Sarawak -Culture & Tribes
5 Days/4 Nights
Overview
Experience the tribals culture and natural wilderness of Borneo with this 7-days journey that showcases Sarawak’s tribal people and their way of life, as well as the natures and vast wildlife. In Sarawak, visit the Sarawak Cultural Village for an introductory tour to the unique and diverse cultures of Sarawak, enjoy a gastronomical adventure of Kuching, have an immerse experience with nature and the local tribal culture at Benggoh Valley, visit the best place in Sarawak to view semi-wild orangutans, get a fascinating insight into the traditional Sarawak culture and lifestyle with the UKOM & Seri Simanggang combo.
Tour at a Glance
Day 1: Arrival in Kuching
Arrival and transfer to hotel. Free time to relax or explore.
Day 2: Semenggoh & Benggoh Valley
Visit Semenggoh Wildlife Centre for orangutan sighting. Continue to Benggoh Dam, boat ride and hike to Kampung Sting.
Day 3: Kling & Susung Waterfall Hike
Early morning view of Bengoh Lake. Full-day hike to waterfalls, swim and explore forest and plantations.
Day 4: Benggoh to Batang Ai – Longhouse Experience
Morning hill trek with village views. Drive to Batang Ai with stopovers. Boat ride to UKOM Longhouse. Join cooking and cultural activities.
Day 5: Return to Kuching
Blowpipe demonstration and rainforest walk. Depart longhouse and return to Kuching.
Day 1: Kuching, Sarawak (Arrival)
Upon arrival at Kuching Airport, meet and greet by your representative and transfer to your hotel located at the Damai area for check in. Rest of day at leisure.
Meals included : -
Accommodation : Hilton Kuching (4 star)
Day 2: Kuching / Semenggoh / Benggoh Valley (Bidayuh Tribe)
Breakfast at the hotel, followed by an early morning pick-up for a half-day visit to the Semenggoh Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre (Duration: 3 hours, 0800–1100 hrs).
The Semenggoh Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre is one of the best places in Sarawak to see semi-wild orangutans that have been rescued from captivity and trained to survive in the surrounding forest reserve. These rehabilitated orangutans roam freely in the rainforest and often return to the center during feeding times. Thanks to a successful breeding program, there is a good chance of witnessing one of Borneo’s most heart-warming sights – a mother orangutan with her young. The center is about a 30-minute drive from Kuching, followed by a 20-minute walk. Along the way, visitors will pass through ethno-botanical gardens showcasing a unique collection of rainforest plants.
Note: As the orangutans in Semenggoh are semi-wild, sightings cannot be guaranteed.
Afterward, continue to the small township of Padawan, where your guide will assist you in finding a pair of locally renowned rubber hiking shoes.
Note: While not mandatory, it is recommended to leave your high-tech sports shoes behind due to the mixed terrain over the next few days (mud, roots, bamboo bridges, and slippery rocks).
Next, take a 35-minute drive to the Bengoh Dam. This man-made lake, flooded just a few years ago, serves as a reservoir for Kuching and its surrounding areas. To protect water quality, water-based activities are limited.
Enjoy a 15-minute boat ride across this scenic lake, gliding through lush greenery framed by hills and mountains, until you reach the base of Kampung Sting, a resettled Bidayuh village. Here, disembark with your backpack for a 30-minute uphill hike (time may vary based on fitness level). At the summit, you’ll be rewarded with a breathtaking view of the Bengoh Dam. Check-in at your homestay, rest, and soak in the sunset as it slips behind the mountain range.
Overnight at a homestay with basic amenities.
Meals included: Dinner
Accommodation: Homestay (communal sleeping area, basic amenities)
Day 3: Benggoh Valley
Wake up to the crowing of roosters from villages near and far. Before sunrise, catch a glimpse of Bengoh Lake veiled in a blanket of clouds (weather permitting). After breakfast, gear up for an adventure-filled day as you prepare for a hike to the majestic Kling and Susung waterfalls.
The hike takes you through lush secondary forests, fruit orchards, cocoa, and pepper plantations. Along the way, observe how villages are powered as you pass underground rivers and small waterfalls. You’ll cross a bamboo bridge suspended by two steel-braided cables — a thrill for those who aren’t afraid of heights.
Our first stop is the three-tiered Kling Curtain Falls. Take a refreshing dip while your guide prepares a packed lunch. After lunch, continue to the thunderous Susung Falls, perfect for photo opportunities or a swim in the nearby pools (time permitting).
In the late afternoon, hike back to your homestay, relax, and enjoy afternoon tea before dinner is served.
Note:
Activities directly under Susung Waterfall are not allowed due to its strong currents and water pressure.
Difficulty: Moderate, with some steep climbs and slippery rock surfaces at Susung Waterfall.
Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Accommodation: Homestay with very basic amenities (communal sleeping area)
Day 4: Benggoh Valley / Batang Ai / UKOM Longhouse (Iban Tribe)
After breakfast, take a short trek up the hills where you'll enjoy a panoramic view of the entire village, with visibility sometimes extending all the way to Kuching City. On exceptionally clear days, you may even catch a glimpse of the distant South China Sea.
Return to the homestay and depart for Batang Ai. Along the way, you'll travel through picturesque countryside dotted with quaint towns, villages, paddy fields, pepper farms, and oil palm plantations, all interspersed with stretches of secondary and virgin jungle. The road begins to wind and undulate as you venture deeper into the interior. Your first stop will be at Serian Town for a short break. The second stop is at Lachau, a small town en route to the resort, where you will have lunch.
Upon arrival at Batang Ai Hydro Lake, your journey continues by boat across the lake and into the Engkari River, one of its many tributaries. This leg of the journey takes approximately 37 minutes, ending at Ukom Longhouse, perched on a hillside beside the river. Check in to your dormitory-style accommodation and take time to explore the longhouse at your own pace, getting to know its people and surroundings.
In the evening, you’ll take part in preparing one of the local specialties, Manok Pansoh (Bamboo Chicken). The success of this traditional dish depends on your ability to master the technique of turning the bamboo over a specially built fireplace.
After dinner, join the longhouse residents for a glass or two of tuak (rice wine) and a brief cultural performance. The Iban are a fun-loving people, and guests are warmly encouraged to participate in the evening’s activities. Overnight at the guesthouse.
Note:
Overnight accommodation is in a basic dormitory-style longhouse built for visitors. You’ll sleep on a mattress with a mosquito net. There is no air-conditioning and no private rooms.
Please bring your own toiletries and insect repellent. Luxury or modern comforts should not be expected.
Guests are encouraged to bring small gifts such as biscuits or cookies to share with the longhouse community. Stationery items like coloring pencils, crayons, pens, or pencils are also appreciated and can be given to the children.
Meals included: Lunch / Dinner
Accommodation: Ukom Longhouse
Day 5: UKOM Longhouse / Kuching
After breakfast, enjoy a blowpipe demonstration and try shooting one yourself. Then take a short walk around the vicinity of the longhouse, and learn about the traditional uses of rainforest plants in Iban culture.
Depart for Kuching via same route. Lunch is served en-route.
Meals included : Breakfast/Lunch
Accommodation : -
PRICE: The price is subject to your travel dates and the number of people traveling. The itinerary can be customized according to your preferences. Contact us for detailed quotation!
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