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!
We arrived in Penang on a ship and were met by Matahari’s driver in a comfortable Sprinter with other tourists who had been picked up at their various hotels. The tour is 1st class with very well maintained mountain bikes, although the long route is 99% flat. They are licensed and issued us all, well fitted helmets, a talk focused on safety and the what to expect on the ride. All of the surprises were very pleasant.
My sister, niece, nephew and I had an unforgettable experience exploring Southwest Balik Pulau Penang,The scenic routes were breathtaking, and the guides’ expertise added a special touch to our journey. Every moment was filled with joy, and we appreciate the effort the company put into making this tour exceptional. Looking forward to more adventures with Matahari cycling tours in the future!”
Ik deed de fietstour op Penang/Balik Pulau van een halve dag. Met Priscilla. Het was in 1 woord geweldig! Super afwisselend en zeer informatief. Ook controversiële onderwerpen zoals (winning van) palmolie kwamen aan bod. De lunch was op een supermooie lokatie en heel erg lekker en vers. Echt helemaal TOP
We took the classic Balik Palau Countryside tour (1.1) and loved it! Definitely a highlight of our trip to Penang and probably our favorite experience overall. SJ and Princilia are Malaysian national treasures; the time and effort they have spent creating and curating this experience deserves praise and recognition. They have developed relationships with local communities and their clients reap the benefits; we learned more about the people of Malaysia in one day with these guys than all the other tourist activities combined…and had a great time doing it! They both were fun and showed each of the members of our tour such kindness. I cannot recommend this company enough. If you plan to go to Penang, this is a must-do activity! They made sure everyone in our group was taken care of and had fun, no matter the fitness level and aptitude for biking. Lastly, not only is this company a great experience for those visiting Penang, but it’s good for the people of Penang. Princilia has a love for the common folks of Malaysia and it shows in the ethics and composure with which she and SJ conduct the tours. If we ever make it back to Penang, I won’t hesitate to take another tour with them. Matahari is an awesome business and I hope others can learn to emulate their model.
Awesome tour with Pincilia and SJ – I think it was called the classic 6-7 hours (1.1 on the site). We are over from NZ , and everything was perfect – hotel pick-up, food/water and even medicinal drink for my cold!! Nice easy ride through villages, countryside, lots of stops and both guides sharing lots of great info. One of the best tours we’ve been on – recommended for all. Thanks xx
I chose the 6 hour countryside experience tour, which I believe was just over 30 km in the end. There was plenty of snacks, breaks, water, and a great lunch. You get a glimpse into life in Balik Pulau and beautiful scenery. Princilia and SJ provided lots of education and a great experience. I did not have to worry about pulling out my phone because they were able to take photos and videos during the ride. I especially appreciate Princilia’s patient and encouraging guidance during the last uphill climbs of our ride!
Joined the cycling tour around Balik Pulau in Penang – Princilia and SJ are amazing hosts and made sure we were well taken care of from water, food, snacks, toilet breaks etc. The both of them shared their knowledge about the culture and i am thankful for the opportunity to experience nature (from palm oil plantations, cottage industries, nutmeg industry, natural habitat of the area and animals) through this cycling tour. The trip was a great workout as well (21km)! Mountain bikes provided and helmets were in excellent condition and they made sure we were comfortable before starting the tour. They also helped to take many beautiful pictures and shared them immediately after the tour, thank you! I will definitely recommend their service and I look forward to joining another one of their tours!
Worth 6* – probably unique opportunity to unobtrusively see the very heart of Malaysian rural life and nature. Our guide who seemed to know, and be friendly with, everyone we pedalled past weaved us through a succession of rural locations and various sized villages. A Must-Do
Deze tour was zeker een hoogtepunt van onze reis in Maleisië! We hadden wel eens eerder een fietstocht gemaakt, maar Princilia en SJ brachten het naar het next level. Onze bagage werd voor ons vervoerd, er werd voor voldoende drinkwater, snacks en lunch gezorgd, en het belangrijkste van alles: we hebben heel veel bijzondere plekken gezien. Als je graag een andere kant van Penang wilt zien, kan ik de Countryside Cycling Tour 100% aanraden. Je bezoekt o.a. een mooi vissersdorpje, een lokaal café, tempel en woning en fietst langs rijstvelden en mangrovebossen. De gidsen hebben veel kennis en staan ook voor je klaar als je vragen hebt over je verdere verblijf in Penang. Terima Kasih!
