White Water Rafting@ Sungai Kampar, Perak

White Water Rafting at Sungai Kampar, Perak

Not for the faint-hearted. Water rafting is an extreme sport thanks to the strong currents and rapids, which always pose a capsizing threat.
However, water rafting with RiverBug at Sungai Kampar, is truly a memorable and fun experience.

The journey starts at the base of Gua Tempurung, where the RiverBug vans wait. They would take you up to the river, as the roads up are too narrow and steep for a big 40-seater bus. The ascent was steep and narrow, but the view, to die for.

Upon reaching the site where rafting begins, the friendly guides will conduct a safety briefing where they tell you about the dangers and safety aspects of rafting. Capsize drills are also conducted and by the end of the 15-minute briefing, one would be able to water raft with a little more confidence. The all important insurance and indemnity form must also be signed in case of mishaps.

Equipped with a life vest, a helmet, paddle and basic knowledge on the dangers and safety aspects, you are now ready to white water raft.

At Sungai Kampar, the rafting levels are from 1 to 3, with level 5 being the highest rafting level. So it is a perfect level for beginners as well as adventure enthusiasts due to it’s mid-sized rapids and distance. During the rainy season though, the levels at Sungai Kampar can increase to level 4 due to faster currents and a higher tide.

An exhilarating adventure which brings us to new heights of excitement, literally! The adventure down the river will take you through 14 rapids and cooling waters of Kampar River in Perak. The meandering river will take you pass some old tin mining plains. You can also feast your eyes on the multitude of flora and fauna around the river. With butterflies of multitude shades flying around you and even resting on your paddle, it is easy to feel at peace with the world that is until you’re screaming in fear and excitement as you tackle those exciting rapids.

In fact, paddling in the sun, tackling rapids both steep and shallow and trying to keep one’s balance while getting splashed by other paddlers in the next raft might seem daunting to some, but it sure is a heck of a ride! And if you somehow believe you will not get too wet, think again as you will be taught to body raft down some ‘tame’ rapids to get a feel of how to react, should you fall off the raft. Rather scary stuff but what an adrenaline rush as water splashes you in the face repeatedly, not to mention the amount of water that you will probably swallow.

You will also get a chance to climb some trees and jump off them into the river halfway through the journey when the guides bank the rafts and allow some time for you to swim, relax and jump off trees. The guides will be at hand to help you out should you be carried too far by the currents or too ‘urban’ to scale that tree. So you have to give it a try and embrace the ‘kampung’ in you.
After this exciting detour, you are on your way to facing more rapids and even more fun. Yet this sojourn ala Indiana Jones comes to an end too quickly (the journey downriver takes about 2 hours.) and you soon reach the end point. Yet even then, you can still do a little more bodyrafting (just ask your guide), this time train style! It is probably these close attention to details and highly friendly guides that gives this whitewater rafting adventure a very personal feel. This is what makes this adrenaline rush exceptional as opposed to just ok. The guides are highly knowledgeable, friendly and really enthusiastic.

After such a workout, you will probably be famished. So it’s a good thing that food will be greeting you at the journey’s end. The meal is cooked kampong style, with the fish served caught from the very river that you have just rafted in. The dishes are simple but very flavourful and a really good end to such an unforgettable adventure.

As you laugh and exchange pictures over the food, certificates (of completion) are being printed. These will then be presented at the end of the meal. Such grand gestures from the management only adds to the thrill and makes this adventure a truly memorable one.