DAY 1: KUCHING HOTEL PICK UP AT 7.30 am (July – August), and 7.45 am (September – June)
Visit of Semengok the orang utan wildlife sanctuary: (30 – 35 mins drive) to witness the jungle feeding time at 9.00 am.
After a short coffee stop, drive up to Saloma Villagestay (1hr 15min) for an authentic Bidayuh lunch (all the foods are either grown locally on the family farm or collected/sourced from the jungle/wild).
After lunch/later in the afternoon, we will visit the original Bidayuh village and longhouse to see and experience how the natives live in their habitat, which has been passed down through the generations. Here you will see how bamboo plays an integral part in their lives.
Visit the local ala-resort Christian missionary primary boarding school (St Bernard, Sadir) and also the basket/mat weaver house*.
Back to Saloma Villagestay for dinner & after that your choice to mingle with the locals or have a free and easy time at our ‘surrounded by trees’ balcony.
Night trek (optional due to weather conditions): After dinner, go for a short evening walk to see the small creatures of the night. Fireflies with their blinking lights are always the favorite even among locals. Your choice to mingle with the locals or have a free and easy time at our ‘surrounded by trees’ balcony.
* no obligation to purchase.
DAY 2: HUNTER’S TRAIL TREK
Take an old hunter’s trail trek deep into the jungle accompanied by our indigenous English-speaking guide. You will be shown how the natives set dummy animal traps, (no animals are harmed and hunting is no longer practiced but the knowledge and skills live on in our culture), how they survive in the jungle for days at a time until they are successful with their hunting and can return to the village with their prize. Along the scenic trail, our guide will demonstrate how to identify the local wildlife from their footprints, and explain and point out their habitats.
You will also get to see firsthand the wild flora & fauna and pick up survival tips from the guide. Learn about the wild plants & herbs that you see along the way before heading back to Saloma Villagestay for dinner and mingling with the local villagers.
DAY 3: JUNGLE TREK & BAMBOO COOKING
After breakfast, we will trek through the forest & jungle to the family farm (25 minute hike). Along the way, you will be introduced to the local flora & wild herbs/veggies and their uses. En route, you will have the chance to carry out ‘jungle shopping’, (gathering edible fruits, shoots & leaves to be cooked and consumed at the farmhouse).
You will also see the local varieties of crops planted for local consumption as well as commercial cash crops sold daily by the locals.
At the farmhouse, you will witness & participate in bamboo cooking. All the dishes are prepared and cooked with the specially prepared bamboo utensils. Even our herbal tea is sourced locally from the jungle, cooked in bamboo & served in bamboo cups. These delicacies cannot be found in any restaurant!
You can take a refreshing dip in the cool mountain stream and see the local fish species, assist with the farm work, or just relax in the farmhouse. Trek back to Saloma Villagestay, after dinner we will go for an evening walk to see the creatures of the night, fireflies with their blinking lights are always a favorite, even among the locals. After that, you can laze around with the locals and listen to their stories. For those who want to stay up longer, rice wine & beer is on sale at the village shop.
DAY 4: WATERFALL TREK
After breakfast, we will trek to the waterfall (35 min) walk for a refreshing swim, or just marvel with awe at mother nature’s creation. You will get the chance to listen to the beautiful symphony of the forest & rivers which are just like music to the ears. Here, you will also be introduced to the local flora & wild herbs and their use. If you are lucky and you come at the right time you will get to see the beautiful color of the jungle and blooming wildflowers.
Trek back to Saloma Villagestay for lunch and then drive down to Kuching.
Departure time 2 pm, can be flexible, we may adapt to your needs.