Rafting at Nam Wa River

    If anyone who likes adventurous activities, visiting the Wa River is another exciting experience that you will never forget. The “Wa River” originates from the same mountain range as the Nan River, Phi Pan Nam Mountain Range. In the area of Na Keun Village, Bo Kluea Sub-district, Bo Kluea District, Nan Province, it flows through the area of Santi Suk District, Mae Charim District, until it meets with the Nan River at Wiang Sa District, Nan Province, at the junction of three sub-districts of Wiang La An District, consisting of Lai Nan Subdistrict, Khueang Subdistrict and Klang Wiang Subdistrict. The local people call it “Sop Wa” with a total distance of over 300 km.

          The Wa River is divided into 3 sections: the upper part from Ban Span to Ban Sop Mang, which is located in Khun Nan National Park, with rapids reaching level 3-5 and in the middle part from Ban Sop Mang, Bo Kluea District down to Ban Nam Wa, Mae Charim District, there is also a difficulty of rapids at level 3 - 5. For the lower part, it is considered an ordinary rapids suitable for a relaxing rafting trip which is in the Mae Charim National Park starting from Ban Nam Pu to Ban Hat Rai.

          As for the interesting rapids such as Kaeng Luang, Kaeng Ton Sai, and Kaeng Salee, the level of the rapids is in the 2 - 4 range. We can travel in one day, no need to stay overnight. At present, the office of Mae Charim National Park has moved from Ban Nam Pang to the Kaeng Luang area from where the office can see the Wa River and the beautiful Kaeng Luang.

          For the “Middle Wa River”, it is considered the best river for white water rafting, a new line of Thailand with a length of more than 80 kilometers, stretching through the areas of 3 districts in Nan Province. More than a hundred rapids of different levels, with difficulty ranging from level 1 to 5 according to international standards.

         For tourists who want to play activities, it takes 3 days and 2 nights to conquer the rapids in order to experience the fullness of the virgin forest. In addition to rowing through the level 5 rapids, everyone must work together with the steerman’s skills, knowledge, and experience to safely guide everyone through the rapids while enjoying the full nature on both sides of the road, including small and large waterfalls, various plants, the beauty of oddly shaped stone walls, and indulging in the camping experience on the expansive natural beach along the Wa River.

The rafting season is in the months of June - July, September - January, and August of every year, rafting is suspended.

 Travel

          For rafting on the central Wa River from Bangkok, you can start at Mo Chit New Bus Terminal by air-conditioned Bangkok-Nan bus, taking about 10 hours. The starting point for rafting starts at Ban Sop Mang, Bo Kluea District, Nan Province. From Nan, take the route through Santi Suk District, Bo Kluea District will reach Ban Sop Mang. Travel time is approximately 3 hours to 3.30 hours.

Source: Tourism Authority of Thailand
Tel: +66 2 250 5500