If you're heading to support the amazing project in Padang, you really shouldn’t miss out on this 4-Day weekend trip! It’s an incredibly special experience.
The Indonesian Mentawai Islands are breathtakingly beautiful! Famous for their legendary surf waves and dense jungles. These islands are home to the Mentawai tribe, who live according to ancient traditions. The Mentawai people are animists and live in complete harmony with nature.
Day 1, Saturday:
We depart early in the morning at 7AM by fast boat to Siberut. Upon arrival, we head straight to the village of Muntei for breakfast and a chance to freshen up. While you relax, our team will take care of permits and gather supplies such as food and water. Once everything’s ready, we continue into the jungle via motorised canoe until we reach the river, followed by a muddy trek through the forest to reach the Mentawai village (this takes a few hours, depending on the river level).
A moderate level of fitness is required for the trek. The trail can be slippery and muddy. The rest of the day is spent in a traditional Mentawai house called an Uma, where you’ll get to know the family hosting you. Conditions are very basic: you’ll sleep on the ground with a mosquito net and thin mattress, and shower in the river. But what you gain is an unforgettable experience. Sharing stories, learning from a completely different way of life, and living deep in the jungle with people in true harmony with nature.
Day 2-3, Sunday & Monday:
Jungle life with the Mentawai tribe! You’ll fully immerse yourself in the daily routines of the Mentawai people. Activities might include jungle hunting, fishing, making poison arrows, weaving rattan baskets, watching the processing of bark cloth, cooking, observing sago preparation (their daily staple food), jungle walks, and, if you’re lucky, witnessing a traditional shamanic ceremony.
During this trip, you’ll live like a true Mentawai: sleeping in traditional homes, bathing in the river, sleeping on thin mats, and sharing meals with your host family. You’ll follow the tribe through their day, hunting, cooking, weaving, and much more.
Day 4, Tuesday:
Spend your final moments with the Mentawai before saying goodbye to your host family. We’ll return via the same route to the village of Muntei, where you can have lunch, freshen up, and catch the 3:00PM fast boat back to Padang (approx. 3 hours).
Note: This trip always departs on Saturdays due to the boat schedule.
Manou
We werden hartelijk ontvangen en alles was in orde wanneer we toekwamen!
Indy vrijwilligerswerk Sumatra
Ik zou dit project dan ook zeker aanraden omdat je veel leert over de cultuur, echt het gevoel hebt dat je iets kan bereiken!
Boré
Wat een leuke, gezellige sfeer hangt daar zeg! En geloof me, orangutans zien verveeld nooit!
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