Raimy FielderSome of the coolest places for rafting trips on earth!
Rafting and/or white-water rafting is one of the coolest recreational outdoor activities which use an inflatable raft to navigate a river or other body of water. Rafting trips are usually done with a group of your palls, 8 – 10 friends at the time, learning to deal with risk and teamwork ending with the search for a cold one.
Though without skipping ahead I’d like to tell you about some lesser or not so obvious risks that come with white water rafting. These include: General stoke, mind-blowing views, laughing till your stomach hurts, the water that inevitably shoots up your nose and the splash that shocks you to your core when you first jump into the pristine water. The last and most critical: not wanting the journey to end!
In all seriousness, it is important to wear a personal flotation device (PFD) and to always listen to your guides, the skippers. It’s important to do your own research of possible risks before heading out, that includes getting a dry sack to protect your phone and to always. I repeat. Always hold onto the T of your paddle.
Do you think you are ready to feel the excitement like never before and conquer the unconquerable?
Tara River, Montenegro
What makes the Tara River in Montenegro so unique you ask? The Tara River Canyon in Montenegro is at the bottom of the second deepest canyon in the world, right behind America’s Grand Canyon.
It is also claimed to be the fastest river in all of Europe with more than 20 foaming rapids. You are surrounded by the walls of the canyon that bounce off the sound of the rapids and harbor over 80 caves. It is also on the UNESCO list of protected areas since 1977 and is one of the world’s 25 natural landmarks.
Photo: DrMJN via Wikimedia Commons
Rio Bueno, Jamaica
Located on the border of St Ann and Trelawny on Jamaica’s North Coast, lies the tiny village of Rio Bueno at just about the midpoint between Ocho Rios and Montego Bay. This river is for the rafters that would like to sit and soak in the sun.
PFDs are still highly recommended. Most tours down this river use 5 person rafts with the skipper at the back giving directions. There is also the option to float down in small doughnut floaties as well just remember sunscreen for your legs! I’ve definitely made that mistake before!
Photo: Kent MacElwee via Wikimedia Commons
Vrbas River, Banja Luka in Bosnia & Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina is a country on the Balkan Peninsula in southeastern Europe and six hours north of the Tara River in Montenegro. Its countryside is home to medieval villages, rivers, and lakes.
Banja Luka is the second-largest city in Bosnia and is situated on river Vrbas. Rafting on this river can last up to three hours! The Vrbas is a fast mountain river with several high falls and it is one of the most attractive river streams in Europe.
Photo:Tonka Via Creative Commons
Waitomo Caves in New Zealand
Rafting in Waitomo Caves in New Zealand! Alright, this is more like cave tubing, but have you ever gone tubing in a cave, in the dark, and with glow words!? This is a rad three-hour adventure that takes you through a maze of caves, jumping down waterfalls, and repelling.
Rappel into this subterranean playground with a guide of course! Float on your inner tube through the underground river system at Waitomo Caves. Ride a stream that twists and turns through a canyon, and tumble down a hidden waterfall and rock slide before emerging into the Waitomo forest!
Photo washuungenius via Wikimedia Commons
Ride the rapid known as La Boca del Diablo on Savegre River, in Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a rainforested Central American country north of Panama with coastlines of the Caribbean on one side and Pacific on the other. On the Savegre you will cascades down a narrow canyon from the mountainsides of Brujo.
Most tours for this river start in “El Llano”, a small town in the middle of the mountains. You will be running on continuous class III and IV rapids on the Division river, the main tributary to the Savegre River. Through one of the most remote canyons on the Savegre river the “Cinderella” and “Malibu”, and even the “La Boca del Diablo”. This is one of the most pristine rivers in the country surrounded by impressive views of primary forest!
La Boca del Diablo on Savegre River, in Costa Rica
Hakapur on the Sun Kosi river in Nepal
Nepal is located mainly in the Himalayas, though also includes parts of the Indo-Gangetic Plain. Now when you think of Nepal, the first thing that probably springs to your mind is Mt Everest, the Himalayas, and trekking. Well, have you ever thought about it as a rafting destination?
All those tall mountains collect quite a bit of snow and that means heavy runoff creating over 6000 rivers. The Hakapur is the largest rapid on the Sun Kosi river and arguably the most infamous because it is a grade V.
Though the whole trip isn’t as intense, the Sun Kosi river is an ideal trip for those wanting to combine peaceful stretches of stunning scenery with some great and challenging rapids. The beginning of the trip reveals high mountains, open valleys, forests, and small remote villages. The final days bring you to open plains and the thriving village of Chatara.
Photo:rezendi via Wikimedia Commons
Cetina River in Croatia
Croatia is a country at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Adriatic Sea. It’s North of Montenegro and just passed Bosnia & Herzegovina.
Feel the exhilarating rush of navigating second and third-grade rapids as you ride through the stunning Cetina River. Admire many caves, waterfalls, rich diverse vegetation, while you enjoy the Mediterranean climate in the canyon of the river.
Photo:Michael Panse Via Creative Commons
Sava River, Slovenia
The longest river in Slovenia, a country in Central Europe, is known for its mountains, ski resorts, and lakes. North of Montenegro passed Bosnia & Herzegovina and over Croatia, you’ve arrived in Slovenia.
The Sava is 990 kilometers (615 miles) long and it is the greatest tributary of the Danube by volume of water draining into the Black Sea. Sava river is great place for your first rafting experience!
Photo: seaoat Via Wikimedia Commons
Anyone who has been on rafting trips will tell you that it is more than just enjoying the cool water in the hot sun, laughing and screaming, jumping from the rocks, swimming under waterfalls. It’s creating life long friendships and creating memories that’ll last a lifetime!
Check out some other cool adventure ideas:
White Water Rafting in NY State
