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 Summary
Day 1: Journey from Padang to the Mentawai Tribe
06:00 AM – Hotel Pick-Up in Padang. Your adventure begins with an early morning hotel pick-up in Padang. 07:00 AM – Fast Ferry to Siberut Island Depart from Muara Port, Padang, on a fast ferry to Siberut Island. Along the way, we will have a one-hour stop in Pokkai, located in the northern part of Siberut Island, we’ll proceed to a local restaurant for a traditional lunch before continuing our journey.
After arriving in South Siberut from the port, we travel to a nearby transit village before embarking on a scenic river journey by traditional motorized canoe, crossing lush jungle landscapes. Upon reaching the trekking point, we continue on foot through the rainforest to the Mentawai clan house. You will be expected to trek through some swampy jungle areas with mud, where you will meet the Mentawai shaman and his family, gaining an intimate insight into their ancient traditions and way of life.
Day 2 to 3: Stay with the Mentawai family in the jungle, and experience local life in Mentawai
While living traditionally with a Mentawai family in the jungle, you will fully immerse yourself in their daily life, gaining a deep understanding of their unique culture, traditions, and way of living. This experience offers a rare opportunity to not only witness but actively participate in their daily activities, including:
• Cutting sago trees and processing them into food
• Fishing using traditional methods
• Preparing and making poison for hunting
• Hunting and learning survival skills in the jungle
• Scouting the jungle and setting traps for animals
• Gathering food from the forest
This hands-on experience provides an authentic and unforgettable insight into the resilience and wisdom of the Mentawai people, connecting you to their ancestral way of life.
Day 4: Leaving the remote village - Siberut port - back to Padang
Start the day with breakfast and a farewell to your Mentawai host family. We trek back to the riverbank, where a motorized canoe will take us to our transit village near Siberut Port. Upon arrival, we will transfer to a local Mentawai house to freshen up and organize our belongings. Transfer to the ferry’s port and lunch at the local restaurant before departing Siberut at 2:40 PM on the fast ferry. Estimated arrival in Padang is 6:30 PM, where you will be transferred to your chosen hotel or hostel, concluding your unforgettable Mentawai adventure. Tour end