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- English
Sarawakian’s rich cultures and customs, unique traditional rituals, dances, foods, and costumes are among the things that continue to intrigue and fascinate visitors and researchers from around the world. Their warm hospitality and simple ways of life are also some of the traits that many visitors find endearing.
I guess, the fascination for this exotic destination also stems from interesting stories about the headhunters of Borneo. Images from National Geographic or Discovery Channel showing small dark people with tattooed bodies donning fancy headdresses of exotic bird feathers must have also fuelled the curiosity of our foreign visitors.
What's Included
Lunch
Dinner
Breakfast
Meeting and pickup
Itinerary
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1
The wardens at Semenggoh Nature Reserve have been training young orangutans, who had been orphaned or rescued from captivity, how to survive in the wild. The success of this programme has left the surrounding forest reserve with a thriving population of healthy adolescent and young adult orangutans, who are now breeding in the wild. The programme has since been transferred to Matang Wildlife Centre, but Semenggoh Nature Reserve is still home to its successful graduates, semi-wild orangutans and their babies. They spend most of their time roaming the forest but frequently come back to the Centre for a free meal. If it is the fruiting season in the forest, some or even all of them may not come to feed. This in itself is a good sign and another step on the way to full rehabilitation.
1 hour • Admission ticket included -
2
Serian town is one of the busiest towns especially during festive seasons. Stores and shops are packed by mainly Bidayuh returning home from Peninsula Malaysia, Singapore or oversee or major towns on Gawai and Christmas holidays. Tour groups heading for the Batang Ai areas often stop here. The main attraction is an excellent farmers’ market selling all manner of fruit, vegetables and forest produce, and a thriving fish market. If you are lucky you will also see live sago worms, a favourite local delicacy, offered for sale.
45 minutes • Admission ticket free -
3
Our main destination this time was Batang Ai, to visit the Iban community at the Mengkak Longhouse / Ukom Longhouse located at the mouth of Sungai Engkari. The Ibans form the largest percentage of Sarawak’s population. In days of yore, they were reputedly the most formidable headhunters on the island of Borneo. Ibans today are friendly and hospitable. They are renowned for their traditional weavings such as the Pua Kumbu, woodcarvings, beadworks and silver craftings. Longhouses are built on stilts about a metre above the ground. As the name suggests, Borneo longhouses are long and narrow consisting of several rooms. Each family occupies a room. One longhouse typically accommodates between 20 and 50 families. There’s a large communal living space, between the balcony and bedrooms, known as the ruai, running down one side, and separate living quarters for each family along the other side. The ruai is the place where the longhouse folks gather for an evening chat or carry out activities like making handicrafts and farming apparatus.
1 day • Admission ticket free -
4
I guess, the fascination for this exotic destination also stems from interesting stories about the headhunters of Borneo. Images from National Geographic or Discovery Channel showing small dark people with tattooed bodies donning fancy headdresses of exotic bird feathers must have also fuelled the curiosity of our foreign visitors.
4 hours • Admission ticket free
Semenggoh Wildlife Centre + Serian Native Market + Batang Ai Iban Longhouse
Batang Ai Iban Longhouse (Nanga Ukom / Nanga Mengkak)
Batang Ai - Kuching
Additional info
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
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Cancellation Policy
If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.
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Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 6 full days before the experience’s start time.
- For a 50% refund, you must cancel 2–6 full days before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 2 full days before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
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