DAY 1: KUCHING HOTEL PICK-UP at 7.30 am (July-August), 7.45 am (September-June)

Drop off at  Semenggoh the Orang Utan wildlife sanctuary (30 min drive) to watch the jungle feeding time: 09.00 am.

Drive up to Saloma Villagestay (1hr 15min) for an authentic Bidayuh lunch*.

After lunch/later in the afternoon, we will visit the original Bidayuh village and longhouse to experience how the natives live and witness traditions that have been passed down through generations. Here you will see how bamboo plays an integral part in their lives.

Visit the local Ala-resort Christian missionary primary boarding school (Sk. St Bernard, Sadir) and also the basket/mat weaver’s house*.

Night walk (optional, weather dependent): After dinner, we will go for a short walk to see the creatures of the night. Fireflies with their blinking lights are always a favourite, even among locals. Afterwards, guests choose to mingling with the locals or free and easy time at our balcony surrounded by trees.

*All the food served is either grown locally on the family farm or collected/sourced from the jungle/wild.

* 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 practised 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 first hand 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 jungle to the family farm (25 mins) hike. Along the way, you will be introduced to the local flora & wild herbs/veggies and their uses.  Enroute 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 favourite, 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 are on sale at the village shop.

   DAY 4: RAINFOREST TREK

Trek & bush-whacking to the tallest mountain in the village called ‘Bung Sibauh’, from the top you can see some of the other nearby villages. Hike through thick, thousands of years old primary rainforest, crossing streams, stopping off for lunch and a swim at the waterfall before reaching the mountaintop and the spectacular views over the rainforest.  Our indigenous English-speaking expert guide will show and explain to you all about the flora & fauna along the way. If you have never been deep into the rainforest, this is your chance to be struck with awe at the majesty of mother nature.

Trek back to Saloma Villagestay for dinner and have a free and easy time or mingling with the locals whom we are sure by now will have become like old friends.

   DAY 5: WATERFALL TREK

After breakfast, we will trek to the waterfall hike (25 min) for a refreshing swim or just to marvel at mother nature’s creation. You will hear the beautiful symphonies of the forest & rivers, which are like music to the ears. Here, you will also be introduced to the local flora, wild herbs, and their various uses.  You will also get to see the beautiful colours of the jungle and blooming wildflowers. 

Trek back to Saloma Villagestay for lunch before returning to Kuching.

The departure time is 1 pm but can be flexible by prior arrangement.