 400 species in walk-through aviaries.

The longest stop is the Singapore Zoo, where you should give yourself 4 to 5 hours to walk its open-concept enclosures, catch a feeding session and see the orangutans. After dark the Night Safari opens next door, and the tram ride through the forest shows leopards, tapirs and other nocturnal animals in near-darkness. It is a long, hot day on foot, so pace yourselves and use the shaded rest stops.

At a glance: Time needed: ~9–10 hrs at the parks · Travel: ~30 min each way by transfer · Pace: Full

Schedule

• Morning (pickup around 9:00 AM): Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to Mandai, about 30 min.

• Late morning: River Wonders, allow about 1.5–2 hrs.

• Noon: Bird Paradise as per the day plan, about 1.5–2 hrs. Lunch at one of the park restaurants (own cost).

• Afternoon: Singapore Zoo, allow 4–5 hrs, with feeding times and keeper talks through the day.

• Evening: Night Safari, which opens around 7:15 PM: tram ride (about 40 min) plus the walking trails, allow around 2 hrs. Dinner at the park (own cost).

• Night: Drop back at the hotel.

Travel for the day

• Hotel → Mandai ~30 min and back by transfer.

• All four parks are next to each other and linked by walkways.

Tips & what to carry

• Wear comfortable walking shoes and light cotton clothes. You will walk several kilometres today.

• Carry a refillable water bottle, sunscreen, a cap and insect repellent for the Night Safari.

• Flash photography is not allowed at the Night Safari.

• Tram queues at the Night Safari are shortest a little after opening or late in the evening.

• Check the zoo's feeding and show times at the entrance and plan your route around them.

Included today

• Attraction Tickets & Transfers covered for Bird Paradise, River Wonders & Night Safari

Overnight: Singapore

A day of classic Singapore. After breakfast you head to Chinatown for the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, a five-storey red and gold temple that houses what is believed to be a tooth relic of the Buddha, with a quiet rooftop garden and a museum on Buddhist art. From there you continue to Marina Bay Sands and go up to the SkyPark observation deck, where you can spend an hour or so looking out over the bay, the city skyline and the ships waiting offshore.

In the evening you visit Gardens by the Bay. Allow 2 to 3 hours for the Supertree Grove and the two cooled domes: the Cloud Forest with its indoor waterfall and misty mountain walk, and the Flower Dome with seasonal displays. Stay on for the light and music show at the Supertree Grove, then you are dropped back at your hotel.

At a glance: Time needed: ~6 hrs sightseeing · Travel: ~20–30 min transfers between stops · Pace: Moderate

Schedule

• Morning: Breakfast at the hotel, then the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple in Chinatown, about 1 hr.

• Noon: Lunch in Chinatown or at Maxwell Food Centre nearby (own cost).

• Afternoon: Marina Bay Sands SkyPark observation deck, about 1–1.5 hrs.

• Evening: Gardens by the Bay: Cloud Forest and Flower Dome, then the Supertree Grove, allow 2–3 hrs.

• Night: Garden Rhapsody light show at the Supertree Grove, usually at 7:45 PM and 8:45 PM (about 15 min). Drop back at the hotel.

Travel for the day

• Hotel → Chinatown → Marina Bay → Gardens by the Bay → hotel by transfer, each leg about 15–30 min.

Tips & what to carry

• The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple asks for covered shoulders and knees; shawls are available at the entrance.

• SkyPark is open-air. Late afternoon is cooler and the light is better for photos.

• Carry a light layer for the Cloud Forest and Flower Dome; they are kept cool.

• For the light show, lie back on the ground under the Supertrees for the best view.

Included today

• Attraction Tickets & Transfers covered for Marina Bay Sands, Gardens by the Bay

Overnight: Singapore

Today is all about Universal Studios on Sentosa Island. After breakfast you are transferred to the park with a regular one-day pass, and you can easily spend 8 to 10 hours inside. The park is split into themed zones such as Hollywood, New York, Sci-Fi City, Ancient Egypt, The Lost World, Far Far Away and Minion Land, each with its own rides and shows.

Thrill seekers usually head first for the Battlestar Galactica roller coasters and the Transformers ride, while younger children enjoy the Minion and Shrek areas and the street shows. Weekends, school holidays and public holidays get crowded, so start early and work the biggest rides while the queues are short. You are dropped back at your hotel in the evening.

At a glance: Time needed: ~8–10 hrs at the park · Travel: ~25–30 min each way by transfer · Pace: Full

Schedule

• Morning: Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to Universal Studios Singapore; the park usually opens around 10:00 AM.

• Late morning: Head for the headline rides first while queues are shorter.

• Noon: Lunch inside the park (own cost).

• Afternoon: Shows, character meets and the remaining zones at your own pace.

