Karangasem, On the Wallace Line

One River, three Rafting Spots

Telaga Waja is the name of a river that stretches along Rendang village, Karangasem. This river is used by the people surrounding to irrigate their farmland. Due to tourism development in Bali, besides irrigating the farmland, this river is also also used for Rafting, an adventure tourism attraction. One rafting company in Rendang village that flooded by the Japanese and European tourist is Bali International Rafting. This Rafting Company was founded on October 1994.

Bali International Rafting is located at Rendang village, Karngasem Regency. It is about 56 km far from Denpasar or 9 km from Besakih Temple. By entering Rendang village, the visitor is welcomed by a stretch of green and terrace rice field.
According to Nengah Suweta, Bali International Rafting contain about ’12 rafts’ (boat for rafting). To support its operation, the guide river was asserted by well rafting security training, so the tourist will feel pleasure and secure in rafting. “That’s why the key in rafting depends on the guide’s river ability in conquering the river’s obstacles,” said Suwenta. As well as the guide river, the tourist also given for a fast-course about the rafting tools and its function just about 5-10 minutes before the adventure begins. Corporation between Guide River and tourists is expected to optimize the journey.
Rafting equipment contains of raft, paddle, helmet, life jacket, and reverse pomp. One raft consists of four tourists and one Guide River. While enjoying the obstacles along 12 km, the tourist can also glimpse at the working farmer on the rice field. Start from Gesing village and finished at Pakel village, Sidemen, spend about 2 hours journey. During the journey, the tourist may take a rest for about 10 minutes. The fast current of Telaga
Waja river and traditional bamboo bridge has becomes a challenge obstacles for the tourist.
Suweta asserted, beside Bali International Rafting, Telaga Waja river channel is used also by Sobek Rafting, and Bali Rafting. The start spot until the finish spot of both rafting company is about 12 km. It means there are three rafting companies that make a use of Telaga Waja channel. “Telaga Waja channel is accurately opposite for rafting, whether for its challenging obstacle and clean water, so there are three rafting spot in one river,” said Suweta. (BTN/033)