On this week’s episode of Traveloka Travel Guide, Aina and Mat Dan continue their adventures in Kuala Lumpur, this time venturing further out from the city in search of thrills and spills.
And because we know all these awesome activities are going to have you working up an appetite, we’ve included nearby restaurants and eateries you’ve just gotta try.
Catch them in action in the video below:
(Psst, don’t forget to subscribe to the Traveloka YouTube channel to discover more of Malaysia’s lesser-known gems!)
Climbing up Batu Caves’ famously steep flight of stairs (featuring 272 steps – phew!) is a rite of passage that will leave you huffing and puffing by the time you reach the top.
After exploring the larger Temple Cave, be sure to head to the neighboring Dark Cave, where expert guides will take you on a 45-minute educational tour deep into the belly of the cave.
Some parts of the tour take place in pitch darkness, but don’t worry – you’ll be given hard hats and torchlights to help you see the unique flora and fauna of the cave’s ecosystem, such as fruit bats and centipedes.
Admission Fee
MyKad Holders: RM25
Non-MyKad Holders: RM35
Rani Vilas
Just a short walk from the bottom of the stairs at Batu Caves is Rani Vilas, a popular Indian restaurant which serves up vegetarian food. The go-to choice for many diners is the Banana Leaf Rice, which starts from RM8, while another favorite, the crispy masala thosai, is RM4. If you’re craving for something sweet, try the Roti Pisang Chocolate (Banana Chocolate Roti), which is only RM7.
To the north of Kuala Lumpur, near Rawang, is Kanching Waterfalls, one of the easiest waterfalls to access from the city. This epic 7-tier cascade is the perfect remedy for a hot and humid day, with bathing pools that you can splash around in.
If it gets too crowded at the lower tiers, you can even hike up to the top tiers – so be sure to bring along suitable footwear!
Admission Fee
MyKad Holders: RM1
Non-MyKad Holders: RM3
Kaw Kaw Burger
Located in Wangsa Maju, Kaw Kaw Burger offers some of the best street burgers in town. These massive burgers are a handful, so be sure to bring a big appetite with you! Not sure what to order? Opt for the Chicken Permaisuri (RM17.50), one of their bestsellers. The juicy homemade burger patty, paired with their special sauce, is sure to leave you coming back for more.
For those who want something a bit more substantial than a burger, drop by Stiq, which is just next door. They serve Kaw Kaw steak, lamb shank (RM40) and peri-peri chicken (RM16).
Did your mom always yell at you for jumping around like a monkey when you were little? At Skytrex, you can spend several scold-free hours swinging and flying through the treetops.
Located within the National Botanical Garden in Shah Alam, there are 3 obstacle courses for you to choose from, based on difficulty level – Little Adventure is perfect for young children, Big Thrill is for the older kids, and Extreme Challenge is for those brave souls who’re up for a challenge.
The park also has facilities such as picnic areas, BBQ pits and a cafe, making it a great way to spend an afternoon. For more information, head to Skytrex Adventure.
Travel deeper into the dense forests of the National Botanical Garden on the back of an ATV. The ATV Tour, which lasts from 40 minutes to an hour long, will take you to the serene lake at Air Kuning Dam, where you can savor the peace and quiet away from the noise of the city. You can also explore the Spice and Beverage Garden and paddy fields.
ATV Tour Fee
RM75 per person
Everybody knows Putrajaya as the country’s administrative center… But did you know that there’s actually plenty of recreational activities available in this well-planned city? At the Putrajaya Lake Recreation Centre, you can go on a traditional boat tour, or explore the lake on your own by boat paddling or kayaking.
But for a unique activity that’s hard to find elsewhere in Malaysia, try the Water Ball, where you’ll have to try to keep your balance from inside a see-through inflatable ball while floating on the surface of the lake. Aina had a ball with this one!
Balqis Restaurant
This Yemeni restaurant is set in Presint 8, right next to the lake. They serve mainly Middle Eastern fare with some Western and Chinese cuisine thrown into the mix. You’ll drool as you watch Mat Dan and Aina tuck into their feast, which included Chicken and Lamb Mandi Rice, Tabbouleh and Manqusha (a boat-shaped loaf of bread stuffed with cheese and other fillings).
Are you a fan of the Ninja Warrior TV show? If you’ve always dreamed of taking part in the competition, then test your skills at the Sky Warrior obstacle course first to see whether you’ve got what it takes to win.
For a spectacular bird’s-eye view of Putrajaya, hop on the Helium Balloon Ride, featuring the biggest helium balloon in Malaysia. You’ll soar up to 120 meters above, offering you the best views of Putrajaya’s beautiful modern structures with the sunset as your backdrop.
Once night has fallen, the fun’s just starting at the park – you can ride around in neon-lit, modernized versions of the trishaw (beca) and tandem bicycles as they blast the latest music hits.
Admission Fees
Sky Warrior
RM35 per entry
Helium Balloon Ride
MyKad Holders: RM45 (Adult); RM35 (Child)
Non-MyKad Holders: RM73 (Adult); RM65 (Child)
SkyBeca
RM45 per trip
SkyBikes
RM35 for 30 minutes
Next up in Traveloka Travel Guide, we cover Malaysia’s famous foodie haven up in the north, so don’t miss out!
How well do you really know Malaysia? Test your knowledge and uncover a different side of the country with our “Traveloka Travel Guide” video series. In each episode, we list the crème de la crème of things to see and do in Malaysia’s top destinations.