Downstream With Fury - Northern Thailand's Best Whitewater Adventures

Lavish rains have made the Thailand's Northern rivers perfect for pushing your way through world class rapids. After heavy rains in Northern Thailand, conditions for whitewater rafting are now probably the best in decades. Pumping rivers run wild through the jungles, sending showers of spray as waves of white water crash against the rocks, and devil-may-care rafters bob and weave through the rough waters, in rubber rafts. When a river changes mood to a soft-flowing stream, the guide can drop their paddles for awhile, rest their arms and watch the jungle drift slowly past. Shafts of sunlight rain down through the trees and, as the sound of rushing water fades into the distance, the calls of birds and monkeys can be heard above the rustle of the breeze.

Whitewater rafting was relatively new to Thailand, arriving just about 10 years ago. But it soon established itself in the North, where challenges range in difficulty on a scale of one to five. The Mae Taeng River is one of the best-known and popular rafting routes, with rapids that vary among the first four grades. Located in the Mae Taeng valley 75 kilometres north of Chiang Mai city, it winds down from high in the mountains near the Burmese border, through valleys and canyons, past lonely hilltribe villages.

And South of the Chiang Mai, the Mae Chaem River runs an exciting course through Doi Inthanon and Ob Luang national parks. The mountains get dense further west towards Mae Hong Son. The Pai River smashes an angry path towards Burma from Ban Nam Kong, 65 kilometers from Pai town, this fierce waterway thrusts downstream through pristine jungle, past stunning waterfalls with about 15 sets of rapids that test all five levels of expertise.

Go northeast and you find the Nam Wa River in Nan province. From its source in the Doi Nun mountains, it flows down through pristine forest to remote valleys and dramatic gorges. And, of course, the waters are challenging!

Most can do it.

Most people can turn into whitewater rafters, but it isn't a sport you can do on your own. It's best to seek out a reputable whitewater operators with a Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) license, experienced guides, itineraries, insurance and all the necessary safety equipment such as life-jackets and helmets. Experience is not usually necessary(depending on the run and water level), as all participants are well briefed on safety and protection before setting out. However, it stands to reason that a decent level of fitness is required - and the ability to swim.

Age is fairly immaterial, and youngsters have been known to shoot the rapids even at the tender age of 10. At the other end of the scale, I guess you're as young as you feel. Sixty-two year old Robert Musibvoy from the United States remarked - after his first Thai experience of whitewater rafting - "Good trip, good guides, good food and good fun. Best whitewater I've been on." So he certainly enjoyed himself. Thailand's rainy season starts in May, but it's probably best to wait until July before rafting - when the waters are high. Dry, cool weather takes over in mid-October, and fast currents continue to flow until February.

The experts: A Professional teams of fully trained river guides are employed by the top rafting companies operating from in Northern Thailand.