7 Days encounter the Mentawai tribe
What is the trip about
Have you ever wanted to get off-grid? Experience an immersive experience in Sumatra. Join us on a journey to the Mentawai Tribe, you'll go off-grid and learn to live as they do. You'll see their way of life and culture, and get up close and personal with the Mentawai shaman who lives in the remote jungle of Siberut. Meet the Mentawai people in the heart of Jungle Siberut, One of our most unique offerings is residing with a Mentawai family as part of your travel experience. Discover this mysterious person, share daily life, joining different families in their Uma (traditional house) through the forest ( by motor canoe and trek You'll share their home, to gain insight into their culture.
A. What to Expect
1. Meet the Mentawai Shaman (Sikerei)
Gain firsthand insights into the spiritual practices of the Sikerei, a key figure in the Mentawai community. Learn about their role as healers and custodians of tradition, and discover their deep connection to the natural world.
2. Live with a Mentawai Family
Experience true cultural immersion by staying with a Mentawai family. Share their home, daily routines, and meals, gaining a deeper understanding of their unique way of life.
3. Participate in Daily Tribal Activities
Engage in traditional activities like food gathering, weaving, and jungle trekking. Learn how the Mentawai people live sustainably off the land, using natural resources for everything from tools to medicine.
4. Explore the Siberut Jungle
Trek through dense, biodiverse rainforest, home to unique flora and fauna. This journey also offers opportunities to learn jungle survival techniques, such as making traps and identifying edible plants.
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Trip Summary
Note: This experience will stretch your comfort zone, it does not always feature the itinerary or the tourist highlights, there is no fixed itinerary in this trip, but deep dive deeper into local life and culture. Sometimes if we are lucky we can attend/witness some Shamanic rituals ( we will keep you updated with the information about rituals).
Day 1 : Padang city - Siberut Island – Tribe stay
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06:30 a.m : Hotel pick up in Padang
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07:00 a.m : Departing to Siberut Island with the Fast Ferry
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11:00 a.m: Arrive in North Siberut ( Pokkai ) and transit for 1 h ( loading on/off goods and passager, during this transit we will have lunch at the local restaurant
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Noon: Continue to South Siberut with the same ferry
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13:50: Arrival in South Siberut ( our destination )
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14:20: Travel straight to the local village / Rokdok village by Minivan or
pick up -
15:20: Arriving in Rokdok village, loading our stuff, and take the motor
canoe -
15:30: Crossing the Siberut jungle river heading to the Butui Jungle area
( about 2.5 h ) -
17:30: Arrival at our trek point and trek to the Mentawai tribe family ( 2,5 km )
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18:20: Arrive in Mentawai traditional house, meet and greet with the Mentawai family, and Evening
Days 2–4: Immersive Living with the Mentawai Tribe (Rereiket Jungle Area)
​Dive into the everyday life of the Mentawai people as they welcome you into their community. Activities may include:
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Participating in daily life: Assist with food preparation, learn traditional cooking methods, and engage in meaningful conversations.
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Cultural immersion: Witness or prepare for sacred shamanic rituals, including gathering magical leaves and herbs used in ceremonies.
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Learning from the tribe: Discover jungle survival techniques, such as setting traps for wild game and crafting traditional tools.
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Asking and sharing: The Mentawai are open to discussing their culture, traditions, and way of life—an opportunity for deep connection and learning.
Note: If there is any rituals are subject to the tribe's schedule and cultural practices; updates will be provided during the trip.
Day 4 Move to the different jungle area/ remote village “Rorogot”
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Breakfast
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08:00 a.m trekking back to the bank river
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Take the canoe down the river for 2,5 hours, once we reach our transit village/government settlement
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Trekking to Rorogot jungle area ( 4 k.m )
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Arrive in the Rorogot Jungle area, meet and greet with the Mentawai family
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Dinner and evening with the Mentawai family
Day 5 - 6 Living with the Mentawai family in the Rorogot jungle area
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Immerse yourself in the traditions of the Mentawai people as you live with your host family. Activities include:
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Cultural learning: Discuss traditions, rituals, and the history of the Mentawai with the shamans.
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Skill-building:
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Set traps for wild boar and deer.
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Learn to weave baskets, trays, and bags from rattan and leaves, essential tools in daily jungle life.
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Craft and prepare a Mentawai bow and arrow, including making traditional poison for hunting.
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Deeper engagement: Ask questions and share experiences with the family for a truly enriching cultural exchange.
Day 7: Farewell to the Jungle – Return to Padang
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8:30 AM: Depart the remote village, trekking back to the riverbank.
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Canoe ride: Glide down the river (1.5 hours) to Siberut town.
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Lunch: Enjoy a local meal at a restaurant near the harbor.
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Afternoon: Board the ferry back to Padang.
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6:50 PM: Arrive in Padang, marking the end of your incredible Mentawai adventure.
Tour End​
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Practical Information
Terms and Conditions
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You have to accept living in the same conditions as the local community in the remote village, sleeping in a very rudimentary comfort style on the floor with a mat (floor mat) with mosquito net this applies nights in the Mentawai jungle.
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Given the conditions of poverty and isolated areas, families that accept us to live and spend time with them, conditions of comfort and cleanliness are more than basic but far from being guaranteed for "Western standards". In this case, it's very important and necessary to be able to tolerate this short inconvenience, to be able to enjoy your full stay and overall experience.
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Because Mentawai traditional communities live in remote areas in the jungle forest, access to these communities isn't simple and easy, so the conditions of a trek include quite a lot of muddy terrain, can be slippery and uneven ground (sometimes you have to walk on the log on the muddy ground that Mentawai make and use it as a bridge to access further route).
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Please bear in mind there is no electricity in the Mentawai jungle, charge your camera and phone, and bring an extra battery.
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The conditions in this trip, during which these stays are carried out sometimes felt like “pain” and to be required for each participant to have:
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Good mental preparation
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Great adaptability
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To be well informed before departure about the culture and ways of life in Mentawai and the jungle. ( the guide will give a little briefing and explain about this before we start our trip
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Because the Sumatra area is covered with rainforest and located right on the equator, it has a tropical climate, the weather is hot and humid all year round. The driest season normally starts from May to early September, although sporadic rains may occur during this period. Rains are abundant between November and January. The average temperature is 27 - 33 °C degree in Siberut Island. Be ready for hot, humid, and hasty conditions.
Good things to know during our immersion stay
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Be mentally prepared to rough it out, as many tribes do not have the basic comforts of what Western standards used to.
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Give yourself time to connect during our stay
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Be your true self while visiting, show your interest in them, and learn from them.
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Be present throughout the experience, they expect you to enjoy your time with them.
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Please avoid wearing expensive stuff or accessories like watches, necklaces, bracelets, or earrings, so as not to attract the attention of the tribe, they may be tempting and ask you to give to them, so this could be counterproductive and may even harm your relationships with the community.
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Ask for their permission before taking pictures.
⮚ Our Commitment
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Promoting good practice to spread the idea of responsibility for traveling ∙ Working with expert local guides and partners to achieve sustainable goals and practices.
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Bringing benefits to local communities when it comes to boosting their economic and social standard, teaching them about the tourism industry, as well as helping local children with ongoing education
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Preserving culture and nature through eco-tourism responsible travel
