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A group rafting through rapids on a jungle river in Indonesia.
Water Activities

Telaga Waja Rafting

Bigger water than the Ayung, and a four-metre drop at the end

Duration
9 hours door to door
On the river
About 2.5 hours, 14 km
Grade
III–IV · the harder of the two
Minimum age
12 years

The trip

What You're Signing Up For

The Telaga Waja runs off the south side of Mount Agung and it is the faster of Bali's two rafting rivers. Where the Ayung is a scenic float with rapids in it, this is a continuous run with almost no flat water, and it finishes with a deliberate four-metre drop over a dam.

You are on the water for about two and a half hours over fourteen kilometres, in a boat of four to six with one certified guide steering.

Highlights

Why People Pick This One

  • Two and a half hours of near-continuous grade III–IV water
  • Fourteen kilometres through an almost empty valley below Agung
  • Side waterfalls dropping straight into the river beside the boat
  • The four-metre dam drop at the finish, which nobody forgets
  • Certified guide per raft, full kit, lunch and lockers included

Full description

The Whole Thing

The valley is spectacular and largely uninhabited: bamboo down to the waterline, side waterfalls straight into the river, and Agung above you whenever the cloud lifts.

Itinerary

The Trip, Stop By Stop

Timings are typical, not fixed. Your guide reshapes the day around your pace and the conditions.

  1. Hotel pickup

    Canggu, Seminyak, Kuta, Jimbaran, Sanur, Ubud

    A morning start; the river is calmest and clearest before afternoon rain upstream.

    Included

  2. Drive to Muncan

    Two hours east and up, through Klungkung and Selat towards Agung.

  3. Kit and briefing

    Helmet, life jacket, paddle, and twenty minutes of what to do if you come out.

  4. The upper river

    Fast, tight and continuous. Most of the swimming-pool-sized rapids are here.

  5. Waterfall section

    Side falls straight into the river, and the one place the guides let you stop.

  6. The dam drop

    Four metres over a weir into deep water. This is the end of the run.

  7. Lunch and drive home

    Buffet at the take-out, a shower, and the road back south.

    Included
Trip stop Pickup area Pickup is from your own accommodation inside these areas. Route is indicative, not the exact road taken.

The price covers

What's Included, And What Isn't

Included

  • Hotel pickup and drop-off across South Bali, Ubud and Canggu
  • Private air-conditioned car with English-speaking driver
  • Fuel, parking, tolls and the driver's day
  • Fourteen kilometres and about 2.5 hours on the Telaga Waja
  • Certified river guide, one per raft
  • Helmet, life jacket and paddle
  • Buffet lunch at the take-out, plus lockers, showers and towel hire

Not included

  • Photos taken by the river photographers, sold separately at the finish
  • The porter fee at the take-out steps, if you use one
  • Personal spending, tips and anything you buy on the day
  • Travel insurance, which we strongly recommend you carry

Before you book

Who This Trip Isn’t For

We would rather talk you out of the wrong trip than take your money for it. If any of these apply, message us and we’ll suggest something that fits better.

Children under twelve

Grade IV water and a four-metre drop. The Ayung takes children from seven and we will happily book that instead.

Anyone with back or neck trouble

The drop at the end is a real impact and there is no way to sit it out once you are in the boat.

Nervous non-swimmers

You wear a life jacket and guides are trained for it, but people do come out of boats on this river.

Come prepared

What To Bring

Swimwear and quick-dry clothes

You will be soaked from the first rapid. Cotton t-shirts stay wet for the whole drive home.

Sport sandals with a heel strap

Or old trainers. The take-out is a climb up wet steps and flip-flops come off in the water.

A full change of dry clothes

There are showers and lockers at the finish, and two hours in the car afterwards.

Cash for the photos

The river photographers are good and they only take cash. Around ten to fifteen dollars for the set.

On the trip

What It Looks Like

Tap a photo to enlarge

Before you book

Questions About This Trip

Anything not covered here? Message us. We'd rather answer first than have you book the wrong trip.

How does it compare to the Ayung?

Harder and faster. The Ayung is a scenic float with rapids; the Telaga Waja barely stops. If in doubt, the Ayung is the safer booking.

Do I have to do the dam drop?

It is the exit of the run, so effectively yes. If that is a problem, book the Ayung, which has no drop.

What if I fall out?

It happens and the guides train for it. You float feet-first downstream in your life jacket and the boat picks you up within seconds.

Is it worse in the rainy season?

Bigger water, more fun, and more restrictions. If the level is unsafe the operator cancels and we refund in full.

Can we combine it with anything?

Besakih and Sidemen are both nearby and add about ninety minutes each, with no extra charge for the car.

Pairs well with

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Ready When You Are

Tell us your dates and how many of you there are. We'll confirm availability, pickup time and the total, usually within the hour.