This daytrip combines the best white water rafting in southern Thailand with the best ATV (quad bike) riding as well.
The tour includes either 5km or 9km of white water rafting, an optional 1 or 2 hour ATV ride through the jungle, an optional elephant trek, an optional waterfall visit, a Thai lunch and fresh fruit, and return trip transport from your hotel.
In the rainy season the 9km white water ride is a real thrill, whereas in the dry season it is more of a laugh, and is suitable for older children.
Several tour operators offer white water rafting, but we only book with one of them. Some of the other operators start a third of the way down the rapids. Our chosen tour operator starts from the top and finishes at either the 5 km mark or the 9km mark.
Most of the rafting companies, for their longer rafting option, offer a 7km ride, which is a shame, as the most exciting spot on the river is at the 8km mark. Our chosen tour operator offers the full 9km, which can be combined with 2 hours of ATV riding. To our knowledge our operator is the only one that offers this combination.
Note that while 1 hours' ATV riding is fun and enjoyable, it is not exciting enough to satisfy most thrill-seekers. If you are after a real adrenaline buzz, you need to book 2 hoirs' ATV riding, as the real fun starts after the first hour.
Several tour operators in the Ao Nang area offer ATV riding, but we only book tours with one of them. Usually in Thailand ATV riding is a really boring experience of riding round in circles on a small track, which quickly gets tiresome.
Our chosen tour operator's ATV experience is different, it is a tour through the jungle on an ATV. The rafting and ATV centre is a 2 hour drive from Ao Nang.
Price for 5km rafting, a 30 minute elephant trek, a waterfall visit and a visit to the Monkey Cave Temple - THB 2,200. Child 3 to 12 years old inclusive - THB 1,400.
