SARAWAK TOURS

Batang Ai Longhouse and Orang-utan Search

Tour Code: BAI9

Duration - 3 Days/2 Nights

Day 1

Depart Batang Ai Resort with your guide by longboat in the early morning, and ride across Batang Ai Lake. The lake is quite large, so it will take nearly an hour until you reach the Ai River. Very soon you will be shooting up choppy rapids. as the river narrows under overhanging trees. The trip to the National Park Headquarters takes about an hour, depending on the water level in the river. Register at the Batang Ai National Park Headquarters. Meet your park ranger and start hiking on one of the National Park trails in search of wildlife. You can expect to walk for about 2 to 3 hours. The park is home to Orang-utans and gibbons, and hornbills, although these are not easily encountered in the area.

Picnic lunch en route with an opportunity to swim in the refreshing waters of the river. You will then be picked up by the longboat at the end of the trail and continue down river to the longhouse jetty. From here it is a 30-minute walk to the longhouse through forest and Iban farmland. At Menyang Tais Longhouse - one of the traditional Iban longhouses to be found in the area - you will be the guest of the village chief (Tuai Rumah). You will spend the next two nights here. In the evening, a jungle repast followed with entertainment, Iban style. Overnight in the longhouse. [includes lunch and dinner]

View over Batang Ai Reservoir from
Menyang Tais Longhouse

Day 2

Early breakfast at Menyang Tais Longhouse. Afterwards, hike the jungle trails to Bukit Empeliau. Your destination is Tinting Kara - the lush forest where the Orang-utan are often found (unfortunately, this cannot be guaranteed, as they are, afterall, wild animals). Explore the rainforest and have lunch en route. Return to the longhouse mid-afternoon. Overnight in the longhouse. [includes breakfast, lunch and dinner]

Day 3

After breakfast at the longhouse you will spend a little time around the longhouse before heading back to Batang Ai Resort. Reach the resort by lunch time. The lunch time arrival allows you to take the afternoon shuttle bus from the resort back to Kuching if you wish, or alternatively, spend an additional night at Batang Ai Resort. (Breakfast included)

Note : This tour involves some long and reasonably hard trekking. It is not a stroll in the park. The longhouse facilities are basic, and you will be sharing with the people in the longhouse. Facilities are basic and include "dip and splash" bathroom facilities, partitioned sleeping areas on raised platforms with mattresses and mosquito nets.

Tour Code	Destination	Duration	Inclusions	1 Person	2 People	3 People
BAI9	Batang Ai Langhouse and Orang-utan Search	3 days/2 night	Full Board	$1170	$585	$585

Prices per person in Australian Dollars and valid to 31 December 2010

Photographs courtesy of Phil Youdale