Kuala Lumpur
Day Trips
Batu Caves - Hindu shrines were created inside these huge limestone caves, and the combination of spectacular natural beauty and brilliant colors is incredible. The Temple Cave is as big as a church. The Art Gallery Cave has statues and wall paintings from Hindu mythology. As you ascend the long stairway up to the caves, look out for macaque monkeys (kids hold onto your things).
Nature Reserves - Outside of Kuala Lumpur are nature reserves where you can hike to waterfalls, dabble your toes in clear streams, and picnic in lush tropical forests. These nature reserves have well marked trails and are good for the whole family. Spend a delightful day in Kanching Recreation Park, Sungai Tua Forest Recreation Area, Ampang Forest Recreation Area or the Tekala Forest Reserve.
Genting Highlands - This popular resort in the cool highlands is just an hour away from Kuala Lumpur. The main attraction of the Genting Highlands is the casino and the Genting Theme Park. The indoor theme park as the usual video games; the outdoor section of the theme park has rides fun for little kids. Go pedal boating on the lake. Horseback riding (or pony riding) is available at the Awana Horse Ranch. Take the Genting Skyway cable car for a ride straight up the hill and a view of the rain forest from the summit.
Kuala Selangor - For a change of pace, head for the coast.
Bukit Melawati - This hill was used by the Sultan of Selangor, and later the British. Cannons are still in place, when forts guarded the entrance to the Selangor River. Climb up to the top of the hill where you can look out over the Straits of Malacca. (If you don't feel like walking, there is also a tram to the top.) A path leads from Bukit Melawati to the Kuala Selangor Nature Reserve, also called Taman Alam. This tranquil wetlands reserve is a bird sanctuary and home to silver leaf monkeys, otters, and water monitor lizards. There are well-maintained boardwalks through the mud flats and mangrove swamps and viewing platforms. Bring your binoculars. Firefly watching - Kampung Kuantan is famous for it's large firefly colony. Take a boat ride on the river through the mangrove swamps for an extraordinary spectacle of fireflies by the thousands, winking like Christmas lights in the warm tropical darkness. It's just magical. Life vests are provided, but since the trip is on the river at night, it may not be appropriate for toddlers. Pulau Ketam - Take a ferry boat from Port Klang to Pulau Ketam ("crab island"). On the island, you'll see houses built on stilts, and enjoy fresh-caught fish and seafood.
