Many thanks to the informative Farha always looking out for our safety and it was such an enjoyable ride visiting heritage buildings, streets as well as the beauty of the sarawak river around Kuching. Very much recommended for a family who enjoys a bike ride as it is not too intense, relatively relaxing for family who are used to exercising.
Sarawak Culture Cycling Trail: Bike, Explore, Create!
Embark on an immersive 4-hour cycling adventure that takes you deep into the heart and soul of Kuching, the romantic capital city of Borneo Sarawak. This isn’t just a bike ride; it’s a vibrant, 13-kilometer journey through time and tradition, blending active exploration with authentic cultural experiences you won’t find anywhere else. Get ready to pedal through charming landscapes, cross rivers on traditional boats, and unleash your creativity through ancient crafts.
Tour Highlights
Riverside Ride & Malay Village Charm: Explore Kuching’s oldest mosque and cycle through historic Malay kampongs with their iconic wooden stilt houses.
Sweet Sampan Adventure: Cross the Sarawak River by traditional sampan (with your bike!) to Kampung Gesik for a delightful tasting of famous Sarawak layer cakes.
Iban Weaving Experience: Immerse yourself in Iban culture at the Tun Jugah Foundation, admiring pua kumbu textiles and trying your hand at traditional weaving.
Craft Your Own Borneo Keepsake: At the Sarawak Steamship Building, learn to make and personalize beautiful ceramic beads inspired by the Lun Bawang tribe – and take your creation home!
Click the Tabs to Find Out More
Overview
Trip Details
Price
- Adult (12 +): MYR 198.00
- Child (aged 3-11): MYR 99.00
Departure Time
8:00 AM (Daily)
Meeting Point
Paradesa Borneo office
Availability
Year-round: Monday to Sunday
Duration
4 hours
Cycling Distance
Approximately 13km
Group Size
Minimum 2 Participants
Difficulty Level
Peanuts (easy) – Suitable for all fitness levels.
Included
- A friendly, knowledgeable local guide
- Comfortable bicycle and safety helmet
- Delicious treats at the Cake House
- All traditional sampan boat fees
- Complimentary rain poncho (just in case!)
- Engaging handicraft demonstrations and hands-on participation
- Take-home samples of Borneo Beads
- Refreshing beverages
- And most importantly, an absolutely incredible time!
Not Included
- Transportation from the hotel to the starting point (extra surcharge required for pickup & drop-off service upon request)
What to Bring
- Extra cash for additional street food and drinks, local souvenirs, and personal shopping
- Insect repellent, sunscreen, a towel, antiseptic, a change of clothes, and a plastic bag to keep electronics dry
- Wear light, comfortable shoes and clothes
About Your Guide
- Our passionate, local English-speaking tour leaders take great pride in their heritage (as well as their own personal stories) and are experts on Borneo’s history, culture, and natural wonders
- One guide will serve up to a maximum of 8 guests
Sarawak Culture Cycling Trail: Pedal, Explore, Create Your Borneo Story!
Rain or shine, we ride! This tour promises endless fun, fascinating insights, and an authentic connection with Sarawak’s vibrant cultures, whatever the weather brings.
Your Unforgettable Journey, Step-by-Step:
Riverside Ride & Malay Village Life (approx. 1st hour):
Your adventure kicks off at 8:00 AM. We’ll begin with a scenic ride along the serene southern bank of the Sarawak River. Our first stop is Kuching’s oldest mosque, where you can respectfully step inside to appreciate its peaceful ambiance. From there, we’ll cycle into the winding lanes of traditional Malay kampongs (villages). You’ll pedal past historic wooden stilt houses, each with stories to tell, catching a unique glimpse into the everyday lives of these friendly local communities. It’s a true step back in time, offering a unique perspective on Sarawak’s rich heritage.
Sweet Sampan Adventure to Kampung Gersik (approx. 2nd hour):
Prepare for a truly unique experience as you and your bicycle board a traditional sampan boat for a charming cross-river journey! Your destination: Kampung Gersik, a hidden gem renowned for its exquisite Sarawak layer cakes. These vibrant, intricately designed delights are a feast for both the eyes and the taste buds, coming in an array of delectable flavors. Indulge in these local delicacies before another picturesque sampan ride brings us back across the river to the city side.
Iban Weaving & Cultural Immersion (approx. 3rd hour):
After returning across the river, we’ll delve into the captivating world of the Iban community at the prestigious Tun Jugah Foundation. Here, you’ll be mesmerized by a superb collection of Iban pua kumbu textiles, featuring both antique masterpieces and modern interpretations, alongside exquisite Iban silverware and jewelry. More than just observing, you’ll get a unique, hands-on experience learning about this intricate art form, perhaps even trying your hand at the rhythmic motions of traditional weaving.
NB: The Iban Pua Kumbu weaving is not available on Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays.
Craft Your Own Borneo Keepsake (approx. 4th hour)
Our final creative stop is the historic Sarawak Steamship Building. Here, you’ll engage in a fascinating workshop focused on native art in the form of ceramic beads. Learn the traditional techniques employed by the Lun Bawang tribe of the Lawas region. You’ll get to shape, paint, and string your very own clay beads to your liking. The best part? Not only do you get to create them, but you get to take your beautiful handiwork home with you – a personalized, tangible memory of your Sarawak adventure!
Ready to pedal through history and creativity? Book your Sarawak Culture Cycling Trail adventure today!
Good to Know
- Reservations are recommended to avoid disappointment.
- No helmet, no ride.
- Rain or shine we always ride.
- We include a pre-tour safety briefing and mandatory equipment checks.
- A selection of good quality kids’ bikes of various sizes, baby seats (rear-mounted for above 9 months old), and child bike trailers are available.
- 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)
See What Our Guests Are Saying
This tour is a great way to get to know Kuching in just a morning. My guide Farhah grew up here and eloquently described the local history, food, and additional sites to see. The tour of the market was outstanding – I must have taken 20 pictures of all the food, and tried a half dozen of them. This tour gave me the info to explore more of the city. We started at the waterfront, rode through the historical district, Little India, Little China, the 6 villages south of the river, the market, and the north waterfront. Yet we never rushed, and Farhah always had time to describe everything from a local perspective.
We had a very informative and valuable experience of kuching’s history,culture and food through this very enjoyable cycling trip. Kelvin lu was an excellent guide just the right balance of information and hands on food tasting. Great re health and safety too. A great way to get explore Kuching and it’s local environment.
Did the half day heritage bike ride around Kuching & had a wonderful time. Ride was very easy. I felt very safe. I was fortunate to be the only person on the tour so I had exclusive attention from my guide. I definitely saw areas of Kuching that I would not have seen on foot. The markets were great fun & very educational as I was able to ask questions about all sorts of products. We came back on one of the little ferry boats across the river which was fun. My bike was top quality & in good condition with a comfy saddle. Water was provided, along with a helmet. Happy to recommend.
Delilah was an amazing guide. She is so friendly and easy to talk to. We had a great afternoon learning about Kuching and Malaysia in general. The bike tour was a nice length and moved a a comfortable pace. Delilah took us to great places to stop for snacks, drinks and food. I can’t recommend her enough!
