Kahayan Jungle River Cruise, Dayak Longhouse Tour and Floating Market.
A traditional rungkan has been cleverly remodeled into a
comfortable 5 cabin, 3 bathroom cruise vessel which departs
regularly on journeys along the Kahayan and Rungan Rivers in Central
Kalimantan. Named the Rahai`i Pangun, meaning big development in the
local Dayak language, she is pioneering eco tourism here.
A. Rahai`i Pangun
A traditional rungkan has been cleverly remodeled into a comfortable
5 cabin, 3 bathroom cruise vessel which departs regularly on
journeys along the Kahayan and Rungan Rivers in Central Kalimantan.
Named the Rahai`i Pangun, meaning big development in the local Dayak
language, she is pioneering eco tourism here.
At 20m in length and 6m across, with 5 cabins below deck, and large
viewing decks above, she plies the strong flowing waters at a
graceful rate of 8 Knots. Passing serenely along the reflected
jungle river banks, she makes her way past orangutan release islands
and small communities. Guests relax on sofas as the timeless scenery
slips by. Meals are made freshly on board, and are a fusion of local
Dayak, Indonesian and Thai food. The emphasis is on taste, freshness
and variety. Its a gourmet experience, according to many of our
guests. Getting here is an easy hop of just over an hour from the
international airport in Jakarta and after a short transfer to the
boat, you can enjoy the tranquil scenes in this image.
10 day / 9 Nights
Kahayan River Tour, Jungle River Cruise, Dayak Longhouse and
Floating Market
Start / Finish: Palangka Raya airport/Banjarmasin Hotel.
Tour Code: KNLR-KJRC-DLT-10D
Departure: every 1st and 3rd week of the month
Itinerary:
Day 1: ARRIVAL PALANGKARAYA – START CRUISE
Meet at Palangkaraya Airport and transfer to the Rahai’i Pangun in
Palangkaraya harbor to start your journey. Cruise past the stilted
and floating houses of the provincial capital and continue upriver
along the jungle lined river, passing villages and orangutan
islands. In the early evening, take a canoe through the shimmering
black water lakes. Keep an eye out for proboscis monkeys, hornbills,
red langurs and Brahmini kites. Back to the boat for dinner in the
midst of the jungle.
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Double Cabin Boat
Day 2: MARANG – KANARAKAN
The Rahai’i Pangun moves up the Rungan River, passing the orangutan
release island of Pulau Kaja, to Kanarakan village. Walk through the
village with a local host to see how people live and work in these
isolated communities. Canoe ride in lakes and return to overnight
near the village.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation:
Double Cabin Boat
Day 3: KANARAKAN – TANGKILING – PALLAS ISLAND
The boat makes its way down stream, again passing the orangutan
island and making its way to Pallas Island.
Optional tour
Transfer by canoe to the BOS Orangutan Foundation’s Education Centre
in Nyaru Menteng. Accompanied by experienced technicians, observe
baby orangutans behind glass in the socialization cages and watch a
film of BOS projects in Central Kalimantan. Cost : US$ 25 per
person, donation to the BOS Orangutan Rehabiltiation Project
Transfer by canoe to Tumbang Tahai, and later to Tangkiling Hill to
see the village ‘patahu’ at the Sacred Batu Banama rock, and then to
climb the hill for a view of the vast, flat flood plains and catch
the sunset. Return to the Rahai’i Pangun for dinner and the quiet
mooring on the river.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Double Cabin Boat
Day 4: TANGKILING – BUKIT RAWI
Today, relax and the enjoy the trip to Bukit Rawi, arriving mid
afternoon.
Walk through this historic town and learn about the Dayak ancestral
bone houses, or Sandungs, and the Tiwah or funeral ceremony.
Dinner on board, and later enjoy an evening of traditional
entertainment.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Double Cabin Boat
Day 5: PALANGKARAYA – CITY TOUR
Make the final cruise from Bukit Rawi to Palangkaraya. Transfer to
Hotel Aquarius.
Visit the Museum and learn about Dayak birth, marriage and death
traditions through the fascinating artifacts on display.
Optional Tour
City Tour of Palangkaraya, visiting the original boardwalk village,
Pahandut, handicraft markets and a meal of traditional Dayak grilled
seafood (at own expense) on river bank. Price : US$ 45 per person,
min. 2
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Aquarius Hotel
Day 6: PALANGKARAYA - TUMBANG MALAHOI
Transfer from the hotel direct to Tumbang Malahoi by 4WD vehicle
(approx 5 hours)
Simple lunch on the way. On arrival, a welcome ceremony will be
performed before settling into your room at the longhouse and
resting. Later join the family of the longhouse for dinner. Gather
after dinner to talk with the elders about the history of this
longhouse and everyday life here, the culture and traditions.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Longhouse
Day 7: JUNGLE WALK – MUSICAL PERFORMANCE
After breakfast, a local guide will take you trekking in the forest
near the longhouse to see ironwood or rubber tree plantation area.
See how to take latex from the trees and listen to the Dayak
agricultural philosophy. After lunch together at the longhouse with
the family, visit a Kaharingan (the Dayak traditional religion)
temple. Enjoy the evening with musical performance and dance. Learn
some stories behind some particular dances and play traditional
music instruments.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Longhouse
Day 8: MALAHOI - TEWAH - KUALA KURUN
After breakfast, we pack the bags and say goodbye to the people of
the longhouse.
Set out by 4WD to see the Dayak holy rocks at Batu Suli, soaring
above the Kahayan River, and continue to the town of Tewah. See the
magnificently carved totem poles in the Kahayan style in burial
areas. Overnight at Kuala Kurun.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Simple hotel
Day 9: KUALA KURUN - PALANGKARAYA HOTEL
Set out from Kuala Kurun for for the return trip to Palangkaraya.
Stop along way to see totem poles and to have a simple meal. Check
in to Palangkaraya hotel. Evening at your leisure.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: the Aquarius Hotel
Day 10: AIRPORT TRANSFER
Breakfast, free at your own leisure until we escort you Airport for
flight to Bali via Jakarta/Surabaya. Tour End
Meals: Breakfast.
Please email us to receive Kahayan Jungle River Cruise and Dayak Longhouse Tour Dossier
Note: Please advice us the number of tour participant/s.
Note : Itineraries are samples only, and are subject to seasonal river conditions. Cruises may be tailor made to your timetable and take different routes depending on weather and river conditions, but all cruises offer the same experiences. Due to seasonal low water levels, some upper river excursions may be unavailable. And type of wooden boat in Palangka raya river cruise is cabin class which 1 large cabin and 4 double/twin cabins.
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