Penang besteht aus mehr als gutes Essen und Streetart – finde es heraus mit Matahari 😉 Ein unvergessliches und sehr lehrreiches Erlebnis. Danke euch!
A wonderful experience! Our hosts, SJ and Princilia, masterfully curated a trip around Balik Pulau that my companion and I will cherish forever. We were handed high-end mountain bikes, maintained impeccably, and our hosts ensured the trails were tailored to our fitness levels. We weren’t mere tourists – we became part of the village. With every introduction, we felt a sense of inclusion and warmth. SJ and Princilia’ local knowledge is astounding: in 1 trip we learnt so much of the local dying trades, agricultural insights, fishing traditions, to deep dives into the local palm oil business. We even got hands-on experience with harvesting palm oil bunches. This isn’t your standard cycling tour; it’s a deep immersion into the heart and soul of local culture. It’s about camaraderie, the genuine ‘kampong-spirit’, and forming friendships with Princilia and SJ By the end of our journey, we were left yearning for more, convinced that one tour barely scratched the surface of what they have to offer. If you’re seeking a truly enriching experience, look no further.
What an amazing day! My wife and I joined SJ and Princilla in the morning not fully knowing what to expect. They were both so friendly and began to take us on a tour of the west side of the island. A cycle trip that included multiple stops where they both took the time to share the local culture and cuisine with us. One of the best tours we’ve done anywhere before, a great experience for anyone wanting to see something away from the crowds and your groups.
We have had an amazing time with the Matahari guides! We booked a cycling tour in the countryside of Penang. On the tour, the guides showed us the beautiful nature and brought us to some villages around the area. We got to know how the locals live by visiting some private houses, visited some local shrines, learned a lot about the local agriculture, production of shrimp paste, cosmetics and palm oil, and got treated to a lot of local food and delicacies. The experience had a very unique and non-touristy feel, which is exactly what we like. The guides Princilia and SJ were exceptionally friendly and knowledgeable. They adapted well to our pace, reacted spontaneously to our interests and wishes, and could offer answer to all of our curious questions. We thank them sincerely for their great hospitality! Overall, we had a grand time. We can definitely recommend and would gladly book with them again!
We had such an amazing day cycling through Penang with princilia and SJ. We did the 7 hour bike ride, it was hot and the hills at the end were well worth it to get to a small secluded beach. If you want to see the authentic countryside and way of life in Penang then this is the tour for you.
My friend and I did the half day tour. It was fantastic. Well organised and every consideration thought of. Princilia and SJ were fabulous tour guide and back up driver. It was a hot ride, but we were given plenty of water, snacks and lunch. The bikes were well maintained and safe. I would highly recommend. Great way to see the other side of Penang.
Esperienza super autentica, assolutamente da fare se passate qualche giorno a Penang! Organizzazione ottima, sin dalla fase di prenotazione con comunicazioni rapide, chiare ed esaustive. Princilia ed SJ sono guide fantastiche, due persone sorridenti, che mettono tutta la loro passione in quello che fanno. Di seguito il riassunto della nostra esperienza, utile a farvi un’idea (ma ogni tour può variare). Ore 7:00 arriva la navetta a prendervi al nostro albergo a Georgetown. In 1h circa arriviamo al punto di ritrovo a Balik Pulau. Dopo consegna bici e rapido ma esaustivo brief si parte. Abbiamo fatto diverse soste in cui abbiamo incontrato la gente che abita questa bellissima campagna: una fattoria di caprette più altri animali, un villaggio con visita al tempio, sosta caffè e visita di una casa tipica, una casa in cui si producono “cartine” per tabacco con le foglie di palma essiccate. Il giro in bici prosegue in mezzo alle palme con spiegazione di come viene prodotto l’olio di palma e di come sia importante per le popolazioni del luogo. Si arriva al pranzo che sarà svolto in una sorta di gazebo di legno. Infine ultimo sprint con un paio di salitelle e sorpresa finale che non vi svelo 😉. Per tutto il percorso Princilia ci ha guidato in bici e SJ ci ha seguito con un track di supporto, rifornendoci sempre di acqua e di tutto il necessario. Che altro dire, se non grazie a Matahari per la stupenda esperienza. Grazie mille e continuate così! Siete super!
