Reviewed · KUALA LUMPUR TOURS
Genting Highland Full Day Tour :Exclusive Deal
The best part of this Genting Highlands day trip is the Awana SkyWay cable car. From the lower station, you rise over thick mountain forest toward the resort, with a free stop at Chin Swee station for a temple, pagoda, and broad views. It is a welcome change from Kuala Lumpur’s heat and traffic.
I like the simple hotel pickup near KLCC and the fact that the two-way cable car ticket is included. I also like the freedom built into the day: you can shop, eat, visit the casino, or pay for selected attractions instead of being pushed through a fixed program.
The main catch is that the indoor theme park is listed as closed until further notice, while several other attractions require separate admission. The tour makes sense if you want transport and the cable car arranged, but it is less useful if you expect a fully ticketed theme-park day.
Key points to know before booking

- The cable car is the star: Your two-way ticket covers the ride from Awana Station toward the summit, with a free stop at Chin Swee station.
- Pickup is limited: Hotel pickup and drop-off are included only within 0.5 kilometers of KLCC.
- Attractions cost extra: SnowWorld, Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, theme-park rides, and other paid activities are not included.
- Skytropolis may be unavailable: The indoor theme park is listed as closed until further notice, so check its current status before you pay for this trip.
- The day is flexible: You get time for First World Plaza, shopping, food, the casino, and the temple rather than one tightly controlled sightseeing route.
- Expect a small group: The maximum group size is 15, with an English-speaking driver or guide.
Why Genting Highlands makes a useful break from Kuala Lumpur
Genting Highlands is a hill resort north of Kuala Lumpur, built around cool-weather entertainment, shopping, restaurants, hotels, and casinos. It is not a quiet mountain village. Think of it as a high-altitude resort complex with forest views on the way up and plenty of indoor diversions at the top.
That contrast is the reason I find the trip appealing. Kuala Lumpur can be hot and crowded, while Genting gives you cooler air and a different setting for a day. The cable car ride adds a proper scenic element, so you are not simply spending six hours inside a shopping center.
The tour lasts about six to eight hours, with a listed start time of 9 a.m. That is enough time for the major areas, but not enough for every paid attraction in detail. You will need to choose your priorities. If you want shopping, the temple, lunch, and a quick look at the resort, the schedule should work well. If you want several rides, SnowWorld, Ripley’s, and casino time, the day can feel crowded.
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The Awana SkyWay ride is the real highlight

The included two-way cable car ticket is the strongest part of the package. The gondolas take about 10 minutes from Awana Station to SkyAvenue Station, the upper stop at Resorts World Genting. From the cabin, you look down over forested slopes and the resort’s mountain setting.
The ride is more than transport. It gives you a clear sense of how dramatically Genting Highlands changes from the lower station to the summit. The air becomes cooler, and the view opens as the gondola climbs.
You can get off at Chin Swee station at no extra cost, then continue later using the same ticket. This is an important practical point: keep the cable car ticket after leaving the gondola. The stop is not just a transfer point. It gives you access to one of the more worthwhile cultural and scenic parts of the excursion.
Cable car operation depends on weather and maintenance. If the service is suspended, the most distinctive part of the trip may be affected, so you should treat the ride as subject to operating conditions rather than an absolute guarantee.
Chin Swee Caves Temple adds a quieter hour

Chin Swee Caves Temple occupies a 28-acre rocky, forested site donated by Genting Group founder Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Lim Goh Tong. The temple is dedicated to Qingshui, a Buddhist monk regarded as a deity in Fujian, China, and it attracts devotees from several parts of Asia and beyond.
For you, the value is the change of pace. The resort summit is built around entertainment and shopping, while Chin Swee offers religious statues, temple buildings, and open mountain views. It is the most culturally distinct stop on the trip.
Give yourself enough time to look around instead of treating it as a quick photo stop. The site is scenic, but the tour description does not assign a precise amount of time to this visit. Your available time will depend on the driver’s schedule and how long you spend at the other stops.
The cable car makes the temple easy to reach, but remember that this is still a mountain setting. Moderate physical fitness is recommended, and you should expect some walking around a large temple site.
First World Plaza is the practical base upstairs

