Thai Adventure Rafting, Mae Hong Son Province
Duration: 2 days / 1 night
Join Departure: From Pai town, every day during season.
Tour end: Pai town or Mae Hong Son town
Routing: Pai – Mae Hong Son – Pai
Rafting Season is open now until mid-January 2011 (Subject to water levels).
Trip Overview
Departing from Pai (city) our two-day rafting expedition will take you through the main Wildlife Sanctuary of Mae Hong Son province. Being the only access through this area, the Pai River guarantee you an unforgettable wilderness trip. Beside experiencing the thrill of the rapids, you might have the chance to watch monkeys and birds playing along the river bank and bath in sparkling waterfalls.
This overnight expedition travels in strong self-bailing paddle rubber rafts and canoes of similar structure. Personal effects and belongings will travel in dry bags and watertight containers.
Since 1988 on the Pai River. First commercial River Rafting operator in Thailand. All our raft captains are fully trained to international standards under supervision of Guy Gorias, founder and Technical Director.
Experience the Pai River as recommended by most travel guide books, with the Thai Adventure Rafting Team.
In order to keep the weight down, all participants are requested to carry a minimum load, approximately the size of a standard plastic carrier bag. For you to make a choice, we recommend you limit yourself to the packing list below. All your remaining personal items will be safely kept at our Pai office and transferred to the arrival point on the following day upon request. All food and drinks will be provided during the trip with the exception of alcoholic beverages. Beer available at our jungle camp.
Our raft captains will handle professionally all aspects of your trip. They will be happy to answer any question you may have and share with you their knowledge of nature and traditions of the Mae Hong Son province.
Overnight at our Riverside Jungle Camp, in harmony with the nature! A night spent at our jungle camp will give you the opportunity to explore the pristine nature of the Mae Hong Son hills. Bamboo huts fully equipped with sleeping bags, foam camping mattresses and mosquito nets will keep you in harmony with the environment. Simple, clean toilets and showers will also contribute to your comfortable stay.
How Do You Join Our Trip?
- From Chiangmai
- Public bus to Pai (4 hours from “Arcade Bus Station”) – few departures per day, last one leaving at 4pm.
- Private vehicle/van to Pai (3 hours) can be arranged by our office. (Must depart Chiangmai at 6am for same day rafting trip.
- If you intend to Start from Pai, we recommend to arrive in Pai the day before departure and spend a night in Pai.
- Return back to Chiangmai
- Plane from Mae Hong Son (35 minutes). The flight back to Chiangmai is on Nok Air /SGA Airlines as Thai Airways has discontinued their flights between Chiangmai and Mae Hong Son. Currently the most convenient flight is DD948 departing Mae Hong Son Airport at 17:15, and arriving to Chiangmai airport at 17:50. Please check with our office or the schedule on NokAir website at http://www.nokair.com for latest updates.
- Private car/minibus (5 hour’s driving time, via Mae Sarieng). Our office can arrange this transportation.
- Local Bus (8 hours). The same day the bus would depart around 8pm and arrive in the early morning in Chiangmai. It is wiser to spend a night in Mae Hong Son and take the day bus the next day.
Itinerary
- Day 1: Meeting in Pai office and depart for our paddling expedition
- Please come to our Pai office before 9am, at “La Terrasse Restaurant”. At 9am, we start the briefing on security, paddling techniques and navigation. After the briefing, usually at 10am, we transfer by vehicle to the Pai river put-in place (1 hour drive). Boarding the rafts at 11.00 for a gentle start. Stop for a pack lunch on the river bank. Continue through rapids section (2 hours paddling) to reach our Jungle Camp for overnight. Welcome drink and chips served, while your guides are cooking a dinner. Succulent Thai meals, fruits, coffee or tea is served. Spend the night in bamboo dormitory, under a mosquito net. Shower & toilet facilities available. A great jungle camp experience.
- Day 2: Second day of paddling through the wilderness of the pai River
- Breakfast at 7 a.m.: bread, butter & jam, omelet, coffee /tea /choc. Leave at 9 am; (+1h30) reach the Hot Springs for a break, followed by more thrilling rapids (about 15 rapids from 50 to 300 m. long, grade 2-3 ). Pass through the Pai Gorges and its rapids. Stop for a pack lunch by a small waterfall: Mixed salad and fruits. We eventually come out in the Mae Hong Sorn Valley and disembark at forestry office around 3 p.m. Showers available before transfer to Mae Hong Son at participant’s convenience (Hotel or Airport), or return to Pai with our pick-up truck (2 hours drive).
- end of the trip -
Important Notes
- We recommend participants not to wear any jewelry item.
- Cameras and binoculars will be safely stored in watertight containers readily available at any time.
- For security reasons, you will be required to wear a life jacket and helmet whenever you are traveling on a raft.
- Diet requirement: please advise us when you register if you need vegetarian meals.
- Average good physical condition and swimming experience required.
Suggested Packing List
On the boat: T-shirt, Short pants, sandals or water shoes. Sun-screen lotion.
At the camp: One long sleeve T-shirt, 1 trouser, sandals or flip-flops, 1 towel & toilet kit, mosquito repellent lotion, 1 flashlight.
Pricing
Departure from Pai (our office): 2,500 Baht / person
Rafting Season is OPEN NOW — Our river trip have started mid-June 2010
Join departures tours only. Group Size: 4 persons; maximum group size: 25 persons.
(Transportation to Pai not included. For a full package including rafting trip, transfers, overnight, flight back to Chiang Mai see this trip .)
Including: All transfers departing from Pai town, meals and drinking water, camping gear, waterproof containers & dry bags for personal belongings and cameras, life jacket & safety helmet.