Heri Sisworo
Ubud is known as a destination that relies on its natural beauty. Most tourists visit Ubud to enjoy the tropical forest, Tegalalang rice terraces, and the exotic traditional Balinese arts.
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However, Ubud also has other natural tourism potentials: white water rafting. Rafting through Ubud’s clean rivers are not as popular as others, but this activity can be a pleasant alternative especially if you are visiting with family. Here are some facts about white water rafting in Ubud.
Rafting on Ayung River
The most popular site to do white water rafting in Ubud is on Ayung River. There are 3 operators offering rafting tours in Ayung, Toekad Rafting, Red Paddle Rafting, and Sobek Rafting.
If you look at their website, the official price for rafting in Ayung can reach up to 75 dollars. You have to pay this price if you come without booking your place in advance.
Fortunately, the price can go down to around USD25 if you book in advance through various tour agencies of your choice. You don’t even need to come directly to the agency, you can easily do it online. Apart from cheaper prices, you can also get various other facilities such as pick-up from the hotel if you book beforehand.
Many facilities
Your ticket usually covers all the basic facilities and gears. With roughly USD25, you are already paying for tax, insurance, guide and instructor fees, gear rent, lunch buffet, pickup fee from a nearby hotel (optional), and locker fee.
It is an all-in service. You only have to pay more if you want your experience documented professionally as there are photo/video service provided by the operator.
As for gear, you will get standard rafting gear. Apart from the boat, you will get a helmet, a paddle, and a buoy vest. You will be guided by a professional so you can be assured of your safety even if you can’t swim.
More than just a river
Rafting at Ayung River is not just about the river, it is much more than that. As expected from Ubud, you can see the beautiful lush rainforest, wonderful waterfalls, and magnificent gorges along the stream of Ayung.
With a relatively calm stream, Ayung enables you to enjoy your surroundings while at some points also demands your focus to get through challenging gorges.
At some points of the river, you can even stop to admire the scenery. This is the same scenery that is sought after by those who come to luxurious five-star resorts in Ubud. By rafting here, not only you can see that scenic Ubud panorama, you can experience it firsthand.
Enjoy the experience
You need to do a light preparation to fully enjoy rafting here. You should bring spare clothes, sunblock, some cash just in case you want to buy food or having a documentation service, action camera if you have one, sports shoes or strapped sandals. This rafting is available for everyone from age 7 to 65 years old.
The rafting trip on Ayung generally lasted for two hours. There are two daily schedules that start from 09:00 and 12:00, pick one that is most suitable for you. If you stay in a hotel in Kuta, Legian, Jimbaran, Nusa Dua, Sanur, Seminyak, or Ubud, you’ll get a free pickup that you can arrange with the tour agency that you pick.
All in all, rafting at Ayung River of Ubud is a great activity, whether you are solo traveling or you come to Bali with your family. It is cheap, fun, and easily organized regardless of your stay in Bali. Next
