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Mekong River, Laos |
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The Mekong begins her amazing descent at an elevation of 5224 meters from a glacial spring in a remote corner of the Tibetan Plateau. From here her waters make an incredible 4800km journey through six diverse nations to the South China Sea. This magnificent river passes through some of the most spectacular and challenging environments on Earth providing an unparalleled natural, cultural and historical diversity can unfold through six unique and fascinating nations of East Asia. As the twelfth longest river in the world and tenth largest in volume, the name in Thai language means “The Mother of Waters” and recognizes no boundaries. She seamlessly makes her way through amazingly diverse cultural, natural and historical environments and into the hearts and lives of local communities who rely on it as their most precious natural resource. Few geographical regions on Earth can offer the diversity, richness and contrasts of East Asia and no other geographical phenomena can link six of these nations of exploration and discovery. |
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Rafting/Kayaking |
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Nam Ha / Nam Tha |
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(Class 2 at lower water levels Oct + April)
North west Laos. Through the heart of the Nam Ha National Park staying in traditional ethnic minority villages. Fascinating area recognized by UNESCO as one of the most culturally sensitive and diverse areas of Laos. Excellent bird watching possibilities, and a wide range of wildlife. Approximately 80% of the river's boatable length is away from any roads.
Duration: up to 10 Days finishing in the Mekong. |
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Nam Ming/Nam Khan |
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(Class 2 at lower water levels Oct + April only)
Near Luang Prabang. Beautiful scenery, great camping on sandbars, hot and cold springs, different ethnic villages, Henry Mahout's tomb (one of the first western explorers in Laos in the 19th century). The river starts in the highlands and finishes in the World Heritage Listed city Luang Prabang.
Duration: 4 Days.
Nam Hinboun
South central Laos. The expedition starts by entering a cave on one side of mountain by kayak, paddling through the entire mountain to emerge on the other side some seven kilometers, with some pristine spelunking to be done inside as well. The river then continues on through absolutely stunning gorge style countryside. There is an "Indiana Jones"-style temple to be explored that must be entered by passing under a mountain by cave. Most of the river is inside a National Park. Remote village stays along the way.
Duration: up to 8 Days. |
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Four Thousand Islands area of the Mekong |
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Paddle down through a unique seasonal wetlands habitat with hundreds of islands to be explored. Old temples and the laid-back island lifestyle are always a hit. We then paddle down through the calm sections of the Mekong Gorges. Incredibly powerful waterfalls to admire and explore by boat before paddling with the extremely rare Irrawaddy Mekong dolphins. We have a 100% viewing rate with the dolphins so far - could be because our paddles don't scream like longtail boat engines. World class paddlers rate this place very, very hard to beat.
Duration: Up to 7 days. |
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Hoey Champhi |
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(Rainy season June to September)
Very fun, almost continuous whitewater river that flows off the Bolaven Plateau. We portage two small waterfalls en route - extreme kayakers can jump them. Ethnic villages along the way. Great reviews from the few people who have tried this river.
Adventurous Rivers, Class 4 to 5 (Definitely for travellers with paddling experience) |
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Nam Pha |
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(June to December)
Very remote wilderness experience. Rugged terrain and abundant wildlife in the heart of the golden triangle. On our trip through the area we saw Hornbills, several species of monkey, 3 species of deer, porcupines, pigs and the tracks of other mammals including large cats. There is one pretty tough 3 hour portage en route. It is a very tough but highly rewarding trip for genuine adventurers.
Duration: 7 Days.
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Nam Theun |
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(Year round but the rainy season can get a bit extreme)
Widely known as one of the most pristine National Parks left in Asia, they are still finding large mammal species here never before known to science. Wildlife Conservation Society (NGO) is very keen for us to start making trips down the river so that we can relay wildlife information on this little known area. Funky class 4 to 5 rapids, old growth forests all the way. Finish with a transfer in Bomb Boats (the fuselages of the U.S. bomber planes that used to frequent this part of the world).
