Did anybody go rafting in Sumatra at the Alas River? The LP
says that rafting there is pretty poor, but the Footprint
says the scenery is marvellous (but it doesn't say anything
about the rafting itself, only that it's popular).
So is it worth it and in what season should you go? How
much did you pay for the trip and was it safe?
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The Sungai Asahan plunges through deep gorges that penetrate
the walls of the crater for 30 km.
Three spectacular Siguragura Waterfalls bring the waters of
Lake Toba (900 m.) to the level of the coastal plains. The
most impressive is the roaring Harimo (Tiger) Falls which is
135 meters high.Commercial rafters attack rapids from the
village of Parhitean, at the base of these mighty
cascades. For informationa about the difficulty levels of
these rapids (I have heard second-hand that they are 3-4)
see http://www.webserv.com.my/tracks/asahan.htm
I'll send on some more info ASAP
The rapids of the Krueng Alas (= "jungle river" in Karonese)
inside the Gunung Leuser National Park is popular with
rafters.bTrips begin just south of Ketembe, and take a 4-5
days to reach the coast at Gelombang. In past years these
trips were organized by Sobek Tours, but they can be
arranged locally at Wisma Cinta Alam. And a video of this
raft-adventure might be available through Sobek ("River of
the Red Ape"). The trip isn't of a high level of difficulty,
so people even without rafting experience should enjoy it,
after the initial training. Excellent cooks, and well
outfitted, this is a leisurely way to pass through the park.
Sometimes orangutans, gibbons, and crocodiles are viewed
quite close to the rafts. Contact Johan at Wisma Cinta Alam
in Kutacane or the All-Indonesian Rafting Federation (FAJI)
at Jl. Letjend Soeprapto #2 M. Lt. 2, Medan. Phone
021-061-536912/ fax 021-061-574671 for more information.
Thanks for your good info. I checked the site on the
rafting in the Asahan river. It looks VERY exciting,
probably a bit too exciting for us since we only rafted
once in Sulawesi.
What about the other trip? Did you do it yourself, and what
did you think of it?
But I've talked to a number of folks who seem to think it's
really quite fun (if you go with a good group) and relaxing.
They did mention it got a bit boring down at the lower
end...but the middle section is supposedly really
impressive. The guides really push the possibility of
seeing orangutans, but my friends said the most they saw
were deer, gibbons and monkeys. I'd try to hunt down that
video for a real sense of the flavor of the trip (or perhaps
contact Sobek). I tend to think that the white-water is
fairly limited - maybe a 2-2.5 ranking max. I'm sure other
groups in Kutacane also arrange the rafting trips, too
(Wisma Peceren rings a bell)...if you don't want to go all
the way to Ketembe.