Move step-by-step through the precious undergrove on this epic adventure to meet the Penan. Split across the winding Baram river, there’s two distinctive sides to this fascinating tribe. Discover local traditions and culture, rooted in a long-standing love of storytelling.
S Asia
Tropical
The Lun Bawang ethnic group can be found in Central Northern Borneo. Most communities live in the Malaysian state of Sarawak. No matter how far away from home this adventure takes you, the Lun Bawang's renowned hospitality will make you feel part of the community. Soak up their sunny perspective while you take in local traditions and arts.
S Asia
Tropical
Melanau, or A-Likou, means river people in Mukah dialect. The current name of Melanau was given by one of the Sultans of Brunei in the 19th century. Connect with this fascinating tribe who were among the earliest settlers in the Sarawak region.
S Asia
Tropical
Transport yourself to awe-inspiring green forests with the Hmong, a people with an incredible history and lineage spanning over China, Vietnam and Laos. Experience their customs and ceremonies that have been passed down through many generations.
S Asia
Tropical
Deep in the districts of East Meghalaya live the Khasi communities. They have various names depending on the region they live in. You may hear of Jaintias, Pnars, Bhois and Wars. But they are all part of the same ethic lineage. As well as Khasi, they are sometimes referred to collectively as the Hynniewtrep people.
S Asia
Tropical
Cultivate a new sense of freedom along the Red and Black Rivers of Vietnam. Explore the banks with the White Thai people (Tai Dón or Thái Trắng in Vietnamese), a warm and vibrant community. These incredibly polite and hospitable people will welcome you in. The name White Thai comes from the traditional clothing worn by the women of the tribe.
S Asia
Tropical
With their small population, the Kenjaman people largely live in two villages; Rumah Kejaman and Rumah Kejaman Ba. Experience life alongside the Rejang River with a community working to keep its language and spirit alive.
S Asia
Tropical
Indulge in the rolling green landscapes as you discover the fascinating and unique culture of Toraja’s important rituals and beliefs. The Toraja, meaning ‘people of uplands’, live in the lush mountains of South Sulawesi, in the region of Tana Toraja, meaning ‘land of Toraja’.
S Asia
Tropical
The Veddha are a minority group of indigenous people in danger of extinction which name means "the one who uses bows and arrows". This tribe traditionally lives for centuries by hunting and gathering in the forests of Sri Lanka.
S Asia
Tropical
Discover what it truly means to live a life of simplicity as you join the community bound by their strong traditions and beliefs. Step into the abundant Indonesian forest among the Kajang people. Kajang, meaning ‘housed or sheltered’.
S Asia
Tropical
The name Tagbanua means "people of the village." The Tagbanua inhabit the central portion of Palawan Island, both the eastern and the western coasts, which lies between Mindoro and Borneo. The higher concentration of population is in the more extensive lowlands to the east of the island's mountain range.
S Asia
Tropical
They are a group of wet-rice agriculturalists occupying the mountains in the area of northern Luzon, Philippines. Igorot are any of various ethnic groups in the mountains of this region, all of whom keep their traditional religion and way of life. Some live in the tropical forests of the foothills, but most live in rugged grassland and pine forest zones higher up. They numbered about 1.5 million in the early 21st century and the main identified groups are Bontoc, Ibaloi, Ifugao, Isneg, Kalinga and Kankanaey.
S Asia
Tropical
Today the Maldives presents a mixture of different cultures. It is tough to say who or when the first settlers came to the Maldives. Archaeological finds indicate Maldives was inhabited as early as 1500 BC. In other myths and legends, first settlers are estimated to be Indo Aryan civilization. The first settlers were known as "dheyvis” and seems to come from “Kilabanja" in India. The Maldives has been occupied by populations who met here for trading affairs. In the past centuries the Portuguese, Dutch and British have all established governance, until 1965 when the islands obtained full political independence from the British government.
S Asia
Tropical
The origins of the Red Dao are still a mystery. They are part of the Yao ethnic group from China and share many similarities with the H’mong people. They cohabit Sa Pa in northern Vietnam with different ethnic groups, some of which are part of the same while others differ entirely. Because of historical, social, and economic reasons, they all moved to the north of the country, protected by the mountains and provided by an abundance of water and rich soil. This area is inhabited by the Red Dao, Black Hmong, Tay, and Giay.
