Matahari Cycles 4 hour tour is an excellent way to see the other side of Penang Island away from the touristic hustle and bustle of George Town and surrounds. Princillia and SJ run a very professional tour with well services good bikes. The tour ride is flat along man made irrigation canals, through an extensive Palm Tree plantation, passing a marina of local fishing boats, stopping in a local fishing village to try “local” coffee and treats and back through a beautiful rural landscape. Princillia’s knowledge of birds, plants and local life is extensively shared over the tour and our every need was met. A highly recommended tour!
Our guides Princillia and SJ were excellent! Took part of a half-day cycling tour in October, and couldn’t recommend them more. Their knowledge and passion for the island, the help provided to small communities, and the support given to the couple of us that were not cycling experts was amazing. Thanks a lot for a wonderful time in Penang!
I had a brilliant cycle tour of Penang with Princilia – we went around the south west of the island, and we didn’t just do cycling but princilia also explained local nature, architecture and culture. The bikes were good quality and the company feels really professional and focused on safety and quality – they took our bags in their vehicle so we didn’t have to cycle with them (but carried our suncream so we had easy access) and gave us as much water as we could need. I would really strongly recommend this as a great way to spend a day in Penang (and make room for all of the delicious food you will try in George Town!!) thanks again!
Highly recommended cycling tour of Penang countryside. It is affordable and gives you another view of beautiful Penang island. All equipment including bikes and helmets were in best condition. They already labeled and adjusted the bikes to our height. We enjoyed the most attentive guide who shared her passion and knowledge of the area and its wildlife. The area is just beautiful so lush and green. We got to see eagles, monkeys, turtle and many types of birds. Do not miss this tour when in Penang.
We had a wonderful time on the half day tour with our family, including two children. Our nine year olds had no difficulty with the route, and they provided small bikes that worked perfectly. The route was beautiful, we spotted anll sorts of wildlife and we especially appreciated the introduction to village culture and agricultural products from small farms. Matahari is super helpful, when one of my kids left his hat behind it was returned to our hotel within hours. Absolutely recommended, and a big thank you to Princilia and AJ!
Lovely cycle through some beautiful countryside. A great way to see the real Penang. We did the classic ride and got a nice variety of rice paddies, jungle, nature and beaches. We were well looked after by primcilla and SJ. Highly recommended
This tour was the perfect mix of scenery, culture, and light adventure. Whether you’re an avid cyclist or just up for a casual ride, it’s a great way to explore the countryside and enjoy a slower rhythm for the day.
Super fietstocht! Erg mooie landelijke fietstocht die je niet mag missen als je een bezoek brengt aan Penang. Fietstocht wordt begeleid door Princilia en SJ en is erg goed verzorgd en prima te doen (Tour 1.0) voor jong en oud!
I didn’t end up going on the cycle tour because I had to cancel last minute (looks like I missed out) but I wanted to leave a review of the service I received. Matahari were polite and courteous when I contacted them and even gave me a partial refund which I am grateful for. A lot is said about a company who deals with issues when things don’t go to plan. Thank you Matahari
We (2 adults and 1 child aged 12) thoroughly enjoyed the Balik Pulau tour offered by Matahari. Princilia and SJ are knowledgeable and kind. The tour is organised in a way that makes outsiders aware of the natural surroundings and the local society, including culture and industries. Also, the food was delicious and the lunch stop at Princilia’s “office” was a serene rest amid patty fields. Princilia emphasised safety throughout the tour. Matahari also has connections to local sellers in Georgetown for those interested in sourcing the products referenced on the tour and contributing to the local economy of small producers. We had wanted take the spice tour in the hills but it was all booked. In the end, we are so glad we took the Balik Pulau tour. Highly recommended!
Great cycling in the beautiful countryside. Tour guides were lovely and very knowledgeable. Would recommend
Joining the Matahari Cycle Tour is an excellent way to explore Penang beyond the usual tourist spots. The tour takes you on a journey through the captivating sights, sounds, and flavours of this Malaysian island, all from the saddle of the bicycle We were led by an exceptional cycle guide (SJ & Princilia) on our tour. They are knowledgeable and passionate about Penang’s history and culture. As they are well-loved by the locals, we had the chance to interact with locals, visit temples, and learn about the diverse cultural heritage of Penang. I can’t express enough how they elevated the entire experience. Our guide prioritised our safety throughout the journey. They gave us quality bicycles and helmets and ensured everyone had the necessary gear. They were vigilant on the road and emphasised the importance of drinking water and staying hydrated. We feel safe at all times and enjoy every quality time with them. :)… I’d highly recommend Matahati cycle tour to anyone looking for an active and immersive way to discover this enchanting island.
