Rafting is a nature adventure sport, on the river using inflatable boats. For the beginner, Elo River, located at Blondo village in Magelang city, Central Java can be your choice.
With more than 10 kilometers’ distance (6.2 miles) and around 2 hours’ traveling time, you will complete your mission of conquering the cascades along Elo River with your friends or your family.
Elo River is an ideal river to do rafting for families because the cascades are relatively stable and safe in both the dry season and rainy season.
Starting your excursions along Elo River while enjoying nature
Before the adventure begins, a river guide will give you instructions about how to do rafting. He will explain how to hold the paddles, how to wear your lifejacket, and how to rescue members of the group if they fall from the inflatable boat. You don’t need to be a good swimmer to do this rafting because you wear a lifejacket and are accompanied by a professional guide. The minimum age to do rafting at Elo River is 8 years old, and children must be accompanied by an older member of the family. The journey begins with everybody sitting tight on the boat, paddling the oars and enjoying water splashing to your face.
You can see elo trees (a kind of banyan tree) that grow along the riverside, helping to give fresh and cool air. While enjoying the nature of Elo River and the cascades, the fresh atmosphere will hypnotize you and the 10 kilometers journey will seem like a moment.
Let the fun begin!
Throughout this rafting trip, you will cross the calm and harsh currents of the river. When the boat is on a calm flow of river, the river guide may suggest a game for all the participants, such as standing up on the edge of the boat and holding hands. Good teamwork will keep the boat stable, but the river guide always makes a move to distract team members and it makes them fall into the river. Don’t worry if you fall into the water, because this game is played on a shallow river.
You can not bring a camera or cellphone, so the organizer provides a professional photography team to take pictures of your actions. Just smile, scream, and pose as crazily as you can!
Delicious traditional meals in the rest area to recharge your energy
After 45 - 60 minutes, the raft will reach the rest area at the halfway point of your journey. All the participants shall get off the boat and enjoy a refreshing meal that is provided by the rafting organizer. They usually serve coconut drinks and several traditional meals such as klepon (made from glutinous rice flour with brown sugar inside), getuk (made from cassava flour that is mixed with sugar), arem-arem (rice with vegetables wrapped in banana leaves), and many others.
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Elo rafting trip: an all-inclusive package for all services
You have to make a reservation at least one day before before, because the organizer must prepare a schedule, river guide, and insurance for the participants. The cost to do this is 900,000 IDR (approximately 69 USD) for one boat with 5 participants and it covers insurance, rafting gear, your river guide, refreshments, an after-trip meal, local transport from start to finish points, and a certificate.
Don’t forget to bring extra clothes because you certainly will get wet after the adventure on Elo River. Even though this activity will make you wet and tired it is worth it because it can be a great moment to strengthen the relationship between you and family or friends.
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