White-water rafting a challenging tourist charm in Magelang

White-water rafting a challenging tourist charm in Magelang

JAKARTA (JP): White-water rafting in Magelang, Central Java,
is attracting growing numbers of the tourists who visit the
nearby Borobudur and Prambanan temples.

One of the best white-water rafting spots in Central Java is
the Elo river in Magelang's Mungkid district, about 30 kilometers
northwest of Yogyakarta.

Yogyakarta itself is a common base for the foreign tourists
who flock to visit Borobudur temple in Magelang and Prambanan
temple in Prambanan.

The Elo flows from the foot of Mt. Merapi to the Progo river
with a water-flow rate of 4.7 cubic meters per second during the
rainy season and 3.5 cubic meters per second during the dry
season.

Rafters generally shoot the rapids down the 9.88 km Elo river
in two hours to 2.5 hours.

White-water rafting company PT Intras Tour's operations
manager, Hudoro Setyobawana, said the Elo was ideal for white-
water rafting because there was such as small difference in the
water flow rate between seasons.

"Supported by well-preserved nature, including trees and
cliffs, the river never runs dry during the dry season and is
never flooded during the rainy season," he told Antara in
Yogyakarta.

The Elo has 32 rapids with differently graded levels of
difficulty -- from grade 1 to grade 4.

Grade 4 is considered the most difficult according to
standards set by the international white-water rafting committee.

Hudoro said 12 of the rapids were classified grade 1; 10 grade
2; nine grade 3; and one grade 4.

Environmental activist and white-water rafting guide Eko
Supriyatin Septa Ningrum said the river's swift currents created
standing waves, reverse waves, round waves and tongue waves,
which were very challenging.

"Rafters are forced to concentrate on the bends and curves of
the sloping riverbanks, from the steepest to gigantic round
curves, that give you a magnificent view of the mountains," he
said.

Extreme caution, therefore, was needed, particularly at points
where the river was narrow and the current very fast, he said.

According to press reports, Woro Sumaryani, the wife of the
secretary-general of the Ministry of Social Affairs, died white-
water rafting here in February.

Safety

"However, rafting in the river is, in general, quite safe
because emergency facilities were available nearby," Eko said.

He recommends rafting for the adventurous and for risk-takers.

"Once you reach the other end of the river, you feel an
emotion that is totally soul-satisfying.

"Every time I take the trip with tourists, there is a feeling
of admiration, satisfaction, surprise and the desire to be at one
with nature -- a feeling you will not forget for the rest of your
life," said Eko, who studies geography at Yogyakarta's University
of Gadjah Mada.

Hudoro said that the breathtaking scenery along the river was
another plus-point for tourism.

"The scenery is an additional attraction for tourists since
there are so many things to see.

"There are horizontal slopes up to 30 meters high, small
deltas and sandy banks."

He said there were unique cultural attractions in nearby
villages as well.

Tourists could enjoy watching horses being used in traditional
rituals and ceremonies -- such as weddings, circumcisions and
harvests.

Celebrations like these frequently include dance performances
and other attractions that involve all the locals, garbed in
their traditional Javanese costumes.

"Foreign tourists can grab the opportunity to take pictures
and feel the rhythm of the farming way of life in villages along
the river," Hudoro said.

"Most farmers still use the river water for daily
necessities." (02)