Adventure tourism, thrilled by the Pai River, Mae Hong Son Province
To fulfill the desires of adventurous souls who love white-water rafting, many places in Thailand currently offer exciting and exhilarating rafting experiences. Rafting can range from easy, nature-watching trips to more challenging experiences that require specific skills. However, if a person has an opportunity to travel to Mae Hong Son Province and loves adventure, he or she should not miss the chance to go on a rafting trip down the Pai River in a rubber boat. This river is known for its winding route, which is not very wide and has mostly shallow water. In addition, there are many gravel beaches and rock formations in the middle of the river. The journey takes rafters through a lush forest, which is a natural and rich habitat for many rare wildlife species.
There are two routes for rafting: the upper and lower sections of the Pai River. The upper route is approximately 70 kilometers long, and the trip takes two days and one night. The lower route is approximately 45 kilometers long, and the trip takes only one day. Along the way, everyone will have the opportunity to experience various sizes of rapids and to enjoy walking and sightseeing at the famous Soo-Sa Waterfall, which is known for its natural beauty and its year-round water flow. In addition, visitors have a chance to nourish their skin by participating in a natural clay mask activity.
The best time for whitewater rafting is in June and February of every year. The water level of the rapids ranges from level 1 to 4. However, during the rainy season, it can reach level 5, with stronger currents that make it more challenging. Rafting down the Pai River requires the expertise of local guides, especially during the rainy season.