The Sensation of Tradition of the Northern Sumatran State River Ecotourism

Toba, 6 June 2022 - Since 1976, PT Indonesia Asahan Aluminum (Persero) has been friendly with the Asahan River. The river along 143 km has a hulu in Lake Toba and became a green energy source of all operations of PT INALUM (Persero) since 1976. Now, Asahan River became a new primadona as the world’s third best Arung Jeram tourism destination and became the pride of North Sumatra and Indonesia.

Destination of water rafting in the First Land River was pioneered in 1995. It was first performed by extreme sports lovers of rafting. They came to the Land River because since the long time the river became the people’s struggle around because of its considerable water. Based on the search, some rafting points in the Sahan River enter the level of five or very challenging for the sports of the Rafting. In 2000, The International Rafting Championship was held in the Asahan River to challenge and conquer the drain of the North Sumatran pride river.

The seriousness in the management of the Asahan River as a popular and challenging tourist destination is carried out when a group of young children established the Asahan River Rafting in 2015 with the aim of preserving the river, and managing ecotourism with the Asahan River as its primadona.

Syahrul Alamsyah Simatupang is one of the young children who consistently run the Asahan River Rafting. Since childhood, he often saw the rafting competition and the potential of the river. The seriousness of Syahrul and his friends in maintaining the Asahan River became the focus of PT INALUM (Persero) to preserve.

Langkah the company in maintaining the Land River was carried out in 2017 when the company along the Ministry of BUMN made the revitalization of the Foreign River ecotourism. The program includes the improvement of access to tourist locations, the construction of safety stairs (most 270 stairs), providing rubber boats, and the development of sanitation facilities, and public bridges. The inauguration was carried out by the teaching of the INALUM and Minister of BUMN Rini Soemarno along the teachings. Finally, the ecotourism has gone.

Kini, post pandemi, eco-tourism activity again wakes up after 2 years of pandemi. Syahrul is optimistic, its business with friends and support from PT INALUM (Persero) can return to increasing its popularity. For the fun of rafting managed by Syahrul for the mileage of the start point is 8,1 Km. Tourists do not need to be too bad to feel the enjoyment of watering in the Syahrul-managed Asahan River. Prices are quite affordable, starting from Rp 200 thousand to 300 thousands, they can experience a thrilling water adventure.

“From that price already includes transportation, eating, snack, rescue and documentation. Along the path is the level of watering only ranges from 2-3 levels. So the excitement and security is still worth bringing and family. Even five-year-old children can also participate, we are optimistic rafting at the Asahan River will seal again after pandemi” Syahrul said,

How? Interested in the Aging River?