Into the Heart of Borneo

Deck Plan - RV Orient Pandaw

Select a stateroom using the deck plan below. Click once to select a stateroom for two people, again for single occupancy and once more to clear your selection. Your choice will be reflected in the pricing table below the deck plan:

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Prices (per cabin)

Cruise prices per cabin are displayed below, along with the selection you have made from the deck plan above.

8 February 2010: ARRIVAL INTO KUCHING / KUCHING WHITE RAJAH TRAIL

Upon arrival at Kuching international airport, you will be met by our representative and transferred to Kuching in an air conditioned car/van. At 14:00hrs explore Kuching by foot with your guide, reliving the History of White Rajah of Sarawak. Many people regard the Brooke Raj as a golden age where traditions were strong, the economy improved, and violence (piracy & head-hunting) was under control. Under the Brookes, the rights and interests of indigenous people were protected and they were allowed to pursue their subsistence-based lifestyles. Kuching has literally dozens of historic buildings – the tourism complex (which formerly housed the different government department of Rajah Charles), round tower (formerly used as dispensary during Rajah Period), pavilion, square tower (prison cell during Rajah Period) and post office are unique examples of colonial period architecture. The excellent museums include the historic Sarawak Museum, with one of the best ethnography collections in Southeast Asia. Equally fascinating are the Islamic Museum and the Chinese History Museum. Overnight in Kuching Hilton.

9 February 2010: DAY BAKO NATIONAL PARK (B,L)

This tour starts with a car ride from Kuching city to the small Malay village of Bako, where you then venture on a 1/2 hour boat ride to reach the national park. This is a day with plenty of opportunities to trek through the beautiful park and explore flora and fauna at its best. Get to see the Proboscis monkeys that can only be found on the island of Borneo. If you are lucky you might also spot various other animals. Among them are wild boars, silvered leaf monkeys, macaques, monitor lizards and birds. Simple lunch in the park canteen. Late afternoon, return the same way back to Kuching city by boat and car. Overnight Kuching Hilton.

Recommended: Water bottle, flat shoes or trekking boots, insect repellent, sun block cream, a hat and swim wear.

10 February 2010: SEMENGGOK ORANG UTAN CENTRE & TRANSFER OUT (B)

08:00hrs depart by van to commence your tour to the Orang Utan centre. About 22km south of Kuching city where the Semenggok Nature Reserve of Sarawak is located, rangers take care of the once-captive Orang Utans who live in the trees (as they instinctively do in the wild), and do things like making nests on treetops for sleeping at night. The best time to observe the Orang Utans, who are semi-wild, will be in the MORNING. Orang Utans are so similar to humans, yet so different. Similar in that the period from conception to birth is about 275 days, the same as in human beings. Orang Utans have a full set milk teeth, complete by the age of one year. And yet they are so different, because they come from an environment which is so foreign to humans. When Orang Utans became a protected species in Malaysian Borneo, it was necessary to find a place to keep and rehabilitate the once-captive animals.

Our tip: Do not wear clothing that is too colourful as this will attract the Orang Utans and make them nervous, therefore may have the tendency to make them aggressive.

Return back to your hotel before transferring to Kuching airport for your flight to Sibu.

Important Note: The air ticket from Kuching to Sibu is not included in the tour price - we recommend that you book Malaysia Airlines flight MH3694 departing around 14.10 hours, as the earlier flight does not permit time to visit the Orang Utan centre.

HOTEL HILTON KUCHING
Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman, Kuching, Malaysia 93100
Tel: 60-82-248-200 Fax: 60-82-428-984

Download Hotel Fact Sheet

Hilton_Kuching.pdf

Rajang River Cruise - Nine Days on a Pandaw

If you would like to know more information about the river stops in this itinerary, please click on the underlined destinations.

10 February 2010: Sibu / Durin

Transfer from the airport to the ship moored at the Burung Apu Warf next to the Express Boat Terminal. There will be a guided walk through Sibu in the late afternoon (15:00). We will visit the main market and Chinese temple. Cast off in the evening cruising upstream towards the Durin Bridge.

11 February 2010: Kanowit River

Cruise up the Rajang River to Kanowit where, water levels permitting, we will enter the Kanowit River and cruise deep into the jungle. Return to the Rajang and moor at Kanowit for a walk around the small river port. Cast off from Kanowit mid afternoon and continue upstream until sunset.