• Evening: Leave the park at closing and transfer back to your hotel. Dinner (own cost).

• Optional: Express Pass tickets can be added on request, useful on crowded days (extra cost).

Travel for the day

• Hotel → Universal Studios Singapore (Sentosa) ~25–30 min and back by transfer.

Tips & what to carry

• Some rides have minimum height limits, often around 92–122 cm. Check at each ride before queuing with children.

• Use the lockers for loose items on the roller coasters; bags are not allowed on some rides.

• Carry a poncho or buy one inside. Water rides and sudden rain are both common.

• Download the park app to see live queue times.

Included today

• Attraction Tickets & Transfers covered for Universal Studios

• Express Pass Tickets can be added on request which is useful for the Crowded days.

Overnight: Singapore

Back to Sentosa today, this time by air. After breakfast you are picked up around 9 AM and ride the cable car across to the island, about 15 to 20 minutes with views over the harbour and the cruise terminal. At Madame Tussauds Singapore you can spend an hour or two posing with wax figures of film stars, sportspeople and world leaders, including a good number of Bollywood names.

Next is the S.E.A. Aquarium, home to over 100,000 marine animals across 10 zones. The giant Open Ocean viewing panel, with manta rays and sharks gliding past, is the moment most people remember. After some free time on the island, the day ends at the beach with Wings of Time, a 20-minute night show of water, fire, lasers and music set against the sea.

At a glance: Time needed: ~8–9 hrs on Sentosa · Travel: ~15–20 min cable car plus transfers · Pace: Full

Schedule

• Morning (pickup around 9:00 AM): Breakfast at the hotel, then the cable car to Sentosa Island, about 15–20 min.

• Late morning: Madame Tussauds Singapore, allow 1–2 hrs.

• Noon: Lunch on Sentosa (own cost).

• Afternoon: S.E.A. Aquarium, allow about 2 hrs.

• Late afternoon: Free time at Siloso or Palawan Beach.

• Evening / Night: Wings of Time, about 20 min; shows are usually around 7:40 PM and 8:40 PM. Drop back at the hotel.

Travel for the day

• Hotel → cable car station by transfer, cable car to Sentosa ~15–20 min.

• Sentosa → hotel by transfer after the show.

Tips & what to carry

• Arrive at Wings of Time about 15–20 min early to get a good seat.

• The aquarium is cool inside; a light layer helps after the heat outdoors.

• Carry swimwear and a towel if the children want to splash at the beach before the show.

• The free Sentosa Express and island buses make getting between attractions easy.

Included today

• Attraction Tickets & Transfers covered for Madame Tussauds, S.E.A. Aquarium, Wings of Time

Overnight: Singapore

After breakfast you check out and leave Singapore by around 10 AM on the coach to Kuala Lumpur. The ride crosses the Causeway into Johor, where you clear Singapore and Malaysian immigration, then runs up the North–South Expressway past palm oil estates and small towns, with a rest stop on the way.

You arrive in Kuala Lumpur by around 4 PM and check in at your hotel. The evening is free to explore at your own pace. Bukit Bintang is the easy choice for shopping malls, street food along Jalan Alor and a first look at the city lights, and the Petronas Twin Towers are lit up beautifully after dark.

At a glance: Time needed: Free evening · Travel: ~6–7 hrs by coach · Pace: Easy

Schedule

• Morning: Breakfast, check out and hotel pickup. Coach departs Singapore around 10:00 AM.

• Noon: Border crossing at the Causeway (Singapore and Malaysia immigration), then the expressway north with a rest stop. Lunch on the way (own cost).

• Afternoon: Arrive in Kuala Lumpur around 4:00 PM and transfer to your hotel.

• Evening: Free — explore Bukit Bintang or KLCC on your own.

• Night: Dinner at Jalan Alor food street (own cost).

Travel for the day

• Singapore → Kuala Lumpur ~6–7 hrs by coach, bus tickets covered, with pickup and drop-off from your hotels.

Tips & what to carry

• Keep passports, and any visas or arrival cards needed, in your hand luggage for the border crossing.

• Each person usually has to carry their own bag through immigration, so pack light for the day.

• Carry snacks and water for the coach, and a jacket; the air conditioning is often strong.

• Change some money into Malaysian ringgit before or on arrival.

Included today

• Tour Duration: 7 Hours with Bus Tickets Covered

• Comfortable transportation

• Pick-up and drop-off from your hotel

Overnight: Kuala Lumpur

A late start: after breakfast your tour begins around 11 AM with KL Tower, where you spend 1 to 2 hours on the observation deck looking across the city to the Petronas Twin Towers and the hills beyond. The tower stands on a small forest reserve right in the middle of the city.

