Melaka Surreal Durian Experience 2026: Day 1 – The Journey Begins

There are trips where the destination is the main attraction, and then there are trips where the journey itself becomes part of the experience. Our three-day Melaka Surreal Durian Experience 2026 turned out to be a little of both.

Organised by Tourism Malaysia Southern Region (Melaka) and Tourism Malaysia Southern Region, the familiarisation trip brought together participants from the media and tour agencies for three days of exploring, experiencing and, naturally, eating our way through a selection of durian-related attractions in Melaka.

Day 1 of our three-day trip took us from Putrajaya to Seremban, then through Melaka before ending up at Duta Riang Villa and its durian farm in Selandar.

An Early Start

Our day started extra early. We had to make our way to Putrajaya, which was the meeting point for the Kuala Lumpur team, so we decided to take a slow drive there rather than rushing first thing in the morning.

As it turned out, we arrived rather early. In fact, we ended up being one of the earliest to arrive. HAHAHA!

Perhaps a little too early, but at least there was no last-minute rushing or worrying about whether we would make it on time. Gradually, the participants started arriving, and the morning gathering became livelier.

There were eventually three vans involved in the fam trip – two from Putrajaya and one from Johor – all heading towards Melaka. The Melaka team would meet us there before we continued together to our first destination.

First Stop: Seremban

At around 8.30am, the convoy left Putrajaya. And because no road trip should begin on an empty stomach, our first stop was in Seremban for breakfast.

It was still relatively early in the morning, and the breakfast stop gave everyone the chance to recharge before the day’s activities really got underway.

There is something quite nice about these meal stops during familiarisation trips. They are not just about eating. They give everyone an opportunity to chat, introduce themselves and get to know the people who will be sharing the next few days together.

Meeting the Melaka Team

Our next rendezvous point was the Tourism Information Centre (TIC) along Jalan Kota in Melaka. Here, the Melaka team gathered before we set off for Duta Riang Villa.

As we travelled further away from the city, the surroundings gradually became more rural. The roads became quieter, the greenery more noticeable, and the atmosphere increasingly relaxed. It was a fitting introduction to what awaited us.

Welcome to Duta Riang Villa

We arrived at Duta Riang Villa in Selandar at around 11.30am.

Located along Jalan Selandar / Alor Gajah, the villa sits in a peaceful countryside setting surrounded by greenery and gardens. Fittingly for a trip dedicated to the durian, there is a durian farm right here.

After a short briefing for the participants, we settled down for lunch before beginning our activities.

Duta Riang Villa is designed as a countryside retreat, offering a combination of accommodation, outdoor activities and farm experiences. Rather than simply checking into a room and heading out again, guests can spend much of their time within the property itself.

the villas are named after various durian species

A Durian-Themed Stay

One of the more interesting aspects of Duta Riang Villa is its accommodation concept. There are five villas, each named after a different durian variety. Each villa has between five and six rooms, making it particularly suitable for families, groups of friends and larger groups who prefer to stay together.

The surroundings are spacious and green, giving the property a distinctly laid-back kampung feel. It is quite different from staying in a conventional hotel.

Here, the emphasis is more on spending time together, enjoying the outdoors and taking things at a slower pace.

Getting Acquainted with the Farm

Of course, the durian farm was one of the highlights of our visit. For many of us, durian is something we associate with the fruit itself – the smell, the taste, the creamy flesh and perhaps the debates over which variety is the best.

But how often do we actually get to see where it all begins? At Duta Riang Villa, visitors can take part in an educational durian farm tour, where they can see the trees, learn about cultivation and find out more about the different varieties. It gives a different perspective on the King of Fruits.

Instead of simply seeing durian as something that appears at roadside stalls or fruit shops during the season, we get a glimpse into the work and knowledge involved in growing it. And when the season is right, there is also the opportunity to enjoy fresh, organically grown durians from the farm. Now that is what we call going straight to the source!

Time for Some Adventure

Duta Riang Villa is not all about sitting around and eating durians, though. There are several activities available for guests, including ATV rides to the durian farm for guests who prefer something a little more adventurous.

After the morning’s journey and the activities at the farm, having some time to settle in was certainly welcome. The villas provide plenty of space for groups to spend time together, and the peaceful surroundings make it easy to switch into holiday mode.

There was still more to come, though. We had the chance to try our hand at hitting the target, with varying degrees of success. Let’s just say that some of us probably need a little more practice! OOPS!!

For families travelling with children, there is also a mini zoo and petting zoo, where youngsters can interact with the animals. There are also outdoor activities, games and a game room, so there is plenty to keep everyone occupied.

It was clear that Duta Riang Villa is really a combination of stay, play and experience.

Dinner and Durian

The evening programme began with a dinner attended by invited guests. There was a welcome speech by the Director of Tourism Malaysia Southern Region, Puan Maizatul Liza binti Mukhtar, followed by the presentation of certificates of participation and appreciation plaques.

speech by Tourism Malaysia Southern Region Director Puan Maizatul Liza binti Mukhtar

It was a nice touch, particularly for a familiarisation trip that brought together people from different parts of the country. And then came the most appropriate part of the evening for a durian-themed trip. A durian supper.