Stay with a local Iban tribe in Borneo’s rainforest

If you’re looking for things to do in Sarawak, Borneo – this may be the most culturally engaging journey out there! There are several different indigenous tribes of Borneo, each with its own culture, traditions, food, and customs. The Iban were at one time known as Borneo headhunters (though this has since been abandoned – don’t worry!).

Originally, all the Iban tribes would have lived deep in the Borneo rainforest, though many community groups are now living in more urban areas. Even still, most have maintained their traditional longhouse communal-based homes.

The Iban tribe we visit lives deep in the jungle and is more like a Borneo rainforest lodge (though don’t be mistaken, it’s still very much their home), located on the peak of one of the jungle mountains. If you’d like to experience a Borneo eco-tour during your Malaysia holiday, you can’t get much closer to nature or culture on this experience. Iban culture is famously known for its unique Iban tattoo patterns (reflections of travels and personal journeys they have been on). There is also distinctly Iban traditional food that you can feast upon!

This trip is highly interactive, engaging, and profound, though it is also VERY physically demanding, with some jungle treks taking up to 5 hours (in tropical heat) just to get to and from the homestay. If you feel this sounds like something you’re after during your visit to Malaysia, and you’re wondering what to do in Kuching, then you’ve come to the right place!

We have 3, 4, and 5-day homestay options – each will vary in activities (listed below) depending on your duration and the weather.

Itinerary for your 3, 4, and 5 days Iban Longhouse homestay in Sarawak, Borneo

First Day

Pick-up from the hotel (city center) at 6.30 am
We start the day very early, as it’s going to be a long day ahead! There is a 4-hour drive to the foot of the mountain where we’ll have a quick stop for an early lunch break.

Note: Our luggage will be dropped off at a roadside longhouse. It will be collected by a 4×4 driver to be brought directly to the Iban longhouse village we will be staying at, via a different off-road trail. You will need to keep small bags with the necessary items for the trek (water, raincoat, torchlight).

We will take another 35-minute drive in the minivan to a meeting point. We switch to a 4×4 vehicle for about a 15-minute drive off-road to another longhouse which is the starting point for the trek.

There is an estimated 4-5 hour hike up to the village depending on the group’s fitness and the weather conditions. We will trek on narrow jungle trails through jungle scenery and farms (the views are amazing). We will cross a few shallow rivers (can be as high as up to your knees), so make sure you have shoes that are ok to walk in the water.

We should arrive at the village in the late afternoon, usually right on time for the sunset, which is pretty amazing from up there!

We will have dinner and spend the night in the village.

You will be sleeping in the homes of the villagers (room sharing) on mattresses on the floor. It is the same simple conditions as the villagers. A basic shower (bucket, cold water only) and squatting toilets should be expected.

2 Day / 1 Night camping option

Available on 4 and 5-day options only – the 3-day option, you will spend both nights at the longhouse.

We will eat breakfast at the village, then depart for about a 2.5-hour trek to the campsite. Installation of the camp will be done by your guides and porters. Once settled, we can do some trekking along the river and shop for food (jungle veggies and spearfishing).

You can also go fishing and hunting at night with the villagers. This is not for the faint of heart – it is real hunting, and it is the way that the locals traditionally catch their food. Should you wish to opt out, there is no harm in staying at the campsite (not all people go hunting, don’t do anything you aren’t comfortable with).

Lunch, dinner, and night at the camp.

Note: We provide military hammocks and blankets.

The following morning, there will be breakfast at the camp. Be prepared that sometimes you are served the catch of the night for breakfast, such as a civet ragout BBQ.

There can be some vegetarian options, though this should be specified when you first make your reservation, so adequate preparations can be made.

Dismantlement of the camp will happen and then we trek back to the village for lunch – the trek back can feel a bit longer, as it’s mostly uphill (similar to day 1).

We will have dinner and spend the night in the village.

