Throughout this expedition, the expedition team may make changes to the itinerary in order to maximize the experience. Visiting these remote communities is subject to approval of the local landowners. Below are the key destinations the ship aims to visit.
Kuching & Bako National Park, Malaysia
Arrive in Kuching, a major food destination and member of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network. Your expedition team will guide you through this picturesque city that straddles the Sarawak River. Delve into the rich ethnic cultural history and learn about the customs and unique art and craft of these remarkable artisans.
On your second day in Kuching, visit the lush jungle and mangrove forests of Bako National Park. Join nature walks to sight rare bird species, wildlife such as proboscis monkeys, which are found only on the island of Borneo, as well as macaque and silver leaf monkeys. The park is inhabited by many bird species such as kingfishers and the Rhinoceros Hornbill. There are a variety of trails available for different levels of fitness and mobility:
Tanjung Sapi: 2,625ft/800m (30mins) – A short but steep climb through cliff vegetation. Excellent views of Telok Assam, the South China Sea and Santubong.
Teluk Paku: 2,625ft/800m (1 hour) – This walk goes through a cliff forest to a small, secluded beach and is also the walking route where the Dutch monkeys are regularly seen.
Telok Delima: 0.62mi/1km (45mins) – Another excellent trail for spotting proboscis monkeys. As the Lintang trail bears right and climbs a small hill you are in prime proboscis territory.
Telok Pandan Besar: 1.2mi/1.9km (1 hour) – One of the most beautiful hikes in Bako National Park. The first part consists of stairs, but then it turns into a steep slope full of tree trunks. From here the footpath leads to the headquarters through the forest and over a sandy path. At the end of the hiking trail relax on a bench while enjoying the beautiful view of the bay below.
Enjoy breakfast on board before your final excursion in Kuching. Travel by private coach to the new Borneo Cultures Museum, a modern five-story building with a distinctive architectural design that reflects Sarawak’s unique traditional crafts and rich cultural heritage. Next visit the Islamic Heritage Museum, uncover a clear picture of the rich historical heritage and special culture of the Muslim community in Sarawak and throughout the Malay-Indonesian archipelago. The displays trace the connections of the development of Islam here with the rest of the world. Return to the ship and enjoy lunch on board as you sail onwards to Pontianak.
Pontianak Island, Indonesia
In the afternoon, arrive at the riverside city of Pontianak, one of Indonesia’s most cultural cities. Spend the afternoon wandering through the eclectic, narrow wooden pathways of Kampung Beting, located at the confluence of the Kapuas and Landak Rivers.
Awake the next morning ready for another day exploring in Pontianak. Take a full day tour of the local sights of significance that traces through the history of Pontianak. Explore the Pasar Flamboyan and mingle with local stall holders in this traditional market bustling with activity each morning. Explore Rumah Radakng, a Dayak Longhouse 452 feet (138 meters) long and 23 feet (7 meters) high. The main room can accommodate 600 people and is often used for festivals and celebrations.
Continue to the Jami’ Mosque of Sultan Abdurrahman Al-Qadri, a historical mosque built in 1771, and the Equator Monument, as the distinction of being the only city in the world that sits right on the Equator. Visit the Palace of Kadriyah Sultanate, built from 1771 until 1778 by Syarif Abdurrahman Alkadri, the first sultan and founder of the city of Pontianak and St Joseph’s Cathedral Church, which initially had the status of a station, then changed to become the main mission church in West Kalimantan due to its strategic location.
Karimata Island
Today, visit the isolated Karimata Islands, located off West Kalimantan, situated in the Karimata Strait that divides the islands of Sumatra and Borneo and connects the South China Sea to the Java Sea.
The two largest islands, Karimata and Serutu boast a handful of small, sleepy coastal villages nestled under swaying palms, home to the Melayu and Bugis people. The other smaller islands are mostly uninhabited. Take time to explore these pristine islands, relax on the white-sand beaches and snorkel over coral reefs, soaking up the tranquility and peace of island life.
