A Day Out to Ipoh and Orang Utan Island from Kuala Lumpur: My Honest Thoughts

Okay, so I just got back from this day trip and I really wanted to share what it was like. You know, sometimes the city life in Kuala Lumpur gets a little much, and you just feel the need to escape for a day. This tour, well, it basically promises a pretty full day, mixing nature with a bit of old-world charm. We were going to see orangutans, which honestly was the main draw for me, and then check out Ipoh. I’d heard so much about its food and colonial buildings, so I was actually quite excited. It’s a lot to pack into one day, to be honest, and I was sort of wondering if it would all feel a bit rushed. But anyway, I figured it was worth a shot to see two very different sides of Perak in one go.

The Early Start and Drive North

Frankly, the morning started pretty early, with a pickup right from our hotel in KL. Our driver was right on time, which, you know, is always a good start. The car itself was actually quite comfortable and had good air conditioning, a real lifesaver in this climate. The drive up to the state of Perak is a bit of a long one, almost two and a half hours, so being comfortable is a big deal. Our guide for the day gave us a little rundown of the plan, which was really helpful. He talked about the history of the area we were driving through, like the old tin mining towns, which kind of made the long drive feel a little shorter. We just sat back and watched the scenery change from tall city buildings to endless green palm oil plantations, which in itself was pretty interesting. It was, I mean, a fairly relaxed way to begin a very busy day.

First Stop: Orang Utan Island – A Really Unique Encounter

So, our first main stop was Orang Utan Island. To get there, you actually take a short boat ride across this huge, very beautiful lake. The island itself is basically a conservation and research facility, so it’s not a zoo in the typical sense. That’s really something I appreciated. You walk through these caged walkways, and the orangutans are the ones roaming free on the island, sort of reversing the whole setup. Seeing them swing through the trees right in front of you is, well, just an incredible experience. The guides there are clearly very passionate about the animals and told us all about the rehabilitation work they do. We saw a few young ones playing and a big male just relaxing on a platform; it was honestly a very moving sight. It’s not about tricks or shows, but more about observing these amazing creatures in a space that’s pretty much their own.

They said something there that really stuck with me: you’re a guest in their home, and that really sets the tone for the entire visit.

You definitely get a sense of the important work being done for these primates. Honestly, just for this part alone, the trip started to feel worthwhile.

Next Up: Ipoh’s Impressive Cave Temples

After the island, we headed over to Ipoh proper, and the first thing on the list was a cave temple. We went to the Perak Tong Cave Temple, which is seriously impressive. From the outside, you know, it just looks like a temple built into the base of a huge limestone hill. But once you step inside, it really opens up into this massive cavern. The air is cool and a little damp, and it’s filled with all these colorful statues and murals on the cave walls. Our guide pointed out a huge golden Buddha statue that almost reaches the top of the cavern, which was just stunning to look at. There’s also this set of stairs, and I mean a lot of them, that you can climb to get up to the top of the hill for a view over Ipoh. To be honest, we were a little tired so we didn’t go all the way up, but even the view from partway was pretty great. It just has this peaceful, slightly mystical vibe inside that’s very different from the bright sun and heat outside.

A Taste of Ipoh: Lunch and Old Town Charm

By this point, we were definitely ready for lunch. The tour included a stop at a local place, and we got to try some of Ipoh’s famous food, which was really good. And of course, you can’t go to Ipoh and not have the white coffee. It’s smoother and, I think, a little less bitter than your average cup. After eating, we took a walk through Ipoh’s Old Town. It’s like stepping back in time a little bit. You have all these wonderful old colonial-era buildings with their classic shutters and five-foot ways. The guide showed us some of the famous street art by Ernest Zacharevic, which is painted on the sides of buildings; you’ve probably seen pictures of them. We spent some time just wandering down Concubine Lane, which is this narrow little street full of small shops selling snacks and souvenirs. The whole area just has this very relaxed, artistic sort of feel. It’s really photogenic, so my phone was pretty much out the whole time.

What I Thought About The Day Overall

So, the drive back to Kuala Lumpur gave us some time to kind of process everything we saw. The day was definitely full, but at the end of the day, it didn’t feel too frantic. The guide did a good job of keeping things moving without making us feel like we were being herded. For example, having a private tour meant we could spend a little more time where we wanted and less somewhere else, which was a nice bit of freedom. I mean, combining the quiet nature of Orang Utan Island with the more historic and foodie parts of Ipoh was a really smart idea. You get a little bit of everything.

A few practical thoughts for you:

Frankly, wear very comfortable shoes. You will be doing a fair amount of walking, especially around Old Town and at the cave temple.
Seriously, bring a hat and sunscreen. The sun can be quite strong, particularly around midday.
You might want to carry a small water bottle, although water was provided in the car. It just helps to have some on hand when you’re walking about.
Basically, have your camera or phone fully charged. There are so many things you’ll want to take pictures of, honestly.

I think this tour is pretty much perfect if you’re based in KL and want to see a different part of Malaysia without having to arrange all the transport and tickets yourself. It just makes for a very easy and genuinely interesting day out.

Read our full review: Ipoh & Orang Utan Island Day Tour from Kuala Lumpur Full Review and Details

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