Sumatra and the Mentawai Tribe’s discovery represent a fascinating intersection of natural beauty and cultural richness. Sumatra, the sixth-largest island in the world, is a diverse landscape featuring lush rainforests, pristine beaches, and a wide array of wildlife, making it a paradise for nature lovers and adventure seekers. The Mentawai Tribe, indigenous to the Mentawai Islands off Sumatra’s west coast, exemplifies a unique way of life, deeply connected to the natural world, with traditional practices and beliefs rooted in the rainforest ecosystem.
Sumatra, the sixth-largest island in the world, is a place where wild nature meets ancient culture. Towering volcanoes, lush rainforests, and untamed rivers carve through landscapes teeming with life—from rare Sumatran tigers and orangutans to exotic bird species. It’s one of the most biodiverse regions on Earth and a haven for adventurous travelers.
But beyond its natural wonders, Sumatra offers a rare cultural encounter: the Mentawai tribe of the Mentawai Islands, located off the western coast of Sumatra. These islands are a world apart—untouched jungles, turquoise waters, and a culture preserved for centuries.
The Mentawai Tribe: Guardians of Ancestral Wisdom
The Mentawai people are among the oldest tribes in Indonesia, known for their deep spiritual connection with nature. Living in traditional longhouses called uma, they practice animism and rely on the forest for food, medicine, and shelter. Their tattoo art, body modifications, and ceremonial rituals reflect a rich cosmology rooted in harmony between humans and the natural world.
Travelers who visit these remote communities often do so with local guides, trekking through thick rainforest, crossing rivers, and staying with Mentawai families to experience daily life firsthand. It’s not just a visit—it’s an immersion into a way of life untouched by modernity.
Highlights Sumatra And Mentawai Tribe’s Discovery
- Explore the vibrant city of Padang before heading into the wild
- Trek through lush rainforests in Bukit Barisan to discover Sumatra’s rich biodiversity
- Experience the unique culture of the Mentawai Tribe’s discovery, one of the world’s last indigenous groups still practicing ancient traditions
- Witness traditional Mentawai tattooing, shamanic rituals, and daily tribal life
- Enjoy scenic boat rides through remote islands and pristine beaches
- Immerse yourself in local cuisine and traditional hunting or fishing methods
- Engage with the warm and welcoming Mentawai people in their traditional longhouses
Tour Itinerary The Nature of Sumatra and Mentawai Tribe’s Discovery
Exploring Sumatra’s landscapes and Mentawai Tribe’s discovery culture is a once-in-a-lifetime experience— but one that must be approached with respect. Ecotourism initiatives and responsible tour operators now ensure that visitors can engage meaningfully while helping preserve the tribe’s way of life and protecting the fragile ecosystems of Sumatra.
- Destinations: North Sumatra & West Sumatra
- Durations: 18 Days
- Accomodations:
Medan: Emerald Garden Hotel / Le Polonia
Bukit Lawang: Bukit Lawang Cottage / The Heritage Hotel / Rindu Alam Hotel
Brastagi: Sinabung Hills Hotel / Sibayak Intl Hotel / Grand Mutiara Hotel
Samosir: Tabo Cottages / Toledo Inn / Samosir Villas
Sipirok: Tor Sibohi Hotel
Bukittinggi: Royal Denai Hotel / Similar
Padang: D’oxville Hotel
Day 01 (Thursday) : Arrival In Medan
Upon arrival at Kualanamu International Airport pick up by our tour guide and then Transfer to hotel, afternoon free at own leisure.
Day 02 (Friday) : Medan – City Tour – Tangkahan (Mega Inn Lodge) | B
After breakfast city tour visiting Sultan Palace, Great Mosque, Chinese Temple and then drive to Tangkahan via Binjai and Batang Serangan. Afternoon arrival at Tangkahan check in MEGA INN
Day 03 (Saturday) : Tangkahan – Elephant Washing & River Safari | B,L
After breakfast walking to the elephant station and then join with the Mahout during washing the Elephants, and feed the elephants, after feeding the Elephant enjoying Tubing through the river and stop will be made at fantastic Buluh Waterfall where you may enjoy the waterfall, take natural shower and enjoy sun-bathing and swimming on the river. Enjoy picnic lunch on the bank of the river. Afternoon arrival at the village you can get in touch with local people, where you can see the daily activities of the local people and then return to guest house by walking, arrival at guest house you can take a rest or visit hotsprings and waterfall near the guest house.
Day 04 (Sunday) : Tangkahan – Bukit Lawang By Jeep | B
After breakfast leave Tangkahan for Bukit Lawang by Jeep passing plantation and jungle road, on the way stop at plantation and several interesting places for enjoying the panorama and witness the activities of the local people. Upon arrival at Bukit Lawang check in to hotel.
Day 05 (Monday) : Bukit Lawang – Tracking | B
After breakfast walking to the jungle to start a jungle tracking to explore the nature of Leuser National Park with their flora and fauna, there will be possibility to see Orang Utan in their own habitat and other kind of animals such as Thomas leaf monkeys, long tail maccaque, gibbon, black gibbon and other kind of flora and fauna of tropical rain forest. This tracking will take about 03 hours, after tracking return to hotel.
Afternoon free at own leisure to enjoy the nature of Bukit Lawang where you can also walking to the village around the hotel
Day 06 (Tuesday) : Bukit Lawang – Brastagi | B
After breakfast drive to Brastagi, on the way stop at Sembahe River, passing Sibolangit, and arrival at Brastagi visiting Lhumbini Park with its duplicate of Shwedagon pagoda, then visit fruit market and Gundaling Hill. Afternoon check in to hotel.
