Relax on a Jungle River Cruise in Borneo

Cruise Boat

Built in Central Kalimantan (Indonesian Borneo) using the simple time honoured methods of traditional local Dayak craftmsmen, the Rahai'i Pangun has been extensively modified by foreign architectural and building experts working with local construction teams.

Launched in February 2008, the Rahai'i Pangun is the first eco tourism cruise boat in Central Kalimantan, pioneering a tourism industry in this infrequently visited region of Borneo.

Named by the traditional elders after an historic vessel of the same name trading far and wide and bringing home riches, Rahai'i Pangun means big development.

Destinations

Cruising from Palangkaraya, the capital of Central Kalimantan, accessible by a short flight from Indonesia's capial of Jakarta, the Rahai'i Pangun makes journeys along the Kahayan and Rungan Rivers.


Highlights are the wonderful relaxing pace of the cruise, the comfort of the boat and the delicious, fresh food cooked by our on board chef. Leave the city behind, and enter this mystic, jungle world as you pass dense forested river banks, see orangutan islands and glimpse birds and other wildlife. Stopping to transfer to a small local boat to better explore the maze of black water lakes and canals is a great adventure.

Visits to riverside villages to see traditional lifestyles and learn about their livelihoods is the next highlight. Our past and continuing work in these villages to help develop sustainable lifestyles extends to working with them to ensure the protection of their unique forests and riverscapes, and to develop their traditional dances and music.

Mid week cruises extend from Monday to Friday and shorter weekend breaks start on Friday.

Typical Day

Our normal cruise program of 2-5 days departs from Palangkaraya and cruises the Kahayan and Rungan Rivers.

To given an idea of our daily program of cruising as well as other adventure tours we offer, the sample itinerary below describes a week long cultural tour, including cruising with some overland components and speedboat adventures to longhouses.

All of our detailed itineraries are subject to river conditions, as the water levels vary constantly and rapidly, causing occasional changes to our routes :

Day 1

Arrive at Palangkaraya Airport on Garuda Indonesia

Travel to Tengkiling dock and transfer to Speed boat for travel to Gaung Baru a traditional Dayak riverside village only accessible by river.

Eat lunch whilst listening to local musicians play the kecapi and hear the local singing known as karangkut, utilised as a way to literally sing the village news. Walk through the village and learn about the spirit houses and the ancestral bone houses, known as sandungs.

Continue journey by speed boat to Tumbang Jutuh . Transfer to cars for a short bumpy trip overland to Tumbang Malahoi long house.

Take a well earned rest and then have time to wander through the village, Experience the traditional mountain Dayak way of life in these stilted extended family homes. The village has excellent examples of sapundu, or carved totem poles and sandung, traditional ancestoral bone houses. Find out about the Dayak faith, Kaharingan, and visit a Temple in the village.

Spend the night in the longhouse which is still lived in and learn about longhouse life.

Day 2

Early morning walk through the jungle rubber plantations, learn about the tapping techniques and how rubber provides the local community with their primary income.

Travel back down river, stopping of at Mungku Baru and having lunch at a floating Warung. Walk through this village and hear the interesting story of how the bones of a young adolescent girl found their way into this beautiful sandung.

Continue journey to village of Kanarakan and join the Rahai’i Pangun cruise hotel boat for afternoon tea. Option to take klotoks and learn about traditional fishing techniques and walk through the village.

Overnight on board the Rahai’i Pangun in Kanarakan.

Day 3

Travel down river from Kanarakan, passing by Pulau Kaja , one of BOS (Borneo Orangutan Survival foundation) orangutan release islands to glimpse orangutans in their natural habitat.

Option – to accompany Ibu Rosita a traditional medicine practioner as she gathers medicinal plants in the nearby jungle.

Return to the boat for a delicious lunch and afternoon rest.

Enjoy an afternoon tea before setting out for a sunset walk to Bukit Tangkling and to Batu Banama sacred rock and spirit houses or to Catholic Convent for view over Tangkiling hills and region.
Return to the boat for evening meal

Day 4

Boat continues down the Rungan river to second orangutan release island Pulau Pallas.
After breakfast, transfer by canoe (klotok) to the Arboretum boardwalk and BOS Orangutan Education Centre to see orphaned orangutans learn their jungle skills. Return to the boat and continue down river to Marang village, , choose an optional off boat tour and take canoes, klotoks, for forest walk on a small island and/or explore ox bow lake system.

Continue cruise to overnight in Palangkaraya, provincial capital with option to eat dinner off boat in town.

Day 5

Continue river journey down the Kahayan River, stopping at villages along the way, overnight in Jaberien, where there is the option to enjoy a traditional warrior dance.

Day 6

Take a jungle walk in forest protected by traditional law, hutan adat, special permission is needed from the community, nothing not even a leaf can be taken from the jungle, which is still home to crocodiles, wild orangutans, birds and pythons. Not for the faint hearted, we will be accompanied by experienced guides.

Travel to Buntoi village and overnight here.

Day 7

Next morning walk through this historic village and visit an unusual long house, which is not so long. Learn about the early German missionary couple who are buried in this village.

Breakfast on the boat as it journeys back up river, stopping at Pulang Pisau, where we will disembark and spend the day visiting local handicraft producers with the option to visit a beautiful Swiss church built almost 200 hundred years ago by Swiss missionaries.

Journey back up river, mooring at Jeberien village.

Day 8

Travel back up river to Palangkaraya, taking time to relax on this last stretch of the journey.

In the evening visit the Sayer Sua family and see them crafting traditional dress from bark and creating beautifully embroidered ceremonial wall hangings.

Day 9

Breakfast on board and depart for airport and Garuda Indonesia’s morning flight.

Age range, type of group

All are welcome on the Rahai'i Pangun, however, young children do need to be carefully supervised by parents.

Access to and from the boat, and local canoe transport is very basic.

Sleeping and meals

The Rahai'i Pangun has 5 comfortable cabins and 3 bathrooms below deck, sleeping 11 people. 2 extra berths are available in the foyer area. There is plenty of space on deck to camp out, but our capacity is 20 guests, maximum.

The cabins are fully screened against mosquitoes and other insects, and are all fan cooled.

All food is freshly prepared on board to high standards. Both European and Asian breakfasts are served, and for other main meals, the cuisine is Asian fusion using traditional local ingredients for light, fresh and varied meals.

Rates & Availability

Rates will be given at the time of your inquiry, and depend on the length of your journey and type of cabin selected. Prices begin from US$350 per person, and US$600 per couple, for 2 days 1 night cruising.

Our prices include all airport transfers, accommodation, food and guides and some off boat tours.

Prices do not include airfares to Palangkaraya, porters, or alcoholic beverages on board. Off boat tours using local villagers' canoes, traditional guides and having dancing or musical entertainments, are payable by guests directly to the villagers.Additional nights spent in the area in hotels are also extra.

Our customer service is helpful and responsive, and we are happy to customise tours to make this cruise a unique experience.