SARAWAK TOURS

PELAGUS

Rejang River Tour

Tour Code: REJ2

Duration - 3 or 4 Days

A Trip along the Rejang River to Pelagus

The Rejang River is the longest river in Malaysia at 640km. It flows across Borneo from Sarawak into Indonesian Kalimantan. Though well known to many from Redmon O'Hanlon's Into the Heart of Borneo, an informative account of his 1983 journey to the centre 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 Rejang is navigable for larger vessels with a shallow draft for at least 250 km. up to the Pelagus Rapids, and further on its main tributary, the Baleh River. The river is peopled with the Iban, headhunters until the 1950s, whose unique longhouse culture survives well to this day, blending animist tradition with modernity.

There is much to do and see upriver, whether just gazing at the amazing scenery or visiting longhouses - traditional and modern. In these river towns you can explore the architectural vestiges of the Brooke Raj. Jungle treks, for all levels, are a must as are longboat trips to the Pelagus rapids. Wildlife is in abundance and crocodiles, monitor lizards and the hornbill (national bird of Sarawak) are common sights.

Downriver, the prosperous Chinese city of Sibu with its old shop houses, markets and friendly inhabitants, is a calm reflection of an old China that possibly no longer exists in mainland China. Sibu, with its rich surrounding farmlands and tropical climate is an important agricultural area. This is the world's largest producer of pepper, and at Sarikei, you can visit pepper farms, fruit plantations that boast 7 kilogram pineapples, and a host of other exotic fruits. The sea port of Tanjung Manis is a centre of traditional songkat textile production, and you can visit weaving workshops.

The river level can fluctuate swiftly and greatly, affected not so much by tides as by sudden, torrential downpours in the mountainous, jungle-clad catchment area. The river depth has been known to fall by 1 metre in 12 hours during a trip up the river.

Day 1 - Sibu to Pelagus

Chinese Methodist Christians from the province of China, founded the city of Sibu in 1900. It is a town made wealthy from the logging industry and is also the staging point for upriver trips to visit the Iban and the Orang Ulu (upriver) tribes. Transfer to the jetty and board an express boat (they have been likened to aircraft without wings), bound for Kapit. This journey takes about 3 hours and along the way, the life of the people living along the mighty Rejang River unfolds. Upon arrival in Kapit, a frontier town, have lunch in one of the colourful local restaurants.

Transfer to a speedboat for a journey of about an hour or more (depending on the water level) to the Pelagus Resort, built adjacent to the Pelagus Rapids. This section of the river is incredibly beautiful with thousands of islands, reefs and shoals. Pelagus Rapids, are located at 32km upriver on the Batang Rejang, from the town of Kapit. They consist of seven sets of rapids, extending over a distance of 12.8 km. The most notorious rapids are 1.6 km. of fast, turbulent water with sharp-rock outcrops, near Pelagus Resort.

In high water, whirlpools spin with the raging current, turning it into treacherous waterways. In the past, the rapids created a barrier to the Iban people, preventing them from migrating further upriver and clashing with the other ethnic groups who had settled upriver earlier. Today the rapids are tapped as a tourism asset with the Pelagus Resort being built overlooking the rapids.

Legend says that in ancient times there was a large serpent called Nabau. One day, the mystical serpent turned into a human form trying to make love to a warrior's wife. The warrior caught the serpent and sliced it into seven pieces, then threw the pieces into the river. The flesh later settled to form seven rocks where the seven rapids are now situated along the great Batang Rejang.

The rapids are considered mythical among the locals. It is said that once every few years, some lives would be taken away by the rapids. Some local villagers still hold ritual offerings to appease the spirits of the rapids.

Free at leisure until dinner. [includes lunch and dinner]

Day 2 - Sungai Pelagus

After breakfast, take one of the longboats up Sungai Pelagus to one of the more traditional Iban longhouses in the area. Have a first hand glimpse into the modern Iban style of living. Human skulls that can be seen hanging from the rafters give a hint of an era now long gone. Have lunch with one of the families before returning to the Resort. In the evening, there is an option to take a night walk. (This can also be done on the evening of Day 1 or Day 3). [includes breakfast lunch and dinner]

Day 3 - Punan Bah

Depart by speedboat (an hour to an hour and a half) to an old Punan settlement, Punan Bah, where the old burial poles, the klirieng, can still be observed. These burial totemic poles contain the consecrated remains of the Chiefs and their immediate family members. Very elaborately carved and made of belian (the famous Bornean "iron wood"), these poles have stood for generations and hark back to an era now long gone. This village is made up of animists who still adhere to the Bungan religion and they co-exist with recent Christian converts. This is an excellent opportunity to observe an ancient tribal people coping with the modern world. Return to the resort in the late afternoon. [includes breakfast lunch and dinner]

Day 4 - Departure - return to Sibu

After breakfast, depart for Kapit town to catch the morning express to Sibu. Do take note however, that the morning express to Sibu is very cold, and it is advisable to wear long pants and a jacket. Have lunch in Sibu and then there will be time to explore this compact Chinese and Iban city with its attractive streets of old Chinese shop houses, reminiscent of Malacca or Penang but without the tourists. Sibu is a big port with sea going ships coming up and off loading. Depart in the late afternoon to your next destination. [includes breakfast and lunch]

Climate - When to go?

Temperatures have little seasonal variation with daytime averages 23C to 32C

Rainfall is year round, with higher levels September to February monthly average 400mm and lesser level March - August, monthly average 250mm. The Rejang is a year round destination!

Tour Code	Destination	Duration	Inclusions	1 Person	2 People	3 People
REJ2	Pelagus Rejang River Tour	4 days/3 nights	Full Board	$2507	$1479	$1196

Prices per person in Australian Dollars and valid to 31 December 2010

The tour can be reduced to 3 days/2 nights by deleting either day 2 or day 3 of the 4 day/3 night tour. Deleting day 2 of the tour will provide our tour code REJ3

Tour Code	Destination	Duration	Inclusions	1 Person	2 People	3 People
REJ3	Pelagus Rejang River Tour	3 days/2 nights	Full Board	$1651	$1011	$858

Prices per person in Australian Dollars and valid to 31 December 2010

Deleting day 3 of the tour will provide our tour code REJ4

Tour Code	Destination	Duration	Inclusions	1 Person	2 People	3 People
REJ4	Pelagus Rejang River Tour	3 days/2 nights	Full Board	$2428	$1400	$1118

Prices per person in Australian Dollars and valid to 31 December 2010

Photographs courtesy of Pandaw Cruises and Ministry of Urban Development and Tourism, Sarawak