Sailing in the Heart of Borneo

Flowing across Borneo from Sarawak into Indonesian Kalimantan, the Rajang River is the longest river in Malaysia. Well known to some, thanks to Redmond O’Hanlon’s classic “Into the Heart of Borneo”, there is very little tourism here due to the river’s remoteness. The river region is populated with many Iban tribes’ people. Head-hunters until the 1950s, their unique longhouse culture survives to this day. In the river towns explore the architectural vestiges of the Brooke Raj. Jungle treks, for all levels, are a must as are longboat trips, with a chance to see crocodiles, monitor lizards and the hornbill (national bird of Sarawak).

Downriver, the prosperous Chinese city of Sibu, the world’s biggest producer of pepper, with its old shop houses, markets, friendly inhabitants and rich farmlands is an important agricultural area.

Sarawak’s capital Kuching is a delightfully laid-back town full of cafés and traditional Chinese houses untrammelled by development. The serene Sarawak River flows through the centre, flanked by gorgeous Brooke Raj palaces, courts and a glistening white fort that marks the first White Rajas’ landing.

* Whilst the vessel carries up to 55 guests, the maximum group size for transfers and excursions is 30.