We had a wonderful day cycling across Penang with Princilia and SJ. They really look after you. The views were beautiful and they really have thought about all the details to make the tour more than just cycling, from laksa lunch to all the cultural information shared as we saw the island and different villages by bike. I am not the most confident on a bike and they were helpful and encouraging. A wonderful day in the countryside after a week of city sightseeing! Thank you,
Certainly a highlight while in Penang! This company has dialed in the perfect combination of riding routes, education, food, coffee. We didn’t want the day to end – unfortunately work had other plans. Princilia has huge passion for the place she calls home and it is evident when she shares the history and heritage of the area. She is mindful of guests abilities, aware of surroundings for safety and a wealth of knowledge. SJ falls into this same category, he ensured water was always topped up, shared details surrounding durian and nutmeg during a stop in the wooden house and ensured we were well taken care of. Great quality bikes – pre sized before arrival. These guys operate a well oiled machine and it was worth every ringgit spent. Highly recommend spending a day with Matahari, you’ll learn so much!
Roused the troops early to experience a different side of Penang. What a fabulous morning getting off the beaten track with Matahari Cycle Tours and Travel Sdn. Bhd. exploring the rural charm of Balik Pulau. We rode through beautiful landscapes, quaint villages and experienced warm local hospitality while learning about the local history, culture & cottage industries of the surrounding fishing villages, plantations and rice fields. We cheered the local kids doing their cross country and tried the local Durian, local sweets & coffee. We finished with a picnic amongst the rice fields enjoying an ice cold nutmeg ‘cocktail’ & a tamarind laksa. Our only regret was that we couldn’t stay longer!!! Thank you Princilla & AJ for a unique experience and we look forward to joining you for another excursion in the future. I highly recommend booking with this company! Their communication was excellent, they were friendly, accommodating & efficient and the bikes were fantastic, well maintained and comfortable. Thank you again for a great morning. 🙌
This was quite a cycling experience with guides who are very intimate with the local scenes and villages. The pace was excellent with a combination of cycling and learning about the local environment. Awesome laksa lunch. Highly recommend
Great day out with Matahari. We did the three hour trip with two teenagers and it was the perfect amount. (Adding travel time is 5hour morning) Well organised, quality bikes and great information. Easy cycling in beautiful surroundings and a fantastic morning tea in a village. Highly recommend.
A wonderful, well-organized cycle tour in the Penang countryside! A warm welcome, good bikes, safety first, and off we went! The countryside around Penang was a great change from visiting congested cities. We learned a little about local culture and saw different landscapes. A coffee break with local treats and a delicious, beautifully presented picnic lunch were part of the package. We covered a fair amount of territory and knew we were in good hands! The attention to detail was so much appreciated! We have done many cycling tours and this one ranked at the very top! Thank you Princilia and SJ!
Matahari Cycle Tours offers an exceptional journey through Penang’s picturesque countryside. Guides Princilia and SJ are not only knowledgeable but also deeply passionate about sharing the region’s rich culture and history. The well-maintained mountain bikes ensure a comfortable ride across diverse terrains. This tour is a must for anyone seeking an authentic and enriching Penang adventure.
Wow! These guys are amazing. We did a countryside ride and it was packed with wonderful sights and sounds. Perfectly organised with good bikes, helmets, transport, information, food, and so on. And for our group there was also interest in the local biology and culture – these guys could fill in all the details. Our best day in Malaysia so far and it has been terrific so this is a big call. With a final positive note that our crew also really appreciated having a female guide as a part of the Matahari team. A huge, huge, huge thank you.
Es war eine tolle Radtour durch durch die ländliche Region von Penang! Man sieht das wahre Leben in Malaysia und das sehr schöne Land! Es gibt eine atemberaubende Flora und Fauna und man trifft Einheimische, die sehr freundlich sind. Wir haben auch ein Haus einer Familie in einem Dorf besucht und malaysische Spezialitäten probiert. Princilia und SJ haben viel erklärt und die Tour super begleitet. Es war eine tolle Erfahrung! Wir kommen wieder, wenn wir in Malaysia sind!!!
Was recommended to them by a friend who’s a professional boutique tour guide abroad (and Malaysian) and exceeded expectations! A tour led by professionals, but clearly with the support and engagement of local community members. Was an incredibly informative trip and our guides pointed spice trees en route while also tying items to global contexts and history. Not many providers can meet cultural, academic, physical, and culinary curiosities. Big kudos to the team for their professionalism — knowing how (and how much) to prepare us with and preparing the rest (including photos/videos so one can really focus on the moment). Thank you and also to all the locals who open up their spaces and time for us. Heartening to see strong communities still able to practice their crafts and care for their environment.
