Malaysia with toddler

You will probably need to do some rearranging of your itinerary. There is no flight between Kota Bharu to Kuching and Kuching to Langkawi that I am aware of without transiting in Kuala Lumpur. I'm not sure what you mean by jungle line unless you mean taking the train to Kelantan which I think isn't anything special.
I honestly think Taman Negara is out of the question with the little one what with leeches, mosquitos, snakes and other hazards. As for Langkawi, there isn't anything close to Kuta Beach. The busiest beach is Pantai Cenang but you won't have to deal with hustlers and scam artists like in Kuta.

Actually Airasia has direct flights between Kuching and Kota Bharu and Kuching and Pinang as well.

Not sure if I would bring a two year old to Taman Negara. You can do the rainforest near/around Kuching.

But the weather in Kuching might not be good in October/November (beginning of the rainy season). If the weather is good, plan to spend a lot of time in the area, because it is quite nice. There is for instance a good beach in Sematan, where you can relax for a few days:
http://www.molon.de/galleries/Malaysia/Sarawak/Sematan/

By taxi about 1 1 /2 hours from Kuching and there is a decent hotel.

Then there are plenty of activities and tours you can do from Kuching (many national parks, the Semenggoh orang utan centre etc.).

Since you are going to Langkawi, you could spend a few days in Pinang (it's on the way).

Singapore is also a good place where to go with a small kid.

Thanks for the responses. Yes, there is definitely a Kota Bharu-Kuching flight, 3-4/wk with AA. Kuching-Langkawi would be via KL or Penang, KL being cheaper and having more frequent flights.

Regarding Taman Negara, I'm mostly concerned about transport and accommodation and to a lesser extent the prevalence of Malaria/Dengue as I'm not a fan of covering a tiny person in DEET 24/7. Hazards such as snakes (I wouldn't consider leeches a hazard), I can live with. Hell, where I live there are disease bearing ticks, poisonous berries, flowers, mushrooms, as well as aggressive dogs and people, broken bottles and other trash on the sidewalks, not to mention electrical sockets and sharp objects in our home. No, I don't worry much about venomous snakes and spiders. Sorry for the rant.

About the rainy season, what is it like in Kuching? We lived through part of it in Costa Rica, where it meant heavy showers every day, but most of the day was clear 'till late afternoon/evening.

We did like Penang when we went there, but I'm not sure there will be time to go back and it IS a three hour boat trip after all.

I don't think transportation and accomodation in TN would be a problem.

Regarding the weather, in recent years it has become a bit unpredictable. If you are unlucky it can rain the whole day. You should check the weather forecast and plan on short notice.

I would still like to go somewhere on the peninsula (more than CH), preferably along the Jungle line, say between Kuala Lipis and Kota Bharu. Something outdoorsy...?

The train stops in Dabong, where there are caves (Gua Ikan for instance) and the Gunung Stong state park with its nice waterfall:
http://www.molon.de/galleries/Malaysia/Kelantan/

But with the two year old you can't do the cave. You could go to the waterfall, but that will take you a few hours at most. Trekking in the Gunung Stong state park is possible, but perhaps not with the two year old.

How about the Buddhist temples in Tumpat, north of Kota Bharu?
http://www.molon.de/galleries/Malaysia/Kelantan/Tumpat/

To get there, either rent a car for one day or charter a taxi in KB for one day (perhaps the better option).

This topic has been automatically locked due to inactivity. Email community@lonelyplanet.com if you would like to add to this topic and we'll unlock it for you.