Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Balik Pulau, Balik Pulau, Penang Island, Penang
Join this exceptional Malaysian cycling adventure that lifts you off on an endless parade of rustic experiences. Your escapade through the bucolic side of Penang Island provides breathtaking scenery with the opportunity to connect with ordinary folks, taste the simple lifestyle or even try out your hands on local tasks and trades.
Your cycling adventure in the first sector sets you off with a gradual approach and provides you with a rare opportunity to witness our diverse culture and ethnic race. Navigating on trails and back paths that run along waterways towards contrasting hamlets, villages, and farmlands lands you an opportunity to witness the local community while being entertained by our guide and the ever-gracious countryside folks.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Balik Pulau, Balik Pulau, Penang Island, Penang
After a short stop for coffee at a Hakka Chinese hamlet, the second sector restarts with an approach to the fisherman's outpost at a river mouth. The trip turns around to cover further distances as we set you to encompass different landscapes.
Roam on the extensive network of trails snaking the palm oil estate in search of the labourers to get an inside story about the two-edged tales of this controversial commodity. Watch out! Herds of wild cows can easily get startled, stampede alongside us, and sometimes might change their direction into crossing our path. We then cross a Hokkien Chinese hamlet famed among locals for its cuisines. Viral by social media, at times this place is bustling with local visitors from across the country as they try to get a taste of all the exquisite assortments this place has to offer.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Stop At: Balik Pulau, Balik Pulau, Penang Island, Penang
Getting off to a calmer side, we ride to the rice field. The vast plains composed a picturesque view intensified by the species of birds dotting the muddy paddy plots, others flying across as raptors circling in the skies. Identify the different types of birds and have our guide reveal each of them to you from the endemic to the migratory species. A cosy little hut built for the farmers to rest is our setting of choice to arouse your taste buds. Situated amidst the rice field, you can reach there by the normal route or choose a more fun way by riding on the bund separating the paddy plots. On the menu, the dishes introduced to you are carefully chosen and each of them is from our selected vendors. These are the best from Balik Pulau and top those found in the other parts of the island. Some mentioned that this tour is partially a food tour and it is the only food tour that you needed to experience in Penang.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Stop At: Balik Pulau, Balik Pulau, Penang Island, Penang
Relaxing and soothing at this cosy little hut, claim your deserving time by spending some precious moments refreshed by the tranquillity with the absence of the tense world outside. Restart your ride to end your journey with fond and nostalgic memories.
Oh ya! If it rains, it will add a lot more fun to your activity.
Duration: 30 minutes
See Availability.
1: 30, Jln Masjid Kapitan Keling, George Town, 10200 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
2: Petronas - Batu Feringgi, Lot 697 & 764, Jalan Batu Feringghi, 11100 Batu Ferringhi, Penang, Malaysia
07:00 AM
4 to 5 hours(approx.)
Returns to original departure point
Not wheelchair accessible
Not recommended for travelers with back problems
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
Most travelers can participate
Children Friendly
Childs Bicycle Seat available upon request
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 travelers
Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
Posted By : 423mikaylav
Had the most amazing experience with Princilia and SJ bike riding through the country town and although I couldn’t make it to the finish line i did as best as I could with the support of Princilia that encouraged me to keep going. Both Princilia and SJ are the two most friendly people and I really loved zooming through the countryside and meeting the locals. You can tell the locals really love and appreciate them and it’s really nice to see. Thank you both Princilia and SJ for being the best guides and made the experiences one to remember for a lifetime!
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Posted On : 2024-05-16
Posted By : Passport29702597463
A picturesque, active and culturally educational day out, cycling in Penang's South West region.
The team from Matahari were safe, organised and passionate about every aspect of the day.
Highly recommend.
Rating :
Posted On : 2024-05-05
Posted By : joannewB1473VP
We went on the 1.0 trip. Excellent quality bikes and the most beautiful scenic bike ride ever! Our guides were knowledgeable, kind and respectful of the locals and their communities. I learned so much more today than expected about food, work and culture in Malaysia. Lunch provided was beautiful as was the location and food was home made by someone in the local community. The ride wasn't too difficult as it's mostly flat. If you're not sure how to use a mountain bike they will explain this to you. Our guides took videos and photos along the way which was an added touch. I felt safe, welcomed and entertained the whole time. This was one of our favorite activities in Malaysia on our trip. Thank you so much and good luck with your future ventures. I hope you win the trip advisor award!!
