Vanillezapata
11 Mar 2023
Une Expérience exceptionnelle de deux jours sur le Rio SAMANA.
Deux jours de navigation en rafting avec des guides professionnels et super FUN. Un super encadrement, Navigation, Bivouac, Repas.
Une activité sportive, haute en adrénaline, dans la joie et la bonne humeur.
We went on a 2 day water rafting tour down the Samana. We had such a blast. Our guide Chris was extremely knowledgeable and extremely pleasant. Both Chris and Miles (both guides for our trip) cooked us dinner and set up our hammocks when we arrived to camp. They were both extremely pleasant and positive. They didn't risk any rapids that they thought our group couldn't handle. Safety was their first concern. Everything was excellent. Thank you so very much!
Spectacular! Amazing! Beautiful! Incredibly fun! We loved our overnight rafting trip with Expedition Colombia. This was, by far, the best experience of our trip to Colombia (and we loved all of Colombia) and our rafting trip ranks among the best adventures of our lives. We can't wait to go back.
The first thing you should know is that the folks with Expedition Colombia are great human beings who are dedicated to safety, environmental preservation, cultural protections and supporting ecotourism as a way of helping the people of Colombia. Of course, we loved the rafting and the beautiful river. The rapids were a blast. The waterfalls are stunning and our guides took us to splash around in one. Blue butterflies fluttered over the water. And swimming in the river was a blast.
We also expanded our knowledge of the Colombian people, learned more about their culture and unique plants only found in this area. In addition to leading great trips, the leaders of Expedition Colombia are working hard to fight dams on the beautiful free-flowing Río Samaná. If you raft or do other expeditions with Expedition Colombia, you not only will have a great time, you also will help support preservation efforts in this stunning area of Colombia. So, sign up and go on any trip these folks do. And we should all support their efforts to protect and save the river.
We loved the 2-day Río Samaná rafting trip. Sleeping in the jungle was a one-of-a-kind experience and two days of rafting was, of course, even better than one.
Here are more details. Our leader, Mael, is a world-class kayaker and an amazing person. You can trust him and the rest of the team 100%. Oscar and Jonatán piloted our rafts. All three of our guides were outstanding. Before our trip even began, Mael was keeping a close watch on the weather and strategizing about the safest plan for us. Since major rains were expected that could have caused flash flooding in the canyon where we originally planned to go, Mael wisely diverted us to a safe section of the upper Samaná. My husband and I are in our late 50s. Our adult kids are 25, 23 and 19. We're all good swimmers, but we only have a little rafting experience. So, I was nervous in advance of our trip. If you are like me, put your worries aside. You can trust Mael and the team at Expedition Colombia to take great care of you while also keeping the river pristine. In addition to putting safety first, they also set up a great camp and cooked delicious meals for us.
Here is some logistical information that might be helpful to you.
First, we are from Colorado in the U.S., where we have a relatively short rafting season that depends upon snowmelt. Colombia has a year-round rafting and kayaking season. Lucky them. The amount of water flowing through the rivers depends upon the rains. And, as you can tell by our experience, the folks at Expedition Colombia can plan safe, fun experiences whenever you visit. I think it's a little easier during the two dry seasons (in December and January and July and August).
Second, the water is warm compared to snow-fed U.S. rivers. You'll get splashed in the rapids, and that's definitely part of the fun.
Third, in the U.S., a lot of people where Tevas or river shoes to go rafting. I didn't understand why Expedition Colombia recommends closed-toe shoes. Here's the deal. You may do some hiking to put-ins and take-outs for your rafting trip. We hiked down to the water and there was some mud and there are slippery rocks. Hiking shoes or hiking boots with good traction are ideal. Also, if you're doing an overnight trip, closed two shoes are nice since there are some biting ants. (Yes, along with bug spray for mosquitos, you'll want spray to keep the ants away if you can find it.)
Fourth, pack light for your overnight stay, but be sure to bring a set of dry clothes to sleep in and to change into once you get off of the river. I assumed it would be really warm overnight in the jungle, but a light layer of down and a light rain coat would have been great.