Last Updated: 15th May 2013
Tags: white water rafting, austria, tyrol, europe, optional excursions, austrian tyrol
by – Tim Reed, Tour Manager, Europe
I love the white Water Rafting in Austria. Not only do you get the thrill of the rapids as they flow down from the mountains, but the sights you see along the way is amazing. The rapids are generally grade 2-3, which means anyone can participate and all are guaranteed to get the same rush wrap and entwine your craft down the river. This excursion is so much fun! A must do for any fun loving person.
by – Sam, Tour Manager, Europe and New Zealand
White water rafting in Austria. Its a chance to get out of the coach and out of the cities and do something physical. The guides are great and all you need to do is be able to swim and have some fun. Its not just about the rapids there are fun games on the water and a couple of tricks the guides may teach you. All round a great time on the water in some incredible scenery.
by – Matt Vernick, Tour Manager, Europe
Rafting is Austria is awesome fun. F-U-N. Fun.
The rafting is grade 2-3 rapids depending on how high the river is (Rafting in Europe happens on the Inn River in Austria) and while you can certainly find much more serious hard core rapids in places like Tully, New Zealand, India and Africa, the main thing about the rafting in Austria is that it’s fun. A lot of fun.
Safety is easily the highest priority for the guys running the show and if the river flooded or dangerous they won’t hesitate in canceling the excursion.
You’re kitted out with a full body wet suit, boots, spray jacket, life vest and helmet. The water is certainly cold as it flows straight out of the Austrian Alps (which are all around you while you’re on the raft – awesome scenery). The sooner you get the cold water in to your wet suit, the sooner your body will heat it up and this doesn’t take long because you are pretty active on the raft.
Depending on the flow of the river, it usually takes about an 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes to raft down the stretch of the river used and groups of people in each raft are between 6- 10 of your fellow Contiki travellers and depends on the sizes of rafts they are using on that particular day.
You also do all the paddling yourself, some people have idea that it’s just sit back in the raft and enjoy the ride but you have an oar and you together with the guys and gals in your boat do all the paddling with the instruction of your on-board rafting guide.
The guides also are terrific and play a whole bunch of games with your crew while you’re on the flats so it is never boring.
You should not do rafting if you cannot swim. Chances are that if you get bumped out of the raft (usually you choose to jump out or fall in during one of the flat sections) you will have to swim back to the raft.
Another great thing about the Rafting is that you’re amongst the Austrian Alps though the Inn Valley so all you have to do is look up to take in the massive mountains, super-fresh air, water and scenery is all around you.
Rafting generally fits into the middle of a tour and after you’ve been sitting on a bus for a few travel days it’s great to get off and use your body actively and feels great afterwards. If you have the chance to take the mountain biking option in Hopfgarten, it too is excellent.
After you finish the rafting session there are hot showers though if you need to warm up and wash your hair although you probably won’t need to because the water in the river is super fresh and clean (like the rest of Austria).
Even people who have rafted on grade 4-5 rapids end up like the 99% of people who do the rafting in Austria – beaming from ear to ear.
White Water Rafting in Austria is offered as an optional excursion visiting the Tyrol regions and is operated by Feelfree rafting and adventures on the Inn river, Austria.
by – Glen Jupp, Tour Manager, Europe
The white water rafting in Austria is amazing. Its a grade 3 course which means its not too scary or dangerous, and not at all slow. so its perfect for a group to do it together. On top of the adrenalin of rafting down the rapids, you get time to take in the amazing views of the Austrian Alps that are surrounding you! Rafting lasts for around an hour, then once you’ve had a warm shower and changed there is time for some pizza or some traditional goulash soup.
by – Erin Robertson, Tour Manager, Europe
White Water Rafting in Austria! Suited up in all the gear, wetsuit, shoes, lifejacket and helmet you head down the river with an expereinced guide and get the thrills of navigating the rapids and quiter moments to take in the majestic scenery around you all the while laughing with your new friends!
Add a Comment Comments (13)