Rafting tourism on the Citarik river, Sukabumi, West Java, Indonesia
Travel Route from Jakarta to Citarik River, Sukabumi
A month before our vacation, we had already booked all the necessary arrangements for white water rafting at Citarik River. From accommodations to rafting facilities, meals, and more. To get to Citarik River in Sukabumi from Tangerang/Jakarta, you need to take the Jagorawi toll road and enter the Bocimi toll road.
Take Jl. Tol Jagorawi and Jl. Tol Bocimi and exit at the Parungkuda toll gate. Follow the road towards Sukabumi city.
Then take Jl. Raya Cikidang - Pamuruyan and Jl. Raya Cikidang to Jl. Cijambe-Lebak Wangi.
Jl. Alternatif Cikidang - Pelabuhan Ratu RT. 5 RW. 3 Kampung Lebak Wangi Cijambe, Cikiray, Kec. Cikidang, Kabupaten Sukabumi, West Java 43367, arrive at the Rafting Location
The distance from Jakarta to the white water rafting location at Citarik River is approximately 119 km, with a travel time of about 2 hours and 15 minutes.
Rafting at Citarik River
Upon arriving at the Caldera Rafting location, we informed the receptionist that our family group had already booked for white water rafting. Finally, we were asked to rest while waiting for our turn to be prepared for the rafting activity.
We didn't have to wait long as a guest relation officer approached us to change into the special rafting attire, along with the necessary equipment. After changing into our rafting gear, we were lined up in the courtyard near the river for a safety briefing and instructions for this thrilling adventure.
Here is a glimpse of the rafting attire:
Rafting Operational Procedures
Rafting can only be conducted after obtaining permission from the Rafting Supervisor, who checks the water level (TMA) and rechecks the water flow and weather conditions in the upstream area (Cialing/Halimun). This is done to consider whether rafting is feasible after calculating all the Rafting Trip schedules and to determine whether to stop an ongoing trip.
During the briefing.
During the Briefing/Safety talk, a detailed explanation about safety will be provided before and during Rafting. All participants will be given a detailed explanation about the use of equipment. During this Briefing, the Team Leader (TL) will divide the participants into each boat, taking into consideration the TMA and weight of each participant. Every rafting activity must be accompanied by a Rescue, using a minimum of 2 boats. The composition of the Guides must be balanced, with the requirement that there must be a Senior Guide who acts as the TL during the rafting. The placement of Guides can be adjusted according to the participants' conditions, such as for special participants or children. A re-examination of the Guide's health will be conducted, and clarification will be given regarding certain conditions that are not allowed to participate in Rafting, such as:
1. Pregnant women
2. Previous Spinal Fracture
3. Epilepsy
4. Heart conditions, especially those who wear Rings
Children under 10 years old are not allowed to participate in Rafting, unless their body posture allows and is deemed suitable by the TL, at least for the Upper Salamander (or given the Baby Salamander package).
During the rafting, the TL/Rescue coordinator will provide specific codes when passing each rapid. Understanding of this Rafting SOP has become a standard and is regularly updated.
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Here is a glimpse of the Citarik river rafting experience;
Since we chose the 8KM rafting package, after finishing the rafting, we were each given a young coconut. During the rafting, we had a great time as we had to balance the movement of the rubber boat we were on with the occasional flow of the river passing through large and small rocks. Therefore, the teamwork within the boat was crucial. Without it, the balance would be disrupted and the boat could overturn.
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