Pacu Jawi Tradition & Mentawai People
Sumatra, Indonesia
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Activity Level
Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on activity rating is here.
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Five Participants Two Leaders
Aug 29th –Sept 6th, 2025
$4,800
Immersive Photography with the
Pacu Jawi Tradition & Mentawai People
Join Matt and Alou Brandon on an extraordinary journey into Indonesia’s vibrant culture and unique traditions.
Tour Overview
Led by travel photographer Matt Brandon and co-hosted by his wife and partner Alou Brandon, this photography tour takes you to two remarkable regions of Indonesia: the verdant rice paddies of West Sumatra, where the powerful Pacu Jawi (mud bull-racing) tradition unfolds, and the secluded Mentawai Islands, home to indigenous communities living in deep harmony with the rainforest. Each day promises a carefully crafted experience, offering a meaningful connection with the people, places, and moments that make this part of the world truly unique.
Why Choose This Tour?
With over 30 years of experience in travel and humanitarian photography, Matt has captured stories across the globe for clients like National Geographic Traveler, Fujifilm, and numerous non-profits. His sensitivity to diverse cultures and natural storytelling skills lend a richness and authenticity to this tour that goes beyond the camera. With Alou’s expertise in seamless planning and personal attention to each traveler’s needs, this journey is as smooth as it is immersive.
- Pacu Jawi – Beginning in the rice fields of West Sumatra, Matt will guide you in photographing the exhilarating Pacu Jawi tradition, an ancient celebration where local farmers race their bulls through the mud to honor the land and their livelihood. This event offers a rare chance to capture the emotion, energy, and pride of an enduring cultural legacy up close.
- Mentawai Islands – From West Sumatra, the journey continues to the remote Mentawai Islands, where you’ll enter the world of the Mentawai people—known for their traditional tattoos, spiritual practices, and symbiotic relationship with nature. Here, Matt will lead you in photographing intimate portraits and scenes of daily life that few have the privilege to witness firsthand. Alou’s attentive support ensures every detail of your time with the Mentawai people is thoughtfully planned.
What to Expect
This journey is all about authentic connections and moments. Matt will help you capture images that feel personal and alive, whether through powerful action shots or quiet, contemplative portraits. From the high-speed thrill of Pacu Jawi to the serene rhythms of Mentawai life, you’ll be inspired to find and create images that tell a story. And with Alou’s dedicated support, every aspect of your experience will allow you to stay fully engaged in the beauty around you.
Highlights
- Access Like No Other – Working with Matt and Alou, you’ll gain entry to unique locations away from the usual paths, giving you the space and time to create your own vision without distractions.
- Rich Cultural Insights – Beyond photography, Matt ensures you learn the stories behind each location, introducing you to local guides and community leaders to help you capture the spirit and heart of these places.
- Personalized Experience – With a small, select group, Matt and Alou offer individual guidance and thoughtful feedback tailored to help you refine your photography style.
The Pacu Jawi Experience
Pacu Jawi, or “bull racing,” is a traditional cultural event held in the Minangkabau region of West Sumatra, Indonesia. This exhilarating spectacle takes place in the muddy rice fields after harvest, when local farmers celebrate by racing pairs of bulls. The event’s roots are tied to agricultural traditions, as farmers began racing their bulls to test strength after a season of hard work. Over time, Pacu Jawi has grown into a lively community event attracting locals and tourists alike.
A Thrilling Visual Experience The Pacu Jawi race format is uniquely thrilling – a jockey holds the bulls’ tails, yoked together, standing on a plank or clinging directly as they sprint through mud. It’s a physically demanding challenge, as the jockey must balance and steer over slippery terrain. With teams racing individually, the focus is on the bulls’ speed and the rider’s control. This blend of grit, tradition and skill is why Pacu Jawi is recognized as one of Indonesia’s most exciting cultural events. For photographers, it offers an exceptional visual experience filled with dynamic motion, vibrant colors and authentic expression, providing endless opportunities to capture the race’s energy and intensity.
The Unique Mentawai People
The Indigenous Mentawai People The Mentawai Islands, located off the western coast of Sumatra, Indonesia, are home to the indigenous Mentawai people. This isolated archipelago has allowed the Mentawai culture to thrive largely untouched by outside influences over centuries. The Mentawai are known for their distinctive traditional tattoos, spiritual practices rooted in animism, and a way of life that is deeply intertwined with the rhythms of the natural environment. Their villages are nestled amidst dense tropical forests, with thatched-roof homes and communal gathering spaces that reflect their harmonious relationship with the land.