This was a great tour – well organised, not too strenuous and nice mix of cultural information and cycling. We got picked up from the hotel at 7.10am and dropped back at 2pm so a solid half day tour. The bikes were well maintained. We had a quick intro at the start on changing gears and making sure the seat height was adjusted correctly. We had a female guide cycle (Princilia) with us throughout the tour pointing out lots of aspects of interest such as wildlife, plants and also potential hazards. The cycling took place across a variety of terrain (rough sandy pathways, road, grassy track) but it was all manageable. We stopped twice – once for a traditional breakfast (Kaya toast, curry puff and hot tea/coffee) and lunch was in the middle of a remote rice field where they set up a Laksa lunch on a platform. Beautiful idea to have lunch there and food was tasty and plentiful. They handed out fresh cold mineral water every time we stopped. The last part of the tour consisted of a short climb up a hill, then down the other side where we arrived at a remote beach. They handed out ice lollys and gave us plenty of time to take our shoes off and splash around in the sea. Our driver met us there to take us back to Georgetown. Princilia was brilliant – she was very helpful, super knowledgeable, patient and caring – when one of us fell off the bike (our fault) she was there with an alcohol wipe and kept calm throughout. We will definitely recommend this tour to our friends and family when they visit Penang!
We did the tour with our girls 8 & 11 and had the best time. Princilia our guide took a lot of time to explain to us the culture, food and people. She made it very interesting for our girls and also kept us safe and motivated. I highly recommend this amazing tour. It was certainly one of the highlights of our vacation. Not your standard tourist tour but true insights with a great guide. Love love love!
great tour. We did the classic bike tour…great food. They have 24 inch bikes for 7+ year old kids. They can put a child seat attachment on the adult bikes if you wish to carry smaller children (which is what we did for our 2 yr old). They provide rain ponchos if it does rain (which it did on our tour but the cycling was still doable).
Great tour. Very interesting stories. They brought us to places you would normally not see/visit. Afterwards we received a lot of tips. Very well organised and they took really good care of all of us, including our six-years-old daughter (riding a bike herself).
We had a wonderful time exploring the other side of Penang island, away from George Town and seeing the real life of friendly and welcoming people. Our guides were very knowledgeable and lead us through a series of fantastic experiences. We would say a must do for any visit to Penang.
This was hands down our favorite activity in Penang! We are fit but not great bikers and had no problem on the 4 hour tour. Princilia is a rockstar. The day started with heavy rain but spirits were high, and it ended up stopping within the hour. We visited a village and ate some local delicacies. We got to see how palm oil is produced too. And we saw beautiful scenery. Be prepared to leave all your belongings in their vehicle especially if it is raining, although they kept our sunscreen accessible. She takes so many great photos. Highly recommend!
An unmissable and by far my favourite experience whilst travelling through Malaysia! 🤎 if you’re considering booking this tour—just do it! This was an amazing way to experience and learn about the local culture in Penang. The whole tour felt like we were being invited into someone’s house/world (at one point we really were invited into someone’s house haha). The staff are truly dedicated and incredible, they’re so knowledgeable and passionate about sustainability and the islands health and supporting local businesses. The bikes were very safe and sturdy. While the tour can be a bit of a workout, anyone of any age can do it! There are so many great things I can say about the tour, but you’ll just have to go experience it yourself! Thank you Prinscilla and team, and thank you to the locals who were so generous with their knowledge, cooking, and time! 🤎🥥🚴🏽♀️🫶🏾
The tour started off with general bike instructions and time for us to get in tune with the bikes. And we knew we were in good hands. We visited 3 different ethnic villages learning the culture and history. Meeting the workers in a palm plantation was the highlight. We had lunch next to the rice paddles. It was a 5-star treatment with cold drinks. We were skeptical before we signed on as we were not used to gravel trail. But rest assured that Matahari guides are seasoned instructors and would adjust anything on the spots. We will be back. Happy cycling.
Had a great experience with my family during this cycling tour. Informative and well-organised!
Great activity to do with family or friends! This tour is very eye-opening to the authentic culture of Penang and its people. In addition, this tour educates their participants on “dying” traditions and practices of Penang. Besides cycling, where you can enjoy Penang’s scenic beauty, you gain more valuable knowledge and get to experience the true kampung spirit of the place. This is thanks to the amazing guides that are more than willing to share their vast knowledge with us. Furthermore, their patience with beginner cyclists is also extremely touching, making all participants feel cared for. Totally recommend for everyone to try!
