Into The Heart Of Sarawak

Arrival in Kuching, Sarawak

Kuching Cycling

Pickup from your hotel and head to the starting point of your cycling tour. Discover the hidden gems of Kuching, visit temples and monuments through the hidden lanes inside the heritage zone. Indulge in a wide variety of popular authentic Sarawak local street foods, drinks, and desserts! After a relaxing cruise across the Sarawak River on a traditional sampan boat, we will guide you through off-the-beaten-track routes of the rural Malay kampongs and wooden bridges lining the banks of the great Sarawak River. Along the way, you can explore the vibrant and exotic open-air market of Kubah Ria. Marvel at the variety of colours of tropical fresh fruits and vegetables. Shop for local handicrafts at non-tourist prices and discover a whole range of jungle produce including unique wild ferns, exotic vegetables, and plants.

Bako National Park

Enjoy an approximately 30-minute drive from your hotel to Bako Fishing Village. Upon arrival and registration, embark on a 25-minute longboat ride across the South China Sea to the renowned Bako National Park. Bako National Park is famous for its remarkable variety of ecosystems within a relatively small area. The park features unique forest types including mangrove forests, tropical swamp vegetation, cliff vegetation, and beach vegetation, making it an ideal place for nature walks and exploration. During your visit, keep an eye out for the park’s fascinating wildlife. Among the animals that can often be spotted are the distinctive proboscis monkeys, bearded pigs, silver-leaf monkeys, and a wide variety of bird species. After lunch at the park, board the boat for the return journey to Bako Village. From there, you will be transferred back to your hotel.

Kuching – Kampung Maludam

Depart from your hotel for a scenic coastal journey to Beliong Jetty. Embark on a traditional sampan boat across the Samarahan River to Beliong Island. Along the way, you will notice an interesting blend of Malay, Chinese, and Iban cultures in the villages. Visit a remote temple, fishing villages, and a local market. Continue your journey through Sarawak, through its numerous rivers that includes a 1.48-km bridge and a 2.8-km car ferry. Lunch will be served at a local café along the route. Arrive at Kampong Maludam and check into local accommodation. Explore the Malay fishing village on foot, participate in local pastry-making demonstrations, and enjoy a Malay home-cooked dinner with a local family. Tonight, we will be sleeping in a basic hotel in Maludam.

Kampung Maludam – Betong – Sri Aman

After breakfast, embark on a 2-hour boat journey into Maludam National Park. Observe proboscis monkeys and the rare Red Banded Langurs in their natural habitat. Gain insights into the park’s unique mangrove and peat swamp ecosystems. Travel to Betong (2 hours) and visit a traditional Iban longhouse in Matop. Explore the longhouse, observe century-old skulls and artifacts, and learn about Iban culture and traditions. Continue to Sri Aman (2 hours), the principal town within the Iban heartland, for an overnight stay. This prepares for the journey to a remote longhouse the following day. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. Check into your hotel.

Sri Aman – Banting Longhouse

Embark on a thrilling shallow-draft longboat adventure along a river to the remote Iban villages of Banting - a historically significant area known for its padi farming traditions. Visit the Anglican Church, established in 1859, one of Sarawak’s oldest churches. Observe the daily rhythm of Iban life in these remote longhouses, including a visit to the local primary school that serves only a handful of students. Enjoy a traditional dinner with your longhouse hosts, including tasting the local river shrimp. Experience an authentic overnight stay, sleeping on mattresses on the floor within a host unit, just like the locals.

Banting - Kuching

After breakfast with your longhouse hosts, bid them farewell and return to Lingga by longboat. Upon arrival in Sri Aman, visit Fort Lily, a historical landmark from the Brooke era, offering insights into Sarawak’s colonial past. Begin the overland transfer to Kuching (approximately 5 hours). Enjoy lunch at a local market along the route, savouring regional flavours. Arrive at your city hotel in Kuching at around 3 – 4pm.

Departure

Transfer out to Kuching Airport to catch your flight to your next destination.