On April 6th, 2009, I visited AYUNG RIVER RAFTING!
Among many rafting companies, this company offers the longest rafting course at reasonable price. I have been curious such a valuable rafting… how it goes. Moreover, AYUNG RIVER RAFTING has unique adventure tours besides rafting, such as Elephant Camp; riding elephant, and horse riding on the beach, etc. and it can be set menu. On the day, I tried “Elephant + Rafting Tour” which I can use my time efficiency and reasonable!!
AYUNG RIVER Rafting locates on the Westside of Ayung River, and it takes 1.5 hours from the resort area. It close to Sangeh forest where many wild monkeys live.
It was just after Galungan holiday, so I saw many “Penjor” which is decoration made by bamboo. Most of the activities hold in the mountain side, so you can enjoy such a rural view of Bali.
Today’s report covers “Elephant Ride + Rafting” set menu. I went to elephant camp to enjoy walking with elephants before I visited the rafting reception. Both menus are offered by AYUNG RIVER and close area, so it just take short time to move!
After check-in and sign on the agreement form, go to the dressing room. Other companies’ are separated rooms, but here is only one big room.
Other applicants arrive one after another! We say “hello!” each other, and move to the equipment room. Hold helmet, jacket, and oar.
Life-jackets and oars are normal, but helmets are little bit old. But, don’t worry, they are not broken.
Today’s rafting style! I wear Hiro-chan T-shirt, short pants, and strings shoes. I also wear bathing suits under my clothes!!
I’m the first applicant to arrive at the starting point. I heard that AYUNG RIVER’s stairs were the easiest comparing to other company… but, 100… 200… 300… After all, there are 450 steps… oops!! I have covered SOBEK and BALI ADVENTURE, and I knew that all companies use the stairs that have more than 400 steps. We cannot avoid climbing stairs for rafting of Ayung River!!
We start from the upper stream, so the width of river is narrow and it’s clearer water than the downstream.
Usually, they have many applicants from Japan and Australia, but this time, I join with tourists group from China. It’s okay to be bare food, so I take off my shoes.
We ride on the boat, and practice by the safety lecture, and then, start! Passengers are Chinese couple, Korean guy, Aiko, and guide; 5 of us. Okay, I call us as Team ASIA. ※The picture is provided by AYUNG RIVER.
In case of AYUNG RIVER, we can take pictures in front of the reliefs on the rock. The relief made based on “Ramayana epic poetry” from India. It is really impressive view that relief rock along the river. I took picture with our guide, Alex!
The words you need to know for the rafting is “row forward,” “row backward,” and “grab rope.” It’s important signs but just easy words. This is my forth time rafting, and I think that it’s not necessary to know language to join the rafting! This time also, we call each other and flow down.
Here is the break point in front of the big waterfalls. We can smoke and swim there. Residential women bring you drinks, but you have to pay. It’s better to bring own drink. It’s good chance to take pictures, yah.
It’s really nice weather and sun shine comes under the valley! I can find many small waterfalls and feel Bali’s nature. After we enjoy the rest for a while, start again the last half rafting!
If you want to, you can go closer to the big waterfalls. I have no experience to stand under a waterfall, so I’m hesitated about the heavy fallen water and impact. After that, we row, rest, row, rest…
We find a beautiful blue kingfisher, and pass banana trees, hit on rocks, and get wet. I could enjoy thrilling rafting this time, too!
The finish point is little bit forward than other companies. It was 8 km long, 2 hours trip!
That’s the evil stair!! 100… 200… there are about 250 steps… I’m tired.
Maybe, it’s nothing for people who like exercise, but for me, it’s a torture. However, after the nightmare, I can see such a beautiful rural view!!
First, receive towels and belongings, and go to the shower room. The rooms are separated by thin walls and curtain. There is no dressing room, so after taking shower, change clothes on the space like passage.
There is only cold-water shower and no shampoo. There is no space for hanging bags, so put it on the chair at the passage. It’s simple shower, so just rinse river water on your body.
My favorite, lunch buffet time!! There are seats both inside and outside of the restaurant.
Soup, Nasi Goreng, Mie Goreng, spring rolls, meat sticks, fried vegetable, and fruit… you can choose from 7 to 8 varieties.
There are coffee, tea, and one soft drink service. The taste was not surprisingly delicious, but good. I liked watermelon, and it was sweet!
AYUN RIVER is only company I know which ask applicants to fill questionnaires after rafting! They ask to fill about shuttle bus, rafting, meal, and facility, etc. Please turn on the questionnaires for their service improvement and safety for the future applicants.
You can purchase this picture beside the restaurant for Rp.50,000. You know, this is the fourth time rafting for me… I can pose when they take the picture. You might feel Team ASIA’s fun rafting from this picture! I could enjoy having conversation with my team members in English, such as “I’ve been to Myongdong in Korea.” or “I come from near Shanghai.” It’s great experience to meet people from all over the world!! I wonder that why AYUNG RIVER can offer such a reasonable price…
But, I didn’t see any difference about guides service, boats and rafting from other companies. However, the dressing rooms and the restaurant are little bit old, and there are only simple shower rooms.
So, maybe, that’s the point of cheap price!! If you don’t care about room width and new facilities, you may try this rafting tour. You can enjoy the rafting with reasonable price!!
※This report was written based on the information when the time of visiting. Course menu and schedule might be changed without notice. In addition, the report contains individual opinion and impression, however, these are not applied for all people. Please read it just for your reference. Thank you.