Rafting along the Elo River

Last weekend Melis and I along with our friends Melanie, Jimmy, and Jimmy’s father went rafting down the Elo river in Magelang (50 min from Jogja).  We used the CitraElo guiding service, which had a base camp set up near the Elo River.  We started our 12 km journey down the river around 10am.  After a brief lesson about rafting and how to hold the paddles we were off.  The Elo River is great for first timers.  The river is super mellow, with a few sections of white water rapids of the easiest class.  Needless to say this didn’t mean we did not get wet.  There were about 14 other rafts on the river that morning and each time we passed one we would splash each other.  At times people would pull unsuspecting rafters into the water.  Our guide used his paddle to hook one side of the paddle around the life jacket of an unsuspecting person and yank them into the water.  It was quite impressive and funny.  He must have done this to 8 people on various rafts that crossed our path.  I think we were known as the “bully” raft. 

Besides water wars, we also enjoyed doing the “rodeo”.  When we would approach a rapid section of the river one person would sit at the very front of the raft with their legs dangling over and holding on to a piece of rope in between their legs.  This was great fun; I even got tossed from the raft when doing the rodeo without holding on to the rope.    There were even sections of the river where we jumped into the water and floated down stream.

Along the river there were beautiful streams pouring into the river.  Lush vegetation lined the river and also provided shade for the local people who fished along the side.  We crossed several bridges that seemed too small and weak to handle a car.  One was a nifty little bridge made out of bamboo and rope.

3 hours and 12 km later we reached our end point.  I was thoroughly impressed by how beautiful and lush the Eli River is and its surrounding environment.  It was a relaxing way to see another side of Indonesia.  If there is a next time I would like to try the moderate grade-rafting trip that is on the Serayu River.