Borneo
Rajang River Cruise - 9 dagen
Dag 1: Sibu
Transfer from airport; board ship 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. Sibu is a big port with sea going ships coming up and off loading. From here the fast express boats depart for the interior.
Dag 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.
Dag 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. Built in 1880 by Rajah Charles Brooke to prevent the Iban from moving upriver and fighting with the Orang Ulu. In 1924 a peacekeeping ceremony between the infighting tribes (Iban, Kayan, Kenyah and Kajang) was held here.
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.
Dag 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.
Dag 5: Pelagus Rapids
Return down the Baleh to rejoin the Rajang and proceed another 40km 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.
Dag 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.
Dag 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 by your own, with the possibility of visiting the mosque, market and to buy the famous pak cheng (herbal soup).
Afternoon visit of the Sebangkoi deer farm and stop at a longhouse with pepper plantation
Dag 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
Dag 9: Sibu
Dock in Sibu early morning and disembark and transfer to airport for onward flights.
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