1-day waterfall trek option

Available on 3 and 5-day options – 5 days can do both camping and waterfall trek options

Trekking to the waterfall is approximately 1.5 hours each way. The beginning is a descent into the jungle towards the flowing rivers. Of course, that means that the return hike is back uphill towards the longhouse. You can spend the early afternoon cooling off and playing in the waterfall. It is a great natural experience to visit a waterfall that very few foreigners have ever seen, yet has been a pristine enjoyment for locals for thousands of years.

Breakfast and dinner at the village – lunch can be brought to the waterfall.

Additional activities

Afternoon activities after returning from the waterfalls or camping.

In the afternoon, it could be possible to visit the Iban hosts’ farms (you can help to collect peppercorns), help your host family prepare dinner, or have craft time with the skillful ladies at the village, learning how to make their traditional baskets. These are all optional, and dependent on what the villagers are doing that day (we won’t have them perform for us, but rather include us in their activities, which they are already doing naturally). You can opt in or out of any of these activities, or just spend your time socializing, chatting, relaxing, reading, or generally just detoxing from the digital world back home.

Final Day

After breakfast, it’s a trek down the mountain (2 options for trails, from a 3-hour walk to 5 hours).

We are met by the minivan at the bottom of the mountain to start the journey back to Kuching. We will stop for a late lunch at the same local restaurant that we stopped at on the first day and then continue the drive back to Kuching.

Estimated arrival in the late afternoon or early evening. It is best to have a hotel in Kuching that night when you arrive, as travel times can vary, and we wouldn’t want you to miss your connecting flight or bus.

In case you are too tired and don’t want to go down the mountain on foot, you can opt to be taken by 4×4 – the same one that carries our bags up. It will be available depending on the weather because it is too dangerous if there is heavy rain. The road gets very slippery in the off-road mud. Should you take this option, it will be an additional Rm50 per person (to pay cash to the driver) and is about a 2.5hrs drive (almost the same as the hike).

Note: We advise you not to plan a departure flight on the same day as you are leaving. If necessary, make sure it’s the latest one possible, as we never really know exactly what time we’ll be back. Much of our arrival time is dependent on weather conditions, the physical conditions of those in your private group, and traffic/construction conditions on the highway back to Kuching. Make sure you have a hotel booked for that night too.

Best time to visit Borneo

Any time is a great time to visit Borneo!! However, between the months of March and October, it is considered the dry season so this is the best time to visit Borneo if you want to stay mostly dry. It will be hot and humid throughout, with temperatures rising towards the end of the season before the rains come.

What to bring:

– Trekking shoes/water shoes (optional, but helpful for walking in rocky rivers)
– changes of clothes and toiletries
– swimsuit
– towel
– torchlight/flashlight
– light sleeping bag or linen (not necessary, though if you prefer to have your own)
– basic personal medication (+ sun cream, mosquito repellent)
– hat and sunglasses
– raincoat (or umbrella)
– high socks (in case of rain – leeches come out to play – they’re harmless but annoying)

What is included in your Longhouse Experience in Borneo?

Your Iban Homestay Journey includes:

– Information provided before your experience to educate you and properly prepare you
– A specially trained and licensed English-speaking mountain guide who will facilitate your experience
– Pick-up and drop-off transfers to your hotel (must be located in Kuching) to the trekking start point.
– Lunch and dinner on day 1
– Breakfast, lunch, and dinner on each full day
– Breakfast and lunch on the final day
– 4×4 transfer on day 1 available
– 4×4 transfer return for luggage on the first and last day to and from the village
– Longhouse accommodation on a shared room basis
– Camping equipment (hammock and blankets)
– Porters for the camping equipment
– Contribution to the village maintenance (SMK Siba)

What is not included in your Eco Experience in Kuching?

– Travel Medical Insurance (Compulsory, or a signed liability waiver)
– International flights or transportation to/from the itinerary’s start point
– Accommodation in Kuching before & after the tour (we suggest one night on each end – try Agoda for the best hotel rates in Asia)
– Activities not listed in the itinerary
– Meals not listed in the itinerary
– Gratuities and tips
– All drinks
– Spending Money

Need a place to stay in Kuching?

