Telaga Waja Rafting Bali 2026: Epic Ubud Pickup Adventure
Go beyond Bali's typical beaches and temples! Experience the exhilarating Telaga Waja River rafting, complete with hotel pickup from Ubud and lunch. Prepare for an unforgettable adventure!
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Go beyond Bali's typical beaches and temples! Experience the exhilarating Telaga Waja River rafting, complete with hotel pickup from Ubud and lunch. Prepare for an unforgettable adventure!

Bali Telaga Waja River
Rafting Tour
Text and Photos by ©Eunsuu
When you think of a trip to Bali, most people focus on beaches and temples, right?
But for me, that just wasn't enough. I wanted something more!
When it comes to Bali rafting, the Ayung River is usually the most famous, isn't it?
But **I chose the Telaga Waja River, which is known for being even more thrilling!**
Honestly, I've been rafting several times on my travels through Southeast Asia,
but this one was truly different.
**With powerful rapids, majestic waterfalls, and stunning nature**, I truly felt immersed in the wild.
It felt exactly like stepping into the movie Avatar – it was that spectacular!
**At around ~$62-69 for two people** **(including hotel pickup/drop-off + lunch)**,
**I highly recommend this for honeymooners, couples, and family travelers alike.**
****
**Let me share my Bali activity review right now!**
**▼ Check out the Bali Telaga Waja River Rafting experience here ▼**
1. Getting There & Pickup

I applied for the tour with the pickup/drop-off option included.
Getting to the site on your own can be quite a hassle.
Having them waiting right outside my Ubud accommodation and getting straight in the car
made the whole trip so much more comfortable!
Pickup times are available from 09:00 to 13:00,
and the journey to the site takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes.

I booked the earliest slot,
and luckily, my friend and I had the boat all to ourselves!
Sometimes, boats are shared with other groups depending on the number of participants,
so keep that in mind! I highly recommend booking an early slot!
2. Arrival & Preparation


📍 Avataar Rafting
Jl. Gn. Agung, Muncan, Kec. Rendang, Kabupaten Karangasem, Bali 80862 Indonesia
I arrived at the Avataar Rafting company.
The rice field views were absolutely stunning, even before the tour began!


First, they offered me a cup of coffee.
I really needed that caffeine boost after rushing out early in the morning!

While I was sipping my coffee, the staff were getting things ready down below.
And seriously... aren't Bali's rice field views just incredible?..

You can take a zipline down to where the boats are,
but I decided to walk down and enjoy the scenery along the way.

After receiving my helmet, life jacket, and paddle, it was time to head to the river!
It didn't take long to reach the river, just about 5 minutes.
3. Rafting Experience

When I arrived at the starting point, the staff were still
inflating the boats.

From a distance, I saw foreign families arriving one by one via zipline...
and I regretted not doing it myself!

Once everything was ready, we set off immediately.
The staff member who joined us in the back of the boat kindly taught us how to paddle and how to brace ourselves during rapids,
using a mix of Korean and English.
**★ Our 2-hour rafting adventure begins! ★**
Even with a waterproof case, this is an experience where you'll be actively paddling (and getting wet!).
That's why it's quite tricky to capture lots of photos and videos!
The current is quite strong, isn't it? That's what adds to the thrill!
You'll also find natural waterfalls dotted throughout the route.
You truly have to see it with your own eyes to understand. Videos just don't do it justice!
If there's ever a risky section, they'll have us get off beforehand.
Then, once that part is safely navigated, they'll pick us back up, so it's super safe.

In some of the shallower, most picturesque waterfall sections along the way,
they even give us time to get out and snap some photos!


These aren't artificial waterfalls; they're completely natural!
So beautiful, right? With lush greenery and massive cascades of water!
Getting drenched by that genuinely refreshing water—now THAT'S real rafting!
Passing right under the waterfalls in the boat is an absolute thrill!

I got out and stood under them myself.
The water wasn't too deep, which was great,
and even though it was a hot day, the water was incredibly refreshing!

While we were having fun, our guides even kept an eye on the boat for us,
and snapped some photos of me with my group!

After two hours of exhilarating rafting, you naturally get thirsty and a bit tired,
and that's when a small local stall magically appeared!
I used the cash I had on hand to buy a refreshing Zero Coke. So good! 😉
Natural Water Slide Sections!

Next up: the natural water slides!
I recall there being about two of these amazing sections.
While there was excitement at every turn,
these two spots were definitely the highlight, and I highly recommend them.
They'll make you forget all about waterparks!
Rafting Concludes!

After wrapping up our rafting adventure, we snapped a quick group photo.
Our guide, who was with us the whole time, was absolutely amazing.
They looked out for us, ensuring our safety for two whole hours,
and we were incredibly grateful!
4. Lunchtime and Back to the Accommodation!



After the rafting, a delicious buffet lunch was waiting for us.
It was local cuisine, but absolutely delicious and appealing to everyone!


After two hours of paddling, that meal tasted extra good.
It was truly a heavenly feast!

It was fantastic that our driver was already waiting for us.
We headed straight back to our accommodation in Ubud.
What a perfectly packed day with our rafting adventure!
💡 Pro Tips: Know These to Enjoy Rafting 200%!
Long-sleeved leggings & rash guard are a MUST!
During the rafting, there are genuinely sections where you'll be lying on your stomach or back.
You could get scratched by branches along the riverbanks, so long sleeves are absolutely vital!
Footwear: Crocs or something more secure!
Flip-flops and regular slippers are definitely a no-go.
There are so many bouncy sections that my footwear nearly came off more times than I can count.
You really need to wear at least Crocs, if not something even more secure, when you come~!
Bring a waterproof phone case!
I put my valuables and phone in a waterproof case and kept them on me during the ride.
You can leave your main luggage in the car.
Another great tip is to ask the local guide if you can temporarily store your items in their large waterproof bag.
It's a good idea to bring a change of clothes!
While your clothes might dry quickly during lunch,
if you prefer to feel fresh, you can shower and change into dry clothes.
I personally went straight back to the hotel and just rode in my wet clothes.
Don't forget to bring cash for tips!
The guides work hard, rafting with you for two whole hours,
paddling and ensuring your safety. They truly put in a lot of effort.
I didn't bring enough cash with me beforehand,
and could only give them 40,000 Rupiah, which I felt terrible about.
So, definitely remember to bring plenty of Rupiah cash with you~!
🔗 Book your Bali Telaga Waja River Rafting Experience
Wrapping Up
I've tried quite a few different activities in Bali.
But the Telaga Waja River rafting
was truly one of the most memorable experiences.
I've been rafting multiple times in Southeast Asia,
but this one blew them all out of the water.
If you're on a honeymoon or a couple's trip,
you absolutely *must* try it in Bali~!
If you're thinking about Bali rafting, the Ayung River is great, but
if you're craving a thrill, I highly recommend the Telaga Waja River!
👇 The Ubud Bali Pool Villa Hotel I stayed at 👇
👇 Your Ultimate Bali Travel Checklist 👇
The Bali Telagawaja River rafting tour costs around ~$62-69 for two people. This price includes accommodation pick-up/drop-off service and lunch.
Pick-up times are available from 09:00 to 13:00. The travel time from accommodations in Ubud town to Avataar Rafting is approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.
The rafting experience lasts for a total of 2 hours. It features strong rapids and natural waterfalls along the way, with two natural water slide sections being particularly distinctive.
For rafting, long-sleeved leggings and a rash guard are essential. For footwear, Crocs or similar secure shoes are recommended to prevent them from coming off. It's also advisable to bring a waterproof phone case and plenty of cash for guide tips and local vendors.
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