Mentawai Tribe Tour
- 5 Days
- Tribes
Challenging
The Mentawai tribe tour offers a unique opportunity to experience the rich culture and traditions of one of the most isolated indigenous communities in Indonesia. The tour program provides a range of experiences, from learning about the tribe’s traditional medicine and spiritual practices to participating in their daily life activities. The Mentawai Tribe is an indigenous community that inhabits the Mentawai Islands off the coast of Sumatra, Indonesia. Their way of life is unique and deeply rooted in their culture and traditions.
The Mentawai tour is a challenging trek that will take you far from the tourist trails. Deep within their jungles, indigenous people live close to nature. A people in transition, these uncomplicated rainforest dwellers are struggling to maintain their traditional lifestyle against the paradoxes of modernization. This trek is only recommended if you are prepared to accept very basic and often uncomfortable conditions.
Mentawai Tribe Facts
The Mentawai tribe is known for its distinctive way of life and its traditional practices, which have been passed down through generations. They are known for their unique culture, which is characterized by their beliefs, customs, and traditions. They have a strong belief in animism, where they believe that everything in the world has a spirit, including animals, plants, and even inanimate objects.
The Mentawai people also have a rich tradition of tattooing, which is considered a sacred art form. Their tattoos represent different aspects of their culture, including their beliefs, social status, and spiritual connections. The Mentawai people also have a unique system of traditional medicine, which is based on the use of natural remedies and treatments. This system is still used by the Mentawai people today and is considered an important part of their culture. The Mentawai tribe is a fascinating community with a rich cultural heritage that is worth exploring and learning about.
One of the most interesting items in their traditional diet is the sago worm, which is a type of larvae found in sago palm trees. In the Mentawai tribe, the sago worm (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus) is considered not just a source of protein but also a cultural icon. The tribe has a long history of consuming sago worms, which is a common practice during special occasions such as weddings, funerals, and harvest festivals.
On Arrival in Padang, meet our guide and direct transfer to hotel for overnight.
(Fast Boat Schedule : Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday)
Morning transfer about 06:00 to Muara Harbor for boarding at 07:00 AM in the morning, sailing to Muara Siberut. Breakfast box provided. Arrival at Muara Siberut after boating about 03 Hours 15 minutes (direct fast boating) or if transit in Sakabulian after 4 hours in the boat then 1 hour waiting for loading more passengers before continue abpout more or less 2 hours to Muara Siberut. depend on the waves and other sea circumstances. Upon arrival in Muara Siberut collecting our luggage as well as our equipment and assisting by our local team transfer by public Non AC car to the harbor while all of us only carrying our day pack and valuable things with us while other stuffs go straight to the harbor. While our local team making report to police station and we prepare your lunch at the the local house village, then walk to the harbor about 5 minutes for boating by small motorized wooden boat about more or less 2 hours to reach the Mentawai tribe land .The journey could be longer or shorter depend on the depth of water as well as the current in the river. Upon arrival at the Mentawai Village land, we offboard the canoe and manage our luggage and equipment. Our porters will be ready to help us to catry out our stuffs and together with us walking to the Uma Mentaia traditional house passing the muddy, slippery single logs, sago tree plantation, jungle trek. Upon arrival at Local House, set our bedding while preparing the dinner at Local house. Stay overnight at local house.
After having breakfast exploring the daily activities of Mentawai Tribe such as: search of Sago worm or making sago powder (as the main food of Mentawaian Tribe) or fishing or traditional loin cloths process.
After having breakfast exploring the daily activities of Mentawai Tribe such as: search of Sago worm or making sago powder (as the main food of Mentawaian Tribe) or fishing or traditional loin cloths process. Finally evening see and join the traditional dances of Mentawai during the ceremonies in the evening.
TUESDAY. After breakfast we go to Muara Harbor by small boat and sailing back to Padang at 3 PM (15.00) about 3 - 3,5 hours. Arrive in Padang, transfer to your hotel in Padang for overnight stay.
- Tour & Transfer as mentioned in the program
- Air Conditioned Vehicle
- English Speaking Guide
- Accommodation during trip
- Entrance Fee at object visited
- Activities as mentioned in the program
- Meals as stated in the program (B= Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
- International or Domestic airline tickets and airport tax
- Tipping, gratuities and other expenses.
- Personal Expenses (Extra meals, Beverages, laundry, phone call, Etc)
- Optional Services requests
