Most longhouses are modern farming communities nowadays, and peopleonly wear loin-cloths and elaborate head-dresses at major cultural festivals such as gawai dayak. Therefore, to be sureof seeing traditional rituals, customs and dances it is usuallynecessary to go with an organised tour group. However, for manyvisitors it is not exotic costumes and rituals that are the highlightof the trip, but a glimpse into everyday longhouse life. Touroperators will advise visitors on longhouse etiquette and whatto bring.
On an organised tour, visitors will be offered tuak (ricewine) and entertained with traditional music and dancing. Guestsare expected to join in the fun. Some tour operators arrange forvisitors to sleep on the ruai (covered verandah), whilstothers have guest houses nearby for those who prefer more privacy.
Nearly all longhouse visits include a river journey ina dugout canoe and at least one night away from the hotel, althoughsome longhouse safaris last over a week and include some jungle trekking. For those who prefer to spend their nights in luxury,there are now a number of "longhouse resorts" in Sarawak,which offer resort-style comfort combined with daytime visitsto nearby longhouses.
Independent travellers are also welcome to visit Iban longhouses,particularly in the Kapit area, and many visitors are able tojoin in and enjoy life in the longhouse. However, a visitor shouldalways ask permission before entering a longhouse, as the communitymay, for various reasons, be unable to receive guests.
Some specialist operators and independent travellers also go toOrang Ulu longhouses deep in Sarawak's interior, where visitorsare seldom seen. Those who have little time can make day tripsfrom Kuching to Bidayuh longhouses, and from Sibu and Miri toIban longhouses.