If you want the WOW factor this bike tour is a must do. Fantastic day biking through rural Penang. Educational, adventure, culture, food, history, countryside, people, fun, exercise all in one package. Excellent value. Loved every minute. So pleased we chose Matahari cycle tours 10/10 in every aspect. A WOW memory 👏
This tour was one of the best experiences we have ever had. SG & Princecelia were the best tour guides showing us the real beauty of malaysia the way locals do it. The tour was authentic, breathtaking and the best way to see the vilages and farms of countryside penang. As people who are not cyclers we completed this tour feeling accomplished and learnt things we never would have known! Highly highly recommend to anyone visiting penang it’s a must do!
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 with them. 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!
We did a very nice daytour with Matahari. The bikes are superb and the tour is a very nice mix from cycling and learning things about the country and living on Penang. So nice to be in a beautiful peaceful part of Penang when you want to escape the crowded Georgetown.
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 Balik Pulau Day Tour more highly. A must do for everyone. I am a 49 year old woman, who doesn’t usually cycle, and I found the day extremely enjoyable and very doable (almost easy).
很特别的一次骑行游！以前一直很想体验，都没有机会，感谢朋友这次的安排! Matahari很专业，也很安全，感谢两位骑行向导的耐心讲解，过程中也了解到很多当地文化习俗和体验到地道食物，喜欢深度游且喜欢骑行的朋友，很值得推荐～ 向导Princilia骑行中还会帮忙拍照摄影哦，意外的惊喜～
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!
This tour is an absolute must if you’re in Penang. You will most definitely not regret it! Princilia and SJ were such great tour guides and truly made the time and effort to pace the tour at your level. We biked and made several stops in between to learn more about the small communities. They have a great rapport with the people of the town and everyone was so friendly. There is so much rich history to Malaysia, and Princilia and SJ informed us so well. They took us to the hidden gems of Penang and there is so much culture to it. They went above and beyond! Thank you Matahari!
I rented a bicycle from Matahari Cycles recently to tour around Penang/Perak regions myself for a week – what an experience! SJ and Princila were so helpful throughout, providing me with a route for my trip, contacts to meet along the way and anything that would help make my trip easier (high vis, lights, etc). SJ was always contactable and available to answer any questions I had with I was so grateful for. The bike was in great condition also which was particularly important given the length of my journeys. The price to rent the bike was more than fair given the level of local knowledge and guidance I was given. The route I took was from Penang > Ban Pecah > Taiping > Selama > Penang Kent (contact provided by SJ) looked after me so well in Ban Pecah and Selama – he brought me on an ATV trip, to waterfalls, to eat mountain shrimp, trying a ton of local food, a concert, white water rafting, as well as a sing along! The accommodations were very comfortable and ideal for my stays. Thank you Kent for everything! In Taiping, SJ put me in touch with Zam and Ah Boy at ATV adventures. I stayed in there Bus Accommodation for 2 nights which was such a unique and cool stay! I also did the offroad ATV adventure here which was great fun. Zam and the guys took me for lunch and dinner while I was there too which was great! SJ also provided me with a cycling route to Port Weld, stopping at museums, seafood restaurants, charcoal and boot making factories, underground tunnels, temples! It was endless! The best part of the whole trip was meeting all of the local Malaysian people, learning their culture and trying their delicious local good! SJ and Matahari Cycles made this all possible with there Self Cycle Adventure and I cannot thank them enough for that! Thank you to everyone who made this trip possible!
活動從早上7點左右開始，到下午3點結束，並不是全程不停踩單車的，基本上踩一段十幾到幾十分鐘後，就會中途休息，休息期間領隊會講解停留地點的特色和文化，十分有收獲！單車是高質量的山地車，不過有些路是原始道路，以及最後有幾個大爬坡，會有點困難，但是堅持一下就可以了，活動值得推薦！
Excellent cycle tour on great bikes with wonderful guides. Cycle through beautiful countryside and small rural villages
Firstly this is a licensed company with excellently maintained bikes and they supplied helmets unlike some of the cycle tours we passed. If you are booking a tour firstly check they are licensed. This is the second tour we’ve taken with Matahari cycles and this one,Tour 1.1 Balik Pulau Countryside Experience (The Classic) was brilliant. Princilia and SJ are real Professionals. The cycles we used were good quality Giant mountain bikes and we were supplied with helmets and water. They made sure everyone knew about using their bikes before they started. The cycle ride was about 35km of fairly flat terrain through a variety of villages and habitats including lowlands, mangroves, rice fields and palm oil plantations. Princilia took the time to explain and give real insights into the local way of life, she’s committed to supporting local industry and passionate about rural life. We recommended this tour to our daughters and to friends who both thoroughly enjoyed it. We wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them and you can book directly with them.
No better way to see the countryside, and a great experience different from the typical tourist activities. Great team to support!