Day 1 – Arrival in Batang Ai National Park
Over the next 3 days you’ll explore one of the more remote areas of Sarawak, the Batang Ai National Park. You’ll start your journey by minibus from Kuching, stopping at local markets along the way. After about 4 hours you’ll switch to a motorised wooden boat to go deeper into the jungle. You’ll glide past overgrown banks, with the sound of screeching monkeys echoing in the distance as they swing through the trees.
The Iban tribe were once feared due to their practice of ‘headhunting’. These days they are peaceful people who live off the land but their other traditions are still carried out today. They live in longhouses built on poles high above the banks of the river. Entire communities of up to 30 families live in these houses in separate quarters.
You’ll stay with the tribe in one of these traditional longhouses, with a mattress on the floor and a mosquito net. On entering it is customary to leave a small gift in the baskets hanging by the door in order to appease the spirits. You must always wait to be invited into a longhouse by the chief. You may experience an authentic ‘Miring Ceremony’ lead by a priest where you’ll be welcomed with a glass of local rice wine.
Meaningful Travel
Travelling here isn’t just about what you see, but how you experience it. In Batang Ai, tourism is closely linked to the local Iban communities, who host visitors and share their way of life on their own terms. Your stay directly supports local livelihoods—from guiding and cooking to river transport—while helping to protect the surrounding rainforest.
Part of this is through the Ulu Ai Conservancy, a non-profit focused on conservation and community development in the region. A portion of each trip contributes to projects that make a real difference on the ground, from supporting farmers to grow sustainable crops like pepper, to practical skills training and healthcare initiatives. It’s a simple idea: by travelling here, you’re helping to strengthen communities while keeping the forest intact.
For more information about Nanga Sumpa and the Ulu Ai Conservancy, read our blog post.
Day 2 – Guided jungle walk
On your second day your guide will cook you a hearty breakfast in preparation for the day ahead. You will set off to explore the area surrounding the longhouse, where wild orangutans are occasionally spotted. Depending on the water levels, you may also travel by longtail boat. After a couple of hours of moderate trekking, you will reach a jungle camp where your hosts will cook you a tasty lunch inside bamboo! Trek back to the longhouse where you can relax for the rest of the afternoon.
Day 3 – Departure to Kuching
On your final day with your host family you will wake up to another home cooked breakfast, before going on a short walk around the longhouse to learn about their crops and way of life. Then you’ll say goodbye to your hosts as you head back to Kuching by boat and minibus, arriving late in the afternoon.
Accommodation
