You sleep in the Uma
On a mat on the floor of the family house, alongside everyone else.
★★★★★ 5.0 on TripAdvisor · 15 reviewsMentawai-owned & guided
Stay with a Mentawai family in the forest of Siberut.
Three to eight days living in the Uma with your host family. No electricity, no phone signal, and a Mentawai guide with you from Padang onwards.
From £215 per person · instant confirmation with a 30% deposit
- Owned and guided by Mentawai people
- 5.0 on TripAdvisor from 15 reviews
- Book online, instant confirmation
- Pay 30% now, the rest on arrival
What this actually is
What the tour is really like.
You join the day's work
Harvesting sago, fishing, hunting and gathering medicinal plants.
You are offline for days
No power and no signal. After dark, the light comes from the fire.
Nothing is staged for visitors. You join whatever the family is doing that day.
History & origin
A culture kept intact by isolation.
The Mentawai descend from a Proto-Malay people who have lived on these islands since around 2000 BC. Cut off from mainland Sumatra, they kept their language, their Sabulungan beliefs and their forest way of life, in which trees, rocks and animals all hold a spirit.
- 2000 BC
- First Proto-Malay arrivals on the islands
- 1621
- Dutch explorers reach Mentawai
- 1792
- John Crisp, the first documented colonizer
Villages we travel to
RorougotMaopuMatotonanAttabaiButui
Read the full story
Why book with us, not an agent in Padang
We are Mentawai, and these are our own families.
We live in Muara Siberut. The families who host you are from our own community, and we guide every tour ourselves.
Guided by Mentawai people
Your guide speaks Mentawai, so nothing is lost in translation.
The plan in advance
Packing list, ferry times and a day-by-day itinerary are emailed to you as soon as you book.
One fixed price
Transfers, guide, meals and the stay are all included in the price you see.
Small groups only
Up to five guests online, hosted by one family for the whole tour.
Tour packages
Three lengths, all organised from Padang.
Price per person drops as the group grows. Ferry schedule: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday.
Most affordable3 days · 2 nights
Visit the Mentawai Tribe
★★★★★ 5.0 operator rating · Small group
- Fits a long weekend, no leave needed
- 1.5-hour jungle trek to the Uma
- Sago processing and poison-arrow making
From £215 / person
Most booked4 days · 3 nights
Ethical immersion with the tribe
★★★★★ 5.0 operator rating · Small group
- An extra full day inside the jungle
- Hunting walk and medicine plants with the Sikerei
- Best balance of time and price
From £230 / person
Deepest immersion5 days · 4 nights
Jungle experience with the tribe
★★★★★ 5.0 operator rating · Small group
- Reach the most remote Uma upriver
- Healing ritual and a full hunting day
- Demanding trek, for confident walkers
From £270 / person
Prices shown are per person for a group of four to five. Smaller groups and solo travellers pay more: the 3D2N tour is £230 per person for two to three guests and £350 solo, children aged 5–12 £170. Longer 6D5N and 8D7N trips are also available. See all five packages
The journey
Getting from Padang to the Uma
It takes one full travel day each way, and your guide is with you for all of it. Boat times are on the fast ferry page.
01
Padang
We collect you from your hotel or the harbour.
02
Ferry · 3–6 hours
Fast boat from Muaro Padang at 7am. Ticket included.
03
Road transfer
Car or motorbike from Maileppet harbour to the transit village.
04
Canoe
Upriver by dugout canoe; about 2.5 hours on the way back.
05
Trek · 1.5 hours
On foot to the Uma. Porters carry the logistics.
The fine print
What the price covers.
Included
- Ferry tickets both ways
- Road, canoe and porter transfers
English-speaking Mentawai guide
All meals and drinks during the tour
Uma accommodation and family contribution
Local government and national park permits- Mosquito net, mattress and rubber boots (37–43)
Not included
- — Flights and hotel in Padang
- — Travel insurance
- — Personal expenses
- — Souvenirs
- — Tips for the local team
What to bring
- Fast-drying trousers and a light shirt
- Rain poncho, hat, sunblock
- Head torch, power bank, spare batteries
- Sleeping bag or blanket
- Cash: there is no ATM on Siberut
Service & facilities
Five things we handle for you
From your booking to the boat back, the same team arranges everything.
Experienced local guides
Mentawai guides who know the culture, the forest and the families personally.
Authentic accommodation
You stay in a traditional Uma, not a guesthouse built for tourists.
Real local life
Daily routines, traditions and food alongside the family hosting you.
Reaching the tribe
Ferry, road, canoe and porters arranged so you reach the remote Uma safely.
Travel consultation
Not sure which tour fits? We help you choose the length and dates before you book.
Guest
Reviews from past guests.
“Being welcomed by a local tribe and living with them made me feel part of something deeply real and unique.”
Alessia GSolo · April 2026“Describing him as a guide would be an understatement. Xave is part of the family, and with care and sensitivity he makes you part of it as well!”
Camilla BCouple · January 2026“There is no electricity, no running water, and zero connectivity. The jungle is muddy, but the hosts provide rubber boots.”
Marina VCouple · March 20265.0 TripAdvisor rating
15 Reviews
No. 5 of 52 outdoor activities in Padang
Read all reviews on TripAdvisorQuestions
Questions we get before booking
Do I need malaria tablets or vaccinations?
Siberut is a malaria-risk area. See a travel clinic at home about prophylaxis and bring repellent. We provide a mosquito net and send current local advice with your itinerary.
How fit do I need to be?
You need to manage about 1.5 hours of walking on muddy, uneven forest ground, plus short walks each day. No climbing or technical terrain; regular walkers of any age cope well.
Is there electricity to charge a camera?
None of the places we visit have electricity, only government solar panels used for lighting at night. Bring spare batteries or a power bank.
Will I have phone signal or wifi?
Not in the forest. Signal stops after Muara Siberut, so tell people at home you will be offline for the length of the tour.
Is it safe? Who is with me?
A Mentawai guide is with you from Padang until you are back in Padang. He speaks Mentawai, knows the family, carries a first aid kit and briefs you on emergency procedures before departure.
What happens in the rainy season?
It is hot and humid all year, around 27–33°C. The dry season usually runs from May to early September; rain is heaviest from November to January.
How do I book and pay?
Choose your tour, date and group size and pay a 30% deposit online by credit or debit card. Your date is confirmed immediately and you receive a confirmation email. The remaining 70% is paid in cash on arrival, before departure. See the cancellation policy. Travel insurance is highly recommended.
Photographs from recent tours.
Tell us when you want to come.
Pick a ferry day, see the price for your group and secure your place with a 30% deposit.
Prefer email? visitmentawaitribe94@gmail.com · We reply within 24 hours.