Family Run Homestay in a Bidayuh Tribe

📍 Kuching Hotel to Semenggoh (20km): approx. 45 min Semenggoh to Bidayuh Village (43km): approx. 1.15hrs

This morning at 08.00, meet with the guide at the hotel lobby and depart to The Semenggoh Wildlife Centre of Semenggoh Nature Reserve, 45 minutes ride just outside Kuching. The centre is by far the biggest Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre in Sarawak and was established in 1975.  For over 20 years, the wardens here trained young Orangutans, who had been orphaned or rescued from captivity to learn how to survive in the wild.

At 09:00, Upon arrival proceed to the feeding platform for the first feeding of the day. Take a short 15-minute walk through the rainforest to the feeding platform where the rangers will put fruits out and wait for the semi wild Orangutans to come for their free meal. The semi wild orang utan spend most of their time roaming the forest but frequently come back to the centre during feeding times unless if it’s the forest fruiting season.

At 10:30, leave for a scenic drive passing through rice fields, rubber, cocoa and pepper plantations and into the luxuriant tropical forests, rivers and mountain ranges to reach a Bidayuh village nestled in the valley.

The Bidayuh community known for the architecture of its ‘Baruk’ (traditional house) is the fourth largest ethnic group in Sarawak. The traditional Bidayuh settlement was in the interiors and hillsides to protect themselves from enemies and to get access to fresh water.

Share an authentic lunch with your hosts: Farm to Table - their food is grown locally in the family farm or collected from the jungle. Spending time with the host is the best way to learn more about the family run homestay, their story and indirectly share the efforts to help the community.

After the delicious lunch, it is time to explore the surrounding. Visit the original Bidayuh longhouse at the top of the hill to see and experience how the natives live with traditions which have been passed down through the generations. Here you will see how bamboo plays an integral part in their daily lives. Drop by at the local primary boarding school and mat weaver’s house (no obligation to buy, but a small token will help the local community) for more experiential learning.

After dinner (depending on the weather), take a short walk to catch sight of the ‘bright’ creature of the night - the Fireflies. Their blinking lights are always a favorite, even among the locals.

To end your blissful day, spend the rest of the evening at leisure and have a peaceful slumber.

Inclusions:

🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

After breakfast, take an hour trek through the jungle to the family farm.

Along the way you will be introduced to the local flora and wild herbs/vegetations and learn its numerous purpose and properties. This is the chance to carry out jungle shopping: collecting edible fruits, shoots and leaves to be cooked and consumed at the farmhouse. There are also varieties of crops planted for local consumption or sold for daily sustenance.

At the farmhouse, you are invited to participate in bamboo cooking. All the dishes are prepared and cooked with the handcrafted bamboo utensils. Even the herbal tea is sourced locally from the jungle prepared in a bamboo and served in a bamboo cup...It’s all about Bamboo! These delicacies and experience cannot be found in any restaurant!

After the ‘hard work’ of preparing and having lunch out of the bamboo, it is time to relax in the farm house or you may opt for a refreshing dip in the cool mountain stream. You might be able to see some of the local fish species. If that too is not an option, you can always lend a hand with the farm work.

In the Late afternoon, trek back to the village.

After dinner, take a short night walk or laze around with the locals to listen to their stories or share your experience.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Distances and journey time: Bidayuh Village to Kuching Hotel (63km): approx. 1.30hrs

After breakfast, trek to one of the many waterfalls (35 min) for a refreshing swim or just to marvel at mother nature’s creation. Hear the beautiful symphony of the forest and rivers, which are like music to the ears.

Trek back to the homestay for lunch and get ready for your departure transfer back to Kuching at 2pm.

Your adventure with the Bidayuh tribe may ends here but memories remain.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch