Discover the mystical traditions and history of Sarawak from its city Kuching to remote Batang Ai. Get to know all about the traditional lives of the friendly Iban people living in longhouses and be entertained with dances and ancient hunting methods.
Itinerary
📍 Distances and journey time: Kuching International Airport to Hotel Kuching: (12km) 30mins Kuching City walking Tour: 4 hours
On arrival at Kuching airport meet the local guide and driver and be transferred to the hotel for check-in and freshen up before an afternoon of seeing the sites of Kuching.
Discover Kuching, a veritable treasure trove of historical buildings and remarkable stories concentrated around the south bank of the waterfront.
At 15:00 meet the guide and wander the streets of this quaint town learning about history and traditions.
Start your walk exploring India Street, flanked by century colourful shop houses. Follow a narrow passageway and discover a hidden small Indian Mosque.
Next stop is the Old Kuching Courthouse, the first Brooke era administrative building, The Pavillion, originally used as a medical headquarter. Take a photo at the Square Tower, served as a maximum security detention centre and later a dancing hall used by the Brooke’s officers.
Take a short walk at Main Bazaar, one of the oldest streets and observe the antiques and handicrafts outlets found here.
Make an offering at a 175-year-old temple, Tua Pek Kong Temple a singular Chinese temple and its dominant dragon. Continue with the Old Chinese Court, used by the Chinese community, today a Chinese History Museum.
The history of modern Sarawak began when the English adventurer James Brooke sailed up the Sarawak river in his schooner in 1839. Retrace this historic route with a sampan (traditional boat) ride down this same river which still bustles with its charm and enjoy some local snacks during the cruise.
Across the river enjoy 360’ panoramic views of Kuching and the historical landmarks. See the Astana, a romantic structure built by the Rajah Charles Brooke as a gift to his beloved wife, the Ranee Margeret and Fort Margherita, the ideal sentry point for the settlement. All set against a background of picturesque Malay Villages and distant mountains.
Your experience ends after the sunset. Return to your hotel or continue independently exploring Kuching.
Inclusions:
📍 Distances and journey time: Kuching Hotel to Semenggoh Transfer (20km): 40 mins Semenggog to Sri Aman (180km): 3h30 minutes
Depart at 08:00 and drive to Semenggoh Wildlife Centre. Occupying an area of 740 acres, the Rehabilitation Centre is a temporary home for displaced orangutans that have been rescued from captivity and young orphaned primates. You will arrive just in time to observe these beautiful animals during their morning feeding session.
From here journey though rural Sarawak passing lush green rice paddies, pepper plantations and local villages.
Stop at the tiny town of Lachau and join the locals for lunch in a small eatery
Continue to Sri Aman for check in
The rest of the day is at leisure.
Overnight in Sri Aman.
Inclusions:
☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch
📍 Sri Aman Town – Batang Ai Jetty (90km) 1h30min Batang Ai Jetty - Sri Aman Town (90km): 1h30min
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast in the morning and then depart for a visit to Batang Ai Longhouse – an authentic dwelling of the local Iban people who were once feared for head-hunting practices (don’t worry, it’s a tradition that is no longer in practise!).
Explore the longhouse and learn about the lifestyle of these friendly natives whose lives are perfectly intertwined with nature. Witness a traditional dance (ngajat), a cockfight and demonstrations on the use of a blowpipe – an ancient hunting weapon of the natives that spew poisonous darts with deadly accuracy. Afterwards, enjoy lunch and then return to the hotel in the early afternoon.
Overnight in Sri Aman
Inclusions:
☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch
📍 Distances and journey time: Sri Aman Town – Kuching town (200km) 3h30min
After breakfast embark on an overland journey back to the city of Kuching Airport/Hotel.
Inclusions:
☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch
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