In Malaysia, hit Kuala Lumpur hard for a fab few days before heading to lush tea plantations and colourful markets in the Cameron Highlands. Jet off to one of the jungle-clad Malaysian islands for beaches that take your breath away, such as the stunning Langkawi, the cultural oasis of Penang and the dazzlingly serene Pangkor Laut.
Alternatively, travel to Borneo to visit the orangutan rehabilitation centre in Sepilok where you can catch a glimpse of the ‘man of the jungle’, Borneo’s most famous resident. A trip to the Kinabatangan Basin may be rewarded with hornbill or pygmy elephant sightings, whilst further afield, huge monitor lizards prowl the jungles in the Danum Valley, and proboscis monkeys can be spotted in the treetops in the Tabin Wildlife Reserve. Selingan Island is a real treat for those wishing to explore life beneath the waves, and turtles can be spotted laying eggs throughout the night on the shores of the appropriately named Turtle Island. The most adventurous visitors can conquer the looming Mount Kinabalu, which is brimming with wildlife, while those in search of tranquillity may be more inclined to relax on Pulau Gaya's pristine beaches.
Sarawak, meanwhile, is Malaysia’s largest state, and here you can discover the colourful temples and sophisticated cuisine of the capital, Kuching, before exploring the longhouses of the Dayak head hunters in Batang Ai and the striking caves of Gunung Mulu National Park. Named after the 2,000-metre Mount Mulu, the park is home to striking limestone pinnacles above ground and huge cave systems below, which are quite a spectacle.