This tour is simply amazing. So well planned out and professionally run. The guides are really kind, entertaining, informative, knowledgeable, incredibly service minded, and just all around super nice people. The bikes are high quality, which also makes the ride easy an enjoyable. We brought kids within ages 10-16, and they enjoyed themselves too. The ride has a really good balance between riding and stops, where you get a sense of the local communities cultures, but also the countryside of rural Penang. We are pretty familiar with Malaysia, but we learned a lot about the trades of the region. The actual riding the bikes was both challenging and rewarding, but still easily done by both children and adult. We’re really happy we took this trip, and we’ll definitely try to do again some time.
Princilia and SJ gave us such a wonderful day through the countryside, we loved everything 🙂 Prior to the ride, you give them your height measurements so they can have their comfortable and great quality mountain bikes adjusted for you before you arrive. We explored a few different hamlets, having coffee at a local cafe (best coffee we had on the island) opposite a temple where Princilia and SJ taught us about some local traditions and products. We were lead through palm trees and rice fields with more interesting stops along the way showing us customs we would never have learned about otherwise. Finishing up, we arrived at Princilia’s ‘office’ for lunch, which turned out to be a small bamboo gazebo (there’s probably a better term for it!) In the middle of the fields. Full of fresh fruit, noodles and nutmeg juice we cycled into town to meet the shuttles that dropped us home. Everything about this experience was special and unique and you also couldn’t ask for better guides. I couldn’t recommend this any higher, thanks guys!
We did the 4 hour tour and it was amazing! Princilla and SJ were fantastic and very knowledgeable on the whole area. It was lovely to get off the beaten track and away from the craziness of Georgetown to the countryside. Lunch was fantastic and catered for vegetarians. Organisation was smooth and easy. Would highly recommend!
If you want to get a real feeling for the island beyond the clogged streets of Georgetown, you should absolutely spend a day with Princilla and SJ—it was the best tour we did in 3 weeks in SE Asia! We were picked up by a driver associate of Matahari for an hour trip over the mountains. After helmet fitting and instruction on the bikes, we launched into visiting villages, landscapes, while cycling at a comfortable pace. Princilla and SJ are passionate about sharing their love of the island with a good helping of commentary and comedy! Lunch is at an amazing secret spot you will absolutely love. You should totally go on this tour!!
The ride was one of the best small group experiences I have had anywhere in the world. SJ keeps your things well cared for in his truck, ensures you are constantly hydrating, and meets along the way so you can swap jackets, hats, layers to account for the changing weather. Princilla should be the Minister of Tourism for Penang if not all of Malaysia. It is pure joy riding with her through the hamlets and being greeted so warmly at every turn. It is a very local experience with highlights such as temple and kopitiam stops. Then there are the landscapes. Simply breathtaking. Fishing villages, farms laden with durian trees, papayas, and mangosteens, river banks full of mud skippers with eagles overhead, iconic rice paddies in mountain valleys, all while soaking up Princilla’s delightful and endearing storytelling about Penang’s history, cuisine, immigrant traditions, botany, and cottage industries. The km’s and time flies as Princilla and SJ have the spacing and breaks down to a science. I don’t consider myself an expert cyclist and had no trouble keeping pace. Probably best for ages 14 and up. If you plan to be anywhere in SE Asia, add Penang to your itinerary just so you can take a Cycle Matahari tour.
The Balik Pulau bike tour through the lush countryside of Penang was an awesome and perfectly organized experience. Everything from booking (and adding me as a solo traveller to a group) and pick-up to bikes and equipment as well as food and drinks went supersmooth. The tour is well-paced and well-structured with stops at a goat farm, a temple and a café in a Chinese fishing village (for local breakfast), a palmoil plantation, a hut among rice paddies (for Malay lunch) and (for the finale) a beach, passing by villages and and other fishing communities and lots of nature. Princilia was our outdoor-passionate guide and provided many insights into rural life and culture and information about plants and agriculture. SJ in his jeep was all the time close to us, provided water along the way and even fixed a puncture. Both were so welcoming, enthusiastic and always checking in on us (and sent us pictures and videos later). Me personally I would have liked a stop in a Malay village as well and more photo opportunities during the tour, but that’s just me 🙂 Thanks so much!
I visited Malaysia coming from Seattle Washington. The tour group picked up from my hotel in Penang and along with the rest of the group we were taken to the start of the bike ride. SJ and Princella made sure we had the bike and helmet that was the correct fit. The tour was a nice leisurely pace through the villages and palm plantation. Princella did a great job of explaining interesting information about all that we saw and she did it in a way that made it fun. The lovely nice lunch served right by a rice field and the setup was wonderful. I’m truly enjoyed this tour and would recommend it to anyone who would like to see Penang via country roads. Sherry A