12 February 2010: Kapit

Morning walk through Kapit. We will visit the Teresang Market and the handicraft museum . After lunch, we will travel by mini van to a traditonal wooden long house to experience customary "miring" (goodwill ceremony). Return to ship and cast off to move upriver.

13 February 2010: Pelagus Rapids

Transfer to a tong-kang (local work boat) and move upriver past shoals and fast flowing eddies to the famous Pelagus Rapids. We explore the rock strewn rivers edge at food of rapids before returning to Pandaw for lunch. In the afternoon we will go jungle trekking on trails exclusively prepared for Pandaw passengers, across the river from Kapit. On the trail, which takes 3 hours, we will encounter copses of bamboo, wild fruit trees, waterfalls, and wonderful views across river to Kapit.

14 February 2010: Baleh River

We will travel by open expressboat up the Baleh River to the Palawan area; a picturesque location on the fast flowing river. You will see some spectacular shipwrecks, a small inlet with rapids and a longhouse perched on a bluff above that is seldom visited by tourists. We will have a picnic lunch on a sandbar. As we return downstream, we will call into the small Nanga Mujong settlement for a walk and visit to the school. Return to ship and move downstream to arrive at Song in the late afternoon.

15 February 2010: Song / The Katibas River

Early rising passengers will have the option to embark on an early morning excursion. Passengers who opt to take this excursion will depart at 6am on small flatboats and head up the Sungei Song or Sungei Iran tributaries to witness birdlife and greet longhouse folk travelling downstream to market.

All passengers will meet back on Pandaw for breakfast and later transfer to covered longboats to travel some distance up the Katibas river; stopping at Nanga Kebian to taste the palm wine ljok which is unique to the Song area. Return to the ship for lunch and cruise downstream into the heart of the Rajang delta.

16 February 2010: Sarikei / Rajang Delta

We arrive at Sarikei early morning and transfer to vans to travel to Rumah Nyuka longhouse. From this longhouse a choice of two treks are offered, depending on passenger fitness. Both treks lead to pretty waterfalls. After treks there will be refreshments and activities at the longhouse. Rubber and pepper drying (when in season) will be witnessed in the longhouse grounds as well as traditional weaving and basket making. After lunch, passengers have the option of taking a second trek before returning to Pandaw.

17 February 2010: Tanjung Manis

Cast off early to visit the fisherman's wharf at Rajang village, situated at the month of the Rajang River. This is a small Melanau village with vibrant traditional cottage industries. Freshly caught fish are transformed into delicious, crispy fish crackers. Visit the famous Songket weaving workshop - one of the very weaving factories left, where fine clothes are made by hand. It counts the royal family and Sultan of Brunei amongst its customers.

18 February 2010: Sibu

All day disembarkation in Sibu. Passengers can disembark from 8am on the last day of the cruise. A transfer form the ship to Sibu airport is included in the price of your cruise, however, Pandaw MUST be notified at the time of booking confirmation of passengers' flight number and departure time. For those who wish to leave the ship in the afternoon, lunch can be provided if Pandaw are notified in advance.

Cruise Price Includes: Airport transfers from Sibu airport on dates of embarkation and disembarkation, entrance fees, guide services (English language), gratuities to crew, main meals, locally made beers and soft drinks, jugged coffee and selection of teas and tisanes, mineral water.

Cruise Price Excludes: International flights, laundry, all visa costs, fuel surcharges (see terms and conditions).

River Conditions Warning!

The Rajang River is unlike the other great rivers Pandaw navigates which have seasonal rises and falls of water level. On the Rajang water levels can change dramatically overnight at any time of year. A sudden rise can impede our progress upstream considerably. A sudden fall can result in our being unable to get into certain places or go as far upstream as we would hope. Either way itineraries are subject to sudden changes and passengers are asked to be flexible and patient. River cruising on the Rajang is a dramatic and exciting experience - not like cruising the controlled waterways of Europe or America. Note also this is our first season of operation in an area that has no tourism infrastructure at all. As a result local services and suppliers, like boats, buses and guides, can be erratic to say the least. Be prepared for this and it is all more the fun! 

16 February 2010: Sarikai and the Rajang Delta

17 February 2010:  Tanjung Manis