Kuala Lumpur Genting Highlands Tour: An In-Depth Look with Awana Cable Car

Okay, so you’re considering a trip from Kuala Lumpur up to Genting Highlands, are you? Maybe you’ve seen the photos of that one incredible mountaintop entertainment complex and you are like your ‘Is it worth the hype?’ kind of feelings. Perhaps you’ve heard bits about the chilly air, the casino, and the super scenic cable car that’s really pretty well talked about. The thing is, I’ve just been on one of those tours that brings you from the capital all the way up to Genting, and I really just felt like sharing the full experience – that way, it is totally a way for you to decide whether it’s the right kind of side trip for you to do. What I’m going to run through includes not just the highlights, but little useful things that aren’t usually mentioned. So, get ready for some insight from somebody who has actually just experienced it firsthand.

What’s the Genting Highlands Deal All About?

First off, a little background should be helpful. Genting Highlands, that is also sometimes just called Genting, it’s pretty much this huge resort up in the mountains, nearly an hour away from Kuala Lumpur. Basically, it was the late Tan Sri Lim Goh Tong who just had the rather bold idea to create this entertainment city high up in the clouds, that in itself feels ambitious, if you ask me. Today, Genting is really more like a mini-city, complete with pretty famous hotels, like that one super big First World Hotel, the casinos, a number of shopping malls, plus theme parks – both indoor and outdoor – as well. It is not just some resort, so keep that in mind.

So, the temperature change is honestly quite noticeable when you go higher up, and this can be a really nice break from KL’s intense humid heat. Just a warning however: that the popularity does mean big crowds, especially during Malaysian public holidays and the other usual global vacation seasons, such as summertime or near Christmas and New Year’s. It can definitely get busy, really.

Booking the Right Kuala Lumpur Genting Tour

There is probably like a million different tour companies out there, very ready to sell you the Genting dream. My trip, anyway, it was basically a standard day tour deal that I discovered online, so there is a lot that goes into these package arrangements, very. Some tips that might just help:

1. Check what’s included: This probably goes without saying, so yeah. Make sure that it clearly spells out if the cost includes the round-trip transport, cable car ticket and that there isn’t any sort of hidden extras. What looks to be a totally cheap deal could turn expensive really fast, as a matter of fact.
2. Transportation type makes all the difference: See if you have the option for private or group transport, it could change things a bit. Groups may save some cash, though you will absolutely have to accommodate everyone else’s timelines, that may not sound as fun, as a matter of fact. A private car really just delivers flexibility to explore what is interesting for you, in that case.
3. Read the small print and that stuff: Is there wiggle room for any changes to the tour plan or maybe any sort of refund, that would depend. Good to be sure before going all in on that booking.

Okay, so now I did all the above, I knew exactly where I was going and how it was going to happen.

The Road to SkyAvenue: How It Really Goes

So, most tours from Kuala Lumpur, that go to Genting Highlands, they will usually involve around a 1-hour car ride. Anyway, the scenery shifts and goes to lush greenery, plus a pretty major climb, which is kind of scenic in itself. This ride typically wraps at the base station that handles that cool Awana Skyway cable car, to be exact.

Taking the Awana Skyway

The Awana Skyway is truly so much more than simply transport, you get that feeling really quickly. It just feels super steep to me. The views start almost immediately with sweeping views of mountains and greenery; so you might feel that if heights scare you a bit, this might just make you somewhat anxious, that could happen, yet the trip really is smooth, alright. It can take around 10 minutes, maybe. This cable car ends its route into SkyAvenue which it is practically like Genting’s central hub, so just keep that in mind. Honestly I was whipping out my camera basically during the entire trip. It’s awesome and something you can just gaze at, you know?

First Impressions of SkyAvenue

Right away, SkyAvenue has kind of got that slightly unreal vibe, sort of. You step out of the cable car terminal, and really suddenly there’s shopping centers, tons of places where people eat, and the sound of the arcades…all super high up in the mountains. Indoor theme parks really tend to blast a lot of light. What struck me as extremely interesting? You could see locals along with foreign tourists. It’s kind of just a mixed place to hang.

Experiences That Await: More Than Just Casinos

Okay, here’s where you decide what to do for your day! While Genting does have quite the rep for its casinos, I would say there are absolutely other alternatives available to gamble on – quite literally!

Skytropolis Indoor Theme Park

Right then, if thrill rides and a super lively scene is what you’re really after, I feel like this place probably is your spot. The Skytropolis Indoor Theme Park delivers pretty cool rides and like fun attractions for all ages, like your little kids right on up through your easily-amused older teenagers. It is a fun scene. Do just note, I think the tickets tend to sell out, particularly on crowded days, you might expect that. Getting tickets in advance could maybe be worthwhile, just so you might expect it.

Dining and Shopping: Options are Everywhere

Seriously speaking, you definitely would not ever go hungry, alright. SkyAvenue and some of the surrounding malls have restaurants, ranging everywhere, from like Malaysian fare all the way up to Japanese and European cuisine. A range of options, if you will. Shopping addicts can find the high-end shops right through to small local boutiques. In short, expect pretty varied spending choices really all over. Just the brand names that you could think of? All here, very.

Chin Swee Caves Temple: A Spiritual Stop

So, in case that you feel like a diversion from every one of the shopping malls and thrill rides, why not just try dropping by Chin Swee Caves Temple, eh? It’s actually just accessible from Genting Highlands and does feature like incredible architecture. This really is more than just your scenic photo op – the serenity gives you some contrast as compared with the faster speed elsewhere up at Genting. I will say that. While perhaps not on the typical itinerary of such quick tour packages, still try asking if they can squeeze it in anyway, okay? So then you get some kind of cultural cred.

Some Things I Wish I’d Known Before I Went

Alright then, so with the benefit of looking back, here is a list of a few insights you may like, right. That could possibly upgrade your Genting experience:

• Weather up there may be erratic: Basically, the mountain air has a tendency to get rather misty pretty fast, really. Bring some light layers with, just to ensure you’re okay when the temps happen to fall. A light jacket you could shove in your pack may do you wonders.
• Weekends and holidays = mega-crowds: You knew it, but still needed to prepare that the place does, at the very least, get truly crowded during holidays. Go on a weekday and you’ll usually get a way more chilled setting, so yeah.
• Keep hydrated (so cliche but still!): So the higher elevation could dry you quicker than that one typical Kuala Lumpur day. So bring some water to sip constantly. Just avoid paying a lot for bottles when you are up at the resort.
• Time, so that there really is enough of it!: Honestly one day tours could often feel pretty rushed to me, that is because they can feel like you want longer! Should it happen to be an option, maybe think of an overnight jaunt so you could enjoy everything without running all the time!

So, Was the Kuala Lumpur to Genting Highlands Tour Worth It?

Now this is definitely what it all boils down to, very! Alright, personally I feel like the Kuala Lumpur-Genting Highlands trip could possibly be worthwhile if that’s right up your alley – more exactly, if you appreciate seeing like beautiful mountain sights with a good jolt of entertainment at any time, if you can.

Really, the Awana Skyway delivers a killer view. Just be certain that you check everything included, transport options plus potential timings when planning. But honestly? Getting whisked high into Genting for just one day definitely is something so amazing. Do I just plan to do that over and over again, no. One visit seemed so right. Just be prepared to embrace that, for real!

In a word, if it may provide like just a day escaping KL, for views up the mountain? Well, so, I hope this gave some helpful insights. Just keep those things above at the top of your mind for your little traveling. Be all good!

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