First World Plaza sits just above the lobby level of First World Hotel and has reopened after refurbishment. It is designed as an all-ages resort area, with shops, food outlets, entertainment, and access to nearby attractions.
The scheduled stop is about one hour. That is enough to get your bearings, browse, and choose where you want to spend extra money. It is not enough for a leisurely meal, extensive shopping, and several attractions at once.
I would use this stop as your planning point. Check the current opening status of attractions, note where you want to return, and decide if the casino or paid indoor activities are worth your budget. The complex can also be useful if mountain weather turns unpleasant, since much of the resort entertainment is indoors.
The tour information lists Skytropolis more than once. That reflects the resort’s attraction layout, but it does not mean you receive two separate theme-park visits or two included admissions. The indoor theme park is specifically marked closed until further notice, so confirm its status before booking if rides are your main reason for going.
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Shopping at Premium Outlets takes only 15 minutes

Genting Highlands Premium Outlets is an open-air mall opposite Awana Genting Highlands Golf and Resort. It carries designer fashion, sportswear, luggage, shoes, and accessories, with discounts advertised at up to 65 percent daily.
The planned stop is only 15 minutes. That is a very short window for serious shopping. You might have time to look at a few stores or decide if you want to return, but you should not expect to compare products across the entire mall.
The outlet is best for people who already enjoy brand shopping and want a quick look. It is less important if your goal is temple visits or mountain scenery. Since the stop comes in the overall Genting program, you will need to accept that the tour gives you a sample rather than a full shopping session.
Paid attractions require a separate budget

Several attractions are named in the program, but the $40 price covers only the listed transport, guide or driver, pickup, and two-way cable car ticket. Admission fees, meals, drinks, and personal spending are extra.
Potential paid activities include:
- SnowWorld
- Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Odditorium
- Theme-park rides, if operating
- Other resort attractions not covered by the package
SnowWorld is a winter-themed indoor attraction with a European-style village, tobogganing, and igloo houses. The planned visit is about 30 minutes. That may suit you if you want a quick cold-weather novelty, but the ticket cost is not included and half an hour is not a long session.
Ripley’s Believe It or Not! offers a self-guided route through about 300 exhibits. The collection includes unusual art made from everyday objects, science displays, illusions, interactive features, videos, wax figures, rare objects, and special effects. You may see items ranging from tiny sculptures to a large gorilla made from tires and a Ferrari made from kit components.
The scheduled time is also about 30 minutes. That gives you a taste of the collection, not a careful look at every exhibit. I would choose Ripley’s only if odd displays and hands-on exhibits appeal to you more than shopping or the temple.
The central lesson is simple: do not confuse a sightseeing pass with this tour. You are buying a ride to Genting and a basic framework for the day. Bring enough money for the attractions you actually want, but do not assume all the named activities are included.
Sky Casino is an optional stop, not the whole point

Sky Casino is listed as a one-hour stop, with admission shown as free. That makes it easy to include if you want to see the resort’s casino area, but you do not need to gamble to use the day well.
If casinos are not your interest, you can spend that time in the shopping and entertainment areas instead. The tour gives you room to make that choice. Keep in mind that the casino is part of a large resort complex, so the value comes from fitting it into your own plan rather than treating it as a guided cultural visit.
The casino also helps explain why Genting appeals to different age groups. Families have indoor entertainment, shoppers have the outlet mall and resort retail areas, and adults have restaurants and gaming. The result is broad but not especially intimate. You are visiting a major commercial resort, not a small local attraction.
What the $40 price really covers