The city tour then takes 3 to 4 hours through Kuala Lumpur's landmarks. You stop for photos at the Petronas Twin Towers, then head to Merdeka Square, where Malaysia's independence was declared in 1957, framed by the Sultan Abdul Samad Building and its copper domes. The tour ends at Central Market, a good place for batik, handicrafts and souvenirs.

At a glance: Time needed: ~5 hrs sightseeing · Travel: Short city drives · Pace: Moderate

Schedule

• Morning: Breakfast at the hotel. Tour starts around 11:00 AM.

• Late morning: KL Tower observation deck, about 1–2 hrs.

• Afternoon: City tour, about 3–4 hrs: Petronas Twin Towers photo stop, Merdeka Square and Central Market. Lunch on the way (own cost).

• Evening: Drop back at the hotel. Free for KLCC Park and the Lake Symphony fountain, or shopping at Suria KLCC.

• Night: Dinner in Bukit Bintang (own cost).

Travel for the day

• City tour by vehicle with pickup and drop-off from your hotel, about 5 hrs in total.

Tips & what to carry

• Afternoons in KL are hot and often end in a thunderstorm. Carry an umbrella.

• Central Market is good for gifts; prices are fixed in most shops, bargain gently at stalls.

• Mosques on the route, if visited, ask for covered arms and legs; robes are usually provided.

Included today

• Tour Duration: 5 Hours with Entrance Tickets Covered

• Entry fees to KL Tower Observation Deck

• Pick-up and drop-off from your hotel

Overnight: Kuala Lumpur

After breakfast you drive about 30 minutes north to Batu Caves, the limestone hill that holds one of the most important Murugan shrines outside India. The giant golden statue of Lord Murugan stands at the foot of the 272 colourful steps that climb to the main Temple Cave. Allow 1.5 to 2 hours for the climb and the caves.

In the afternoon you head up into the hills to Genting Highlands, where the air is noticeably cooler. The cable car ride up takes about 10 to 15 minutes each way, gliding above the rainforest canopy and often into the clouds. At the top there is time for the indoor and outdoor theme park, the shopping arcades and the casino for adults, before you drive back to Kuala Lumpur in the evening.

At a glance: Time needed: ~6 hrs sightseeing · Travel: ~2.5 hrs driving in total · Pace: Full

Schedule

• Morning: Breakfast at the hotel and drive to Batu Caves, about 30 min.

• Late morning: Batu Caves, allow 1.5–2 hrs including the 272-step climb.

• Noon: Drive to the Genting cable car station, about 1 hr. Lunch on the way or at Genting (own cost).

• Afternoon: Cable car up to Genting Highlands, about 10–15 min one way. Free time for the theme park rides (paid locally), shopping and the casino (21+ only).

• Evening: Cable car down and drive back to Kuala Lumpur, about 1 hr.

• Night: Dinner (own cost).

Travel for the day

• KL → Batu Caves ~30 min, Batu Caves → Genting ~1 hr, Genting → KL ~1 hr, by vehicle with hotel pickup and drop.

• Roundtrip cable car at Genting Highlands. Total tour about 10 hrs.

Tips & what to carry

• Batu Caves dress code: knees must be covered. Sarongs can be rented at the bottom of the steps.

• Monkeys on the Batu Caves steps snatch food, bottles and sunglasses. Keep bags zipped.

• Genting is often around 16–24°C and misty. Carry a light jacket.

• The casino needs a passport and has a dress code (no shorts or slippers for men).

Included today

• Tour Duration: 10 Hours with Entrance Tickets Covered

• Entry fees to Batu Caves and Genting Highlands with Roundtrip Cable Car

• Pick-up and drop-off from your hotel

• Comfortable transportation

Overnight: Kuala Lumpur

Your last day is unhurried. After breakfast you have the day free to explore on your own: last-minute shopping at Pavilion or Suria KLCC, a walk in KLCC Park, or a final round of nasi lemak and teh tarik. If you would like to add specific attractions, we can build them into the day for you.

In the late afternoon your driver picks you up and drops you at Kuala Lumpur International Airport in good time for your evening flight back to India.

At a glance: Time needed: Free time, flight permitting · Travel: ~1 hr airport transfer · Pace: Easy

Schedule

• Morning: Breakfast at the hotel. Check out (usually by 12:00 noon; luggage can be stored at the hotel).

• Noon: Free for shopping or sightseeing on your own (own cost).

• Late afternoon: Transfer to Kuala Lumpur International Airport, about 1 hr.

• Departure: Evening flight to India.

Travel for the day

• Hotel → Kuala Lumpur International Airport ~1 hr by transfer. Allow extra time in evening traffic.

Tips & what to carry

• Reach the airport at least 3 hrs before your international flight.

• Tell us in advance if you want any attraction added today so it can be planned around the airport drop.

• Chocolates, Malaysian coffee and batik make good last-minute gifts.