Malaysia Cultural Discovery
Price upon request
Upriver Adventures with the Iban
Overview | Jungle Camping (4D) | Nanga Sumpa Longhouse (4D) | Jungles & Culture of the Ulu Ai (5D) | Menyan Tais visit (3D)
Choose where you sleep
- Lubok Kasai Jungle Camp
- Menyang Tais Longhouse
- Nanga Sumpa Lodge
A visit to a longhouse is often the highlight of a trip to Sarawak, offering a glimpse into the lifestyle of the various tribes who have for generations lived in the remote interior of Borneo. While there are many areas in Sarawak where longhouses can be visited, Ulu Ai is one of the best.
What makes Ulu Ai so special is the natural environment and stunning scenery. Clean rivers and jungle streams, refreshing waterfalls and undisturbed tracts of rainforest allow you to combine a range of outdoor activities with a longhouse visit.
The Iban, the largest of the 22 tribal groups in Sarawak, are originally from 
Kalimantan (Indonesian Borneo). They began emigrating to present day Sarawak 3 to 4 centuries ago. The Ibans, whose name was synonymous with headhunting in the old days, were highly successful in their military prowess, dominating all the other tribes in Sarawak.
Culturally, the Iban are one of the most vibrant ethnic groups. Their superb woven textiles of which are intimately tied to their headhunting rituals, rank in artistry and technique with the finest Persian carpets. The rural communities still practise the ancient form of swidden, or slash and burn, agriculture and are intimately connected with the land.
As you would expect, a visit to an Iban longhouse has become a key component for tourists to Sarawak, and some of the longhouses on the Skrang and Lemenak Rivers have come to resemble a human zoo with tourists flocking by the boat load to visit longhouses unnaturally preserved for the tourist camera. This is not where we go.
In contrast, the longhouses of the Batang Ai are living examples of Iban communities who have embraced a form of respectful, low volume, tourism where visitors meet the local Iban on equal terms, and the local people are free to blend their traditional way of life with the benefits of contemporary living.
Notes
This community home stay adventure can be incorporated into a longer Symbiosis customised holiday to Malaysian Borneo that can be adapted and tailored to meet your dates, preferences and passions. Please contact one of our bespoke holiday planners to create the ideal itinerary for you.
Jungle Camping (4D)
Day 1 Kuching ~ Nanga Sumpa [L, D]
Early pick up from your Kuching hotel and depart by air-conditioned van for Batang Ai reservoir (4 1/2 hours). Journey through rural Sarawak, passing pepper gardens, cocoa and rubber plantation. En-route, a few stops will be made. Visit the colorful native market in Serian town where a variety of jungle produce such as edible ferns, bamboo shoots and unusual tropical fruit are on display. Visit a pepper garden and stop by to view wild orchids and several species of pitcher plants. Lunch en route. Upon arrival at the Batang Ai reservoir, proceed by longboat (1-2 hours) upriver to Nanga Sumpa. Settle in at Borneo Adventure’s jungle lodge. After dinner proceed to the longhouse across the river. Relax on the ruai (common verandah) and spend time with the Iban people. Interact with the community; learn about their culture and enjoy some local rice wine. Overnight at the lodge.
Day 2 Selong Jungle Camp [B, L, D]
Following breakfast, hike the jungle trails along the river and continue upriver by longboat, destination the scenic Enseluai Waterfall. Option to visit a second Iban longhouse at Nanga Jambu. Time to relax, swim, explore the rainforest and have lunch or try fishing Iban-style. Then, proceed to the Selong jungle camp. You can help the guides by gathering jungle produce like bamboo shoots or edible ferns for the evening meal. Orangutans occasionally are seen (at dusk or at dawn) in this area. Overnight at the Selong jungle camp.
Day 3 Selong Jungle Camp ~ Nanga Sumpa Longhouse [B, L, D]
In the morning, hike the beautiful rainforest in search of wildlife. Wildlife found in the area could include orangutans, pig-tailed macaques, hornbills and other variety of birds. There will be opportunities for swimming and relaxing before returning down river to the Borneo Adventure’s lodge. Dinner is served in the lodge with local delicacies to enhance the meal. Visit the longhouse in the evening. Woven blankets and handicrafts are available for display upon request and may be purchased directly from the longhouse people. Overnight at the Nanga Sumpa Lodge.