At $40 per person, the package is reasonably useful if you are staying near KLCC and want the transport handled. The included air-conditioned vehicle, English-speaking driver or guide, hotel pickup and drop-off within the stated zone, and two-way cable car ticket remove several practical tasks.
The price is less attractive if you are outside the pickup area, plan to skip the cable car, or only want to visit the outlet mall. You may also spend much more once you add paid attractions and food.
The value comes from convenience and the scenic cable car, not from included entertainment. I would compare the price against the cost and effort of arranging transport yourself, but the supplied details do not provide a separate private transport rate or public transit fare. The group limit of 15 keeps the outing smaller than a large coach tour, although it is still a shared experience unless you arrange otherwise.
One useful detail: last-minute shared bookings made six hours or less before departure may require you to make your own way to Malaysia Tourist Centre, also called MaTic, as the main pickup point. If hotel pickup matters to you, book earlier and check the pickup wording carefully.
Pickup, timing, and the small details that matter
The stated start time is 9 a.m. You should wait in your hotel lobby 15 minutes before the time on your voucher. Traffic can make the driver 10 to 15 minutes late, so do not schedule a tight appointment immediately after the tour.
Pickup is included only within 0.5 kilometers of KLCC. A hotel farther out, or outside the city pickup zone, may involve a separate arrangement or extra cost. Confirm this before booking rather than assuming every Kuala Lumpur hotel is covered.
The experience accepts a maximum of 15 people. An English-speaking driver or guide accompanies the group, but no guide name is provided, so you should not book expecting a particular person.
The cable car can be affected by maintenance and weather. That matters more here than on a normal city tour because the ride is central to the day. If conditions stop the gondolas, the schedule and access to Chin Swee Temple may change.
You should also be ready for a moderate amount of walking. The resort is spread across several areas, and the temple site is large and rocky. The supplied information says a moderate fitness level is appropriate.
Who will get the most from this day trip
I would recommend this tour to you if you want a straightforward escape from Kuala Lumpur and prefer a mixture of views, shopping, resort entertainment, and free time. It is particularly useful for a first visit when you want someone else to handle the ride to the mountain and the cable car arrangements.
Families may like the range of possible activities, though parents should check the current status of Skytropolis before booking. The outlet mall may suit shoppers, while Chin Swee Temple gives the day a cultural stop that costs nothing beyond your time.
You should think twice if you want a quiet nature excursion. Most of the upper resort is built around hotels, retail, entertainment, and indoor attractions. The cable car and temple provide the strongest outdoor moments, but this is not a hiking trip.
You should also reconsider it if a theme park is essential. Skytropolis is listed as closed until further notice, and its admission is not included in any case. The same applies to SnowWorld and Ripley’s, which require extra payment.
Should you book the Genting Highlands day tour?
Book it if you want the cable car, hotel pickup, and a flexible resort day bundled into one $40 package. The ride over the forest and the stop at Chin Swee Caves Temple give the outing real interest beyond shopping and casinos.
Skip it if you want all admissions included, guaranteed theme-park access, or a peaceful mountain walk. Before paying, confirm the cable car operating status, the current status of Skytropolis, and your hotel’s distance from KLCC.
For the best value, choose one paid attraction at most, leave time for Chin Swee Temple, and use First World Plaza as your indoor base. That approach keeps the extra costs under control and lets the cable car remain the memorable center of the day.
FAQ
What is included in the Genting Highlands tour?
The tour includes an air-conditioned vehicle, an English-speaking driver or guide, hotel pickup and drop-off within 0.5 kilometers of KLCC, and a two-way cable car ticket.
How much does the tour cost?
The listed price is $40 per person.
How long does the tour last?
The excursion takes approximately six to eight hours.
What time does the tour start?
The listed start time is 9 a.m. You should wait in your hotel lobby 15 minutes before the time shown on your voucher.
Is hotel pickup available?
Yes, pickup and drop-off are offered for hotels within 0.5 kilometers of KLCC. Hotels outside the city or outside the pickup zone are not covered by the standard arrangement.
Is the cable car ride included?
Yes. A two-way cable car ticket is included. Operation depends on the maintenance schedule and weather conditions.
Are theme-park tickets included?
No. Entrance fees to theme parks and other paid attractions are not included. Skytropolis Indoor Theme Park is listed as closed until further notice.
Can I visit Chin Swee Caves Temple during the cable car ride?
Yes. You can get off at Chin Swee station at no extra cost and continue using the same cable car ticket. The temple is located at the midway station.
What happens if I book at the last minute?
For a shared booking made six hours or less before the tour begins, you may need to travel independently to Malaysia Tourist Centre, known as MaTic, as the main pickup point. The provider advises waiting at the designated lobby 15 minutes before departure when hotel pickup applies.
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