Welcome to Penang
We’ve chosen Penang Island as our durian-hopping locale for our skills-sharing workshop because this place, more than any other, is a connoisseur’s paradise. Every nook and valley of this mountainous island is stuffed with small boutique farms run by multi-generational family farmers, each with their own special durian variety.
Each tour date focuses on a different region of the island and provides different durians, different experiences, and different flavors.
Penang may seem like a small island, but it’s like Mary Poppins’ magic bag – there’s no end to new discoveries!
Food
We’ll be stuffing ourselves with durian during the most of the day, but we still want to learn about regional cuisine and of course, plants! Who doesn’t love experiencing local edible flora?
We’ll be keeping our meals plant-based for educational purposes as well as practicality – fresh, flavorful food meant to balance out all the heavy sweet of hardcore durian munching.
Please note that this is not a strictly vegan tour, each menu will be catered to the needs of the individuals in each group.
Durian
This is our Durian Masterclass, so we expect you’re up for some hardcore durian education! We will be having at least 2 guided durian sessions per day with a specific theme, as well as offering an optional 3rd session after dinner for Q&A and skill practicing.
We will make sure you have a complete understanding of the different durian varieties, durian flavors, and durian stories that grow in Penang.
Accommodation
We spend two nights together in a quiet durian oasis of Nature Fruit Farmstay, nestled against the foot of Bukit Genting Mountain and nearby the quietest, nicest stretch of sand on Penang Island.
In the early mornings, listen for durian thumping on to the roof or rolling down the hillside behind our artisan-rustic houses.
You can read more about Nature Fruit Farm here.
Contact [email protected] for more shared rooming options for families.
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.
Terms and Cancellations
Marissa Shaw (verified owner) –
The three day masterclass was such an amazing experience, I plan to return for another tour in the future! If you love durian, along with nature and adventure, this tour is highly recommended. A bonus was learning about the history of the island and why Penang durian is so unique, as well as meeting durian lovers from all over the world. Lindsay and Richard and the tour guides were all informative, kind and welcoming, and overall it was an awesome experience.
Daniel Agar (verified owner) –
I thoroughly enjoyed my three days with Lindsay, Richard, the local guides and other durian enthusiasts from all over the world. Being in Penang, I knew we were going to eat arguably the best durians in the world. I was grateful that as a coeliac they catered for me and outside the durians, the meals were fresh, delicious and generous. A really memorable experience for any fruit lover. I would highly recommend.
Valerie Suwanseree (verified owner) –
It was very enlightening to learn from experts and to taste so many flavors and consistencies in the diverse durian varieties. One of the highlights was touring a real organic durian farm. All the extra meals (in addition to durian!) and the accommodations were excellent (I had a standard room). I wholeheartedly recommend this trip as a unique experience to add to your life.