Duration: 4 Days |
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Nam Ngum |
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(Year round but the rainy season can get a bit extreme)
One of the newest areas in Laos to be visited by foreigners. Great scenery and very fun rapids. Finishes in the huge Nam Ngum Lake. Ethnic Hmong villages to be visited on the way into the area.
Duration: 2 days. |
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Hoey Bangliang |
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(Rainy Season June to November)
The Bangliang is a very fun almost continuous white water river for the first 2 days that runs off the Bolaven Plateau down to the Mekong through the Don Hua Sao National Park. Very scenic with camping along the way. On the 3rd day we reach the Mekong where we paddle down to Wat Phou, an amazing pre-Angkor temple complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. |
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Mekong Gorges |
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(Best between October and May)
There are over 15 separate white water routes down through the Gorges with the channels ranging from 1 to 12 kilokilometerslength. Great place for advanced white water kayakers to explore. Loads of waterfall jumping to be done. Nearly all of the channels lead to the dolphins.
Some of our professional paddle colleagues who tour the white water rivers of the world for a living rate this in the top 2% of destinations.
Duration 7 days.
Note: The rivers listed here are those considered most suitable for expedition style exploration by recreational or expert paddlers.
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What we provide
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Rafts, guides, personal safety equipment & safety kayakers shall also be provided
during the course of the rafting. |
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What to bring |
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Due to the nature of the trip you are advised to pack used clothes, one set for sleeping,
one for rafting wear and one spare set.
The usual sunblock, insect repellent, shampoos, soaps, towel, toothbrush and paste.
Sneakers or sandals are the preferred footwear for rafting but sandals can be used at
camp without feeling soggy. Bring your torchlight & batteries along with any medication
that you may have. |
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Bookings and Payment |
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Please contact us to confirm on a date and other details, once the dates have been
agreed a 50% deposit must be banked into our bank account. Fax the bank-in slip to us
as confirmation of trip. If you prefer us to package in the flight tickets then we will require full payment for these tickets before we buy them.
All balance of payment must be paid on our first meeting.
A waiver/indemnity form has to be signed by all participants. |
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Our Other Activities
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Other activities provided are
1. abseiling
2. jungle trekking
3. orienteering
4. canyoneering
5. cave exploration
6. rock climbing
7. mountain biking
8. camping
9. group dynamics events
10. summer camp programmes |
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General Information |
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What to bring |
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Due to the nature of the trip you are advised to pack used clothes, one set for sleeping,
one for rafting wear and one spare set.
The usual sunblock, insect repellent, shampoos, soaps, towel, toothbrush and paste.
Sneakers or sandals are the preferred footwear for rafting but sandals can be used at
camp without feeling soggy. Bring along with any medication that you may need. |
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Attire |
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Dress in practical clothes such as shorts and t-shirts. The best footwear to use is light tennis shoes, river sandals (e.g. Teva) or neoprene booties. Try to avoid expensive leather shoes and/or heavy hiking boots. If footwear does not fit properly it will surely come off if you happen to swim. Heavy hiking boots inhibits your swimming. |
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Sun protection |
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If your skin is sensitive to tropical sun, bring along waterproof sun block of at least factor 30. You can also bring a baseball cap, which fits neatly underneath a whitewater helmet. If you bring sunglasses make sure you take along a sports-string to ensure that they won't come off should you fall out of the boat and swim. |
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Caution and Waiver forms |
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Insurance is not included. We can arrange for insurance coverage on request.
Whitewater rafting is an adventure sport and like all outdoor sports there is an
element of risk. The ability to swim is an advantage, those who wear glasses
need to have some sort of a strap to secure them and there should be no loose
jewelry. Drugs or alcohol may impair you reaction and judgement. We will not
accept passengers younger than 15 years old unless accompanied with their
parents.
Since whitewater sport is considered an "extreme sport" there are
obviously inherited risks involved in the activity as well. Therefore, we require
every participant on all our rafting trips, kayaking courses and rescue course to
fill out a standard waiver form. This form and its content is similar to the ones
presented to all clients before scuba diving or to parachuters before making their
first jumps |
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Malaysia