(Note: Leeches are found in this area. Insect repellent is effective against leeches)
Day 4 Nanga Sumpa Longhouse ~ Kuching [B, L]
Following breakfast, depart down river by longboat, then overland. Lunch en route. Proceed to Kuching.
Nanga Sumpa Longhouse (4D)
Nanga Sumpa (3 DAYS / 2 NIGHTS) (Private basis)
Day 1 Kuching - Nanga Sumpa Longhouse (L, D)
Pick up form your city hotel. Depart by air-conditioned van for Batang Ai reservoir (41/2 hours). Journey through rural Sarawak, passing pepper gardens, cocoa and rubber plantation. En-route, a few stops will be made. Visit the colorful native market in Serian town where a variety of jungle produce such as edible ferns, bamboo shoots and unusual tropical fruit are on display. Visit a pepper garden and stop by to view wild orchids and several species of pitcher plants. Lunch en route. Upon arrival at the Batang Ai reservoir, proceed by longboat (1-2 hours) upriver to Nanga Sumpa. Settle in at Borneo Adventure’s lodge. After dinner proceed to the longhouse across the river. Relax on the Ruai (common verandah) and spend time with the Iban people. Interact with the community; learn about their culture and enjoy some local rice wine. Overnight at the lodge.
Day 2 Enseluai Waterfall - Nanga Sumpa Longhouse (B, L, D)
Following breakfast, hike the jungle trails along the river and continue upriver by longboat. Our destination is the scenic Enseluai Waterfall. Time to relax, swim, explore the rainforest and have lunch or try fishing Iban-style. Return to the lodge. Dinner is served in the lodge with local delicacies to enhance the meal. After dinner, visit to the longhouse. Woven blankets and handicrafts are available for display upon request and may be purchased directly from the longhouse people. Overnight at the lodge.
Day 3 Nanga Sumpa Longhouse – Kuching (B, L)
Following breakfast, depart down river by longboat, then overland. Lunch is taken en route. Proceed to Kuching and drop off at your city hotel.
Notes
Price based on 2 people travelling together and valid until 31 Dec 09. These prices will come down for larger groups - please enquire.
Jungles & Culture of the Ulu Ai (5D)
Day 1 Kuching – Menyang Tais Longhouse (L, D)
0830 hrs – Pick up from hotel in Kuching and drive to Batang Ai reservoir (4½ hours). Journey through rural Sarawak, passing pepper gardens, cocoa and rubber plantations. En-route, a few stops will be made. Visit the colourful native market in Serian town where a variety of jungle produce such as edible ferns, bamboo shoots and unusual tropical fruit are on display. Visit a pepper garden and stop 
by to view wild orchids and several species of pitcher plants. Lunch en route. Upon arrival at the Batang Ai reservoir, proceed by longboat (40 minutes) to the longhouse jetty, take a 15 minute walk to the longhouse. Learn about the jungle before calling in at the longhouse.
Upon arrival at Menyang Tais longhouse, be a guest of the village chief (Tuai Rumah). In the evening, relax on the “Ruai” (common verandah) and spend time with the Iban people. Learn about their culture and enjoy some local rice wine. Overnight in the longhouse.
Day 2 Menyang Tais Longhouse – Jungle Walk – Nanga Sumpa (B,L,D)
Following breakfast depart for a short jungle walk around the village area or visit one of the local farms nearby. Return to the longhouse for lunch and later continue upriver by longboat to Nanga Sumpa longhouse. Settle in at Borneo Adventure’s lodge. After dinner proceed to the longhouse across the river. Interact with the community, learn about their culture and enjoy some local rice wine. Overnight stay at the Nanga Sumpa lodge.
Day 3 Lubok Kasai (B, L, D)
Following breakfast hike the jungle trails along the river. Then continue upriver by longboat. Our destination is the scenic Enseluai Waterfall. There is also an option to visit a second Iban longhouse at Nanga Jambu. Time to relax, swim and explore the rainforest or try fishing Iban-style. Then proceed to Lubok Kasai jungle camp. Relax or if you wish help the guides gather jungle produce like bamboo shoots or edible ferns for the evening meal. 