Whether you’re joining us for an immersive Iban Longhouse experience or exploring Borneo independently — like visiting the Semenggoh Orangutan Sanctuary or trekking through Bako National Park — having a comfortable home base in Kuching is a smart move. Most of our tribal experiences start and end in the city, so having a hotel booked for both the night before and after your tour is highly recommended. After spending a few days deep in the jungle, a soft bed, hot shower, and air conditioning can feel especially rewarding.

We’ve created an interactive map below to help you compare hotel options in Kuching — from budget-friendly spots to more upscale comfort. You can input your travel dates and number of guests to see real-time listings from sites like Booking.com, Hotels.com, Agoda, and more.

Kuching itself is easygoing and welcoming — your hotel doesn’t need to be rugged, even if your rainforest adventure will be. Make your return to civilization a comfortable one.

Please double-check the currency displayed, as it may vary depending on your device settings or the website you’re viewing.

Supporting Local Projects with our TRiP Foundation

For every TRiP that you go on with WSE Travel, we will donate 2% to an environmental or community-based project in the country you’re visiting. We want to ensure that every guest we help, in turn, supports and preserves the destination we’re experiencing together as a direct result. We live by an ethos to Travel Responsibly & Impact Positively (TRiP).

For more information on the projects this experience supports, please visit our Malaysia TRIP projects.

Cancellation & Rebooking Policy

All tours, services, and experiences booked through WSE Travel are bound to our Terms and Conditions, which were modeled after most other travel services such as flights, hotels, and other tour operators.

At Where Sidewalks End, your reservation is more than a transaction — it’s a direct contract with local professionals who rely on this work as a primary source of income. As such, we are obligated to honor the livelihoods of our local partners — including guides, Ajarns (masters), and drivers — who dedicate their time exclusively to your experience.

In many of the destinations where we operate, labor protections and fair wage commitments are upheld by local laws — and we are both ethically and contractually required to adhere to them. Once a booking is confirmed, the service providers committed to your experience are financially compensated for reserving their time — even in the event of cancellation. This ensures fair and dignified treatment for all involved in delivering your experience.

If You Need to Cancel or Reschedule

All bookings are subject to the following terms:

More than 14 Days’ Notice

Your payment will be placed into a Lifetime Deposit (Safety Deposit Box). This can be:

• Used for a future date
• Transferred to a friend or family member

Refunds are not available unless WSE Travel cancels your booking due to reasons beyond your control.

7–14 Days’ Notice

A 50% rebooking fee will apply. This helps offset the compensation obligations to your dedicated team of local guides and service providers, who have reserved their day exclusively for your private tour and may not be able to secure alternate work with us or others on short notice.

Less than 7 Days’ Notice

The full cost of the tour is retained to pay the locals contracted in full. As this is a private experience, your local team’s time is fully dedicated to your session. A new team will be hired for any future rebooking.

These policies are a compassionate extension of our official Terms & Conditions, designed to support both our guests and the ethical standards of responsible tourism.

Travel Insurance or Liability Waiver Required

Because life can be unpredictable — and because we are required to uphold our commitments to local partners — all guests must either:

• Provide proof of comprehensive travel insurance, or
• Sign a Liability Waiver Form at the start of their trip

We highly recommend SafetyWing Nomad Insurance — trusted by global travelers for its flexible, affordable coverage and very competitive rates.

Travel insurance can help protect you from financial losses related to:

• Illness
• Missed flights
• Emergency cancellations
• Non-refundable bookings

If you choose to travel without Travel Insurance, you will be required to fill out a Liability Waiver Form at the beginning of your trip. 

Thank You for Traveling Responsibly

We deeply appreciate your understanding and support of ethical tourism. Your booking directly sustains local communities and helps preserve cultural traditions in a meaningful and lasting way.

If you have any questions or need help rescheduling, please contact us — we’re always happy to assist.