Day 07 (Wednesday) : Brastagi – Samosir / Lake Toba | B
After breakfast drive to Samosir, on the way visit Batak Karo traditional village at Dokan, stop at Sipiso-piso waterfall, visiting “Rumah Bolon” (Long House) the old Palace of Batak Simalungun Kings and stop at Simarjarunjung to enjoy the fantastic view of Lake Toba. Arrival at Parapat crossing to Samosir Island by ferry boat, arriving on Samosir Island check in to hotel.
Day 08 (Thursday) : Samosir – Excurison By Car | B
After breakfast excursion on Samosir Island by car, visiting several Batak Toba traditional villages at :
- Ambarita : To see stone chairs and tables the old meeting place of Sialagan Kings.
- Simanindo : To see Batak Toba traditional dances and museum.
- Pangururan : To see the view of Lake Toba and Hot springs water.
- Tomok : To see the old tombs of Sidabutar Kings
Along on this trip also possible to stop at school to see the activities of young children in the school, visiting the village where the people make traditional hand weaving + stop also at scenic places like the graves! Afternoon return back to hotel
Day 09 (Friday) : Samosir – Sipirok | B
After breakfast crossing back to Parapat and arrival at Parapat drive to Sipirok, on the way stop at pineapple, clove and coffee plantation and visiting traditional market at Balige Sigur-gur and Sipoholon hotsprings. Before arrival at Sipirok, enjoy the nature by walking at the bank of Sarulla river, the ricefield-terraces and arrival at Sipirok check in to hotel.
Day 10 (Saturday) : Sipirok – Bukittinggi | B
Leave Sipirok for Bukittinggi by passing rain tropical forest of Rimba Panti and stop will be made to see the attraction of monkey picking up the coconut. Visit pepper, vanilla, cardamom and cinnamon garden, and crossing the equator line at Bonjol, afternoon arrival at Bukittinggi – the charming town of Minangkabau people – directly check in to hotel.
Day 11 (Sunday) : Bukittinggi – Explore Local People Activities | B
After breakfast visit several villages to see how the local people on their daily activities, such as planting the rice on rice-field, and farmer working on their field which helped by water buffalo, and even experience the local people during harvesting time. On this day will provide traditional fried tapioca or fried banana as your snack cooked at the house of local people, afternoon return to Bukittinggi and city tour visiting Sianok Canyon (from the panorama point), Fort-De-Kock, Museum and Market.
Day 12 ( Monday) : Bukittinggi – Minangkabau Tour – Padang | B
After breakfast drive to Batusangkar via Tabek Patah, on the way stop at Rao-Rao to visit Minangkabau traditional village and stop to see traditional coffee milling, arrival at Batusangkar drive to Pagaruyung to visit the duplicate of the Palace of Minangkabau Kingdom, and then drive to Padang via Lake Singakarak, Padang Panjang and Anai valley, stop will be made at Anai waterfall, afternoon arrival at Padang you will take to the market to buy all necessary things for the trip to Mentawai / Siberut island, such as rubber boot, gift for Mentawai tribe etc and then check in to hotel.
Day 13 (Tuesday) : Padang – Siberut – Bat Obay / Bat Rorogot | L,D
After early breakfast, driver will pick you up at the hotel and then transfer to harbor to catch fast boat to Muara Siberut, fast boat leaving at 07.00AM, this ferry will stop at Sikabaluan and continue to Siberut, arrive in Siberut around 13.00PM and meet with our guide, prepare and report to authority for trekking, continue by local canoe motor in the River, stay in Bat Obay / Bat Rorogot.
Day 14 (Wednesday) : Exploring The Native’s Activities In Bat Obai / Rorogot – Butui | B,L,D
Wake up for a bath in the river. After having breakfast exploring the daily activities of Native’s Mentawai tribe such as : making loincloth, fishing and making tattoo and then continue your trip to Butui by local motorize canoe, it will take about 3-4 hours, arrival at Butui village stay at traditional house of Mentawai called “UMA”.
Day 15 (Thursday) : Exploring The Native’s Activities In Butui | B,L,D
After breakfast in the morning, prepare to explore the Native’s Mentawai activities, you will see how the mentawai making poisoneous arrow for hunting and then go for hunting in the jungle with Mentawai after hunting you will see how they make Sago (main food of Mentawai people) and search for Sago worm and then you will see how to make traditional medicine. Evening you can enjoy traditional dance of Mentawai and also possible to arrange pig feast (traditional dance and pig feast are optional).
Day 16 (Friday) : Butui – Muntei | B,L,D
After breakfast, you still have time to enjoy and see the activities of Mentawai people and then leaving to Muntei Village by traditional motorized canoe , on the way stop at Kulukubuk to visit waterfall in the forest, you can swim at waterfall and then return to river to continue your trip to Muntei village, arrival at Muntei village transfer to traditional house of Mentawai or to guesthouse for overnight.
Day 17 (Saturday) : Muntei – Muara Siberut – Padang ( D’oxvile Hotel) | B,L
After breakfast free at own leisure or explore the village, at noon transfer to Muara Siberut to catch fast ferry to Padang, arrive at early evening in Padang. Transfer to your hotel
Day 18 (Sunday) : Hotel – Airport / Transfer | B
After breakfast free at own leisure until time transfer to airport.
Thank you for joining our 18-day adventure exploring the Nature of Sumatra and the Mentawai Tribe’s Discovery, with us.
