SOBEK, The Company

Sobek Bali Utama is Bali's leading adventure tour specialist. We offer more exciting adventure options than any other company, from white water rafting to jungle trekking.
The company has, in a relatively short space of time, established itself as the largest adventure operation in Indonesia and Asia. More than 5,000 people each month enjoy our integrated series of adventure programmes throughout Indonesia - from whitewater rafting on Bali's spectacular Ayung River to jungle treks and rafting trips through some of the wilder parts of Sulawesi.

THE SOBEK STORY

Sobek Expeditions was established after on eventful trip to the upper reaches of the Nile 20 years ago. During the expedition a five metre crocodile attacked one of the rafts. Although nobody was hurt, two local men who saw what happened came up later saying "Sobek, Sobek... ", the local name of the river god. And so the company found its name.
In 1989 Sobek Expedition explorers David Heckman and Nick Blackboard came to Boli. They made the first rafting trip on the Ayung River and realised it was perfect for beginners who wanted the chance to see the real Bali. Now, invoking the same God of the River, PT. Sobek Bali Utama offers a broad range of adventure tours in Bali and throughout Indonesia. Just look for the sign of the crocodile!

OUR MISSION

To offer exciting, safe adventure trips that enrich our guests' appreciation of nature, the environment and local culture while committed to the goal of sustainable tourism.

SOBEK TODAY

Sobek Bali Utama now employs a total of 400 people including highly trained adventure tour guides, administration staff encompassing operations, accounting, marketing, transportation and support.
Advisor to the Directors is founder Nick Blackboard, a former teacher who has spent more than twelve years in Indonesia and who has a keen and active interest in adventure pursuits.
Sobek has recently set up a wide-ranging "Customer Services" training school to ensure efficient service for all our clients. Guides receive intensive training courses both locally and overseas and due to a generous employment package and pleasant working conditions they not only stay but ore proud to work with Sobek.
The transportation section is well run with a fleet of air-conditioned vehicles and a team of polite, well- disciplined drivers.
At Sobek's spacious Sanur head-office, the telephones and computer booking system are manned by an efficient customer service department. Multi-lingual telephone receptionists ensure smooth booking procedures, while accounting and marketing staff provide their vital functions in a professional manner.

SOBEK AND THE ENVIRONMENT

Sobek as a company is committed to preserving the natural environment within which we operate our adventure tours. We regularly conduct environmental audits, employ specialists to train our staff in preservation, and participate actively in a wide range of environmental awareness initiatives. Conservation organisations have commented that Sobek's activities are "a positive step towards sustainable environmental tourism".

SOBEK AND THE PEOPLE OF BALI

Sobek is very much involved with the local people who live along the Ayung River and takes an active interest in promoting the preservation of the river and the communities that surround it.

A company, Wisata Arung Jerom, was set up to provide local people with port ownership of the river operation. The revenues are distributed according to the "Banjor" system, so the people who live beside the river share in its success, and have the economic means to preserve their traditional way of life.

LKMB (Lembaga Kerja Masyarakat Begawan) was established to ensure people from the village of Begawan at Sobek's start point participate in the river operation. It employs local people using a system of one employee per household so wages can be spread throughout the village.

More than half the staff working for Sobek ore local people from the villages around the river, because the company believes that they know best about the river - they have, after all, lived there all their lives.

Sobek undertakes weekly gotong royong clean-up programmes along the length of the river and the courses of the cycling and trekking trips.