Pandaw Rajang River Cruise
Aboard the RV Orient Pandaw
9 daysDuration:
Departing 1st October 2011, this 9 day cruise would be the perfect ending to a tour of Borneo. Please contact us for specific information and prices.
The perfect addition to our Borneo tour, an extension cruise aboard a luxury Pandaw vessel. The atmosphere on board is informal and relaxed. Her staterooms are (12 sq meters) which makes them amongst the roomiest afloat. There is a very high level of care on board a Pandaw with impeccable service and a ratio of one staff member for every two guests. Pandaw river cruises are essentially an outdoor experience. Whilst the staterooms are very comfortable and roomy, passengers prefer to spend their time sitting outside, on the promenade decks or on the vast observation deck above. Exploratory shore excursions are led by expert local guides.
Day 1
Kuching - Sibu
Transfer to the airport this morning for your flight to Sibu. Upon arrival transfer to the port to join the ship.
Day 2
Kanowit
Cast off at dawn and proceed up the mighty Rajang. Morning stop to visit rattan workshops. Explore deeper inland by long boat up the Kanowit River and voluntary jungle trek back to the Pandaw moored at Kanowit.
Day 3
Kapit
The upriver capital has an even more interesting Brooke Raj fort called Fort Sylvia with the adjacent tattoo museum showing traditional Iban designs and techniques. We make further explorations to visit an original Iban longhouse.
Day 4
The Baleh River
Just above Kapit we turn up the main tributary of the Rajang, the Batang Baleh, for another day's sail. Visit a logging camp and stop overnight at Nagamujong village with its long house, school and church.
Day 5
Pelagus Rapids
Return down the Baleh to rejoin the Rajang and proceed towards the Pelagus Rapids. This section of the river is incredibly beautiful with thousands of islands, reefs and shoals. Depending on water levels it may be necessary to transfer to long boats to continue our journey. At Pelagus we make a short trek to the Pelagus Resort Hotel for afternoon tea and stupendous views of the rapids.
Day 6
Pelagus and Beyond
Further opportunity to trek in and around the Pelagus Resort. After lunch return downstream past Kapit.
Day 7
Song
Song is a small river station between Kanowit and Kapit and we stop here to make a boat trip up the Katibas river to visit long houses and the opportunity to trek part of the way back to Song.
Day 8
Sarikei and Thanjung Manis
We now enter the Rajang delta. At Sarikei we visit a deer farm and pepper plantations. On the coast Thanjung Manis is the main seaport and gateway to the Rajang. Return upstream stopping over night at Bintangor.
Day 9
Sibu - Kuching - Kuala Lumpur
Dock in Sibu early morning and after disembarkation, transfer to the airport to join you flight to Kuala Lumpur with a change in Kuching. Later this evening depart on your overnight flight back to Australia.
Day 10
Australia
Arrive Australia early this morning.
