In January, 2009, I tried SOBEK Ayung River Rafting! Now it’s rainy season, so I was worried about the weather, however, it was good weather on the day. SOBEK organizes rafting tours three times in one day, and I joined the Morning A Tour which is the most popular and many people join! Aiko, love cultural staff, not good at sport activities: It is my first time try to the rafting.
Go to the check-in place by SOBEK shuttle car with nice AC! Arrived there at 9:30 am. I have no idea what kind of clothes I should wear… I just follow the information on their website, casual clothes and not care about getting wet! I wear Hiro-chan T-shirt, half pants, and normal sandal. (It’s better to wear the shoes which cover heels.)
Here is the reception. You can purchase T-shirt, cap, globe, and sandal, etc. and they are all SOBEK original!
This time, applicants are 2 couples and me, 5 of us! After introducing members and guide, leave your belongings in this bag.
Put camera and valuables in this water-proof bag. No need to worry about getting wet! Bring it by oneself by the start point of rafting.
From check-in place to preparation point, it takes about 5 min. But… the road is sunken because of the heavy rain the other day!! Maybe, it’s view of southern island. Don’t worry, we just take off the car and walk through the detour of left side.
Arrive at the preparation point. We wear helmet and life-jacket, and then, choose an oar to suit for height. From here, we walk down the valley to the starting point…
You will be surprised, there are 500 step stair and great view of Ayung Valley!!
Looooooook at this beautiful view!!!!! You can see the grove of rain forest and Ayung River on the bottom of valley. I wonder that we go down such a bottom, and I’m really impressed by the view!! It takes just 10 min. to walk down the steps, though. But, I use my oar as a walking stick on the way.
Finally, arrived at the starting point. There are many new rafting boats. When I see broad river and slow water flow, I feel relieve.
Our team’s guide is him! He has big tummy, Alendro (8-year guide experience) He speaks great English.
We take lecture, how to hold the oar, how to row, and practice rowing “forehead” and “backward” according the guide. And then, we leave to the 1.5 hours adventure!! Before leaving, we give our water-proof bag to the guide.
Wow, wow, wow!!! The speeding boat, touching rocks under the river; those are really wild nature beyond my imagination! I was too scared to enjoy… I shouted regardless of other members! When I think back about that time, maybe, the river flowing was not so fast, though… I’m little bit embarrassing. ※The picture is provided by SOBEK.
Guide, Alendro supported for me, and I could be calm down.
“Row forehead” and “Row backward,” we row oars together. When I get used to it, I can really enjoy!!
We take a rest and stop rowing when the flowing is slow; we just look around the view and listen to the lecture from Alendro… On the other hand, we come into the fast flowing, hit rocks (the boat is made by rubber, so never broken!) and we overcome the fast flowing…
← We take a break one time at the place of the waterfalls. When we take off the boat, a woman gave us juice. I thought that it was service, but we had to pay for juice because they were selling there. They sell sport drink and beer, etc. A canned POCARI SWEAT is Rp.20,000.
We survived last half rafting. We enjoy views of beautiful birds, Bali’s cow, people doing farm work, etc.
At the end, we dived into the river with clothes! I cannot swim but can float with the lifejacket! It’s little bit chilly, but feel good!! We directly arrived to the ending spot.
When we go out from the river, we receive bath towels. If you want to take a shower, you can use it here.
Swipe off water, we take lunch at the restaurant in front. I’m hungry by the 1.5 hours exercise. Need to eat!!
In this buffet, there are not only meals but also drink such as tea and coffee and fruit! The food is cooked in the SOBEK kitchen. Looks tasty!
Meals are Indonesian food. Mie Goreng (fried noodle), Cap cai (Chinese fried vegetable), Sate Lilit (pork stick), Curry Ayam (Chicken curry soup), etc. There are typical Indonesian foods.
I took a lot! All foods are taste good because I’m so hungry! Meal time is for 20 to 30 min. and of course, you can take second time, third time, and more!
And then… we have to climb up about 230 steps and back to the starting point. I don’t want to take about it, but… it was really hard for me because I’m lack of exercise. I’ll have muscle ache for sure!
At the finishing point, we receive the bag which we left before leaving and change clothes. Here is the dressing room.
Here is the shower room. I feel like I relive when I take hot shower!
There is body soap, however, if you really want to wash your body cleanly, you had better bring your own soap and shampoo.
In addition, your face gets wet also, so ladies should bring cosmetics.
This is the picture from SOBEK!! They made the original album, Rp.45,000, and you can purchase at the reception when you leave.
It must be your good memory! I joined alone but I really loved SOBEK Ayung River Rafting, which has good staffs, equipments, meals, and facility. I recommend this rafting course for you, who is looking for the rafting offers good service with reliability and can pay for it!
★ I wore the sandal without string, but it almost slipped off during the rafting… I think that you should wear the sandal which covers your heels! In additional information, there are stores selling such shoes.
I asked at a store, they offered Rp.80,000, but I asked again, then, discount to Rp.50,000. （Those stores doesn’t belong to SOBEK.）
※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.