Kumai Bay & Tanjung Puting National Park
Tanjung Puting is the largest and most diverse protected example of extensive coastal tropical heath and peat swamp forest which used to cover much of southern Borneo.
Start your exploration of the remarkable Tanjung Puting National Park with an afternoon Xplorer cruise along the snaking Bulu Kecil River. Look out for some of the rare wildlife that takes haven in this tropical forest, including seven species of primates. The area is home to over 230 bird species such as hornbills, crimson sunbirds and wetland species.
Awake early on your second day in Kumai to join the Xplorer for a cruise along the inky-black waters of the Nipah waterway and the winding Sekonyer River to transfer into the local Klotok boats. Each Klotok will have a local guide who will point out the sights as you travel the Sekonyer River at a leisurely pace towards Camp Leaky. Enjoy a traditional lunch on board before you arrive at your destination for the day, Camp Leaky.
Named after the renowned paleo-anthropologist Louis Leakey, Camp Leakey serves as both a research center and a release site for older orangutans into the rainforest. Stroll along the boardwalk into the jungle, where you will witness the locally rehabilitated orangutans ambling towards the feeding platforms, where rangers provide fresh fruit and sugar cane daily.
Pondok Tanngui & Pangkalan Bun
Awake this morning for another early morning of exploration via Xplorer to meet the local Klotoks, this time venturing along the Sekonyer River to Pondok Tanggui. Traverse the wooden boardwalks through the jungle to a feeding platform where you will witness Orangutan feeding.
Enjoy lunch on board before spending the afternoon exploring Pangkalan Bun’s historical sites. Located on the Arut River, this small, busy town has a history stretching back centuries. Visit the 200-year-old Istana Kuning (Yellow Palace), the only Banjar royal structure left in Central Kalimantan which celebrates three architectural traditions of the sultans’ assorted wives: Chinese, Dayak and Malay. You will also visit the region’s oldest mosque, Kyai Gede, a 300-year-old piece of living history.
Bawean Island
This morning, the ship will anchor in Sangkapura Bay, Bawean Island. Measuring just 9.3 miles (15km) in diameter, the extinct volcanic island of Bawean can be circumnavigated by a single narrow ring road. Spend the day snorkeling, beach combing and swimming off the white-sand beaches. Fun Fact: The mascot for the 2018 Asia Games–Bawean deer–is endemic here.
Banjarmasin
Banjarmasin, located on a delta near the junction of Barito and Martapura Rivers, is known from ancient times and up to this day as an important harbor town on Kalimantan. It has an abundance of wide and mighty rivers, which have always played a significant role in the Banjarese’s (the indigenous ethnic group of Banjarmasin) way of life. To this very day, every morning there are floating markets where farmers and merchants ply their goods on boats to trade.
Come alongside in the port of Banjarmasin, an eclectic and bustling hub that blends centuries of diverse cultural influences. Enjoy lunch on board the ship before heading into the hub of Banjarmasin to get acquainted with the unique history and peoples of the region. Visit Kampung Sasirangan, the hub of home-weavers and textile galleries. Weavers in this village specialize in making pamintan cloth for local shamans and healers. The knowledge for weaving this mystical cloth has been passed down from generation to generation.
Before returning to the ship for pre-dinner drinks, stop for a visit at the Jingah River where 20 or so traditional houses of an old Banjar village remain. These houses are still privately owned by the descendants of wealthy people from that village.
On your second morning in Banjarmasin, get close to the action at the famed Lok Baintan and Kuin floating markets. Join in as the locals meet at the river and transactions with the shop merchants are made from small boats selling fresh produce, small snacks and more.
Tip: Carrying small local denominations is best to give to these sellers when buying goods.
Masalima Island
Today, make an expeditionary stop at Masalima Island, with the potential to beachcomb along the shores, swim, snorkel and explore the local villages on this small island group. Masalima Island is part of the larger Masalima Islands group located south of Sulawesi. The main village area is in Pammas.
