R E L A X , E X P E R I E N C E
& E X P L O R E
E X P L O R E
S U M A T R A & M E N T A W A I
7 days (ESM 7D)
7 days (ESM 7D)
Explore uninhabited islands,
miles of empty beaches, astonishing virgin rain-forest and visit a unique
community living in harmony with their environment by following traditions
and cultural guidelines handed down by shaman healers. After trekking through
jungles and traversing rivers in longboats, you will return to the comfort
of a modern charter boat to be pampered by our experienced crew.
The Siberut rain forest tribes live in a fragile time capsule dating back to the earliest human migration from the Asian continent south into the Indonesian/Micronesian/Australian land mass. Isolated by the rugged terrain, clans have lived in river valleys for thousands of years in happy and sustainable cohabitation with the unique flora and fauna of this mysterious "lost island". We have much to learn from these gentle, strong people and they are keen to preserve their traditions and environment through sustainable activities such as harvesting of forest produce (rattan and sago) and interaction with tourist in a well managed and structured way.
Experience close up and personal the way of life of a culture like no other...."they are our past ..... and maybe they are our future"
The Siberut rain forest tribes live in a fragile time capsule dating back to the earliest human migration from the Asian continent south into the Indonesian/Micronesian/Australian land mass. Isolated by the rugged terrain, clans have lived in river valleys for thousands of years in happy and sustainable cohabitation with the unique flora and fauna of this mysterious "lost island". We have much to learn from these gentle, strong people and they are keen to preserve their traditions and environment through sustainable activities such as harvesting of forest produce (rattan and sago) and interaction with tourist in a well managed and structured way.
Experience close up and personal the way of life of a culture like no other...."they are our past ..... and maybe they are our future"
I
T I N E R A R Y
Note: You or the skipper may elect to swap
the Sumatra coast days from the beginning to the end of the program to take
advantage of sea conditions for the crossing to Mentawai. Actual
itinerary may vary due to weather conditions on the day. What we guarantee
is comfortable accommodation on our yachts with healthy delicious meals and
yachts that are built for ocean crossings with your safety our first consideration.
Day 1Our staff will meet you
on arrival in Padang airport early morning.
Depending on wind and tide, board your yacht at Air Manis beach or Bungus harbor pier.
Follow the coast past Bungus inlet south threading between spectacular jungle clad islands. Anchor off Marak Island and have lunch aboard.
Snorkel along Marak's coral reef or explore the shallows in the yacht's dinghy. Schools of tropical fish and turtles can be easily observed in the clear waters. Trek to a secret cove and enjoy a natural ocean spa in a wave powered rock pool.
Sunset cocktails aboard and dinner take on a magic atmosphere at the yacht is surrounded by the reflections of the "light boats" around the coastal islands. After dinner we set sail for Siberut. If your group prefer to travel during daylight hours, we can vary our program to leave for Siberut early on Day 2 and reduce the Mentawai program by one day.
Depending on wind and tide, board your yacht at Air Manis beach or Bungus harbor pier.
Follow the coast past Bungus inlet south threading between spectacular jungle clad islands. Anchor off Marak Island and have lunch aboard.
Snorkel along Marak's coral reef or explore the shallows in the yacht's dinghy. Schools of tropical fish and turtles can be easily observed in the clear waters. Trek to a secret cove and enjoy a natural ocean spa in a wave powered rock pool.
Sunset cocktails aboard and dinner take on a magic atmosphere at the yacht is surrounded by the reflections of the "light boats" around the coastal islands. After dinner we set sail for Siberut. If your group prefer to travel during daylight hours, we can vary our program to leave for Siberut early on Day 2 and reduce the Mentawai program by one day.
| Surf? Experience
a smorgasbord of extraordinary surf in exotic dream locations. Over 50
surf breaks including some of the acknowledged best in the world. Mentawai
is the top surf vacation destination on the planet for good reason.....
