Rajang River Cruise - Nine Days on a Pandaw

Day 1:  Sibu (Rajang River)

Transfer from the airport to the ship.    Take a guided walk through Sibu, with its attractive streets of old Chinese shops and houses, reminiscent of Malacca or Penang and still relatively untouched by tourism. Sibu is a big port with sea going ships coming and going and from where the fast express boats depart for the interior. 

Please note that this guided tour will depart from the ship at 3pm.   A transfer from Sibu airport to the ship is included in the price of your cruise, however, Pandaw MUST be notified at the time of booking confirmation of passengers' flight number and arrival time.  For those joining the ship independently, check in at the ship can be any time before 17.30 as the ship casts off at 18.00. The ship is docked at Burung Apu Wharf in the centre of Sibu next to the Express Boat Terminal.  For those joining the ship in the morning lunch onboard is included.

Day 2:  Sangai (Igan River)

Cast off Cast off down the Igan river to the Islamic Melanau village of Sangai. After a village walk and refreshments we will continue on small boats through the Kut Canal, which was built in 1790 to connect the Igan with the Oya river. Return to the ship and cast off.  In the afternoon, visit  Kampung Bungan Kecil, a traditional Melanay village which is one of the very few places left where sago production is still essential to the villagers’ everyday lives.

Day 3:  Kanowit (Rajang River)

In the morning, if conditions permit, travel by Pandawv up the narrow Kanowit river, passing by longhouse villages and fish traps and an areas which is excellent for watching bird life. Stop at a rubber plantation and a walk to the nearby village where the community manufactures the rubber . 

Day 4: Kapit (Rajang River)

Morning walk through Kapit; the last major administrative post on the Rajang River dating from the days of the White Rajahs. Visit 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. We will continue to visit the handicraft museum and tattoo studio. Continue by mini  van inland to visit  a traditional wooden 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. In the afternoon we continue to cruise upstream.

Day 5: Pelagus (Rajang River)

Our ship will continue upstream as far as prevailing river conditions will permit. Transfer to local boat to continue to the Pelagus Rapids. Jungle walk and visit a school and pineapple plantations.

Day 6: Song (Rajang River)

Stop at the river station Song.  We will make a boat trip up the Katibas river to the Nanga Kebian to taste the palm wine " Ijok", which is unique to the Song area.   There is the option to continue with small boats upriver or return to ship.   Then cruise downstream into the heart of the Rajang delta.

Day 7: Sarikai (Rajang River)

Walk through the bustling village with our ships’ Executive Chef.  Explore the vegetable and fish market, watch the Chinese settlers producing fresh noodles and possibly buy the famous pak cheng (herbal soup).  In the afternoon visit a pepper plantation, where the famous Sarawak pepper is grown. Continue to a newly built longhouse which is famous for its rattan production, even exporting it as far as the Americas.  If time allows we will visit the Sebangkoi deer farm. 

Day 8:  Thanjung Manis (Rajang Delta)

Our ship will moor alongside the fisher wharf of the Rajang village, at the mouth of the Rajang River. A small Melanau village which keeps its traditional cottage industry alive. We will see how the community transforms freshly caught fish into delicious, crispy fish crackers.  Visit the famous Songkat Weaving workshop - one of the very few weaving factories left, where fine cloths are made by hand. It counts the royal family and Sultan of Brunei amongst its customers.

Day 9:  Sibu (Rajang River)

All day disembarkation in Sibu.  Passengers can disembark from 8am on the last day of the cruise. A transfer from 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.

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!

Cruise Price Includes 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.