Thailand

Rafting down the Mae Taeng River is an experience not to be missed if you find yourself in the province of Chiang Mai. The starting point is about a 1.5-hour drive northwest of the old town. During your descent, you'll be accompanied by lively and humorous Thai professional guides. This activity is perfect for families or groups of friends, offering a friendly and thrilling experience.

Before the rafting descent

A driver will pick you up from your hotel. If you prefer, you can also rent scooters for the day and head to the rafting club, stopping along the way to see the beautiful Mok Fa waterfalls. The club, which is actually the endpoint of the rafting trip, will take you in an open pickup truck with inflatable boats on the roof to the starting point.

Once there, the guides will explain the rules to follow while on board the boat in clear English.

They will instruct you on:

• The position to take on the boat (which may seem unintuitive)
• How to react in the case of capsizing
• The instructions to follow and how to respond

After receiving all the instructions, you'll be ready to embark on this wonderful adventure lasting a few hours.

During the descent of the Mae Taeng River

There are two levels of courses:

• The first level is relatively easy and suitable for people aged 5 to 65, making it a family-friendly activity. The descent is at a leisurely pace, allowing you to fully enjoy the fabulous scenery. Surrounded by slopes covered with lush forest on either side of the river, you'll feel like you're in the setting of a jungle book. Although the course is relatively long, it's broken up to avoid fast-flowing water. About halfway through, you'll reach the shore for a few minutes by car before getting back on the boat for the second part of the descent.
• If you opt for the second course, you'll take the same route as the first, but without interruption. You'll traverse the rapids for a more intense, thrilling experience. For this second course, an additional fee will be added to the price.

When to go?

Some seasons are better for rafting on the Mae Taeng River than others. Heavy rains can quickly raise the river level and increase the speed of the rapids, making the waters impassable. Here are the months when rafting is possible and when it's more difficult or even impossible:

Rafting possible:

• November to July

Rafting is less feasible:

• August to October

What to bring?

Here are some items to bring to make your rafting experience in Thailand more enjoyable:

• Sunscreen
• Mobile phone (in a waterproof bag provided by the guides)
• Change of clothes
• Towel
• Water shoes (optional; you can also go barefoot in the boat)