Bario Highland is one of the humble towns in Sarawak. It is a Kelabit territory, one of the minority Orang Ulu tribes of Sarawak. Bario means 'Wind' in Kelabit language.' It is affectionately known as the 'land of a hundred handshakes' as this is how friendly locals will greet you as you wander around the community.

Bario proper is the gateway to the Kelabit highlands, thanks to its airport and a small network of roads leading to some of the nearby villages. About thirteen villages are located in & around Bario area and Kampung Bario Asal is the first. This is a must-visit longhouse where one can see the ancient timbers of the unique kitchen darkened by the constant smoke of generations of cooking fires.

Airports in Bario

Bario Airport (BBN)

Bario Airport (IATA: BBN, ICAO: WBGZ) is an airport in Bario, a town in the state of Sarawak in Malaysia. It is a very small airport. Only small airplanes are commonly allowed.

How to Get Cheap Flights to Bario?

Traveloka is a travel search engine that makes it easy for travellers to find the cheapest flights to Bario.All you need to do is key in the information in the search box, and the application will recommend the best trip according to your budget. It compares flight prices across some trusted airlines to help you to get the best possible deal. Use Traveloka’s price alert feature to be notified of flights in your desired price range to get the best flight price to Bario.

When is the Best Time to Fly to Bario?

The highland rests on an altitude of between 3400 to 6000 feet above sea level in the north-eastern corner of Sarawak. There are times when the fog gets as thick as pea soup and flights are canceled, leaving passengers stranded back on the tarmac in Miri for an undetermined period of time, but that happens mostly during the monsoon seasons, towards the end of the year and stretches into the New Year. Then there are times when smoke from forest fires ignited in parts of Kalimantan, Borneo and Sumatra is blown into the highlands, blanketing the entire valley. Sometimes the smoke lingers for days on end. But of course, this happens mostly during the dry season, sometime between June and September. So, basically, if time is of the essence, this trip is not for you.

Electricity is reliant on diesel or petrol generators. Most longhouses/homestays do not have hot showers, so make sure to shower before nightfall as temperature may drop to its 16ºC - 20ºC during the night.

Try to contact the homestays you wish to stay at before going, to make sure the owners are around. There are 4WDs for hire. The drivers will take you anywhere nearby within a radius of 10km from town. Beyond that, you will have to walk your way there or hire a buffalo cart to take you there. Bring enough money for the trip. There are no ATM cash machines around. If you're thinking of trekking across to Kalimantan, do bring your passport with you and preferably get your visa done prior to your trip if you have to. For stays at longhouses, normally there is no electricity, hence no lights - therefore candles will be provided. Again, best to do all you have to do in the bathroom before nightfall. The toilets and baths are usually situated away from the longhouse.

Apart from during the wet monsoon season, there isn't really any other clear-cut seasons in Sarawak; it's tropical and hovers at around 27-30°C, which is lovely and warm and only adds to the jungle flavor. April, May, June, July, August and September are drier in Sarawak, but the entire region is sheltered from the worst of SE Asia's weather anyway.

Rainy and with an ever-present possibility of thunderstorms, November is an exciting time in Sarawak if you don’t mind a bit of rain – most thunderstorms occur in the late afternoon or evenings, giving you a spectacular show as they do! This time of year is temperamental, but crowds deplete massively and national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, jungle lodges and caves are even more appealing without the hordes.

Most of the area's accommodation is found in and around Bario, and it is the main starting point for treks throughout the area. One can go kayaking or immerse in the historical tales of the monoliths that dot the area. The place has incredible organic food such as the famous Bario rice and pineapple. One of their annual events is the internationally known Bario Food Festival, also known as 'Pesta Nukenen,' held in July each year.

What are the Top 3 Things to Do in Bario?

Bario is one of the most visited cities in the world. Many attractions can be found in Bario.

Hiking - There are so many tracks to discover. Among the famous ones will be Korea Hill Trek and Pineapple Farm Trek. Apart from its beautiful scenery, the weather is often very cooling and calming during day time.

Bario Asal Longhouse - Historical visit. A small charge of SGD 1-3. Take a look at how the ancestors in Bario lived in the longhouse. Find out where the idea came from the locals.

Bario Salt Factory - Find out how the salt is made. Be mesmerized with the process. Rent a mountain bike for a better experience.