4 Day jungle experience living with the Mentawai Tribe
03 Januari 2024 1894 Admin
What Is This Trip About?
Are you an adventurer looking for a
life-changing experience? Look no further! We offer you a unique opportunity to
explore the wilderness and meet the Mentawai tribe. Discover the local culture
deeply and immerse yourself in a truly authentic experience living with the
Mentawai tribe. We aim to take you away from the hustle and bustle of mass
tourism and offer you a journey that will connect you with the local
community. Join us and create unforgettable memories that will inspire you
for a lifetime.
Trip highlights
- Trip type > Small Group & Private
- Adventure route > Siberut Island, Mentawais
- Characteristic > Culture - Jungle and Local living
- Comfort 2/5
- Price > Please get in touch with us
Note: We would like to inform you that several factors, including the
number of individuals in the group, the season, and the accessibility of remote
villages or jungles determine our trip pricing. As you delve deeper into the
jungle or more remote locations, the trip becomes increasingly challenging and
adventurous, which can increase the cost of transportation, permits, lodging,
and logistical arrangements. However, we pride ourselves on our transparency and
equity in pricing, these remote areas typically require specialized knowledge,
experienced guides, and unique arrangements to ensure the safety and comfort of
our clients. Rest assured that we have the expertise and experience to provide
you with a memorable and safe adventure that is worth every penny.
Strong Point of the Experience
- Immersion and living in the
jungle with the native Mentawai tribe
- Learning about Mentawai
culture, knowledge about nature, traditions, beliefs, and the way of life
with the Mentawai flower men.
- Wilderness of Mentawai
jungle
- Be inspired and get immersed
Trip Summary
Day 1 Padang - Siberut - Mentawai Tribe
06:00 a.m Hotel pick up in Padang and at 07:00 a.m departing to
Siberut island with the Fast Ferry.
Our journey will start from Muara port, Padang City by fast ferry
with a 1-hour stopping/transit in Pokkai, the Northern part of Sibeurt island.
Proceed lunch that we will provide in a local restaurant. Arrival in South
Siberut we will travel straight to our transit village near Siberut is port.
Continue our trip to the jungle by traditional motor canoe. (crossing scenic
jungle river), once we reach the trek point, continue trekking to the Mentawai
clan house and meet the Mentawai shaman and family.
Day 2 - 3: Stay with the
Mentawai family in the jungle, and experience local life Mentawai
During our stay and living traditionally with the Mentawai family
in the jungle, we will engage with their daily life activities and discover the
uniqueness of their culture and way of life. By living traditionally with
the Mentawai family, you will have a chance to experience and witness local
living, follow the activities with them, and participate in their activity such
as: cutting Sago trees, fishing, making poison for hunting, hunting, surviving
in the jungle, etc
Note: This experience will stretch your comfort
zone, it does not always feature the itinerary or there is no fix itinerary in
this trip, but deep dive deeper into local life and culture. sometimes if we
are lucky we can attend/witness some Shamanic rituals ( we will keep updated on
the information about rituals.
Day 4 : Leaving the
remote village - Siberut port - back to Padang
Breakfast
and farewell with our host family, continue trekking back to the river bank and
motor canoe will drive us back to our transit village near Siberut port and
transfer to Mentawai local house. Cleaning your stuff then proceed to lunch and
Leave Siberut at 15:00 by fast ferry, estimate time of arrival in Padang
city at 18:30.
Arrive
in Padang and transfer to your hotel/hostel choice.
Tour end
The Public ferry
schedule from Padang City - Siberut, Mentawai
The Public ferry from
Padang to Siberut only operates 3 times a week every Tuesday -
Thursday and Saturday departing time from Padang at 07:00
a.m. and leaving from Siberut to Padang at 14:35.
Practical Information and Terms & Conditions
ü You have to accept
living in the same conditions as the local community in the remote village,
sleeping in a very rudimentary comfort style on the floor with a mat (floor
mat) with a mosquito net. This applies to nights in the Mentawai jungle.
ü Given the conditions of
poverty and isolated areas, families that accept us to live and spend time with
them, conditions of comfort and cleanliness are more than basic but far from
being guaranteed for "Western standards". In this
case, it is very important and necessary to be able to tolerate this short
inconvenience, to be able to enjoy your full stay and overall experience.
ü Because Mentawai
traditional communities live in remote areas in the jungle forest, access to
these communities is not simple and easy, so the conditions of a trek include
quite a lot of muddy terrain, slippery and uneven ground (sometimes you
have to walk on the log on the muddy ground that Mentawai make and use it as a
bridge to access further route).
ü Please bear in mind
there is no electricity in the Mentawai jungle, charge your camera and phone,
and bring an extra battery.
ü The conditions in this
trip, during which these stays are carried out sometimes felt like
"pain" and required for each participant to have:
· Good mental
preparation
· Great adaptability
· To be well informed
before departure about the culture and ways of life in Mentawai and the jungle. ( the guide will give a little briefing and explain about this
before we start our trip.
ü Because the Sumatra area
is covered with rainforest and located right on the equator, it has a tropical
climate, the weather is hot and humid all year round. The driest season
normally starts from May to early September, although there are sporadic rains
that may occur during this period. Rains are abundant between November and
January. The average temperature is 27 - 33 C degrees in Siberut Island. Be
ready for hot, humid, and hasty conditions.
Good things to know during our immersion stay
ü Be mentally prepared to
rough it out, as many tribes do not have the basic comforts of what Western
standards used to.
ü Give yourself time to connect during our stay.
ü Be your true self while
visiting, show your interest in them, and learn from them.
ü Be present throughout
the experience, they expect you to enjoy your time with them.
ü Please avoid wearing
expensive stuff or accessories like watches, necklaces, bracelets,
or earrings, so as not to attract the attention of the tribe, they may be
tempting and ask you to give to them, so this could be counterproductive and
may even harm your relationships with the community.
ü Ask for their permission
before taking pictures.
Consider spending a few days living with them for an authentic
experience
1. DO NOT assume the tribes
understand your lifestyle
2. DO NOT inflict your
lifestyle and comforts on them
3. DO NOT Try to make them
fit into the outside society (avoid influencing them to any perspective,
ideology, and other daily comforts that are essential to us).
4. DO NOT be judgemental, every tribe has its customs, so be a good observer.
Our Commitment
ü Promoting good practice
to spread the idea of being responsible for traveling Working with expert local
guides and partners to achieve sustainable goals and practices.
ü Bringing benefits to
local communities when it comes to boosting their economic and social standard,
teaching them about the tourism industry, as well as helping local children
with ongoing education.
ü Preserving culture and
nature through eco-tourism responsible travel.
Things to carry
- Small Backpack.
- Trekking pants, T-shirt,
shorts.
- Trekking shoes ( we would
recommend rubber trekking boots ).
- Dry bag ( to protect your
electronic devices, phone, camera, or document ).
- Rain clothes/poncho.
- Personal Utilities
- Mosquito pray.
- Toilet paper.
- Torch, Suncream & Hat,
Socks, Sandals, water shoes.
- Water bottle.
- First Aid and all medications
that you usually take.
Get in Touch With Us
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