Light winds and glassy conditions combine with perfectly groomed Indian
Ocean swell to wrap around picture perfect points and islands... a board-riders
heaven. Green season surf is less consistent but you will most likely surf
famous breaks with no-one else around. (if the group wish to surf we can vary the itinerary from Day 1 and visit locations in the order that you prefer and to make best use of swell and wind conditions day by day - our skippers will respect the group leader's decision) for more information on
the areas surf go to mentawai.com
|
Day 2 & 3
Dawn reveals the beauty
of Katuri Inlet in South Siberut. The anchorage is protected by jungle clad
hills fringed by mangroves and beaches. As the boat cruises north up the
inlet, small isolated villages reveal themselves. We anchor at Dusun Tiop and you will
be welcomed by the village elders. Usually the elders can arrange
for us to join a traditional wedding party or one of the many other kinds
of ritual performed by the local shaman (Sekeiri). The entire family
collect colorful leaves from the forest to combine in to stunningly beautiful
ceremonial dress. If you can handle the "facts of life", you will be
invited to observe the ritual of preparing a prized pig for a communal feast
that always marks any significant event in Mentawai village life. Dancing
and drumming start after dark and can culminate in the amazing "trance"
dances of the Sekeiri if we are favored to participate in an important ceremony.
Take the dinghy or a traditional long boat at high tide through a giant
mangrove forest and along a 3 km hand excavated channel through wet lands
to reach the lower end of the largest river in Siberut. We follow inland
waterways and the river system up into the higher reaches to reach a spectacular
waterfall called Kulukbuk. For the more adventurous
we can arrange to stay overnight in family long houses (Umas) and you can
join treks into the rain forest to collect traditional medicines and perhaps
hunt with the shaman if the omens are all positive.
Alternatively we can trek inland from Katuri to see an extensive lake system where the locals build their long houses much higher off the ground than in other areas... there are large crocodiles in the lake and the stepped logs used to climb up to the living areas are placed at a steep angle for good reason.
Take the dinghy or a traditional long boat at high tide through a giant
mangrove forest and along a 3 km hand excavated channel through wet lands
to reach the lower end of the largest river in Siberut. We follow inland
waterways and the river system up into the higher reaches to reach a spectacular
waterfall called Kulukbuk. For the more adventurous
we can arrange to stay overnight in family long houses (Umas) and you can
join treks into the rain forest to collect traditional medicines and perhaps
hunt with the shaman if the omens are all positive. Alternatively we can trek inland from Katuri to see an extensive lake system where the locals build their long houses much higher off the ground than in other areas... there are large crocodiles in the lake and the stepped logs used to climb up to the living areas are placed at a steep angle for good reason.
Day 4Sail around the Southern
end of Siberut to Taileleo village. We will visit local families
harvesting Sago palms in the rain-forest. Old dugout canoes are put to
good use as the pulpy flesh of the sago palm is rasped to powder and washed
repeatedly to extract edible sago "flour". Sago is the primary food source
in Siberut not only for the villagers but for their pigs and chickens as
well. Pieces of sago tree are trimmed to length and stored in a Mentawai
"fridge".... moored to a pole in the cool river water where they will be
preserved for many weeks. The village women will show the female guests
how to prepare a range of sago dishes while the men are introduced the tasks
that are strictly reserved for men, such as beating palm bark to produce
a soft natural fiber cloth to be converted into the minimal but stylish
Mentawai loin cloth.
Sometimes a trade can be arranged. Waterproof self-winding stainless steel wrist watches are particularly prized so bring a couple with you in case you see a handcrafted item that you would like to take home.
As you trek through jungle between remote long houses it is likely that you will hear and maybe see the beautiful Mentawai gibbon or Bilou. This slightly smaller all black close relative of the Sumatran gibbon is seriously endangered and it is one of 4 primates that are endemic to Mentawai. The Mentawai who still follow traditional law will not kill the Bilou as they believe that the animals are so close to being human that their souls are interchangeable with our own. These gentle people live in a classless society and they believe that humans can loose connection with their soul by being abrasive, rude or even by speaking too loudly!
Mentawai art was little known until shown at an exhibition in Chicago in 1999. Click here to read more about Mentawai beliefs and how their art is an expression of a cultural heritage dating back to the Neolithic age.
As you enjoy sunset cocktails we will leave Siberut and cruise past the island of Nyang Nyang to Pulau Karamajet where we'll anchor overnight.
