Bidayuh Heritage & Bamboo Rafting
(2D1N)

Depart from your hotel in the city for Semenggoh Wildlife Centre where you will have the chance to observe the Orang Utans as they emerge from the forest for their feeding time. Nestled within a sprawling 653-hectare of forest reserve, this centre offers a unique opportunity to observe how Orang Utans who are either orphaned or rescued from captivity are rehabilitated and trained to survive in the wild. Witness these amazing creatures up close as they often emerge from the forest to collect fruits provided by the park rangers. While you observe, enjoy the serene sounds of the forest highlighted by the soothing sounds of cicadas chirping.

Remark: Wildlife sightings are influenced by weather and various natural factors. During the fruiting season (December – February), sightings at feeding areas are not guaranteed

Note: Put on good walking shoes, light cotton clothing to remain comfortable, wide-brimmed hat / cap, sunblock lotion and insect repellent

After the visit, continue driving along scenic country roads for about an hour, meandering past the Penrissen Mountain Range, which forms part of the Indonesian border. The Annah Rais Longhouse which stands on the same site where the longhouse was first built 200 years ago still stand with its unique architecture built largely of bamboo, wood and leaves. The Bidayuh are absolutely warm and gentle people whose previous generations once lived as farmers and believed in animism. After registration, check-in to your guestroom in the longhouse and enjoy lunch with your local host family.

After lunch, proceed for a guided walk within the longhouse to learn more about the local lifestyle and traditional way of life of the Bidayuh people. Visit the Baruk (Skulls House) where you’ll learn about the Bidayuh’s history and customs, including their past practices of headhunting. Walk through the show house and nearby farmlands, learning about traditional Bidayuh architecture, agriculture, and communal lifestyle. Return to the longhouse and join in to prepare your dinner and learn how to cook chicken in bamboo (ayam pansuh). ‘Ayam pansuh’ is indeed one of Borneo’s most iconic dishes, a must-try dish that completes your trip to Borneo. After dinner, the longhouse folks will don their traditional costumes and entertain you with music and dance performances. You are also welcome to join them and learn their traditional dances. Overnight at the homestay. (basic accommodation and amenities – bed & mattress)

After breakfast, depart for Peraya Village for traditional bamboo rafting adventure on the Serin River. A brief stop at the village homestay allows you to drop off any extra clothing before heading to the launch point, where your bamboo rafting journey begins. After a safety briefing, board the traditional bamboo rafts and start rafting down the rainforest-lined river. The bamboo rafts, measuring one meter wide and seven meters long, consist of ten bamboo tubes securely tied together with strips and rope. While they are simple in design, they are effective, so be prepared to get splashed as you glide along the water. Your guide will navigate through a series of mini rapids as you proceed downriver. If you wish, you may participate by helping steer the bamboo raft along the class II waters.

Around midday, stop at a scenic pebble beach. Here your guides will prepare a delicious lunch, set up a BBQ and cook a range of local Bidayuh dishes in bamboo tubes. Join your guide in search for edible jungle plants such as ferns or bamboo shoots. After lunch continue rafting downriver. You will pass a number of deeper pools at river bends perfect for a refreshing dip in the cool waters. Around 1500 hours arrive at the home stay with the exact timing depending on the river conditions. Depart back to Kuching and transfer to hotel.