Orangutans are occasionally seen (at dusk or at dawn) in this area. Overnight at the Lubok Kasai jungle camp.
Day 4 Lubok Kasai Jungle Camp – Nanga Sumpa Longhouse (B, L, D)
In the morning hike the beautiful rainforest in search of wildlife. There will be opportunities for swimming and relaxing before returning down river to the Borneo Adventure’s Nanga Sumpa lodge. Visit the 
longhouse in the evening. Woven blankets and handicrafts are available for display upon request and may be purchased directly from the longhouse people. Overnight stay at Nanga Sumpa lodge.
Day 5 Nanga Sumpa Longhouse – Kuching (B, L)
Following breakfast depart down river by longboat, then overland to Kuching. Have lunch en-route. Continue to Kuching and drop off at your hotel.
Includes
Tour & transfer, 01 night stay at longhouse, 02 nights stay at Borneo Adventure lodge, 01 night Kasai Jungle Camp, meals (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner), English speaking guide.
Excludes
Juices, carbonated & alcoholic beverages
Note: Prices are subject to change without prior notice. This tour is offered on a ‘Seat-in-Coach’ basis. Leeches are found in the Lubok Kasai area. Insect repellent is effective against leeches.
In order to keep our prices down these tours operate on the principle that you may be in a small group of other people. Please do note the pick-up time for the tour departure (these times are generally fixed); and do not forget to indicate the name of your hotel. These details will of course be reconfirmed to you before you start your tour.
Menyan Tais visit (3D)
Day 1: Kuching ~ Menyang Tais [L, D]
In the morning you will be picked up from your hotel at 0730 ready to depart by road for the Batang Ai reservoir, a 5 hour journey through rural Sarawak. En route you will pass pepper gardens, cocoa and rubber plantations, and there will be a chance to stop to visit some of the more interesting spots, such as the colourful native market in Serian town where a variety of jungle produce such as edible ferns, bamboo 
shoots and unusual tropical fruits are on display, a pepper garden and a place to see wild orchids and several species of pitcher plants. Lunch en route.
Upon arrival at the Batang Ai reservoir, proceed by longboat (40 minutes) to the longhouse jetty. From here it is a 30-minute walk to the longhouse through forest and Iban farmland. At Menyang Tais Longhouse you will be the guest of the village chief (Tuai Rumah). Join with the Iban community for dinner and Iban evening activities. Stay overnight in the longhouse.
Day 2: Menyang Tais: Tinting Empeliau & Kara [B. L. D]
Following breakfast, hike the jungle trails to the river and continue upriver by longboat to Tinting Empeliau. Your destination, Tinting Kara, is the lush forest where wild Orang Utans are often found. Explore the rainforest and have lunch en-route. Return to the longhouse by mid-afternoon. Dinner & overnight in the longhouse.
Day 3: Menyang Tais ~ Kuching [B, L]
Following breakfast, depart via boat downriver to the Batang Ai reservoir and from there overland to Kucing. Stop for lunch en-route.
Lubok Kasai Jungle Camp
Lubok Kasai lodge offers a more exclusive environment in a stunning riverside setting at the edge of the rainforest. Lubok Kasai Lodge was set up to appeal to people who want to experience a totally natural and tranquil setting; away from the sights, sounds and activities of a vibrant longhouse.
If you are looking for the conforts of hotel-style accommodation, Lubok Kasai is probably not for you. However, if you don’t mind staying in a comfortable but basic jungle lodge and enjoy nature at its best, you will be rewarded with a unique experience of upriver Borneo. The lodge provides clean lodging with western-style toilets, mosquito netting, mattresses and clean bedding. Meals are prepared in the lodge and feature fresh jungle vegetables and other local delicacies.
Lubok Kasai is located a 30-45 minute longboat ride from Nanga Sumpa in what is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful areas of Sarawak. Journey time from the Batang Ai Lake to Lubok Kasai is approximately 2 hours depending on the water level of the river.
