Hotels in Bario

Bario means ‘Wind’ in Kelabit language and the correct pronunciation is ‘Bariew’. Upon reaching Bario Airport, visitors are stepping into an altitude of about 3500 feet above sea level in the north-eastern corner of Sarawak. The land is the famous Bario Highland, a Kelabit territory, one of the minority Orang Ulu tribes of Sarawak. The weather all around is pleasantly chilly in which suited its name ‘Wind’.

Bario is also known as ‘the land of a hundred handshakes’ as this is how friendly locals will greet you as you wander around the community. About thirteen villages are located in and around Bario area and Kampung Bario Asal is the first.

How to Get There

By Plane

Malaysia Airlines via MASWings operates daily flights from Miri into Bario STOLport, which takes approximately a 45-minutes flight time. STOL is a short form for short take-off and landing.

Tourist Attractions

Bario Food Festival

Bario produces incredible organic food such as the Bario rice and pineapples. Bario rice comes from paddy fields grown on hill slopes. One of their annual event is the Bario Food Festival also known as ‘Pesta Nukenen’, held in July each year. It is a community-run, three day events full of Kelabit food and cultural exhibitions. Apart from food tasting, there are a medley of cultural shows, traditional dances, handicraft demonstration and traditional games.

Bario Salt Factory

The Bario Salt Factory is located at Kampung Pa’Umor. It is an establishment whereby the local Kelabit families taking turns to produce the Bario Salt by spending about two weeks staying near some natural salt springs. Each family will prepare cut bamboo containers and filled them with the natural salt water before being heated over high wood fire to dry out. These processes took place inside the factory hut and the inside temperature is about 40 until 50 degrees Celsius. After the drying process, the produced salt goes for another round of complete drying near the open fire before being removed and packaged using the local llad jungle leaves and tied with fine rattan string. The Bario Salt is well known for their high natural mineral contents including natural iron, calcium, potassium and magnesium which have been traditionally used for treating thyroid problems.

Hiking and Trekking Activities

Bario Highlands offers several interesting and exciting nature trails for hiking and trekking activities with local guides. The standard walking paths usually bring the guests passing through local Kelabit homes, paddy fields, churches and schools. During the session, locals were seen went about their daily chores while guests are seem to be unnoticed. Hiking adventure awaits the visitors for two different trails. A challenging mountain climbing of Prayer Mountain or a more relaxed climbing of Panorama Hill. Both options shall give a satisfying, amazing views of Bario surroundings. Prayer Mountain was given such name because every year, the locals present their Christmas mass on top of this mountain.

Bird Watching

Local hillsides around Bario Highlands provides an excellent opportunities for bird watchers to catch a glimpse of several rare species of birds. One such trip offers at least 20 birds spotted.

Batu Ritung

Batu Ritung is another interesting structure to see in Bario. It was a Megalith stone erected in remembrance of a great local warrior and aristocrat called Ritung.

Visiting a Kelabit Longhouse

Searching for a place to stay is quite a challenge in Bario. However, if you are fancy staying in a longhouse, one shall make a reservation at the Labang Longhouse Lodge. You may experience the community activities happening in a longhouse environment. Initiate a conversation with the locals and have a taste of their traditional home-cooked recipes. You will be surely surprised to learn several quick dance steps as well as have a go at their wooden blowpipes used for hunting in the wild.

The Jungle Blues Dream Art Gallery

At Ulung Palang, just a short distance from Bario marketplace, there lies the Jungle Blues Dream Art Gallery. It was run by a local artist named Stephen Baya, showcasing his artwork masterpiece consisted of a blend of ethnic motifs combined with contemporary styles. Stephen also provides a homestay accommodation by the same place. In 2013, several of his works were featured in a Cambridge University art exhibition entitled ‘Home is where the hearth is.’ His other great artwork includes the illustrations for the book ‘Tuked Rini, Cosmic Traveller: Life and Legend in the Heart of Borneo.’ Tuked Rini is one of the Kelabit warrior legend.

Hotels

Batu Ritung Lodge

This lodge is unique in which some parts of its structure stands in a pond as originally built. It is well managed by a husband and wife, descendants of the warrior, Ritung. Meals are provided from fresh jungle and the vegetable plot, cooking over wood-fired stoves.

Gem’s Lodge

A friendly homestay managed by a husband and wife offering spacious and clean rooms with options of full board, half board or room only. The location of the accommodation is ideal as the base for jungle trekking, boating or fishing activities.

Bariew Backpacker Lodge and Tour

This lodge is located in Bario town and is very popular among guests for its sociable owner knows almost everyone in town and has close ties with the longhouses. The lodge can arrange guides and activities easily.

De Plateau Lodge

This lodge is located in a white-timber house surrounded by a lovely garden. It offers comfortable rooms and nice common areas. The owner can assists in arranging treks, bird-watching and other activities.