Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Rafting trip on the Namkeg river in Phitsanulok


Rafting trip on the NAM KEG River in Phitsanulok
The Khek river has its water source at the Phetchabun Mountain Range in Khao Kho countryside. It flows via Thung salaeng Luang National Park and forms the famous Sri Dit and Kaeng Sopha waterfalls of Phitsanulok. The water course passing Wang Thong countryside before joining the Nan river at Bang Krathum county is also called the Wang Thong river.
The level of difficulty of the current depends on the volume of water flow. In the rainy season, the river becomes swifter.
Keg River is the good place for rafting as it provides exciting routes for tourists for Ban PakYang, Sapraiwan sub-district, Wang Thong district to Kang Song waterfall which lasts 8 kms. Altogether. You can travel along this route within 3 hours, depending on the water level. You will experience the water speed at level 1-2 and gradually increase the intensity to level 4-5 in the end. This allows you to practice your skill in rafting along the way.
Some cataracts last hundred meters. Travelling to Keg River is considered convenients as the river is near the road. After you get off a car you can get on a raft promptly, and when you get out of a raft you can get on a car or bus conveniently as well. No need to walk like going to other places.
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Phitsanulok province also offers an opportunity for those who look for heart racing and gut wrenching thrill of white-water rafting on the Khek river.
Shooting the rapids on the Khek river
Best known for its exciting and adventurous rafting route with difficulty ranked between levels 3 and 5, the river has its water source in the Phetchabun mountain range in Khao Kho county. It flows past Thung Salaeng Luang National Park and forms the famous Si Dit and Kaeng Sopha Waterfalls of Phitsanulok. The watercourse, passing Wang Thong county before joining the Nan river at Bang Krathum county, is also called the Wang Thong river. In early July of each year, the province hosts the "Kaeng Song Coffee Tasting and Khek River Rafting Festival" to celebrate the opening of the rafting season and to promote its specialty, coffee of Kaeng Song.

Apart from an opportunity to explore places concerning notable chapters of Thailand's history, visitors to Phitsanulok will also be provided with its exceptional natural charisma and many other tourism opportunities. Thaiways would like to take you to admire this province, where many activities provided will meet your various needs. Situated 377 km north of Bangkok, on a strategic location dividing Thailand's Central and Northern regions, and connecting to the Northeastern region, Phitsanulok is undeniably an important hub and an ideal base for travellers wishing to explore the lower North and western Northeast of the country. Phitsanulok province, however, is not just a stopover for tourists, but is a province with promising tourism opportunities. Spanning the banks of the Nan river, Phitsanulok also has the Khwae Noi river running through it. Therefore, it is locally known and historically referred to as "Song Khwae" city, which literally means the city of two rivers.
The Khek River
Rafting-khag river
Most of Phitsanulok's terrain is flatlands, with one-third of the area being mountain ranges on the north and the east giving it its unique natural endowments, including natural parks and waterfalls, making a trip to Phitsanulok more worthwhile.

Of all the rafting rivers in Thailand, the Khek is the most challenging, but also the most fun. This river has many steep turns and rapids to keep you entertained. Rafting enthusiasts should make at least one trip here during their lifetime. LocationThe Khek river comes from the Phetchabun mountains, winds through Amphoe Khao Kho in the Phetchabun Province, continues on through the Thung Salaeng Luang National Park, then on to Amphoe Khao Kho before merging with the Nan River. The majority of the rafting takes place in Amphoe Wang Thong in the province of Phitsanulok. The most popular starting point is at Kilometer Marker fifty-three in Ban Pak Yang in Amphoe Wang Thong. From here, the river follows Highway 12. Highlights Rafting: The best time for rafting is during the rainy season between May and October. During this time, the river turns brown and turbulent. Rainy season brings the necessary water to ensure a high water level and the challenging rapids for which the Khek is famous. You have a chance to float for up to eight kilometers. The skill level of this section varies between moderate and difficult.Your trip will start from Ban Pak Yang where the water is slow. From here, you will continue on to Kaeng Pak Yang, which is more technically difficult. Next, you will pass Kaeng Moradok Pa, and Kaeng Pak Yang. Kaeng Pak Yang has the most challenging rapids and lasts for about one hundred meters. After you're finished bumping through, you'll need to stay on guard, as you have to navigate the boulder field at Kaeng Sang. Kaeng Sophalam is next, winding you through yet more esses. Although the current here seems slow, it is still difficult to navigate your raft. Finally you will come to Kaeng Yao, which is about one hundred meters long. This is a slow section and many rafters stop here to regain their wits and swim in the slow current. When you're done relaxing, jump back in your raft and continue on to Kaeng Wang Nam Yen, the final stop. The total trip takes about two hours, during which time you'll pass over eighteen Kaengs. How to Get ThereFrom the Phitsanulok Province, take Highway 12 to Amphoe Wang Thong. Continue driving straight until you reach Kilometer Marker fifty-three, which is in Ban Pak Yang.Rafting Operators Call:Pop Tours: 0-1680-3939 or 0-1707-0440Wang Nam Yen Resort: 0-5529-3411-4
Whitewater Rafting and the Khek River Rafting Festival
Tourists come to the Wang Thong River to see the waterfalls along its path, and to engage in rafting. Rapids along the river include the Wang Nam Yen Rapids within Thung Salaeng Luang National Park. Some portions of the Wang Thong River are designated level 5 rafting sites. This level of whitewater is the uppermost limit to rafting, meaning the river is wild, with a rapid current and difficult, steep rapids. The level of difficulty of the current depends on the volume of water flow. In the rainy season, the river becomes swifter. In June, 2005, Phitsanulok Province initiated a campaign entitled "Sip Coffee at Kaeng Song, Paddle Along Nam Khek Rapids," and held the first Khek River Rafting Festival.[6] The next Khek River Rafting Festival was held from July 7 through the end of October, 2006.[7] This year the festival is being held from July 1, 2007 through Oct 31, 2007 under the name "Kaeng Song Cafe - Khek river rafting festival."[8]

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