3 DAYS BATANG AI LONGHOUSE HOMESTAY (FORMERLY: 3 DAYS BATANG AI LONGHOUSE RIVER SAFARI) TOURCODE: KCH3DBAS / KCH3DBAP JOINT TOUR (MIN

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1 3 DAYS LONGHOUSE HOMESTAY (FORMERLY: 3 DAYS LONGHOUSE RIVER SAFARI) TOURCODE: KCH3DBAS / KCH3DBAP JOINT TOUR (MIN. 2 PERSONS) / PRIVATE TOUR WITH DAILY DEPARTURES KUCHING IBAN LONGHOUSE KUCHING Days Tour Meals Overnight Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Kuching Batang Ai Transfer to Batang Ai lake and longboat ride to Iban longhouse Evening activities in the longhouse Batang Ai Morning activities at the longhouse Longboat ride further upriver and forest trekking Batang Ai Kuching Longboat ride and transfer back to Kuching B = Breakfast / L = Lunch / D = Dinner -/ L /D Batang Ai B/ L /D Batang Ai B/ L /- -- City Iban longhouse Budget Category P a g e 44

2 DETAILED ITINERARY The area of Batang Ai is located 290 km south-east of Kuching into the interior of Sarawak, close to the border to Kalimantan/ Indonesian Borneo. The name Batang Ai literally means main waters and refers back to the old days of tribal wars, when the Iban expanded into Sarawak, looking for fertile lands to grow their rice on. After crossing the nearby mountain range the Iban navigated along the many rivers and tributaries in this area to spread out and conquer land. Fierce battles and aggressive headhunting raids were going on in the area of Batang Ai, Skrang river and Lemanak river. Nowadays the area of Batang Ai is home to about 30 Iban longhouses, dotted along the Batang Ai river and its tributaries and surrounded with lush rainforest. KUCHING (-/L/D) Day 1 Pick-up from your hotel in Kuching for a 290 km journey with en-route stops at the local market in the town of Serian, a stop to observe wild orchids and pitcher plants at the roadside and also a visit of a pepper farm. Lunch will be provided in Lachau, a small upcountry Chinese village. After lunch you will proceed to beautiful Batang Ai lake. Here, you will board native longboats for about 45 minutes on the lake. After arrival you will be taken up to the longhouse to meet the Ibans and their families and have a tea break. In the evening, you may choose to join your guide when preparing the dinner. See how, with simple cooking utensils and local ingredients, a delicious meal can be prepared. After dinner the Ibans will sound their gongs and perform their war dance in full ceremonial regalia. Meals included: Lunch Dinner Overnight at the longhouse (very simple accommodation). Note: Basic accommodation in the communal hall of the longhouse with mosquito net, mattress, pillows and blanket provided. Day 2 (B/L/D) Today, you decide with your guide what you wish to do and see: for example you can choose to relax with the natives in the longhouse, learn to weave baskets, knit fishing nets, make traps and/or join them at the rice fields and pepper farms. Besides that, you can venture on a ride by longboat further upriver, entering a tributary of Batang Ai, and trek deep into the forest. Learn how the Ibans collect bamboo and leaves to prepare a typical native picnic lunch. After your sumptuous lunch you will return back to the same longhouse for overnight. P a g e 45

3 For the adventurous, you can also choose to spend one night in the jungle (if weather permits)! Please inform your guide in the morning before your boat trip whether you wish to spend a night in the jungle. Overnight at the longhouse or jungle camping (very simple accommodation). Note: Very basic jungle tent made of canvas sheets as roof and on the ground, with mosquito net and sleeping bag provided. Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner KUCHING (B/L/-) Day 3 Meals included: After breakfast, longboat ride and transfer back to Kuching with lunch included enroute. Breakfast Lunch P a g e 46

4 NOTE: This tour can be combined with a visit of Semenggok Orang Utan Centre at an additional surcharge. Even if the package is booked on private basis, the boat transfers & activities in the longhouse may be on shared basis in order to minimise impacts on the natural environment or if other circumstances require so. Please travel light for the overnights at the longhouse. Suitcases can be stored at your hotel in Kuching. Due to primitive conditions in the longhouse, be prepared for some discomfort. You will be provided with mattress, mosquito net, pillow, blanket, clean linen and towel. Simple sanitary facilities are available. It is customary to bring some gifts for the Iban longhouse people, which can be divided by the number of families. Our guide can assist you during one of the stops en-route to buy some suitable presents. This custom is only applicable to Iban longhouse tours. SERVICES INCLUDED: 2 nights accommodation in the communal room of a longhouse with shared sanitary facilities or alternatively 1 night jungle camping Meals as stated in the programme B= breakfast, L= lunch, D= dinner Transfers and tours with local English-speaking driver guides in air-conditioned vehicles Entrance fees and/or boat fees as stated in the programme Drinking water available on the vehicles Package includes GST 6% (Good and Service Tax) SERVICES EXCLUDED: Domestic airfare and/or International airfare to/from Malaysia (quoted separately, if requested) Optional tours Surcharges for other language guides Personal travel insurance Personal expenditure, such as drinks, souvenirs, laundry, camera fees, communications, postage, gratuities etc. Meals and services other than mentioned in the programme Drinks with meals Early check-in and late check-out at hotels, if not mentioned in the programme Gifts for the longhouse WHAT TO BRING: Backpack Loose-fitting summer clothing Long pants and long-sleeve shirt for the camping Swimwear Sun hat/ cap Sun block Insect repellent Personal toiletries Flat walking shoes with good grip Raincoat Torch or flashlight Leech socks (optional; the species of leeches that do occur occasionally cause harmless bites) P a g e 47

5 CONTACT INFORMATION OF HOTELS DURING YOUR STAY: Iban longhouse / Batang Ai c/o Diethelm Travel (Sarawak) Sdn. Bhd Lot 257, 2nd Floor, Jalan Chan Chin Ann, Kuching, Sarawak Tel. (+60-82) , Fax (+60-82) JOURNEYS OF A LIFETIME P a g e 48