Rafting Tours and Tubing
If you want to do something different - do a rafting trip. It is possible to do it year round, but most water and strong rapids in the river you will have during the rainy season in March, April and between September and November. For the professional rafting tour a special rubber boat is available. All necessary equipment, like life jacket, helmet and paddle will be provided. And of course an expirienced raft captain and a mate will be ready to guide you through the rapids on your adventures trip on the river Alas. If the river is not too high a rafting tour is suitable for childeren as well. All participant must be able to swim.
As rafting trips go south the Alas river from Ketambe it cannot be combined with any trekking tours which all go north-east.
The most requested rafting trip takes one day and goes from Ketambe to Kutacane within about 6 hours. You will stop to have breaks, there is a longer break for lunch which is provided. If there is time you can visit a village during a stop of this tour. The transport back to Ketambe is included. For some impressions of a one day rafting tour see slide show beside/above.
In the rainy season its possible to do a rafting trip up to 4 days until Gelombang. Few years ago there was still jungle beside the river, but now don't expect that you will raft on the river which flows between dense jungle. Most of the parts are changed to plantations. To organize the rafting boat, the gear and the permission it takes one full day at least.
If you just want to do "river riding" or "wave hopping" with a single inner tube ... you can do it on a part of the river Alas in Ketambe.
Ask the staff of the guesthouse to give you a tube and walk about 15 minutes up river to Gurah. There is a riverside place where you can start your ride easy. After about 10 minutes you will pass the river beach close to the guesthouse, where it is easy possible to get out. If you need any assistance ask the staff. Kids of the village will like it to give you company.