Medicine in the Malay Archipelago

Step off the tourist trail and explore the rich cultural and medical heritage of Malaysia and Indonesia on this educational journey.

Begin in Sarawak, Borneo, where dense rainforest meets vibrant heritage. Discover Kuching’s colonial past, Indigenous traditions, and the enduring role of traditional healers. Visit longhouse communities, meet with local practitioners, and explore how ancient beliefs intersect with modern healthcare in remote Bidayuh villages.

Continue to Singapore, a dynamic city-state where urban planning is intertwined with public health, offering a striking contrast to rural Borneo. Then travel to northern Sulawesi, where cool, verdant highlands and national parks teem with rare wildlife. Learn from healthcare workers at local clinics and explore coastal villages before unwinding in the stunning Bunaken Marine Reserve.

Fly on to Java, where Javanese herbal medicine (jamu) remains an integral part of community life. See dawn break over Mount Bromo, and engage with traditional healers and herbalists at a rural education centre. In Yogyakarta, explore ancient temples, palaces, and villages where health, spirituality, and culture are deeply connected. This tour will delve into Southeast Asia’s most diverse and captivating islands.

Price (sharing a room)

per person

Price (room to yourself)

per person

Reference:

MLY0626-1

At a glance

What you need to know

Type of tour

Cultural

Profession

Medicine

Nights

Countries

Tour grade

Active

Remaining places

Dates and places

Itinerary at a glance

Kuching (Sarawak, Malaysia)

Sunday

June

Arrive in Kuching, a bustling city set on the Sarawak River that is known for its cultural diversity, history and charming waterfront. Check into the Rannee Hotel and at leisure.

Kuching (Sarawak, Malaysia)

Monday

June

Explore Kuching, known as the ‘City of Cats’. Visit the Sarawak Museum, Fort Margherita and the Brooke Gallery. Visit the Borneo Cultures Museum and head down Carpenter Street to visit a traditional medicine shop for an introduction to the traditional medicine of Sarawak. Take a river cruise before dinner. Enjoy dinner with a local doctor who is engaged in community extension.

Kuching (Sarawak, Malaysia)

Tuesday

June

Drive to Bako for a boat trip into beautiful Bako National Park. Encompassing seven distinct ecosystems, it is also one of the best places to experience wildlife in Sarawak, with opportunities to see multitudes of colourful birds, long-tailed macaques, water monitors, wild boar, gibbons and the proboscis monkey. Lunch at the park and return to Kuching.

Kuching (Sarawak, Malaysia)

Wednesday

June

Visit the Semenggoh Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, a centre for reintroducing once captive orangutans to the wild, giving visitors the opportunity to see orangutans up close in their natural habitat. Continue to the longhouse village of Annah Rais, home to the ancient Bidayuh tribe. Learn about the culture of the Land Dayaks. Meet with a local healer and learn of their traditional medicine.

Kuching / Singapore

Thursday

June

Fly from Kuching to Singapore and transfer to the hotel. On a walking tour with Dr John learn how Singapore’s public housing is planned and designed to improve health care. Evening boat trip along Singapore River.

Singapore / Manado

Friday

June

Fly to Manado in northern Sulawesi. Arrive early afternoon, check in and have dinner at the hotel.

Manado

Saturday

June

Take a scenic trip into the beautiful Minahasa highlands, a cool retreat away from the coast. Spend the afternoon in beautiful Tangkoko National Park with its lush rolling hills. Spot black macaques, hornbills, kingfishers and perhaps the tiny nocturnal tarsier, which fits into the palm of a hand. Return to Manado.

Manado

Sunday

June

Drive to a local clinic and meet with the community doctor to learn about local health care in north Sulawesi. Continue to Bunaken. Lunch is at the Sea Garden on the beach. Take a boat trip out to the islands where you can relax on the beach with the option to snorkel in the Bunaken Marine Reserve, one of the best coral reef diving and snorkelling areas in the world.

Manado /Surabaya / Mount Bromo

Monday

June

Drive to the airport. Fly to Surabaya and transfer to Mount Bromo and the Jiwa Jiwa Resort.

Surabaya

Tuesday

June

Very early start to see Mount Bromo at dawn. Return to the hotel for breakfast and time to change and refresh. Drive to the Seloliman nature and Educational Centre. See a traditional jamu (traditional medicine) demonstration learn of Javanese herbal medicine. Lunch at the centre, return to Surabaya and at leisure. Lunch at the centre, return to Surabaya and at leisure.

Surabaya / Yogyakarta

Wednesday

July

Take the train to Yogyakarta. Arrive at the hotel Phoenix.

Yogyakarta

Thursday

July

Rickshaw to the Royal Palace. Visit the puppet maker and water palace. Explore the cyber village adjacent to the palace and the underground mosque. Health Care visit. Drive the Temples of Pramanan.

Yogyakarta

Friday

July

Early start to visit the Temple of Borobodur. Drive to Canderejo Village to explore by horse and carriage. Visit farms, workshops, and the cultural centre and learn about village life. Visit a Javanese Shayman, a traditional healer, to ask “questions.” Return hotel mid afternoon and at leisure. Visit south square to see a local superstition and a farewell dinner at the Royal Restaurant.

Yogyakarta

Saturday

July

Depart the hotel.

What to expect

Tour highlights

Mount Bromo

Surabaya, Java

Rise early to witness the sunrise over Mount Bromo.

Tangkoko National Park

North Sulawesi

See black macaques, hornbills, kingfishers and perhaps the tiny nocturnal tarsier.

Temple of Borobodur

Yogyakarta, Java

Visit Borobudur Temple Compound, one of the greatest Buddhist monuments in the world.

Bako National Park

Sarawak

Travel by boat into the beautiful Bako National Park, with opportunities to see multitudes of colourful birds, long-tailed macaques, water monitors, wild boar, gibbons and the proboscis monkey.

Bunaken National Marine Park

North Sulawesi

Spend time relaxing on the beach or snorkel in one of the world's best coral reef diving and snorkelling areas.

Longhouse village of Annah Rais

Kuching

Learn about the culture of the Land Dayaks and visit their baruk (headhouse) where skulls can still be seen. Meet with a local healer and learn of their culture practices.