From 9th to 11th June 2023

Experience the authentic Sarawakian culture and immerse yourself in the festive atmosphere of the Gawai (harvest festival) Open House with our 3-day, 2-night tour package.

Start your journey by boarding a comfortable bus from Kuching, Sarawak and making a stop for lunch at Lachau before arriving at the modern Rumah Panjang Engkeranji, a contemporary longhouse in Betong where your homestay journey begins. Enjoy a warm welcome with tea, coffee, and kuih (local cakes) before meeting your hosts and checking into your bilik (room). You will be staying as a guest of one of the longhouse residents, inside their longhouse unit in an open dormitory-style lodging.  

In the late afternoon, the cultural expedition to the Gawai Dayak festival will commence as guests will be transferred to Rumah Anyie ak Rajit, Matop, a historic 28 door longhouse built in 1941 using massive belian (ironwood) pillars. From the rafters of this impressive longhouse hang many decorated head trophies, symbols of the heroism of the ancestral warriors. These skulls were from slain enemies defeated in the fight to conquer their land for the purpose of building a village settlement.  

Upon arrival, guests will be given a traditional welcome by the community, led by the Tuai Rumah (Longhouse Chief) Madam Anyie ak Rajit, the first female Chief ever appointed in the illustrious history of Rumah Matop. The welcoming will be followed by a traditional ritual of Miring (ceremony for prayer & offerings) as well as Ngajat (welcome dance). There will be a variety of local foods presented including traditional cakes such as penyaram made using palm sugar, tuak (local rice wine), chicken pansuh (cooked in bamboo), pulut (glutinous rice cooked in bamboo) and much more. The open house means that you are welcome to visit everyone (or as many as you are able) in the longhouse. You will be welcomed by each host and invited to accept their hospitality (i.e. food and drinks). A local tip: with the mix of food and drinks during the merry making, it is wise to keep yourself hydrated with water.

Return to Engkeranji longhouse and visit with your overnight hosts and enjoy the Gawai celebrations before retiring for the night.

The next day, wake up to breakfast in the longhouse before heading to the Betong Parade ground to witness the grand Betong Gawai Parade. There will be plenty of photograph opportunities of the colourful traditional costumes proudly on display. After the parade spectacle, enjoy some free time to explore the variety of local food stalls at Dewan Rentap (Rentap Community Hall) and thereafter a tour that includes Fort Lily. 

After the parade, you will board the transport and head to the Batu Lintang riverside picnic spot for a cooking demo and picnic. There will be time to eat, soak in the river and relax before returning to Engkeranji Longhouse. In the evening, participate in the Gawai festival fun, leisure and dinner, followed by demonstrations of handicraft and kuih making.

On the final day, breakfast will be served in the longhouse before departing for a visit to the Pepper Farm to see the world famous and fragrant Sarawak pepper. Lunch (on your own) will be on the way back from Betong in Serian town before returning to Kuching city in the afternoon.

Join us on this unforgettable cultural experience and celebrate the Gawai Open House like a true local. Book now and make memories that will last a lifetime! Limited to 80 pax only!