Penang: Hilltop Views, Kek Lok Si & Local Laksa Tasting
Description
See the best of Penang on Discova’s newest small-group tour led by an expert guide! With 2 tour options, discover Penang Hill, Kek Lok Si, famous assam laksa, and the timeless heritage of George Town. • Ride the Penang Hill funicular with Fast Lane tickets included • Explore Kek Lok Si Temple with a licensed local guide • Taste authentic Penang assam laksa at a favourite local eatery • Walk through George Town’s UNESCO-listed streets and clan houses • Enjoy a trishaw ride through heritage districts and cultural quarters
Tour Options
Itinerary
Your tour begins with pickup from your hotel at Georgetown. Meet and greets our friendly driver at the lobby and proceeds for your tour.
After hotel pick-up and a ride on the Penang Hill funicular, with Fast Lane tickets included for smoother access during peak periods. At the top, enjoy free time to explore and take in panoramic views over the island and mainland.
Continue to Kek Lok Si Temple, one of Southeast Asia’s largest Buddhist temple complexes, where a licensed local guide introduces its pagodas, statues, and hillside gardens before allowing time to explore independently.
Next, sample Penang’s famous assam laksa at a trusted local eatery. Ranked No. 7 on CNN’s World’s Best Foods list, this iconic dish is a bold, sour fish-based noodle soup flavoured with tamarindnand fresh herbs.
After lunch, sit back for a scenic drive along the waterfront and into historic George Town. Guests booked on the Half-Day option conclude their experience here at St. George’s Church. Guests booked on the Full-Day option continue deeper into George Town’s UNESCO-listed heritage quarter.
Discova's heritage walk begins at the Chew Jetty area, one of Penang’s remaining clan jetties where families still live in stilted homes built over the water. From here, step into the historic core of George Town, walking through heritage streets and visiting landmarks such as the beautifully ornate Khoo Kongsi clan temple. Free time along Chulia Street allows you to walk the lanes in search of George Town’s best-known street art, tucked into shopfronts and side alleys.
Later, enjoy a relaxing trishaw ride through George Town’s old quarters, passing the Street of Harmony, Little India, once associated with brothels, and opium dens. The ride ends at the Peranakan Mansion, an elegant former residence showcasing the lifestyle and craftsmanship of the ultra-rich Straits Chinese community. Discova's Penang Island Tour concludes at the mansion where you may choose to visit the museum independently or continue exploring George Town at your own pace.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Hotel Pick-Up time is between 08:00am - 09:00am (The tour operator will confirm the exact pick-up time via email. Please don't forget to recheck your email). Please kindly provide us the below information: -Full name of each participant. -Hotel Name and Hotel Address.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- If you are arriving by cruise, we would recommend booking a Private Tour to ensure sufficient time and to avoid missing any attractions listed in the itinerary.
- Guests arriving by cruise are kindly advised that the meeting point will be at the Queen Victoria Memorial Clock Tower.
- Assam Laksa Lunch is a non-vegetarian dish and is prepared according to its traditional recipe. Ingredient substitutions or replacements are not available.
Reviews(1)
Very friendly and knowledgeable guide, good communication prior to and during the trip highly recommended
Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re thrilled to hear that you had a great experience with our guide and appreciated the communication. Your recommendation means a lot to us, and we hope to welcome you on another trip in the future!
