3-Day Batang Ai Headhunter’s Longhouse Discovery

Tour highlights:

The Ibans were long ago feared for their headhunting activities. Visit the descendant of the feared warriors in one of the last remaining remote authentic Iban longhouse of the River Skrang headwaters, 150km due east of Kuching beyond the lake of the Batang Ai. The longhouse is only accessible by charter boat, as water is the main method of transportation in the area. This 3 days 2 nights visit allows you a real taste of Iban living by visiting authentic longhouses and be hosted by your Iban host, including authentic local cuisines. The natives here continue to follow primitive modes of subsistence like basket or mat weaving, mending of fishing nets, feeding of livestock and fishing. Try “tuak” (a potent local rice wine) and overnight in the longhouse dormitory style accommodation build for visitors.   

What sets this tour apart:
Enjoy the upriver boat trip to meet the Iban people of Batang Ai and experience the Borneo rainforest on this 3 days / 2 nights tour

What you’ll see or do:

DAY 1 – KUCHING/BATANG AI IBAN LONGHOUSE
Depart your hotel to the Batang Ai takes about 5 hours, passing padi fields, pepper plantations, farms, roadside kampungs and tropical jungles. Stop at the small town of Serian and later for lunch at Lachau. On arrival at the Batang Ai Dam, board a native boat for the upriver journey to an Iban Longhouse. In the evening, enjoy a native dinner prepared by your guide. After a simple dinner, join the rest of the longhouse folks and enjoy an evening of music and dance with rounds of tuak, their home made rice wine. Overnight in the longhouse dormitory style accommodation build for visitors. Meals: Lunch & Dinner only.   

DAY 2 – BATANG AI IBAN LONGHOUSE / JUNGLE TREKKING
Breakfast. Take part in a blowpipe and cockfight demonstration before proceeding for a nature walk to visit native farms and an Iban burial ground. Enjoy lunch the traditional way, with food cooked in bamboo or in a stone BBQ pit. Do bring your swimwear as there may be opportunities to swim in the river. If there has been no rain in the days prior to your visit, the waters will be clear and refreshingly cool. Later, return to the longhouse for leisure to enjoy your surroundings. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner only.   

Day 3 – BATANG AI IBAN LONGHOUSE / KUCHING
After breakfast, say farewell to your hosts. Later return to the river jetty for your journey back to the city. Lunch at local cafe. Continue on to the city. Drop off at your city hotel.  Meals: Breakfast & Lunch only.

Price (adult, child, senior): 

• Adult (12+): MYR 1320.00

• Children (1-11): MYR 660.00

Departure time: 8:30 AM

Meeting point: Hotel

Season: Year-round

Day of week available: Monday to Sunday

Tour duration: 3 days, 2 nights

Group size (minimum & maximum): Minimum 2 people max 8

Included: 

• Land and River Transfer

• All Meals as Stated

• Entrance Semenggoh Ticket

• 2 Nights Accommodation (basic facilities)

• English speaking guide

Not included: 

• Juices and alcoholic beverages

• Semenggoh buggy service
  

• Travel Insurance

What to bring: 

• Overnight bags with multiple sets of spare casual clothing, including long trousers and shorts for evening;

• Wear light comfortable clothes that dry easily; 

• Comfortable walking shoes;

• Sandals or pair of flip flops;

• Water bottle or bladder system;

• Sleeping bag (if you have them) for more comfort;

• Personal care: small towel, toiletries, personal medication, personal first aid kit,

sunscreen, mosquito repellent, extra tissues or toilet paper;

• Torch, raincoat or poncho, plastic bag to keep phone / cameras dry;

• Sun hat / cap and sunglasses; 

• Extra snacks and drinks for the trekking.

Tour staff (number, type): 

Our community guides are from the local villages and are most willing to share their knowledge of local culture, farming and hunting technique and the remarkable diversity of local fauna and flora so that you will have plenty of information about your journey in this beautiful nature area, and at the sametime ensure safety and Great FUN in this remote area! One passionate local English Speaking guide will serve up to a maximum of 8 guests.

Good to know:

• Reservation required at least 2 days in advance

• Suitable for families and visitors of all ages.

• This tour is available with a minimum of 2 pax to go. Should you be only 1 person, we will wait for at least one other to join the tour to guarantee the departure.