Remote Tribes of Sumatra | 6 Days Mentawai Expedition

The Mentawai Islands lie off the west coast of Sumatra. They are known for surfing, and for the Mentawai people, one of the most isolated communities in Indonesia, who have kept their traditional way of life for centuries. This expedition takes you to them.

The Mentawai people follow animism, which is unique to Sumatra. They believe that everything in nature has a spiritual presence and aim to live peacefully alongside their natural surroundings. Keeping traditions passed down for generations, they live in communal wooden houses called ‘Uma’, where several families reside together.

You join the daily work of the community: river fishing, canoeing, jungle walks, preparing sago, feeding the pigs, making clothing, and preparing arrow poison.

Trip Itinerary

DAY-01: PADANG – SIBERUT – BAT OBAY / BAT ROROGOT

At appointed time, the driver will pick you up at the hotel and then transfer to harbor to catch fast boat to Muara Siberut, fast boat leaving at 07.00. This ferry will stop at Sikabaluan and continue to Siberut. Upon arrival in Siberut around 13.00, meet with our guide, prepare and report to authority for trekking, continue by local motorized-canoe in the River, stay in Bat Obay / Bat Rorogot.

DAY-02: EXPLORING THE NATIVE’S ACTIVITIES IN BAT OBAI / ROROGOT

Wake up for a bath in the river. After having breakfast, explore the daily activities of the Native’s Mentawai, such as making loincloth, fishing, making tattoos, and other daily activities of the Mentawai tribe.

DAY-03: BAT OBAI / ROROGOT – BUTUI

After Breakfast In the morning, continue your trip to Butui by local motorized canoe; it will take about 3–4 hours. Upon arrival at Butui village, stay at the traditional house of Mentawai called “Uma.”.

DAY-04: EXPLORING THE NATIVE’S ACTIVITIES IN BUTUI

After breakfast in the morning, prepare to explore the Native’s Mentawai activities, you will see how the Mentawai making poisoned arrow for hunting and then go for hunting in the jungle with some Mentawai hunters. After hunting you will see how they make Sago (main food of Mentawai) and search for Sago worm. See also how to make traditional medicine. In the evening, you can watch traditional dance of Mentawai, and also it is possible to arrange a pig fest (Traditional dance and pig fest are optional).

DAY-05: BUTUI – MUNTEI

After breakfast, you still have time to enjoy and see the activities of Mentawai. Then prepare your bags as we will leave to Muntei village by traditional motorized-canoe. On the way stop at Kulukubuk to visit waterfall in the forest, you can swim at the plunge pool. Then return to the river to continue your trip to Muntei village. Arrival at Muntei village, transfer to traditional house of Mentawai or to guest house for overnight.

DAY-06: MUNTEI – MUARA SIBERUT – PADANG

After breakfast, have some free time at your own leisure or explore the village. At noon, transfer to Muara Siberut to catch fast ferry to Padang. Arrive in late afternoon in Padang. Our driver will pick you up and transfer to your hotel. END OF SERVICES.

Notes:

For the Mentawai trip, the program must follow the fast ferry schedule between Padang and Siberut, which operates only on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. The ferry departs from Padang at around 07:00 AM, so you will need to arrive one day earlier and stay one night in Padang before departing for Siberut/Mentawai.

Upon returning from Siberut, the ferry arrives in Padang at around 18:30 PM, so another night in Padang is required.

Note that there are no hotels on Mentawai. You sleep in a traditional family house called an “Uma”, which is very basic.

Pricing

Group size	2 to 3	4 to 5	6 to 9	10 and more
Price per person	USD 903	USD 725	USD 705	USD 667

What’s Included

Meals as specified in the Itinerary, all food brought from Padang, along the journey on the island the food is carried by porters and cooked by Guide and helped by his crew.
Return transfers from hotel to harbor by car.
Transfer Padang – Siberut by regular fast ferry vice-versa.
Transfer Siberut – Villages through river by motorized-canoe vice-versa.
⁠Accommodation in the jungle at the local house (UMA)
Licensed English & Mentawai speaking guide.
Stay in UMA (Mentawai traditional house) with thin mattrass and mosquito-net.

What’s Excluded

Domestic / International flights.
Accommodation and meals in Padang
Visa
Travel Insurance
Professional camera and / or video camera fees
Soft drinks, juices and alcohol
Personal expenses such as: tip to the guide and / or driver, laundry, phone calls, alcoholic drinks.
Extra expenses occurred due to causes beyond our control (force majeure) such as cancellations of flights, natural disasters, diseases, etc.
The expenses which might appear due to changed program
Any extra expenses caused by delay or cancellation of the Fast boat

Best Time to Visit Mentawai Islands

The best time to visit the Mentawai Islands for a tribe expedition is during the dry season from March to October. This period offers more stable weather, making it easier to travel and explore. To get to the Mentawai Islands, start by traveling to Padang, the capital of West Sumatra, Indonesia. From there, you can take a ferry (10-12 hours) or a speedboat (3-4 hours) to reach the islands.

Important Notice: This expedition is for people who want a genuine experience on remote islands. Conditions are basic: no phone signal, no proper toilets, and you sleep in traditional houses in the jungle. There is nothing luxurious about it. That is what the trip is.

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