Day
5
We anchor in a lagoon surrounded by small coral islands. Spend the day swimming, snorkeling, surfing or beach combing. Our crew will take you trolling to try to hook a big tuna or mackerel for lunch. After lunch cruise in the dinghy into the white mangrove lagoon on Karamajet accessed via a 20 meter wide entrance. Cast for mangrove jacks and look out for the sea eagles that nest on the hill at the south end of the island.
There are 4 surf breaks in the area and 2 are ideal for beginners. If you have never learned to surf but can swim well, this is your chance.
Day
6
If you prefer to cross to the mainland in daylight we will head for Marak Island after a morning swim.
If not, we will set up our biggest lures and troll for pelagics as we cruise across the "Bunga Laut" (coral) straits to the Northern tip of Pulau Sipora to a beautiful peninsular we call "Club Mentawai". The anchorage looks more like a river than the ocean and our destination is situated on the middle of 3 Islands where the a pristine white sand beach drops off into crystal clear water. A highlight is to snorkel around a floating fish farm where countless fingerlings shelter among the nets that contain giant groupers & crayfish being held for live export. We select fresh fish to complement what we have caught and prepare a beach barbecue. (subject to tide and weather conditions)
After sunset we set sail for Marak Island near the mainland.
Day 7
After a wake up swim, breakfast on deck to the jungle orchestra of gibbons and hornbills.
Trek across Marak with the Kalaweit rangers to observe Gibbons that have been rehabilitated and released on the Island. The Siamang or Sumatran black Gibbon is one of the largest Gibbons and they are perhaps nature's most accomplished arboreal acrobats with the ability to swing between branches as much as 6 m apart.
The dinghy will be waiting for you in the blue hole anchorage on the rugged South coast.
Lunch will
be served on board as we cruise back to Padang via Air Manis beach
or Bungus Bay with time to visit Dog
Rock textile's
hill top studio and on to the airport to meet
your flight.Sometimes a trade can be arranged. Waterproof self-winding stainless steel wrist watches are particularly prized so bring a couple with you in case you see a handcrafted item that you would like to take home.
As you trek through jungle between remote long houses it is likely that you will hear and maybe see the beautiful Mentawai gibbon or Bilou. This slightly smaller all black close relative of the Sumatran gibbon is seriously endangered and it is one of 4 primates that are endemic to Mentawai. The Mentawai who still follow traditional law will not kill the Bilou as they believe that the animals are so close to being human that their souls are interchangeable with our own. These gentle people live in a classless society and they believe that humans can loose connection with their soul by being abrasive, rude or even by speaking too loudly!
Mentawai art was little known until shown at an exhibition in Chicago in 1999. Click here to read more about Mentawai beliefs and how their art is an expression of a cultural heritage dating back to the Neolithic age.
As you enjoy sunset cocktails we will leave Siberut and cruise past the island of Nyang Nyang to Pulau Karamajet where we'll anchor overnight.
Day
5We anchor in a lagoon surrounded by small coral islands. Spend the day swimming, snorkeling, surfing or beach combing. Our crew will take you trolling to try to hook a big tuna or mackerel for lunch. After lunch cruise in the dinghy into the white mangrove lagoon on Karamajet accessed via a 20 meter wide entrance. Cast for mangrove jacks and look out for the sea eagles that nest on the hill at the south end of the island.
There are 4 surf breaks in the area and 2 are ideal for beginners. If you have never learned to surf but can swim well, this is your chance.
Day
6If you prefer to cross to the mainland in daylight we will head for Marak Island after a morning swim.
If not, we will set up our biggest lures and troll for pelagics as we cruise across the "Bunga Laut" (coral) straits to the Northern tip of Pulau Sipora to a beautiful peninsular we call "Club Mentawai". The anchorage looks more like a river than the ocean and our destination is situated on the middle of 3 Islands where the a pristine white sand beach drops off into crystal clear water. A highlight is to snorkel around a floating fish farm where countless fingerlings shelter among the nets that contain giant groupers & crayfish being held for live export. We select fresh fish to complement what we have caught and prepare a beach barbecue. (subject to tide and weather conditions)
After sunset we set sail for Marak Island near the mainland.