S Asia
Tropical
Chin people are the mountainous populations living between the Myanmar (Burma) and the Indian border, in the Chin State. This ethnic group has been one of the most persecuted in the country, and many different tribes identify with this group. They are also known as Zo, which is their original name.
S Asia
Tropical
The word Khmu and its different derivation such as Khammu or Khamu mean "real people" or "human being". The Khmu are an ethnic group of Southeast Asia. The majority (90%) live in northern Laos. In Laos, they constitute the largest minority ethnic group covering the eleven per cent of the total population. The Khmu or Khammu are settled on mountain slopes and in upland valleys in the north and central Laos and the north part of Thailand.
S Asia
Tropical
Dayak is a generic term that has no precise tribal significance. It is applied to any of the indigenous peoples of the interior of the island. The Dayak tribe are the aboriginal people of Borneo (the largest of the Southeast Asian islands), inhabitants of the state of Sarawak, the Dayak people come from six tribes: Klemantan, Penan and Kenyah (those with the oldest settlement); Keyan, Murut and Iban (who arrived in the zonain and subsequent epochs). Dayak people show the age-old mixture of Malay, Chinese and negritos elements. Dayak population is estimated at 2.2 million.
S Asia
Tropical
The Tampuan (also known as Tompuan, Tampuon, Tumpoun or Tumpuon) are a native ethnic group living in the Western and Southern Ratanakiri region in Cambodia. Additionally, they are called “Upper Khmer” or “Montagnards” as all hill tribes in past French Indochina. They are approximately 30.000 people.
S Asia
Tropical
They are one of the oldest native tribes in Indonesia, also named Mentawei or Mentawi. Nowadays, they are estimated to be around 64.000, and they mainly live in Siberut Island. They originally come from the northern island Nias and then settled in Mentawai Islands, close to the western coast of Sumatra. They have always lived isolated until in XVII century Dutch arrived. They are also known as "Flower people" because of their connection with nature. Mentawai people used to inhabit in the coastal and rainforest environment, but recently the central government started a relocation plan trying to assimilate indigenous culture.
S Asia
Tropical
Dusun is the collective name of an ethnolinguistic group in the Malaysian state of Sabah of North Borneo: they form the largest ethnic group in Sabah and include several tribes. Since 2004, Dusun has been recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as an indigenous community of Borneo. Dusun people began to employ the term "Kadazan" to refer to themselves and to distinguish their culture and society from other indigenous populations in Sabah.
S Asia
Tropical
Tay people are the second largest ethnic group in Vietnam. Communities can be found all around the country; however, most of them inhabit the northern territories, where the soil is more fertile for agriculture. Because of historical reasons, going back to 1000 years ago, Tay people are very well respected by the Vietnamese, with they share many cultural characteristics, and they contributed to the war against the Tong dynasty from China.
S Asia
Tropical
Unlearn your ways and understand a new culture as you travel through the Nepalese western region in the foothills of the Himalayas. Never stopping. Never settling. An indigenous group who’s always on the move. The Raute’s livelihood is inextricably bound to the forest and its natural resources.
S Asia
Mild
Kreung, as Brao and Kavet living in the same are, are minority indigenous tribes inhabiting the northeastern Cambodian province of Ratanakiri and adjacent Laos.
S Asia
Tropical
The Kayan form one of a number of sub-groups of Myanmar’s Red Karen people, a Tibetan-Burmese-speaking minority. The Kayan consists of the following groups: Kayan Lahwi (also called Padaung), Kayan Ka Khaung, Kayan Lahta, Kayan Ka Ngan. Kayan Gebar, Kayan Kakhi and Bwe people (Kayaw). Padaung is a Shan term for the Kayan Lahwi (the group in which women wear the brass neck rings).
S Asia
Tropical
Descendants of the ancient Asir, and belonging to the Qahtan tribes, they were fierce warriors, isolated in a mountainous environment and lovers of floral hats.
S Asia
Continental
Bedouin, in Arabic Badawi and plural Badw, are nomadic peoples from the deserts of the Middle East, especially Saudi Arabia, North Africa, UAE, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait and Jordan.
S Asia
Arid