White Water Rafting
WHITEWATER RAFTING



Rafting is fast gaining popularity among the young and young at heart. The mountainous regions of the North are the natural venue for whitewater rafting, especially after the rains from June to October when the rivers swell with floodwater. But first-class rafting is also to be found in the northern reaches of the central region.







TAK
This mountainous province south of Chiang Mai is an increasingly popular adventure destination. The hub of activities is Umphang District on the border with Myanmar which is now accessible via a winding mountain route from Mae Sot, the centre of border trade. The forests of Umphang are the source of many rivers, the most important being the Huai Mae Klong, a popular rafting route with its many rapids and scenic backdrops of jungle. There’s also a rafting route from the breathtaking Thi Lo Su Waterfall which takes three to four hours.


MAE HONG SON
There are five levels of expertise, and all require experienced guides to lead them. Mae Hong Song’sPai River is perhaps the most famous venue, as it smashes its angry path towards Myanmar. A raft trip starts at Ban Nam Kong, 65 km from Pai and continues through virgin forests, waterfalls and 15 sets of rapids, a journey time of about five hours.



CHIANG RAI
One of the oldest rafting destinations in the country, Chiang Rai continues to draw adventure seekers from all over the globe. In Chiang Rai, bamboo rafts and inflatable boats are available for the journey down the Mae Kok, the province’s major artery.


CHIANG MAI
Rafting down the Mae Chaem through Ob Luang George in inflatable boats is available through Mae Sot Travel. Another challenging route is the Mae Tuen in Omkoi District, where the river rushes through virgin forests to end at the Pha Dam Waterfall. No rubber raft is available at the site, so it’s best to book a trip with a tour agen in Chiang Mai.



NAN

Nam Wa stream in Nan is recognised as an ultimate rafting adventure. During rainy season the stream is swollen and rates 3 – 5 on the difficulty scale. Local rafting operators are offering soft adventure tour for rafting buffs wanting to test out their skills. The three – day tour features rafting through a series of rapids, such as Sop Huai Duea and Phi Pa, on specially – designed rubber rafts. Visitors can also use the opportunity to explore the cool jungle setting of Doi Phu Kha and Mae Charim mountains



PRACHINBURI

At Khao Yai National Park, the Kaeng Hin Phoeng in Nadi district of Prachin Buri is a stretch of river noted for its wild beauty. The water is very vigorous During the rainy months (June – October), and some stretches are designated Level 5 , the uppermost limit to whitewater rafting.



KANCHANABURI

On the western border, Kanchanaburi is a popular adventure destination thanks to its mountainous terrain, covered with forests and crisscrossed with a network of rivers. Jungle rafting can be arranged from a mountain pass to the stunning Lawa Cave, a two-hour journey. Bamboo and inflatable rafts are also available for a trip down the Songkalia in Sangkhlaburi.



PHETCHABURI

The headwater of Phetchaburi River, the province’s major artery, lies within Kaeng Krachan National Park. The river offers good rafting; a trip through its rapids and small tributaries takes about six hours.



NAKHON NAYOK

As a rule, canoeing and kayaking is available at the destinations that provide rafting. Nakhon Nayok, a small province to the north of Bangkok, is a new destination for adventure tourism. Its rivers originate in the Khao Yai range and flow down to meet the arterial Bang Pakong River, which empties into Gulf of Thailand.


Nakhon Nayok has several waterfalls, the most popular being Wang Takhrai. Canoeing here is relatively new. The best time to visit is June – October. Starting point for a canoe journey is the stretch of Wang Takhrai canal where it flows through a coffee plantation. The waterway is quite narrow and therefore unsuitable able for larger vessels. The route has on difficult rapids, but its many twists and turns more than make up for it.




Rafting trip on the NAM KEG River at Phitsanulok

The Khek river has its water source in the Phetchabun Mountain Range in Khao Kho county. It flows past Thung salaeng Luang National Park and forms the famous Sri Dit and Kaeng Sopha waterfalls of Phitsanulok. The water course passing Wang Thong county before joining the Nan river at Bang Krathum county is also called the Wang Thong river.


The level of difficulty of the current depends on the volume of water flow. In the rainy season, the river becomes swifter.


Keg River is the good place for rafting as it provides exciting routes for tourists for Ban PakYang, Sapraiwan sub-district, Wang Thong district to Kang Song waterfall which lasts 8 kms. Altogether. You can travel along this route within 3 hours, depending on the water level. You will experience the water speed at level 1-2 and gradually in crease the intensity to level 4-5 in the end. This allows you to practice your skill in rafting along the way.


Some cataracts last hundred meters. Travelling to Keg River is considered convenients as the river is near the road. After you get off a car you can get on a raft promptly, and when you get out of a raft you can get on a car or bus conveniently as well. No need to walk like going to other places.


Rafting on Kaeng Hin Phoeng

This is another stretch of river in Khao Yai National Park noted for its wild beauty. The water is especially challenging in the rainy season months of June to October, and it is a favourite place for whitewater rafting. The passage along this stretch of the river will take three hours or more.



Day 1: Depart Bangkok for a three-hour drive to Prachin Buri via Chachoengsao. After lunch, proceed to Kaeng Hin Phoeng River in Khao Yai National Park, swimming and relaxing at leisure. Then, on to an informal training session with an expert on local conditions to familiarise you with the contours of river, the safety equipment and procedures.



Day 2: After breakfast, a scenic drive into the National Park followed by walking tour through tour through the jungle. Arrive at the starting point of the rafling expedition: A wilder stretch of the river with spectacular rapids designated Level 5 throughout. Conditions for rafting here are not only scenically impressive, but also exciting. The passage along this stretch of the river will take three hours or more. Lunch, beside the river, then two more hours of rafting on fast-moving water before returning to base at the National Park. Drive back to Bangkok along the beautiful Khao Yai – Pack Chong – Muak Lek – Saraburi route.



ACCOMMODATION

• Close to Hin Phoeng rapids, check Kang Hin Poeng Camping Resort, Tel: 0 1842 0161 ; Eco Network, tel: 0 2261 9670 ; WangTa Phap Resort, tel: 0 1663 2656; Sak Supha Resort tel: 0 1454 0076, 0 2249 8093 : and Hin Phoeng Riverside, tel 0 1909 6896.



• At Pong Nam Ron in Chanthaburi, check Soi Dao Highland, tel: 0 3938 7123 – 4 and Ing Dao Resort, tel: 0 3936 0179, 0 3936 0258 – 60



River grading



LEVELS OF DIFFICULTY

Level 1 : Simple, easy rapids.

Level 2 : Simple rapids, but requiring some skill in manoeuvring the raft around obstacles and rocks.

Level 3 : Moderate rapids where rafting becomes exciting. It is necessary to hold on at times to stay in control of the raft.

Level 4 : Difficult rapids with continuous need to manoeuvre and control raft al all times. Very exciting rafting.

Level 5 : This level of whitewater is the uppermost limit to rafting. The river is wild, with a rapid current and difficult rapids, usually very steep.

Level 6 : Extremely difficult rapids, dangerous for rafting.



Preparation



Safety is paramount in whitewater rafting. Life jackets and helmets must be worm at all times. Your guide should explain to you all relevant safety procedures before you go, and check weather reports and the condition of the river. You should be able to swim if you wish to go whitewater rafting.



Age & health



It is important to ensure that you are in good health, and fit enough to enjoy this activity. Children over 12 but under 16 must be accompanied by responsible adults. For children under 12 years or for elderly people, only the Thi Lo Su Waterfall programme in May and June is recommended.


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