Penang Tour: Penang Hill and Kek Lok Si Temple

I didn't get what the Viator promised. Firstly, the guide called Ben didn't talk much. I had to initiate the conversation on many occasions. As he didn't say much, I was forced to ask a question. Then in most cases he answered that he was sorry that he didn't know. He was very polite to say sorry he doesn't know. It was rather weird as I have been to many Viator tours with a guide who is usually knowledgeable. This was my first time that the guide had to say that he didn't know many times. He also let me go on my own twice - once at the bottom of the stairs of the Temple not sure the name of it as he didn't explain, he asked me to wonder around the area and climb the stairs but as I saw a few beggars near the stairs, I got scared so I stayed in the souvenir shop. I saw him chatting with some other local people in the distance. Second time was when I had to go on the mountain train again on my own to the top of the Penang Hill. He said he would wait at the bottom and asked me to wonder around on the hill top myself. The Viator site says that the guide will point out this and that together with a client... But I had to walk around alone on top of the hill. I felt lost and deserted. He was more like a 'taxi driver' but not a 'tourist guide'. Very bitter experience as I expected to learn a lot.

Private tour with a guide who didn't get out of the car. We were not advised that to get to the top of Lok Si Temple you have to hire a jeep at a 40.00 charge. I have discovered that these vendor's low ball the rate on Viator then charge additional fees once you have booked. Be aware!

Our Guide was excellent apologies cannot remember his name we were a party of 4. The views from Penang Hill where spectacular. The temple was a must. Would recommend for anyone with limited time in Penang.

Our guide met us at the port and in an air conditioned car with a driver we toured Penang. We rode the Penang Hill Funicular Railway and enjoyed spectacular views of the mainland. The Kek Lok Temple is quite interesting and you need to know that there are a lot of steps to get to the top. A very enjoyable tour.

A very enjoyable and informative way to spend a morning.Our guide really knew his subject and and had a nice easy way of putting it across. We went to the hill first as ,I suspect, it gets very busy later on. The temple was amazing and was easy to move around in. Learned a lot about the various religions on the island and their customs. Would highly recommend this tour.

The local tour company in Penang brought forward the start time to 8.00am for this tour. They emailed us and contacted our hotel to be sure we got the message. Glad they did as it gets very busy at Penang Hill by mid morning. Driver was on time at the hotel and for pick-up at the base of Penang Hill after we has finished our self tour of the top. Temple was great. Our guide was very knowledgeable and patient, allowing us to stop at whatever particularly interested us and gave us heaps of time to see what we wanted to see.

I was in Penang for work and I had only a day to see the sights. The tour was exactly what I needed to get a flavor of the area. The guide was very accommodating and helpful.