Cave Lodge Tours uses top quality imported boats and safety equipment.

Our vests are made by Hutchwilco in New Zealand and meet the latest E.U., Australian and New Zealand safety standards. Vests are in 3 adult sizes (not one size fits all). Boats are inflatable, open kayaks for one or two people by Incept of New Zealand and Canadian designed Zebecs.

We use kayaks rather than rafts, as they are much more fun than the bigger rafts, which can carry up to 8 or more people. Should you fall out there are always two guides to help you, unlike a large raft that has one guide to chase up to 10 paddlers. The rivers we paddle have low-grade rapids, perfect for our kayaks but not much fun in bigger boats.

This is not the Zambezi River with grade 5 freak-out sucking holes! Our rivers are fun white-water, suitable for novices and inexperienced paddlers.

All trips have a minimum of 2 guides who watch how each boat is performing, give paddling tips, and if necessary, swap people around in boats.

After an hour  of easy paddling we have lunch by a small side stream. From here it's half an   hour of small rapids to hone your skills and for the guides to get you sorted  before the first challenging rapids. From here the fun begins, the 4 metre waterfall drop if you are up to it, then plenty of grade 2 rapids before we reach our riverside campsite.

Here the crew get the camp together and boil the kettle, while you’re free to explore the forest, go swimming or just kick back and enjoy the natural surrounds.

Please no swimming (or paddling) if you have consumed alcohol, no matter how small a quantity (swim first, drink later...)! Also be careful when diving as rocks and logs can cause serious injuries.

At the ‘take-out’ you help bring the boats and equipment to the waiting pick up vehicle and are then either driven into Mae Hong Son, the bus stop in Soppong for the last bus to Pai or back to the Cave Lodge for a post trip party. Bags and valuables can be brought to the ‘take-out’ for people continuing to M.H.S. or Pai.

This trip will be cancelled in extreme high water.

We will not take people that we consider are not capable of handling 3 days paddling.

Guides are trained by internationally accredited kayakers with 15 year’s experience on some of the world’s biggest rivers.

All safety equipment conforms to international standards.

Trip leaders are registered guides.

Guides speak English (and Thai).

Take:

A change of clothes for the end of the day (warm clothes in winter). We supply waterproof bags and barrels for all your gear.

River clothes: shorts & t-shirt or, if you sun burn easily, long pants and top (nothing that you wouldn’t be happy to swim in...just in case).

Suntan lotion.

Camera (no large cameras). A waterproof disposable is best (we DO NOT sell them at the lodge).

Drinks for the evenings (spirits are best), we only supply water, coffee, tea and milo.

100 Baht, for drinks or snacks at the end of the trip.

All your gear will be stored at the lodge so do not bring passports or valuables on the trip- leave them in our safe.

Any personal medications, cigarettes etc.

Don’t Take:

Toilet paper and soap or basic first aid kits- we supply it all.

Jewellery and watches.

A grumpy friend with an attitude problem......

Transport from Cave Lodge to the river and to the drop off points.

All meals (except breakfast on day one and dinner on day three), coffee, tea, milo and drinking water.

Sleeping gear, mats, bags, mosquito nets etc.

Entry fees to the Pai Wildlife Sanctuary (200 Baht).

Insurance up to 100,000 Baht.

Experienced registered guides. 

A great wilderness experience with Thailand’s only company that specializes in white-water kayaking.