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The island of Borneo has ancient rainforests, mighty rivers, exotic
plants, animals and fierce warrior tribes people.
Program
The "Shaman of Borneo" program is centred around the different
ethnic groups of Borneo who live in Malaysia's largest state, Sarawak.
During the program you will meet and spend time with Shaman (spiritual
leaders/healers) of several of the most significant ethnic groups
of Sarawak, all with unbroken traditions dating back to beyond recorded
time.
Inner Journeys, together with our local partners, have put together
a soft adventure travel program where you will be able to meet with
Shaman, learn of their spiritual beliefs and practices, how they
communicate with their ancestral spirits and how they practice their
healing arts for the benefit of their peoples.
From the major and significant tribes in Sarawak you will meet
with shaman from the Malay, Bidayuh, Iban, Melanau and Berawan peoples
within their own communities and in addition to the spiritual beliefs
experience their music and its significance as well as other cultural
expressions and traditional foods.
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This program visits many remote and "off the beaten track"
areas of Sarawak which will afford you the opportunity to
spend time in a fascinating natural landscape.
You will have the opportunity of seeing the gentle Orang-Utan
and the state bird of Sarawak, the Hornbill and perhaps catch
the flowering Rafflesia, the world's largest flower.
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Shaman Visits
This program has been arranged with the co-operation of the
shaman visited and our local partners.
The shaman visited are important and respected members
of their communities. Inner Journeys respects the integrity of the
shaman and gives thanks for their willingness to share.
This is not a participatory healing experience
but an opportunity to join in an exchange of ideas and willingness
to learn from each other.
Malay Bomoh
- Of the Islamic faith but many still choose to consult a Bomoh
or traditional healer.
- They may be consulted on almost any issue, including fortune
telling and healing, but more often than not it is on the matter
of unrequited love that they are most often asked to perform their
magic.
Bidayuh Healer
- Now mainly Christian the Bidayuh traditional religion is highly
animistic.
- Practised only by a small minority of elderly people and perhaps
under threat of completely disappearing within this generation.
Iban Manang
- The traditional Iban religion is a fusion of animistic and Hindu
- Buddhist beliefs.
- Yhey worship a triumvirate of gods under the authority of Singalong
Burung, the bird-god of war.
- You will have the opportunity to meet up with the Manang in
the longhouse and be introduced to various aspects of the spirituality
of the Iban.
Melanau Shaman
- The majority of the Melanau have converted to Islam with the
remainder being mainly Christian and a small minority, from which
the shaman comes, still practise traditional animistic beliefs.
- The Melanau are famous for their magical prowess and we will
meet with some of the practitioners of the magical arts.
- Famous for their exquisitely carved wooden "sickness figures",
an obvious link to the Orang Ulu to which they are related, which
are used in their traditional healing rituals.
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Orang Ulu
- The main role of the Orang Ulu shaman is that of healing
and the basis of any healing procedure is the removal of
evil spirit that is believed to cause the sickness.
- Healers' methods vary from a form of message with a stone,
a bathing ritual or use of a knife to spear holes in the
walls of the sick persons house in the belief that knife
will have penetrated the evil spirit's heart and soul. In
some instances they may even use a human like doll (exquisitely
crafted) known as an "Uhtoun" to which sacrifices may be
made.
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Access/Getting There
The Shaman of Borneo program commences in Kuching, State Capital
of Sarawak and ends in Miri, the second largest city. Air travel
back to Kuching from Miri can be arranged if required but those
travelling via Kuala Lumpur, capital of Malaysia, will find it more
convenient to fly there direct from Miri.
The most convenient access points to Kuching are Singapore
or Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia's vibrant Capital City. A variety of international
airlines provide a regular daily service to Kuching, and if using
Singapore or Kuala Lumpur as gateways Malaysian Airline Systems
or Singapore Airlines offer the most flexible services.
Inner Journeys will be pleased to assist you with
flight routing recommendations to best suit your individual requirements.
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Itinerary
This is a summary of the Shaman of Borneo itinerary. A very
detailed itinerary is available by clicking this link. Detailed
Itinerary
Included meals are indicated by the legend B = Breakfast,
L = Lunch and D = Dinner.
| Day 01 |
- Arrive Kuching
- Arrive Kuching, State Capital of Sarawak, airport meting
and hotel transfer.
- Overnight - Kuching Hilton Hotel.
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| Day 02 |
- City Orientation And Malay Bomoh (Shaman Meeting) (B,
D)
- Breakfast at hotel.
- Program Briefing.
- Kuching City Tour including museum and markets.
- Lunch at leisure (not included).
- Visit to the Sarawak Cultural Village for an overview to
the major tribes and people of Sarawak.
- Malay Bomoh (shaman) meeting at the seaside village of Buntal.
- Seafood dinner in Buntal village restaurant prior to returning
to Kuching.
Overnight - Kuching Hilton Hotel.
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| Day 03 |
- Semenggoh - Bidayuh Healer (Shaman Meeting)
- Batang Ai (B, L)
- Breakfast at hotel.
- Visit to Semenggoh Orang-utan Rehabilitation Centre and
the morning feeding. A unique opportunity to observe orang-utan
and other animals.
- Visit the colourful native market in the town of Serian
and a pepper garden and to see wild orchids and several species
of pitcher plants, the famous carnivorous plants of Sarawak.
- Bidayuh (shaman) meeting.
- Lunch at a local restaurant.
- Dinner at your leisure (not included).
Overnight - Hilton Batang Ai Longhouse Resort
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| Day
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- Iban Manang - Borneo Adventure Lodge (Shaman Meeting)
(B, L, D)
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- Breakfast at hotel.
