Sailing in the Heart of Borneo
A Pandaw cruise through varied landscapes on the mighty Rajang River
In Brief
| Flight - 1 night. Kuching - 1 night. Cruise - 8 nights. Kuching - 1 night. Flight - 1 night. |
Day 1 Fly overnight from London Heathrow via Kuala Lumpur to Kuching.
Day 2 Transfer to the 4-star Sheraton Four Points for overnight.
Day 3 Fly to Sibu. Embark on the RV Orient Pandaw for the eight-night cruise. At leisure in Sibu.
Day 4 Cruise upriver to Kanowit, to explore the small river port.
Day 5 Walk through Kapit, dating from the days of the White Rajas. Visit Teresang Market and a longhouse for a local “Miring” (goodwill) ceremony.
Day 6 Continue to the Pelagus Rapids, with thousands of islands, reefs and shoals. Navigation can be difficult depending on water levels and longboats may be necessary to continue the journey. Afternoon trek through the primary rainforest so rich in fauna and flora.
Day 7 Continue to Baleh River, main tributary of the Rajang. Cruising through the most narrow and scenic section of the journey, longhouses can be spotted in the dense jungle. Visit a school and Nanga Mujong village.
Day 8 Travel by longboat up the Katibas river, witnessing the activity along the river bank. Stop at Nanga Kebian to taste palm wine, unique to the Song area.
Day 9 Morning trek to visit waterfalls. See rubber and pepper drying and traditional weaving and basket making.
Day 10 Enter the Rajang Delta area and visit the fisherman’s wharf at Rajang village. Visit the Songket weaving workshop.
Day 11 Disembark in Sibu. Fly to Kuching. Transfer to the 4-star Sheraton Four Points for overnight.
Day 12 A city tour of Kuching and a visit to Semonggok Rehabilitation Centre for orangutans. Evening flight to Kuala Lumpur and onwards to London Heathrow.
Day 13 Arrive Heathrow in the early morning.
Extension - Batang Ai
Drive from Kuching (4 hrs) to the 4-star Hilton Batang Ai in the verdant heart of Sarawak. Far from the madding crowd enjoy the hotel’s facilities, relax by the pool or explore the jungle. Restaurant, lounge, tennis, pool. Rooms in long-house style with air-conditioning, private facilities, satellite TV, hairdryer and tea/coffee making facilities. Breakfast and transfers included.