A Unique Worldview and Way of Life The Mentawai people’s connection to their island home is evident in every aspect of their culture. Intricate tattoos adorn their bodies, each one carrying deep symbolic meaning. Spiritual practices, like the reverence for ancestral spirits, are woven into the fabric of daily life. This holistic worldview, where humans exist in balance with nature, sets the Mentawai apart from many modern societies. Despite increasing outside influences, the Mentawai continue to preserve their distinct identity, offering visitors a rare opportunity to engage with an indigenous community and learn about their time-honored traditions and sustainable way of life.
During this immersive journey to the stunning islands of Mentawau and Pacu Jawi, you will acquire invaluable skills and insights to elevate your photography to new heights.
Here’s what you can expect to learn:
- Master the art of storytelling through your images, conveying powerful narratives that capture the essence of the Mentawai people’s traditions and the Pacu Jawi celebration, creating photographs that resonate deeply with viewers.
- Hone your exposure techniques, enabling you to beautifully freeze the dynamic motion and changing light of the Pacu Jawi mud bull-racing, as well as the varied lighting conditions found across the lush Mentawai Islands.
- Explore composition techniques that transform the vibrant, textural scenes of Mentawai life and the dramatic, mud-soaked energy of Pacu Jawi, enhancing the visual impact of your photographs.
- Unlock the potential of off-camera lighting to add depth and dimension to your environmental portraits of the Mentawai people, highlighting their intricate traditional dress, expressive faces, and connections to their natural surroundings. Develop the skills to create captivating visuals that showcase the unique elements of Mentawai culture and lifestyle.
- Dive into post-processing techniques to refine and enhance your photos from the Mentawau and Pacu Jawi journey, taking them to the next level of professionalism and visual appeal, whether you’re showcasing the vivid colors of a Pacu Jawi ritual or the timeless beauty of a Mentawai landscape.
- And much more awaits you on this unforgettable journey—a wealth of knowledge and practical skills that will empower you to unleash your creativity and capture the beauty, culture and essence of Mentawau and Pacu Jawi like never before.
A Detailed TimeLine
Arrival Day 1
Arrival in Padang & Transfer to Bukittinggi
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Afternoon: Meet at Padang Airport (recommended arrival time around midday).
To ensure everyone is well-rested and prepared for the next day’s action, we’ll gather in the afternoon on the day before the Pacu Jawi. Upon arrival, you will head directly to our accommodations at the scenic Ecolodge hotel in Bukittinggi, which is approximately a 2.5 to 3-hour drive from Padang.
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Evening: Check-in, Freshen Up & Welcome Dinner.
Once checked in, take some time to unwind, charge camera gear, and enjoy the tranquil surroundings. In the evening, join us for a welcome dinner to connect with fellow photographers and travelers. This relaxed start to the journey lets everyone settle in, rest up, and build anticipation for the Pacu Jawi event.
DAY 2
Journey to Tanah Datar Regency for Pacu Jawi
Set off from Padang City at 8:00 a.m., heading toward Tanah Datar Regency, where the exhilarating Pacu Jawi (Bull Race) unfolds. Along the way, you’ll stop at the picturesque Minangkabau village of Pariangan, famed for its traditional architecture and breathtaking views.
After exploring Pariangan, continue to Batusangkar to visit the historic Pagaruyung King’s Palace. Here, if everything goes according to plan, we hope to arrange for some local models to pose for us in traditional dress with the palace as a backdrop.
In the afternoon, the main event! Immerse yourself in the vibrant Pacu Jawi, photographing the thrilling action as local farmers race their bulls through muddy fields. With Alou managing all logistics and Matt guiding you to the best angles, you’ll capture this unique tradition in a way that few others have.
Day 3
Bukittinggi to Maninjau
Begin your day with an early morning journey to Lawang village, where you’ll capture the authentic process of sugar cane production. This provides an excellent opportunity to document traditional rural life and industry.
Next, we’ll make our way to the picturesque Maninjau village. Here, you’ll explore the traditional architecture and daily life of this charming settlement.
A highlight of the day will be meeting a local family, offering you the chance to create intimate environmental portraits that tell the story of Sumatran village life.
As the day winds down, we’ll return to Bukittinggi, where you’ll have time to review your images and rest for the night.
Day 4
Bukittinggi to Padang
We’ll begin our journey from Bukittinggi to Padang, taking in the changing landscapes along the way.
Our first stop will be at a traditional bakery where we’ll photograph the unique preparation of “Bika,” a local delicacy made using a distinctive oven system.
