Regionalism is Everything
Malaysia is a country of many peoples, many geographies, and even more flavors.
We expect to taste between 30-50 durian varieties and 3-5 Durio species per tour.
The aboriginal Orang Asli settled the jungles of this “Golden Peninsula” thousands of years ago, the Minangkabaus arrived to form an Empire and do battle with the King of Thailand, the Portuguese and British struggled over colonial plantations while Indian and Chinese immigrant laborers built a new home and melting pot.
With durian as our guide, you’ll meet the farmers that make each region of Malaysia taste different.
This 10-Day journey is designed for plant nerds and nature-loving foodies prepared to taste a wide variety of durians, fruits, wild fruits, herbs, leaves, and flowers that grow in the same places as Malaysia’s diverse durian varieties.
Every day we’ll visit one or two durian attractions: an organic farm, commercial farm, jungle-orchard, botanical collection, “durian restaurant,” durian export factory, and even an agricultural research station.
Other Tropical Fruits of Malaysia
The diversity of edible fruits flourishing in this landscape is absolutely incredible, and we’ll be exploring as many species as we can check off the list, both cultivated and also wild.
Tasting new fruit flavors and textures is one of our favorite ways to dive into food culture, so we’ll definitely be learning how to properly eat and prepare everything we find.
If there is a particular genus or species that has captured your attention, don’t hesitate to let us know what kind of fruits you’re hoping to taste on your Malaysian Fruit Dream Trip. The more specific, the better.
Food
Most meals are included in this cost of this tour and there will always be plenty of fruit available for snacking should you manage to get hungry between durian stops.
Regionalism runs as deep as multiculturalism in Malaysia, and each nook and valley has a different culture and food tradition. We are going to try a lot of different kinds of cooking styles and ingredients each day of the tour, using our savory meals to balance and reset after a day of heavy durian munching.
Each tour’s menu will be catered to the needs of the individual group.
This is a plant-lover’s tour, not a vegan tour, and while each sit-down meal highlights regional plants prepared in various traditional styles (usually the plants you’ll have experienced on the day’s excurions!), we have no expectation that anyone follows a specific dietary plan.
Just be prepared to eat an intriguing and delectable selection of local fruits, vegetables and herbs!
All meals will be family-style and the majority of each dishes will be vegan, however non-vegan dishes will be available as requested.
Raw vegans and those following special diets are welcome, however due to the cost of providing excess Durian, Coconuts, and other special requests fruits, the price is the same as those following diets that include cooked food.
Durians
Yes, durians are our reason for traveling!
Malaysia has over 100 different varieties of durian and at least 4 species of edible wild durians. We will do our best to introduce you to a huge percentage of these, providing you with a check-list so you can remember what you tasted.
In addition, we’ll be doing durian skill-sharing, using each tasting session to impart to you durian survival skills so that when the tour is over you can take care of your own durian needs, whether in the farm or the concrete jungle.
Accommodation
We have selected farm stays and nature resorts in the durian-growing areas, where it’s quiet and peaceful.
Accommodation style is rustic comfortable – nothing too flashy but all the Western comforts of home set in the restful environment of the orchard zones.
We will rarely be passing through city areas, so please make sure you pack or purchase any hygienic or personal items that you need before the tour, or communicate to us your needs during the daytime, as we may not be close by to convenience shops or other stores.
Entering Malaysia
As of August, 2022, there are no longer any Covid-related requirements for entering Malaysia. There are no vaccine requirements to enter Malaysia.
Check if you will need a visa. Currently, people from most countries do not need to apply for a visa if they are planning a trip of less than 90 days.
Ping Chan –
Lindsay is the best unique personal service durian & wild tropical fruit travel guide out there in the world.
I love her dearly, and I love & respect her bringing fruit business to local fruit farmers . The more people planting fruit, the more people eating fruit, the healthier the planet.
Julieanne –
Hi!
I’ve downloaded the app, and I’m reading through the posts/reviews. Your tour sounds amazing and exactly what I want from a tour.
I am keen to find out more about these tours and whether they will be up and running in 2022.
Lindsay –
Thanks Julieanne! We sure hope we can be doing tours again in 2022, please do sign up for our newsletter or follow us on Instagram for updates on tour dates 🙂
Frederick Min –
Hi there, l accidentally bump into your website and read a brief description of your durian tour, l am excited!
I want to read more of what you have to say…before l jump into it to experience such durian trip soon, one of these days!
Frederick
Vancouver Canada
Hock –
Well done.
Scientific too:)