I was the only guest so it was guide Kelvin and me and I had such a good time! First of all, it gave me a great overview of the city and I returned to a few places I really liked afterwards. The biking part was the perfect balance. Kelvin was very friendly, knowledgeable, and caring especially when we biked he always kept an eye on me and checked on me about the speed.
Kuching Walking Tour & Cooking Class
Explore Historical Kuching on Foot
Local Market Visit
Lessons in Authentic Sarawakian Cuisine
Embark on an authentic Sarawak culinary experience, from market to stove to table. Explore the Old Town of the city with your local guide before heading off to the hustle and bustle of the local market. Here you will discover the abundance of delicious local produce, some of which you’ll use in your cooking class. You will also learn about the traditions in Sarawak cooking and how to combine exotic flavors to create a masterpiece!
Tour Highlights
Walk through the heart of Kuching’s Old Town, learning about its architecture and rich history.
Visit Kuching’s heritage buildings and museums such as the Old Courthouse, the Round Tower, the Pavilion Building, and the Central Post Office.
Explore Kuching’s Waterfront and take a traditional ‘sampan’ boat across the river like a local.
Head to Petanak market to learn about local produce and the array of traditional Sarawak dishes we use them in.
Unleash your inner chef with an authentic cooking class in Sarawakian cuisine, cook Sarawak “laksa” chicken along with the famed jungle fern, as well as ‘kerabu’, the local way of preparing salad.
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Overview
Trip Details
Price
Adult (12+): MYR 300.00
Departure Time
8:00 AM
Meeting Point
Paradesa Borneo office
Availability
Year-round: Monday to Sunday
Duration
6 hours
Group Size
2-16 persons
Difficulty Level
Peanuts (easy)
Included
- English-speaking guide
- Transportation (from market to cooking class)
- Refreshments
- Boat fees
- Cooking class
- Rain ponchos are provided in the event of rain
- A great time!
Not Included
Transportation from the hotel to the starting point
What to Bring
- Extra cash for additional street food and drinks, local souvenirs, and personal shopping
- Bring insect repellent, sunscreen, a towel, antiseptic, a change of clothes, a plastic bag to keep cameras dry, and sunglasses
- Wear light, comfortable shoes and clothes
About Your Guide
- Our local, English-speaking tour leaders take great pride in their heritage and are well informed in Borneo’s history, culture, and natural wonders
- One guide per 8 guests
What You'll Do
Enjoy a day of hands-on activities in the charming city of Kuching, Borneo. Rich in cultural heritage (especially culinary!), the streets of Kuching welcome you on a delightful urban adventure.
Get started with a walk through the heart of Kuching’s Old Town. Our heritage trail begins on a street facing the urban bank of the Sarawak River. The shophouses and old administrative buildings sporting colonial architecture date all the way back to the mid-1800s, when a dynasty of merchants-turned-monarchs ruled the land for a little over a century, starting with James Brooke, the first White Rajah of Sarawak.
The street, known as the Main Bazaar, leads to Carpenter Street, lined left and right by shophouses over a century old. A short walk from there takes us to more heritage buildings—the Old Courthouse, the Round Tower, the Pavilion Building (formerly a hospital, now a museum), and the Central Post Office.
Venture a little further for more history as we visit the grounds of the Sarawak Museum. After heading to the museum, we proceed to the action — the bustling market/bazaar district very near to the riverbank. Walk through the lively open-air market where locals get their daily dose of comfort food. Take in the sights of old shophouses with a Chinese-influenced architectural style in the Chinese business district. Then, walk a short distance down a lane lined with beautiful murals depicting urban Kuching life and the sights of Sarawak.
This lane leads to India Street where the Indian businesses are. Imagine how trading has evolved from Kuching’s old days as a port to how things are today. Walk down its hidden lanes to discover the treasures that are buried amid the action.
After our adventure in the busy business districts, we walk down to Kuching Waterfront—a distinctive landmark in the city with a history of its own. Once a row of “godowns”, riverside building housing supplies brought by traders on the vessels moving up and down the river, it is now a must-see sight offering stunning views over the heart of old Kuching. It is also a hub for river taxis known as ‘sampan’. The ‘sampans’ are a few centuries-old but still a popular way to get back and forth between both sides of the river.
We will board a ‘sampan’ and proceed to Pangkalan Abok, a jetty situated a short walk from a bustling farmer’s market known as the Petanak Market. We then explore the market and learn about the local produce. Afterward, we head to the kitchen for the highlight of the tour!
The kitchen is where the magic happens! After immersing yourself in the history of Kuching and seeing where the ingredients come from, it’s time to cook! Learn to prepare Sarawak ‘laksa’ chicken along with the famed jungle fern, as well as ‘kerabu’ (the local way of preparing salad), meant to be enjoyed with rice, a staple element in our cuisine. Chop, blend, and stir; then tuck into your work of art!
Good to Know
- Reservation recommended
- Rain or shine, we always walk
- All guests must be aged 12 and over
- We recommend guests bring your own refillable water bottles and avoid using one-off plastic water bottles.
- During our tours, we recycle wherever possible, and try to keep our waste as low as possible. We discourage the use of plastic bags, and suggest that you bring your own dry bag or small waterproof backpack.
- Check out OUR RESPONSIBLE TOURISM COMMITMENT(opens in a new tab)