Next, we’ll visit Malalak village, known for its stunning jungle vistas and terraced rice fields. Here, we’ll also explore a local cinnamon factory, which offers diverse photographic opportunities.
Upon arrival in Padang, we’ll check into our hotel. We’ll use this evening to prepare our gear for the upcoming Mentawai adventure.
Day 5
Padang to Siberut – Mentawai Family
We’ll be picked up from our hotel in Padang early to catch our ferry to Siberut Island. This is the “fast ferry,” but don’t let that fool you, it is still three hours of open ocean, so take your Dramamine!
Upon arrival to South Siberut, we’ll transfer to a transit village near the port. While our team handles logistics, we’ll have time to rest and recharge.
We’ll continue our journey deep into the jungle by traditional motor canoe, followed by a 1.5-hour trek to the Mentawai clan house.
Together, we’ll meet our Mentawai hosts – a shaman and his family – and settle into our new surroundings.
Days 6 - 8
Immersion in Mentawai Life
Over the newxt few days we will stay with a Mentawai family deep in the jungle, capturing intimate moments of daily life through guided photography sessions. Join the family in food preparation, learn the art of sago harvesting and processing, and document early morning hunting. Photograph men crafting traditional arrow poison and women weaving jungle essentials from rattan and leaves.
You’ll also witness the unique harvest and grilling of grubs from sago trees—a true local delicacy. This immersive experience provides rare photographic opportunities to capture the rich traditions, resilience, and resourcefulness of the Mentawai people, offering an authentic glimpse into their enduring way of life.
Day 8
Our final day in Mentawai begins with a heartfelt farewell breakfast with our host family. We’ll then embark on a trek back to the river, where a motor canoe will transport us to the transit village near Siberut’s port. After sharing a last lunch together and preparing for our departure, we’ll board the fast ferry at 15:00, arriving in Padang around 18:30. Our journey concludes with a transfer to our hotel in Padang. As we reflect on our experiences, we’ll realize that this immersive week has gifted us with a wealth of photographic opportunities, allowing us to capture the essence of Mentawai culture and the lush Indonesian landscape in ways that will resonate long after our return home.
Prepare for an Authentic Mentawai Experience
Your stay in the Mentawai jungle will be a true immersion into traditional village life. You’ll sleep on a bamboo floor under a mosquito net in a real Mentawai home, with no running water or modern plumbing. Electricity is absent here, so there’s no air conditioning or even a fan—but the fresh jungle air and natural surroundings make up for it. Outside, village life carries on as it has for generations, with pigs and chickens freely roaming under the home.
Food will be simple and sourced locally, offering you a taste of true Mentawai cuisine. On occasion, you may be invited to try a local delicacy: the sago grub, a larvae of the red palm weevil. It’s entirely your choice whether to take on this culinary adventure! This rustic experience provides a rare, unplugged glimpse into Mentawai daily life—an authentic journey that few travelers ever get to share.
Deluxe Hotel
Eco Lodge
Clan House
It’s the Jungle!
Be prepare for rustic conditions far from the comforts of Western standards. You’ll sleep on floor mats with mosquito netting in the family’s home, which lacks running water and electricity. The environment is hot and humid, so charge any electronics beforehand and bring extra batteries.
Reaching the Mentawai villages involves a trek through dense rainforest, navigating muddy, uneven, and sometimes slippery terrain. Paths may require crossing logs or makeshift bridges, so a moderate level of physical fitness and mental preparation will help you fully embrace the adventure.
Activity Level ⤞ Adventurous
This trip involves challenging trekking in the Mentawai jungle, navigating muddy and uneven paths, and staying in traditional homes with no running water, electricity, or modern comforts. Participants should be physically prepared and mentally resilient, ready to embrace rustic, hot, and humid conditions.
Activity Level Guide
1 ⤞ Easy
Minimal physical activity. Ideal for all fitness levels, with light walking on even terrain, full facilities, and comfortable accommodations.
2 ⤞ Moderate
Requires light physical activity, such as walking or gentle hiking, for short durations on easy trails. Basic but comfortable facilities are available.
3 ⤞ Active
Involves moderate trekking or uneven terrain that may be slippery or muddy. Basic accommodations with essential facilities. Suitable for those with average fitness levels.
4 ⤞ Adventurous ⤝
Involves trekking in natural terrain with some challenging conditions (muddy or uneven paths). Accommodations are rustic, with limited facilities and no electricity. Suitable for active travelers with a flexible, open mindset.
5 ⤞ Highly Adventurous
Extended physical activity in remote settings with minimal facilities. Accommodations are extremely basic, with limited comfort and amenities. It is ideal for those with high fitness levels who enjoy immersive, off-grid experiences.