Day 7
After a wake up swim, breakfast on deck to the jungle orchestra of gibbons and hornbills.
Trek across Marak with the Kalaweit rangers to observe Gibbons that have been rehabilitated and released on the Island. The Siamang or Sumatran black Gibbon is one of the largest Gibbons and they are perhaps nature's most accomplished arboreal acrobats with the ability to swing between branches as much as 6 m apart.
The dinghy will be waiting for you in the blue hole anchorage on the rugged South coast.
Click
on the map of Siberut for an enlarged version- Itinerary may change due to weather conditions.
- Includes meals on board, aqua, tea, coffee and juice with breakfast.
- Does not include Airfare, Meals ashore Beer, Wine & Spirits which are sold onboard.
- Surf boots or old sports shoes are essential for beach combing and village visits.
- Long sleeve thin cotton shirts and tropical weight pants also essential for treks and village visits.
- bring sun block and insect repellent as well as a wide brim hat and good sunglasses.... you will come back with a nice tan but don't overdo it!
- The Shaman or “ Sekeiri" are known as the traditional "guardians of the rainforest" of Siberut
- Umas - Traditional Long Houses where clans survive on a diet of sago, rainforest fruits or nuts, starchy roots & hunt monkey & wild pigs.
Sanssouci II - from US$2,750* per person - adults, US$1,550* children (minimum 8 adults + 4 children)
*Rates are net including service and taxes. Special Rp Rates are available for Kitas holders and their families.
If you plan to stay overnight in Padang** we will return to Bungus mid afternoon, otherwise we will schedule your return to suit your flight bookings. **Overnight in Padang at Air Manis Villa add US$100 for exclusive use of the guesthouse .
CONTACT FOR BOOKINGS:
Mentawai Sanctuary
International bookings Office: 61-897-579191 (phone & fax)
Padang representative Office: 62-751-767888 (phone & fax), Jakarta residents dial 0751-767888
info@mentawai.com
Just a paddle?
The superbly refined Mentawai paddle is
a work of art in action. The ancient design is pared down to the essentials
and the whole object is a perfect example of form following function.
The blade is amazingly thin (3mm) with all the strength for power paddling provided by a central rib. The tip is thickened into a ball to prevent splitting when pushing off rocks or logs. The fork grip fits the two middle fingers to help aim the blade when it is used as a rudder or to induce a flick at the end of a stroke that directs the water flow to keep a canoe running straight when paddling only on one side.
Men's paddles are shaped differently with a wider blade and exaggerated points. This is not only for more power..... the points make a distinct sound and the Mentawai can tell if the canoe out of sight around the next river bend is being paddled by a man or a woman or any combination! All part of the etiquette of life in harmony with the jungle, the elements and the neighbors.
Paddles are always left leaning against the outside wall of an Uma during the day so that anyone approaching can see at a glance who is "home"well before they arrive.... or perhaps paddle on by if that seems more appropriate..... very civilized!
The blade is amazingly thin (3mm) with all the strength for power paddling provided by a central rib. The tip is thickened into a ball to prevent splitting when pushing off rocks or logs. The fork grip fits the two middle fingers to help aim the blade when it is used as a rudder or to induce a flick at the end of a stroke that directs the water flow to keep a canoe running straight when paddling only on one side.
Men's paddles are shaped differently with a wider blade and exaggerated points. This is not only for more power..... the points make a distinct sound and the Mentawai can tell if the canoe out of sight around the next river bend is being paddled by a man or a woman or any combination! All part of the etiquette of life in harmony with the jungle, the elements and the neighbors.
Paddles are always left leaning against the outside wall of an Uma during the day so that anyone approaching can see at a glance who is "home"well before they arrive.... or perhaps paddle on by if that seems more appropriate..... very civilized!
It is almost impossible to batter or buy a
paddle without prior arrangements being made... they are one of the Mentawai's
most highly valued possessions and without one an islander is stranded.
Let us know in advance if you are interested in taking one home and
we will spread the word so that a replacement paddle can be carved.... usually
a 30-45 day process.
