A double whammy – Wet and wild adventure ride

We organized probably our biggest day out to date. Kintamani à Elephant Park à White River Rafting.

We woke up at 7am in order to get ready for our pick up at 8:30/9am and headed up to the top of Mt Batur (Kintamani area) getting there at around 10am. After some photo opportunities we head to the drop off area in one of the oldest villages of Bali, over 1000 years old, really impressive.

We head of through the village and are constantly presented with insightful information from the guide about the area, the local traditions, wildlife and vegetation… a real treat as we sample from various leaves and trees.

We cruise through the backend villages, rice paddies and back street paths and single track. The people are so special and friendly and the scenery is spectacular, as you’d expect in paradise.

After about 2 hours we cruise into the backend of the Elephant Park at Taro, what a way to finish the ride, you’ll remember our adventure from a few weeks ago at this fabulous facility.

After a few brilliant Elephant encounters we must have missed last time, we head into the spectacular restaurant for, I have to now confess to be the best spread I’ve seen on offer in Bali. No matter if you are vegetarian or not there is choice for all.

Ok, 2pm and we’re heading off to the starting point of the river rafting and after around 30minutes we pull in. These guys have top class facilities impressive no matter who you are. After getting kitted up we start our trek down to the Agung river dropping down around 100m and a few hundred steps. Not for the fait hearted… If you’ve had any experience of the Great Wall of China you’ll know what to expect, that’s all I’m saying.

We’re at the bottom and awaiting us is a fleet of boats already loaded with many other adventure seekers, and after a short safety and instructional demonstration we’re off down the river. Our guide only has 14 years experience doing this so we’re probably in safe hands… 

We have a really strong team on board and catch up to the others in a few minutes. Oh BTW this is the longest rafting experience you can get in Bali, all the other operators have far less time on the water, 2 hours on the water with our operator. We hit some great drop off’’s and rapids, some quite technical however the skipper is extremely well trained and versed in navigating anything that’s thrown at us. You can feel his love of the river and the people who join him on his adventure.

There are so many things he points out on the trip from the vegetation, cultural insights, some astonishing displays of local craftsmanship and natural beauty. We are able to stop a few times to take them in and experience them close up, and then we’re off again. After what feels like hours we pull up to the finishing point, and as quickly as you can say wooow, the 5 or 6 rafts are deflated and we’re un-kitted and taken up to the awaiting vehicles. From there we’re whisked off to a restaurant, changing rooms and bar where they already have photos and a running video of the afternoon in the water (very sneaky, they had videographers all the way down the river in strategic places capturing so much of the day’s events) love it, love it, love it!

Nothing like completing the day with a couple of beers with our team and reflecting on all the excitement of the day. Bring on another day in paradise.

Check out our facebook page to see some of the other cool adventures we are getting up to.

I give it:

Off the richter scale: 7 (as an indication to thrill seekers)
Value for money: 7 (around $150 for Adults for the entire day)
Scenery: 9 (OMG great scenery)
Cultural: 9 (Totally impressed with the level of education and inspiration from the guides)
Family: 7 (You got that right... A full on day out so maybe not for the very young)