Mae Wang Bamboo Rafting

Bamboo rafting on the Mae Wang river is not white water - the raft is a flat platform of eight or ten bamboo poles lashed together, carrying two or three passengers sitting or standing, poled and steered by a boatman down a shallow river between forested banks at not much more than walking pace, over an hour or so. The rafts are built for the season and broken up afterwards; bamboo waterlogs. Water level determines everything: after the rains from around July into November the river runs well and the trip works, while in the hot months it drops until rafts ground and the operators stop. Everyone gets wet from the knees down and often further. It is usually sold as part of a day combining an elephant camp, a Karen village visit and lunch, and the elephant element varies enormously in welfare standards - observation-only operations exist in Mae Wang and riding ones do too.

What you actually see

• The bamboo raft - poles lashed flat, poled by a local boatman.
• The shallow river - forested banks at walking pace for about an hour.
• The seasonal build - rafts made for the season and broken up after.
• The day-trip packaging - usually sold with an elephant camp and a village visit.

When to go

July to February, when the river is high enough. In the hot months from March the water drops too low and operators stop. Two to three hours for the rafting alone.

Honest expectations

You will get wet. It is slow and gentle rather than exciting, which some find disappointing. Elephant camps sold in the same package vary widely - riding operations cause documented harm and observation-only alternatives exist. Not runnable in the dry season.

Nearby

Pha Chor canyon is in the same district; Chiang Mai is north-east.