White-water rafting a challenging tourist charm in Magelang<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): White-water rafting in Magelang, Central Java,
\nis attracting growing numbers of the tourists who visit the
\nnearby Borobudur and Prambanan temples.<\/p>\n
One of the best white-water rafting spots in Central Java is
\nthe Elo river in Magelang's Mungkid district, about 30 kilometers
\nnorthwest of Yogyakarta.<\/p>\n
Yogyakarta itself is a common base for the foreign tourists
\nwho flock to visit Borobudur temple in Magelang and Prambanan
\ntemple in Prambanan.<\/p>\n
The Elo flows from the foot of Mt. Merapi to the Progo river
\nwith a water-flow rate of 4.7 cubic meters per second during the
\nrainy season and 3.5 cubic meters per second during the dry
\nseason.<\/p>\n
Rafters generally shoot the rapids down the 9.88 km Elo river
\nin two hours to 2.5 hours.<\/p>\n
White-water rafting company PT Intras Tour's operations
\nmanager, Hudoro Setyobawana, said the Elo was ideal for white-
\nwater rafting because there was such as small difference in the
\nwater flow rate between seasons.<\/p>\n
\"Supported by well-preserved nature, including trees and
\ncliffs, the river never runs dry during the dry season and is
\nnever flooded during the rainy season,\" he told Antara in
\nYogyakarta.<\/p>\n
The Elo has 32 rapids with differently graded levels of
\ndifficulty -- from grade 1 to grade 4.<\/p>\n
Grade 4 is considered the most difficult according to
\nstandards set by the international white-water rafting committee.<\/p>\n
Hudoro said 12 of the rapids were classified grade 1; 10 grade
\n2; nine grade 3; and one grade 4.<\/p>\n
Environmental activist and white-water rafting guide Eko
\nSupriyatin Septa Ningrum said the river's swift currents created
\nstanding waves, reverse waves, round waves and tongue waves,
\nwhich were very challenging.<\/p>\n
\"Rafters are forced to concentrate on the bends and curves of
\nthe sloping riverbanks, from the steepest to gigantic round
\ncurves, that give you a magnificent view of the mountains,\" he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Extreme caution, therefore, was needed, particularly at points
\nwhere the river was narrow and the current very fast, he said.<\/p>\n
According to press reports, Woro Sumaryani, the wife of the
\nsecretary-general of the Ministry of Social Affairs, died white-
\nwater rafting here in February.<\/p>\n
Safety<\/p>\n
\"However, rafting in the river is, in general, quite safe
\nbecause emergency facilities were available nearby,\" Eko said.<\/p>\n
He recommends rafting for the adventurous and for risk-takers.<\/p>\n
\"Once you reach the other end of the river, you feel an
\nemotion that is totally soul-satisfying.<\/p>\n
\"Every time I take the trip with tourists, there is a feeling
\nof admiration, satisfaction, surprise and the desire to be at one
\nwith nature -- a feeling you will not forget for the rest of your
\nlife,\" said Eko, who studies geography at Yogyakarta's University
\nof Gadjah Mada.<\/p>\n
Hudoro said that the breathtaking scenery along the river was
\nanother plus-point for tourism.<\/p>\n
\"The scenery is an additional attraction for tourists since
\nthere are so many things to see.<\/p>\n
\"There are horizontal slopes up to 30 meters high, small
\ndeltas and sandy banks.\"<\/p>\n
He said there were unique cultural attractions in nearby
\nvillages as well.<\/p>\n
Tourists could enjoy watching horses being used in traditional
\nrituals and ceremonies -- such as weddings, circumcisions and
\nharvests.<\/p>\n
Celebrations like these frequently include dance performances
\nand other attractions that involve all the locals, garbed in
\ntheir traditional Javanese costumes.<\/p>\n
\"Foreign tourists can grab the opportunity to take pictures
\nand feel the rhythm of the farming way of life in villages along
\nthe river,\" Hudoro said.<\/p>\n
\"Most farmers still use the river water for daily
\nnecessities.\" (02)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/white-water-rafting-a-challenging-tourist-charm-in-magelang-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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