GENERAL INFORMATION

PANDAW CRUISES

BORNEO TRAVEL IDEAS

Kuching, 3 days
Kota Kinabalu, 3 days
Classic Borneo, 7 days
Borneo In Depth, 10 days
Mount Kinabalu, 3 days
Mulu National Park, 3 days
Sandakan Wildlife Safari, 3 days
The Great Iban Longhouse Experience, 3 days
Lemanak Longhouse, 3 days

MALAYSIA TRAVEL IDEAS

Kuala Lumpur, 3 days
Popular Penang, 3 days
Langkawi, 3 days
Kuala Lumpur to Penang, 4 days

STAYS OF DISTINCTION

Carcosa Seri Negara Kuala Lumpur
Eastern & Oriental Express

AIR-LAND INCLUSIVE

Exotic SE Asia Getaway, 14 days

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Borneo River Scenery

Iban Headhunters

Borneo Pandaw Cruises

Rajang River – Into the Heart of Borneo

9 days

See Borneo, the second largest island in the world after Greenland, on a luxury Pandaw cruise. The Rajang River, at 640 km is the longest river in Malaysia, flows across Borneo from Sarawak into Indonesian Kalimantan. Though well know to many from Redmon O'Hanlon's classic Into the Heart of Borneo, there is very little tourism here due to the river's remoteness and lack of facilities. The scenery is magnificent – a total jungle experience with the rainforest tumbling into the fast flowing river.

The Rajang is navigable on a ship of Pandaw's size. There is much to do and see upriver, whether just gazing at the amazing scenery or visiting traditional and modern long houses. Wildlife is in abundance and crocodiles, monitor lizards and the hornbill (national bird of Sarawak) are common sights. Pandaw river cruise is a deeply tranquil vacation experience.

Sibu, a prosperous Chinese city with old shop houses, markets and friendly inhabitants, is a calm reflection of an old China that probably no longer exists in mainland China. Sibu with its rich surrounding farmlands and tropical climate is an important agricultural area, and the world's biggest producer of pepper. Sibu is well served with several daily flights from/to Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu, Kuching and Brunei.

Day 1: Sibu. Transfer from Sibu airport and aboard the RV Orient Pandaw in the bustling city port set close to the local markets and temples. Free time to explore the town on foot with its attractive streets of old Chinese shop houses; redolent of Malacca or Penang but without the tourists. From here the fast express boats depart for the interior.

Day 2: Kanowit. Cast off at dawn and proceed up the mighty Rajang. Morning stop to visit rattan workshops. Here the river is still wide and full of shipping. At the river station of Kanowit we visit the Brooke Raj Fort Emma, of wooden construction and amazingly surviving intact after 150 years. Explore deeper inland by long boat up the Kanowit River and voluntary jungle trek back to the Pandaw moored at Kanowit.

Day 3: Kapit. Morning walk through Kapit; the last major administrative post on the Rajang River dating from the days of the White Rajahs. Visit of the Teresang Market, full of intriguing fresh jungle products and a fascinating mixture of people. It also offers a variety of local 'kuih' (cakes), the Chinese temple and Fort Silvia, originally called Kapit Ford. In the afternoon, visit of the handicraft and tattoo museum and then continue to a traditional Longhouse. We will experience the traditional “miring” (goodwill) ceremony, taste the "tuak" (local rice wine) and will be able to witness the 'ngajat' (Iban warrior dance) and perhaps take part in it.

Day 4: The Baleh River. Just above Kapit we turn up the main tributary of the Rajang, the Batang Baleh navigable for a Pandaw for another day's sail. We will cruise through the most narrow and scenic part of the journey, through the deep jungle we will see forgotten and modern longhouse and rice fields on the hills. Logging is strictly controlled by the Sarawak government, who has a strict replanting program. We will visit a logging camp and stop overnight at Nagamujong village with its long house, school, clinic and church. We will also see loading points for coal coming from mines deep in the jungle.

Day 5: Pelagus Rapids. Return down the Baleh to rejoin the Rajang and proceed another 40 km towards the Pelagus Rapids. This section of the river is incredibly beautiful with thousands of islands, reefs and shoals. Navigation here can be difficult depending on water levels and it may be necessary to transfer to long boats to continue our journey.

Full day at Pelagus resort, designed in the longhouse style, is overlooking the famous Pelagus rapids. There will be opportunity to trek in and around the resort through the primary rainforest so rich in fauna and flora, otherwise inaccessible to the casual visitors. We will take lunch at the resort and in the afternoon further possibilities to trek in the area or to relax at the resort's own swimming pool.

Day 6: Song. Cruising downstream the Rajang River and we will stop in the early morning to visit a rubber plantation. Then continue to Song, a small river station between Kanowit and Kapit. We stop here to make a boat trip up the Katibas River and the opportunity to trek part of the way back to Song. Continue downstream through evening.

Day 7: Sarikai. In the morning a quick stop at the pineapple island to get a taste of the famous Sarikai pineapple. Then continue with the boat to Sarikai. Explore the village on your own, with the possibility of visiting the mosque, market and to buy the famous pak cheng (herbal soup). Afternoon visit the Sebangkoi deer farm, and stop at a longhouse with pepper plantation.

Day 8: Thanjung Manis. We now enter the Rajang delta area with its rich agricultural life. Stop at a Malay village to visit the famous Songkat weaving workshop. It counts the royal family and Sultan of Brunei amongst their costumers.

Day 9: Sibu. Dock in Sibu early morning and disembark. Transfer to the airport for you onward journey.

2010/2011 Departures UPSTREAM

RV Orient Pandaw (Click for ship info)

2010 - May 1, 10 & 20; June 1, 10 & 20; July 1 & 10; Aug 1, 10 & 20; Sept 1 & 20; Nov. 1; Dec. 20

2011 – Jan. 1, 10 & 20; Feb. 1, 10 & 20; March 1, 10 & 20; April 10 & 20; May 1, 10 & 20; June 1, 10 & 20; July 1, 10 & 20; Aug. 1, 10 & 20; Sept. 1, 10 & 20; Oct. 1 & 10; Nov. 1, 10 & 20; Dec. 20

PRICES:

Please request current prices.

PRICE INCLUDES:

All main meals; Locally made soft drinks and beers, coffee, tea, mineral water; Sight seeing as indicated in itinerary, Entrance fees and English speaking guide; Airport transfers from/to the ship; Port dues and taxes

PRICE EXCLUDES:

International flights; Imported alcoholic beverages; laundry; visa costs; fuel surcharges

ABOUT Pandaw river cruises:

Luxury Pandaw cruising is different from other forms of cruising. The ships are full of character and comfort: colonial style promenade and observation decks, cocktail bar, lecture theatre and single sitting dining room make these ships amongst the smartest and most stylish of small ships. The atmosphere on board is informal and relaxed. Pandaw passengers like to be smart casual at night, but do not dress up.

Pandaw began twelve years ago as essentially an adventure experience, and whilst accommodation and service now is of a top standard, they refuse to compromise their tradition of respecting the passenger's independence and individuality. There is a very high level of care on board a Pandaw with impeccable service. The ratio is 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 local guides. When sailing, passengers sit on the deck and become absorbed by great panoramas as they unfold before them. Spellbound, one cannot help but to meditate upon the unceasing human and wildlife activity upon these spectacular waterworlds.