Longest Bali River Rafting, Telaga Waja Rafting

 If you think that Bali is all about sea, sun and tanning your skin on the beach..you have to change your mind! Indeed Bali has pretty coastal throughout the island that makes this place known for the beaches. But, there are thousand more to experience Bali. Within few hours drive, another part of Bali waits to be discovered. Mountain, paddy fields, culture, nature and its rich culture just a glance highlights for your itinerary. Rafting can be a fresh alternative since multi-ages people can enjoy this kind of activity.

Early morning before the dusk came out; we were driving the road to Kuta where our car will drove us up to Karang Asem for rafting. I’ve tried rafting once in West java and it was rather fun and short track. Really worth to try to refresh your day! It took around nearly 2,5 hours scenic drive till we reach Karang Asem area. We had a beautiful and fresh stop at Bukit Jambul, where we’ll be able to see long winding road overlooking Mount Batur and the green hills.

One of the longest rivers on east Bali, Telaga Waja River runs southward Bali from southern slope of mount Abang. Mount Abang is a peak at of Batur caldera south rim as the remnant of tremendous eruption which was probably happened at the same time as other super volcanic eruptions along volcanic belt of archipelago. Based on volcanologists observation on Lake Toba in North Sumatra the era of explosion was 70.000 years ago. The explosion of Batur created beautiful panorama of Lake Batur, Mount Batur and mount Abang. This nature's beauty has made west rim of Batur the most haunted place for travelers to Bali, and a tour package called Kintamani tour is one of the most popular in Bali.

Telaga Waja River seems it was part of the created nature's beauty starts at the slope of Mt. Abang runs through idyllic villages. It’s close to the biggest temple of Bali, the Besakih, and cut the foot of the highest mountain on Bali that is Mount Agung on the west side. I don’t know why the river called such that name, Telaga Waja. Telaga for Balinese is pool, lake or embung, while waja or Baja is metal. It is no reference in Balinese word could lead to any understanding on what is behind the word of metal pool, as the fact a pool or lake has the water staying, but river or tukad in Balinese has running water which is always ending on the sea.

Telaga Waja River’s natural views and soft rapids have becoming more and more popular among the adventure seekers to experience the combination between culture and nature of Bali. White water rafting was introduced by Sobek, an American adventurous lover in 1980s into Bali.  Formerly Ayung River Rafting was the most popular adrenal trigger for travelers, yet on later development Telaga Waja River rafting has exceeded the popularity. The existence of Telaga Waja River has been a blessing to the people of Karangasem Regency. Not only being the source of water for daily life and irrigation, Telaga Waja River as blessing becomes a popular white water rafting runner for travelers. It has around 15 kilometers long compared to Ayung River with about 9 kilometers long.

It’s nearly 9 AM when we arrived at Sobek start point. We gathered at a spacious open hall bamboo which accommodates the rafting guests. Beautifully overlooking green hills covered the pathway downhill to the river. Once there you will be divided into groups of no more than 4 persons and your guide will hand out the rafting equipment for the day - helmets, life jackets and paddle. In addition there’s multi languages instruction hands out for the guests, along with cakes refreshment and mineral water.

We need to walk hundreds of stairway down to the river. Boats are ready and the white water screamed over us inviting to dancing and paddling on it. Your guide then gave you short instruction how to paddling on scenic river. 15 kilometers route equals to around 2 hours rafting.

The journey takes you through tropical rain forest, breathtaking waterfalls and wild countryside on this exciting adventure. Paddy fields, cacao and coffee plantation, huge waterfalls and local people wave to us along the river. I admitted that this is one of the eco-friendly types of vacation is that are exciting and challenging as well being able to explore deeply Paradise Island.

Quite long route and the most fun part was we cross over a 4 meters high dam that made our breath stop for moments. I was thinking to make a great pose as it’s the best photographer shot to take our expression. But then I was closing my eyes instead and screaming ‘ I love you mommmaaa….’!!!

The water is so fresh that I didn’t feel like burning my skin under the sun. Only by then I realized that I have a partial tanned skin. But it’s so worth to experience. At ending point we need to climbed up another hundreds stairways uphill to the restaurant and freshen spot. Mixture Balinese and Indonesian delicacy food was best after two hours adventure. 

Make sure to include Telaga Waja River Rafting to include your Bali Holiday Itinerary!