Meet the Iban Tribe

Bite-sized trip

Itinerary:
Batang Ai National Park
Duration:
3 days / 2 nights (flexible)
Price:
From £ 499.- per adult (excluding flights)
From £ 399, - per child (up to 11 years)

The Batang Ai National Park is home to one of the oldest Iban settlements in Sarawak and this tribe have called this area home for years. Bring your tribe to meet their tribe for a taste of culture and to learn about a totally different way of life to yours. You'll be staying in a newly built lodge by the Batang Ai Reservoir, and you'll spend your days being guided through the area, taking in the surrounding nature and even spotting wild orangutans if you're lucky. Evenings will be spent at a nearby longhouse with the Iban Tribe, eating food cooked over the fire, and drinking rice wine.

Day 1 – Arrival in the Batang Ai National Park

Early this morning your driver will collect you from your hotel and you’ll start travelling into the Batang Ai National Park. You’ll make a quick pit-stop en-route where you can collect supplies for your stay. After a couple of hours travelling, you’ll reach the reservoir where your guide from the Iban Tribe will meet you, and you’ll board a longboat to your lodge. After checking in, you and your family will have dinner and then you can have an early night or spend the evening as you please.

Day 2 – Jungle trekking

It’s exciting to wake up to the sounds of the jungle, and once you’re all up, you’ll enjoy a delicious breakfast cooked by your guide. Grab your walking shoes, as you’ll be heading into the jungle and exploring the surrounding area. You’ll walk through the forest and your guide will point out the native trees, plants and if you’re extremely lucky, even wild orangutans. When you’re getting all sweaty from walking, you’ll find yourself at a large, hidden waterfall – the perfect place for a refreshing dip to cool yourselves down!

Iban dinner

Once you’re back at your lodge, you have time to freshen up before heading for a shorter afternoon walk. You’re bound to have built up quite an appetite by this point, which is great news as you’re invited to join the local Iban at the nearby Sumpa Lodge for dinner. Bring your tribe to meet the Iban tribe for an evening of cultural exchanges, rice wine, dinner and to find out more about each other’s respective lives.

Day 3 – Departure from the Batang Ai National Park

After another delicious breakfast, it’s time to say goodbye to your hosts and the Iban tribe as you head back to your longboat. You’ll stop along the way for lunch and then get back to Kuching in the late afternoon. If you fancy more adventure you can always continue on with our Semenggoh Rehabilitation Centre trip and take a wildlife cruise down the Santubong River. Otherwise, we can book you into a resort on the Damai Peninsula, and you can kick back on the beach and head out kayaking.