YOUR LEADERS
Matt & Alou Brandon have been running tours in India since 1993, bringing their wealth of cultural knowledge to hundreds of tourists and photographers alike. Having resided in Kashmir, India, for nearly 13 years, the Brandons have cultivated deep personal connections with the people and culture of both Kashmir and Ladakh. Their intimate understanding and passion for these regions make them the ideal choice to lead your adventure, ensuring an enriching and unforgettable experience for all participants.
Matt Brandon
With a diverse portfolio spanning assignments, editorials, and nonprofit initiatives, Matt brings a wealth of experience to his photography endeavors. His captivating images have graced the pages of esteemed publications such as National Geographic Traveler and Condé Nast, while also being utilized by renowned brands including KLM Airlines, Honda Motor Corporation, and Bombardier Transport Corporation, among others. Having traversed regions like Egypt, Tibet, India, Indonesia, and beyond, Matt’s extensive travel experiences have honed his keen eye for capturing the essence of diverse cultures and landscapes. With a career spanning over a 30 years, Matt has been sharing his expertise through leading photo tours, workshops, and masterclasses since 2007, ensuring participants gain invaluable insights into the art of travel photography from a seasoned professional.
Matt is also proud to be a Fujifilm X-Photographer for Malaysia.
Alou Brandon
With her deep-rooted love for travel and exploration, Alou’s journey from tour operator to culinary guide has been a natural evolution. Her keen eye for uncovering hidden gems in local markets and her knack for introducing travelers to the diverse flavors of Asia have made her a sought-after companion for culinary adventures.
Drawing from her rich experiences as an expat in Malaysia and India, Alou’s “Cooking with Alou” classes have become renowned for their hands-on approach and the authentic taste of each dish. Fluent in Hindi and Urdu, Alou effortlessly navigates the cultural nuances of the regions she explores, enhancing the authenticity of her culinary experiences.
Now, co-leading the Ladakh tour, Alou finds herself reconnecting with her true passion for travel and guiding, eager to share the wonders of Ladakh with fellow adventurers. Her expertise, multilingual skills, and enthusiasm promise to make this journey an unforgettable experience for all.
For $4,200
What’s covered and what’s not.
Inclusions:
- Photographic guidance
- Local guide
- Private Rooms (other than the clan house)
- All local ground and sea transportration
- Environmental fees and interline permits
- All meals & water
- All Tips!
- Transfers to and from your flights
- Transfers in Sringagar
Exclusions:
- All international or domestic airfare
- Any entry visa in Indonesia.
- Any medical evacuation.
- Any expenses caused by factors beyond our control like flight or ferry cancellation, roadblocks, vehicle malfunction, etc…
- Any personal expenses like laundry, alcohol, telephone bills, SIM chips
- medical/travel insurance, still/video camera fee, costs, or any other cost not included above.
We strongly recommend securing Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) Travel Insurance. We have seen many guests without this coverage face unexpected cancellations, resulting in significant financial loss. Without it, you risk losing the full cost of your trip. Additionally, Trip Interruption insurance is a valuable option to consider, as it can reimburse you for any portion of the tour missed due to illness or injury while traveling. Protecting your investment with these insurance options can provide peace of mind during your adventure.
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Reviews
What our past participants have to say about us.
Andrée Lawrey
LADAKH & RAJASTHAN WORKSHOPS PARTICIPANT
“Two weeks of fun, photography, laughter, discovery, and pure enjoyment, along with excellent company and delicious food — Best of all, the photographic learning experience was priceless: Matt is an inspiring teacher and mentor who really cares about helping his students push their boundaries and learn how to create better images, while Piet’s expert assistance with workflow and post-processing issues was a real bonus—highly recommended!”
Ladakh Workshop Participant
“I look back on the Ladakh-Photo-Trek as one of the most important experiences for my development as a photographer. On the whole tour, there was a constant and very personal mentoring, frequent critiques in the evening and everyday novel encounters with the Ladakhi scenery, people and their culture. Sometimes we were pushed to our boundaries. The tour was exceptionally well organized and carried out. … and it was FUN!”
Ladakh, Rajasthan, & Varanasi Workshops Participant
“I am coming back with a bunch of images that I do not believe I would have been capable to take had I not been on the workshop. I genuinely appreciated Matt’s hands-on approach, the tips and tricks that he provided spontaneously and his availability at all times. In fact that Matt almost did not shoot himself, he preferred to focus on the efforts and improvement of the skills of his students. This proved invaluable.”