Longhouse Safari Batang Ai (3D/2N)

Depart from your hotel and embark on a memorable 3D/2N adventure to the legendary Batang Ai region, home of the indigenous Iban people and their traditional longhouses. Travel by road along the Pan Borneo Highway, taking in the beautiful sceneries of rural villages, towns, pepper gardens, rubber and rice fields over a distance of 275 km. Along the way, you’ll make your first stop in Serian, a small town where you can explore a native market and pick up some gifts for the longhouse folks (Guide will advise accordingly). Next stop will be at “Lachau”, a small upcountry Chinese village for lunch. Here barter trade still exists among native Kalimantan traders, the Chinese shop owners and the local villagers who lived nearby.

Arrive Batang Ai jetty by mid-afternoon where a motorized longboat awaits to take you on a scenic 45-minute ride across the Batang Ai lake and upriver to an authentic longhouse. Here, you’ll experience the unique lifestyle of around 30 families living together under one roof in the longhouse, adorned with antique Chinese jars decorating the families’ room. In the evening after a delightful dinner, join the longhouse chief and folks for an evening of traditional cultural dances, where local rice wine “tuak” will be served. Overnight in the Longhouse. (very basic accommodation with mattress, mosquito nets & pillow)

Breakfast at the longhouse before embarking on an exciting longboat journey upriver. During dry season, the water level may be low turning the trip into a fun challenge as visitors might need to help push the boats upstream, adding an element of thrill to the experience. Stop along one of the riverbanks for lunch features a delightful barbecue, and food cooked in bamboo over a bon-fire. The afternoon is meant to relax under lush rainforest, enjoy a refreshing swim, or engage in meaningful conversations with your Iban boatmen for his endless tales of their community’s life history. Return to the longhouse in the late afternoon. Dinner and overnight at the longhouse.

Enjoy breakfast at the longhouse. After breakfast, the Iban people will give you a presentation with their traditional weapon, the blowpipe which you could participate in. Now it is time to say goodbye to the Ibans. The tour concludes with the longboat ride to Batang Ai jetty, then continue overland back to Kuching. Lunch will be provided en route. Expected to arrive in Kuching by late afternoon.