The lodge is surrounded by rainforest in an area that is inhabited by a thriving population of wild orangutans. Staying at Lubok Kasai offers the chance to explore the numerous jungle trails; spot local wildlife; and enjoy the clear cooling waters of the adjacent Lalang River. The Enseluai waterfall is just a short boat ride away; and of course your Iban hosts are always on hand; cooking traditional food and ready to provide every assistance when required.
Lubok Kasai is ideal if you want a more relaxed itinerary; or indeed a tailor-made programme suited entirely to your needs: whether it be trekking in search for orangutan or other wildlife; taking a boat ride further upriver to have a picnic on pebble beach; simply chilling out by the river; or treating yourself to periods of quiet solitude, insulated from the outside world.
The local Iban community are fully involved in all aspects of development and operation of Lubok Kasai Lodge.
Menyang Tais Longhouse
Menyang Tais is a contemporary, living, Iban Longhouse located on the Ulu Ai River, a 4.5 hour drive and 40 minute boat journey from Kuching (Kucing) the capital of Sarawak.
At Menyang Tais, the natural rythms of life continue much as they always have for the Iban tribe, living along the river banks deep into the forested interior of Borneo, but have adjusted to the modern era. This is not a museum 
piece artificially maintained in a foregone era for the amusement of tourists. This is how Iban people really live in the 21st century... but you are still welcome to visit and share a genuine experience.
The longhouse roof is now made from corrugated zinc, not atap, and electricity is provided by generators. Many of the fishermen's boats have outboard motors, and television aerials can be seen towering over the roof on high poles.
A visit to Menyang Tais is an oportunity to have genuine 
encounter with Iban folk, to go fishing weith them, collecting fruit from the forest, and generally mucking in with the daily chores of the Iban people. In the evenings you can share locally produced "tuak" and participatre in the communal entertainment: dance, music and banter.
Nanga Sumpa Lodge
Nanga Sumpa is a jungle lodge located in a relatively remote area of Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo, ideal for people looking to discover rain forests, nature and the charismatic Iban tribal people. The facilities reflect the remote location and are somewhat basic.
In 1986, Borneo Adventure approached the Iban community at Nanga Sumpa and asked them if they would like to cooperate to bring visitors to their village. The longhouse was receptive to the idea 
but requested that BA build a lodge nearby rather than have visitors stay in the longhouse itself.
Under the guidance of the village headman, a tourism committee was formed within the longhouse to ensure fair play and that there was an even distribution of work within the community. Today, Ulu Ai is recognised as one of the region’s best examples of village-based tourism and BA's operations and partnership with the community at Nanga Sumpa have won a number of awards.
The Nanga Sumpa Lodge serves as a base for a range of nature-based activities and excursions that offer visitors the chance of learning about the culture and lifestyle of the Iban community who live in the adjacent longhouse.
Located approximately a 1½ hour longboat ride from the Batang Ai Lake, Nanga Sumpa Lodge provides clean lodging with western-style toilets, mosquito netting, mattresses and clean bedding.
Nanga Sumpa Lodge has a total of 18 rooms with raised sleeping platforms. The majority of the rooms accommodate 2 people, but there are also two larger rooms suitable for families that can accommodate 2 adults and 2 children. The lodge has flush toilets and showers and piped water supply. A generator runs from 6.30 pm to 10.30 pm. After 10.30 pm traditional oil lamps are used to light the lodge. Meals are prepared in the lodge and feature fresh jungle vegetables and other local delicacies.
Activities possible during your stay at the Nanga Sumpa include travelling further upriver by longboat to have a swim at a waterfall; visiting the longhouse and surrounding farms; participating in the daily activities of the Iban people; and jungle trekking on trails that take you along streams and through farmlands to primary rainforest.
Orangutan live in the Ulu Ai area and sometimes it is possible to see the “man of the forest” in its natural environment.
Guests visiting Nanga Sumpa don’t mind the rudimentary comforts as this as the beauty of the area and the Iban people are the real attractions. However, if you are looking for a bit more luxury, the Hilton Batang Ai Longhouse Resort offers hotel standard facilities and air-conditioned rooms.
* NOTE. Prices indicated on this website are shown as a guideline only and may be subject to currency fluctuations, banking fees and other changes outside our control. Pricing information is available in
other currencies.
