4 Day jungle experience living with the Mentawai Tribe
03 Januari 2024 5903 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 in depth and immerse yourself in a truly authentic experience by living with the Mentawai tribe. We aim to transport you away from the hustle and bustle of mass tourism, offering a journey that connects you with the local community. Join us and create unforgettable memories that will inspire you for a lifetime.
What to expect during this trip
- Meet the Mentawai shaman (“Sikerei”), learning about their unique culture and their way of life in the forest.
- Having a real cultural experience by living with the Mentawai tribe family
- Engage in activity with the tribe family daily, and immerse yourself in different cultures and lifestyles
- Explore the jungle of Siberut
Trip highlights
- Trip type > Small Group & Private
- Adventure route > Siberut Island, Mentawais
- Characteristic > Culture - Jungle and Local living
- Comfort 2/5
- Price starts from 255 euros/person. Contact us if you wish to join a small group or go on a private
- Next trip 11th to 14th of October 2025
- Pricing information: 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 give you a memorable and safe adventure worth every penny.
Trip Summary
Day 1 Padang - Siberut - Mentawai Tribe
06:00 a.m Hotel pick up in Padang, and at 07:00 a.m. departing for
Siberut Island with the Fast Ferry.
Our journey will start from Muara port, Padang City, by fast ferry
with a 1-hour stopover/transit in Pokkai, the Northern part of Siberut Island.
Proceed with lunch, which we will provide at a local restaurant. Upon arrival in South
Siberut, we will travel to our transit village near the Siberut 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 in Mentawai
While living traditionally with the Mentawai family in the jungle, we will engage with their daily 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 fixed itinerary in
this trip, but a deep dive 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 riverbank, and a motor canoe will drive us back to our transit village near Siberut port, and
transfer to the Mentawai local house. Cleaning your stuff, then proceed to lunch, and
leave Siberut at 15:00 by fast ferry, estimated 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 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 that 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 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 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, and 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 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 to which Western
standards are used.
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
tempted 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.
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.
Guidelines for a
Meaningful & Respectful Experience
🚫 Do not assume
that the tribes understand or relate to your lifestyle.
🚫 Do not impose
your comforts or habits on them.
🚫 Do not try to
integrate them into outside society—respect their customs and avoid
influencing them with external ideologies or conveniences.
🚫 Do not be
judgmental—every tribe has its traditions and beliefs. Be a respectful
observer and embrace the differences with an open mind. This experience is
about mutual respect, learning, and cultural exchange. Approach it with
humility, curiosity, and an open heart.
Essential Packing List
ü Small backpack (lightweight
and comfortable for trekking)
ü Trekking attire (breathable
pants, T-shirts, and shorts)
ü Trekking shoes (we will
provide rubber trekking boots recommended for muddy terrain, size available 38
up to 43 EU)
ü Dry bag (to protect electronics,
documents, phone, and camera)
ü Rain gear (raincoat or
poncho for unexpected showers)
ü Personal hygiene essentials
ü Mosquito repellent
ü Toilet paper (as it may
not always be available)
ü Flashlight/headlamp, sunscreen, hat, socks, sandals, and water
shoes
ü Reusable water bottle (to stay
hydrated and minimize plastic waste)
ü First aid kit and personal medications
ü Power bank
Get in Touch With Us
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