Rafting Thailand's Rivers
White water rafting is Thailand's newest and most exciting water sport. Nothing compares to the thrill of running fast moving rapids in a rubber raft. Or the tranquility of floating past cascading waterfalls and towering canyons deep in the jungle.
The main rafting areas we visit are in Umphang, Pai (Mae Hong Son Province) and Geng Hin Poeg (near Pachinburi). All three areas provide great rafting, with Umphang a remote expedition, Pai a fun river journey and Pachinburi a marvelous weekend introduction to white water. Using state of the art rubber rafts is an environmentally friendly way to explore Thailand's rivers, (as opposed to the more destructive bamboo rafting). It allows us to enter areas previously inaccessible as our small, maneuverable crafts bounce down steam. Participants are encouraged to join in and help us propel ourselves into adventure.
However it's not all action as we float gently along calm waters in between the rapids allowing us to admire pristine jungle, mighty waterfalls and limestone karsts. The Umphang Expedition and Pai river trip are both river journeys taking us from point to point, whilst in Pachinburi we use a fixed camp and make excursions to the white water. On all trips we encounter up to grade 3 rapids, which means no massive standing waves but plenty of fun and some quite technical drops. In Umphang we enter very remote areas, camping by the river and eventually making a long trek with elephant support back to our base, it is a tough trip hence we use the term "expedition" to describe it but everyone who has come with us agrees it was the trip of a lifetime, "a real adventure".
It has won the praise of many writers and has featured in numerous magazine articles. The Pai river trip is run by our friends in Mae Hong Son and is also a wonderful river journey. In Pachinburi we spend (usually) a weekend running rapids from a fixed base, the atmosphere is fun and relaxed and a great introduction to white water.
Rafting Info
Two to five day trips
Rafting Season: July through February
Private and tailor made tours welcome
White water kayaking option
Food: All meals are included whilst on the raft.
Accommodation: Riverside camping in our expedition dome tents. Jungle camp and a variety of hotels can be arranged in Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son.
Flights: There are flight options on Umphang and Pai rivert rips.
Group Size: Max 20 pax for rafting only trips individual bookings can be made. For rafting and trekking see Wild Planet schedule or tailor make your own tour (min 6 pax)
Equipment: included within package price.
Suitability Rafting is an active sport so be prepared to work hard. On the Umphang trek back you will walk for 8 hours so participants must be in reasonable shape. For Pai and Pachinburi everyone over 12 years old is welcome.
More Details
The rafts used are high quality self bailing boats specifically designed for white water. Although the rivers in Thailand are not huge they can be technically demanding, with plenty of rocks and hidden eddys. During the wet season the river in Mae Khlong in Umphang runs quite fast in places and grade 3-4 rapids can be encountered, however it is neither extreme or dangerous.
No white water experience is required to join the trip and all rafters are provided with buoyancy aid and a protective helmet. Full briefing is given prior to departure and your river guide has extensive white water experience. In Umphang a highly experienced Wild Planet rafting guide steers the boat through the rapids and we have a 100% safety record to match the 100% fun we have on these adventures.
