Meet the Mentawai

10 DAYS / 9 NIGHTS

Ethnic travel. Adventure in Siberut to meet the Mentawai Tribe. The Mentawai tribe still maintains the lifestyle and traditions passed down from their ancestors from thousands of years ago. They live in houses locally called ‘uma’, made from wooden scaffolds which house contains several families each. Over the days, you will attend the rituals that punctuate the life of the community and you will discover their daily life: their animist beliefs, tattoo art, symbolism, bow hunting to try and find a boar, preparation of sago…A real life experience.

Arrival flight: Padang

Departure flight: Padang

DAY 1: PADANG – MUARA SIBERUT

At the apropriate time, proceed to the harbor to board on a small passenger ferry for about a 9 - 11 hours’ cruise to Muara Siberut; the administrative center located on the southern part of Siberut Island; one of the large inhabited island of Mentawai Archipelago where the people who live here retain many stone age traditions that are exceptionally archaic but nevertheless remarkably complex. Dinner-box will be provided on board. Overnight berth is in simple cabin on board, where the cabin has bunks without bedding for strecthing out.

Meals included:  Dinner-box on board

DAY 2: MUARA SIBERUT – NATIVE’S VILLAGE

Early in morning arriving at Muara Siberut. After getting permit from the local government, start trekking inland to some of the Mentawai villages to get much more than a glimpse of the older culture, which is virtually unaffected by Hindu, Buddhist and Islamic cultural influences, by motorized longboat upriver to Rorogot or Madobak. Then, proceed walking to Sekalio or to Bat Nusa for about 3,5 hours. Overnight and dinner at UMA; a kind of native’s long house in Bat Nusa or Sekalelo.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

DAYS 3 – 4- 5 -6- 7: EXPLORING THE NATIVE’S ACTIVITIES (2 / 3 DIFFERENT VILLAGE) 

After having breakfast, exploring daily activities of Native’s Mentawai Tribe. The inhabitants live off the land cultivating sago, yams, tubers and bananas. They also raise chikens and pigs. The men pound the marrow of the sago palm to obtain flour, while women plant taro and bananas.  Also a chance to see the sago stands joining the local to process the sago, and the incisors chiseled to a point, making bow & arrow and etc. Overnight and dinner at neighboring’s UMA.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

DAY 8: EXPLORING THE NATIVE’S ACTIVITIES – MACILOK  BEACH

Breakfast at the UMA. Another chance to re-explore the activities at own leisure with the Native. Lunch is served enroute. at the evening we will perform dance of Mentawai, which is ceremonially dedicated to specially entertain and placate the spirits as well as a to timely explore more of natives’ way of life and culture. Then transfer to Macilok Plage to relax.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

DAY 9: MACILOK BEACH – MUARA SIBERUT – PADANG

Breakfast . At the appropriate time, return to Muara Siberut transfer to the harbor to board on a small passenger ferry cruising back to Padang.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

DAY 10: PADANG – OUT

Upon arrival in Padang, drive to the hotel for a brief respite. At the appropriate time, transfer to the airport to catch the flight of onward destination.

Meals included: Breakfast

Note: All of our itineraries can be tailored to your requirements, allowing us to create the perfect trip Mentawai  just for you. Contact us with your holiday ideas and we’ll start planning your unique personalized trip!