Longhouse by 4WD adventure

Go back in time with us to see a traditional Dayak longhouse. Driving the rain muddied roads in comfortable, new 4 WD vehicles, it can take about 6 hours, depending on the weather.

Along the route we stopped at a riverside village where we saw several canoes being built in the traditional way. First, the craftsman finds the right tree and hollows it out, then forms and burnishes the keel, later adding planks to the side. Finally, it is brightly painted.

After our long trip on muddy roads, the longhouse village put on a welcome ceremony, and later sang and danced. Climbing up the notched tree trunk, which serves as the staircase, we found our simple rooms and strung up mosquito nets. The longhouse is made of huge ulin or ironwood posts, and the walls of bark. Power is limited to a few hours at night.

While our cook prepared supper, we enjoyed animated conversations with the local people, keen to get to know more about their guests.

Early morning our local guide arranged a trek through a rubber jungle, including wading through peat coloured streams, and watching as the latex oozed out of the bark into bamboo sections.

Exploring the village's outstanding carvings and sandungs, or bone houses, and then visiting the kaharingan, or traditional religion temple, was a unique experience. Invited by locals to attend a ceremony to send some children off to the capital for higher education, we had truly engaged in their lives.

Natural treasures of Borneo from the Rahai'i Pangun

“This trip exceeded out expectations - wonderful food, great staff. Fantastic boat with a good blend of cultural and natural experience. We appreciate the way you are working with the local communities. This was a great trip to assist with learning the natural history of Kalimantan. The birds were great, especially the hornbills and colourful kingfishers. Seeing the orangutans, proboscis monkeys, and other primates was very special. It is a trip we would love to experience again" Paul, Ohio, USA

“The beauty of the river, the night sky, the morning mist, and quaint little villages, were all very special. Also the caring attitude of the staff helps to make this a special experience. It is important that the beauty and biodiversity of Kalimantan be preserved for future generations. What better way to do this than to introduce people to these world class natural wonders “Cathy, Ohio, USA

A dance welcome

There are so many different activities to enjoy from the Rahai'i Pangun.
Climb to the top of Bukit Tangkiling for a panorama of the flat lowlands stretching all the way to the horizon in all directions.
Visit the old village of Bukit Rawi and see traditional dancing by enthusiastic children, happy to introduce you to the energetic and dramatic Dayak dance performance. Admire the brightly coloured murals and carvings on the village sandung or bone house.
Relax on deck as evening draws near and the stunning sunsets unfold over the mirror calm river waters. Enjoy freshly prepared local cuisine on deck and admire the brilliant stars before turning into your comfortable cabin.

"Thank you for a fabulous trip! It was the perfect combination of luxury and adventure. I'll be back again" Jo Perrens, Australia

Cultural voyage

Its in the villages where visitors can really get to know the people, their lives and livelihoods, and their culture.
This is how Mardiah, our American guest, saw it :

“It was so moving to visit the two villages. Kanarakhan and Gaung Baru were memorable in their exchange of culture with us” Mardiah Gleeson

Rungan River maiden voyage

The Rahai'i Pangun's maiden cruise in February 2008 left Palangkaraya bound upriver for canoeing adventures, to see orangutans and for a relaxing journey along the jungle bound river.
Let the guests tell you about the experience :
"Thank you for a fabulous trip! It was the perfect combination of luxury and adventure. I'll be back again" Jo Perrens
" To all on the Rahai'i Pangun, thank you for introducing me to the wonders of Central Kalimantan over a fantastic few days. Loved the boat, loved the concept, loved the food - and the company was pretty great too! " Robin

Lake Sebangau to Palangkaraya

Making the journey from the peaceful and protected Lake Sebangau to Palangkaraya, even though by road a rapid car trip of only 15 minutes, was expected to be a 3 or 4 day marathon journey by river.

Initially taking us down the glassy waters of the peat stained Sebangau River past tangling rushes, and tiny fishing settlements, we would have to face the big challenge of taking our remodelled river boat on a short sea journey. Only a few hours, but this is the storm season, and with increasing deforestation, come bigger winds.

After only an hour from our departure point, we were stuck in a huge clump of river weeds, and were pulled free by a passing klotok or long canoe taxi. We were aiming for arriving at the mangrove river mouth before midnight in order to begin our projected 6 hour journey to the Kahayan River mouth at 5 am.

Gliding down the Sebangau in an irridescent atmosphere and chugging through one of the best sunsets ever, it was easy to shelve our worries about the sea trip. When finally we reached the mosquito infested mouth, registering with the coast guards, and waiting nervously until dawn, we bobbed alongside other huge sea craft waiting to see the weather conditions as well.

All seemed well enough, not mirror calm, but slightly choppy, so we took off. Heading straight into the waves, we took a course of least resistence, and distant from the treacherous sandy shores and winds and waves driving into our side. Once in sight of the wide muddy mouth of the Kahayan River, we turned our stern to the winds and hurried ashore.

Our boat boys looked sea sick, but the retired captain, used to much worse on the Java Sea, just kept going on coffee and noodles until we entered the port of Bawan. Reputed as a hive of pirates, all we saw were a bunch of very friendly and surprised kids, a riverside stonemason with a display of tombs, and many tall concrete buildings with tiny swallow holes (their custom built nesting sites by enterprising villagers).

The final days on the broad muddy Kahayan were marked by rain and more rain. But it stopped long enough for us to visit a traditional longhouse in the Governor's village of Buntoi.

Limping into Palangkaraya, sodden and sick of noodles in any shape or form, we bid farewell to our crew from the Sebangau and began the task of making final repairs and finding a new crew.

An exciting new eco adventure

The comfortable and welcoming Rahai'i Pangun , built on the Katingan River, was finally remodelled on the banks of Lake Sebangau.
These are the first pictures of it cruising in the early dawn across the mirror clear waters of the lake.
Fitted out with 5 double cabins with western style bathrooms below decks, the upper viewing deck gives fellow adventurers the perfect space to relax and enjoy the passing jungle scenery and to watch the passing parade of river craft.
With the final finishing touches made, the Rahai'i Pangun is prepared to set off on its long journey from the Sebangau River to the Kahayan River and its new home in Palangkaraya.




The comfortable Rahai'i