- Travel by longboat to the Iban longhouse of Nanga
Sumpa.
- Guided jungle walk to beautiful Enseluai Waterfall.
- Iban style Picnic lunch at the waterfall.
- Dinner at the lodge and will include a range of local
delicacies to try if you wish.
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- Iban (shaman) meeting in the longhouse. - Overnight - Borneo
Adventure Jungle Lodge.
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| Day 05 |
- Batang Ai - Mukah (B, L, D)
- Breakfast at the lodge.
- Longboat to Batang Ai and then rejoin the mini bus for the
journey to Mukah on a route not often used by tourists. Along
the way we will stop at different points of interest.
- Lunch will be taken en-route at a local restaurant.
- Afternoon arrival at Mukah one of the most picturesque towns
in Sarawak. There is a fine beach at Mukah and upon arrival
the remainder of the day is at leisure for exploring and relaxing.
- Special dinner with local Melanau family experiencing their
cuisine.
- Overnight - Mukah Hotel.
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| Day 06 |
- Mukah - Melanau Healer (Shaman Meeting) (B, L)
- Breakfast at hotel.
- A visit to a village to see the felling of the Sago Palms,
rasping of pith, obtaining starch, and the final process of
toasting sago balls.
- Lunch will be served at a local restaurant.
- In the afternoon we visit a Melanau Shaman.
- Dinner at leisure (not included).
- Overnight - Mukah Hotel.
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| Day 07 |
- Mukah - Bintulu - Niah (B, L, D)
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- Breakfast at hotel.
- Mini bus overland to Niah national Park with stops
at; Tatau (old regional town) bazaar and Bintulu, an
historic town now transformed into the centre of modern
industrialised Sarawak.
- Lunch at Bintulu.
- After lunch visit the Bird Park where most of the
birds of Borneo are on display.
- Stay overnight at Niah National Park.
- Dinner at a local restaurant.
- Overnight - Niah Park Chalets.
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| Day 08 |
- Niah Caves National Park - Miri (B, L)
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- Breakfast at the chalets. - Morning hike along a
3 km raised plank walk to the entrance of the Niah Great
Cave. This cave sheltered human life 40,000 years ago
and here lies the oldest human remains in Southeast
Asia.
- Picnic lunch and explore the cave and surroundings.
- Afternoon departure for Miri.
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- Late afternoon check-in to the luxurious Rihga
Royal Hotel on the oceanfront and facing the South China Sea.
- Dinner this evening is at leisure (not included).
- Overnight - Rihga Royal Hotel.
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| Day 09 |
- Miri - Mulu (B)
- Breakfast at hotel.
- Short morning flight by light aircraft to
Gunung Mulu National Park.
- Upon arrival at Mulu we will transfer to the luxurious Royal
Mulu Resort.
- Lunch is at leisure (not included).
- Afternoon caves visit to Deer Cave via plank walk through
primary jungle. Most evenings at sundown a spectacular exodus
of about 2 million of bats can be observed as they leave the
cave in search of food.
- In the early evening we will return to the Royal Mulu Resort.
- Dinner this evening is at leisure (not included).
- Overnight - Royal Mulu Resort
- Short morning flight by light aircraft to Gunung Mulu National
Park.
- Upon arrival at Mulu we will transfer to the luxurious Royal
Mulu Resort.
- Lunch is at leisure (not included).
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- Afternoon caves visit to Deer Cave via plank walk
through primary jungle. Most evenings at sundown a spectacular
exodus of about 2 million of bats can be observed as
they leave the cave in search of food.
- In the early evening we will return to the Royal Mulu
Resort.
- Dinner this evening is at leisure (not included).
- Overnight - Royal Mulu Resort
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| Day 10 |
Mulu - Orang Ulu Shaman (Shaman Meeting) (B, L, D)
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- Breakfast at hotel.
- Longboat downstream to Long Terawan and here we will
meet with the elderly hea
- Lunch will be taken with the elders at the longhouse.
- Afternoon return to Royal Mulu Resort.
- Farewell dinner at the resort.
- Overnight - Royal Mulu Resort. lers from the Berewan.
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| Day 11 |
Mulu - Miri - Depart Or Extend Stay (B)
- Breakfast at hotel.
- Morning flight by light aircraft to Miri.
- Program ends at Miri this morning.
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Extensions may be pre-arranged for stay at Miri, further
exploration, a return to Kuching with an extended stay or a connection
to flights for your onward destination.
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Cost and Inclusions
Australian dollars AUD$2,950.00 per person share twin ($520.00 single
room supplement) - all payments are to be made in Australian Dollars.
Convert to your local currency by using the Universal
Currency Calculator. Click
here
Program price includes:
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Airport transfer on arrival Kuching and departure at Miri
for persons travelling on the main program dates.
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Accommodation as per the itinerary.
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Meals as per itinerary (B-Breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner).
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Tours as detailed in the itinerary.
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Shaman encounters as detailed in the itinerary.
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All transportation by mini-bus, boat and light aircraft as
detailed in the itinerary.
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Tour fully escorted by Inner Journeys and a local English
speaking guide throughout.
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Accommodation Information
In Kuching
Kuching Hilton (5-star)
In Batang
Ai Hilton Batang Ai Resort (4-star) Borneo Adventure Jungle Lodge
(Longhouse style with basic facilities only)
In Mukah
Mukah Hotel (basic, simple, clean and comfortable hotel - no star)
In Niah
Niah Park Chalets (basic facilities only - modern style simple chalet)
In Miri
Rihga Royal Hotel (5-star)
In Mulu
Royal Mulu Resort (3-star)
Go to our Booking Form
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