Explore this rugged and romantic island from your discreetly luxurious cabin on board the RV Orient Pandaw, a colonial-style vessel specially constructed for the shallow waterways of the Rajang River and its tributaries. From an easy chair on the promenade or sundeck admire the ever-changing panorama of jungle scenery and rural life, disembarking to join trips further into the wilderness by small motorboat or on light treks. Delicious meals are prepared using fresh local ingredients, and served with style in an elegant dining room that is open-sided during the day. Your comfortably appointed cabin has en-suite bathroom and opens onto a promenade deck of gleaming teak and brass. What better way could there be to discover and savour the mysteries of Borneo?

The RV Orient Pandaw is one of the renowned Pandaw fleet of replica colonial  steamers developed in Scotland by the Irrawaddy Flotilla Company in the early 20th century, but was actually built in 2008 in Saigon. She is 180ft long and 34ft wide with an ultra-shallow draft of 3ft, and 28 crew ensure the well-being and safety of her 60 passengers. Cabins measure 170sq ft and are all en-suite with twin beds and open onto a promenade deck. Cabins are on the Main or Upper Decks (the latter at a supplement). In keeping with the style of the ship, there is no minibar, satellite TV, internet or telephone in the cabin. The observation deck serves complimentary local beers and soft drinks during the day, and in the evening there are often dance or music performances up here too.