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Posted On : 2024-04-27
Posted By : IndiakateD
Incredible bike tour on Penang Island! Fantastic experienced guides, amazing scenery, informative, beautiful wildlife and a delicious lunch! 100% recommend, our favourite activity in Malaysia so far!
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Posted On : 2024-04-27
Posted By : Sarah W
Absolutely fabulous! Well organised, professional, clear and prompt
communication both before and after, quality bikes, very hospitable, and passionate about educating and sharing the hidden gems of Malaysia. A wonderful way to get out of George Town and experience the countryside. I couldn’t recommend the tour more highly. A must do for everyone. I am a 49 woman, who doesn’t usual cycle, and found it extremely enjoyable and very doable (almost easy).
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Posted On : 2024-04-24
Posted By : Grace C
Exceptional experience even for a Malaysian: great landscapes, stories, and unforgettable moments whizzing through paddy fields, village roads, sampling edible flowers, and a delightful tea break. Lunch was in a hut by the paddy fields. Also appreciated the safety briefing and orientation ahead of the trip. Thanks again, we’ll return!
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Posted On : 2024-04-22
Posted By : George_from_Melbourn
A very enjoyable experience that you shouldn't pass.
Suitable for families and solo travellers alike.
Couldn't ask for better operators - SJ and Princilia were fabulous: Knowledgeable, caring and vigilant.
It was a bonus to meet the other riders on my tour.
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Posted On : 2024-04-19
Posted By : Q9872ELmelissad
Believe the hype from the previous reviews. I’m always dubious about reviews that say it was the highlight of the trip, but it is actually true! I had such a fabulous time with Princilia and SJ, they were so kind and knowledgeable.
Due to some cancellations it was only myself and another traveller, both of us a little nervous that the tour may be too strenuous or fast paced. We were quickly put at ease by the team, and taken great care of.
As a plus size traveller, I am often concerned regarding how strenuous a tour may be or if the equipment would be suitable, but I was very pleasantly surprised. I would recommend this tour 100%, and if you have concerns regarding your suitability of the tour, all the staff are so kind and responsive.
I will be doing another tour on my next visit.
Rating :
Posted On : 2024-04-15
Posted By : jow124
I found this cycling tour to more rural Penang on line before I left the UK and asked the tour company to include it in my whistle stop 5 day itinerary. The other days they had recommended were the usual 'classic' highlights - Penang Hill, Temples, Walking Tour, Evening Food Tour and walking in the National Park. All very interesting but this trip to Balik Pulau stood out head and shoulders for quality, fascination and fun - it was brilliant. Their website says 'We are often responsible for that highlight of your holiday' and they are 100% correct. I am not a cyclist - far from it - but capable of riding a bike. I was worried in advance that there would be superfit athletes leaving me at 68yrs of age way behind but previous reviews were - correctly - reassuring. It was mighty hot and humid but paced accordingly by the excellent, friendly and totally professional Princilia. The mountain bikes were top quality with clear instructions from SJ, the other guide, and the terrain is flat and easy. Apart from water (provided) there is nothing to carry because personal items are sealed in a bag in the van. The stops were great with coffee and impromptu singing in a café full of local people, learning about cosmetics made from rice and used for the deity, nutmeg, the fishing industry, tsunami training, palm oil production and cottage industries. Final stop a delicious lunch near paddy fields. If you can ride a bike, are reasonably fit and want to experience another side to life in Penang this is a must.
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Posted On : 2024-04-14
Posted By : Hanna v
Nice bike tour with cheerful guides and interesting sites.
We brought our 5 year old son with us and everybody was super friendly to him.
Maybe the 4 hour tour is a bit to long if you are with young children, especially because of the heat.
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Posted On : 2024-04-10
