Nepal White-Water Rafting

Some of the best white-water rafting and kayaking in the world is in Nepal. Some of the rafting trips can be outstanding and can be a real rush. Most of the trips in Nepal are exciting and most can be done by beginners. Some of the trips in Nepal are classic for the world. During a trip there are beautiful mountain views and interesting cultural experiences.

Some rafting trips can be combined with a wildlife safari. There are wide selections of possible trip. Along the way you often camp out on white sandy beaches with a camp fire at night. Rafting can be done in subtropical area with warm water. A rafting trip in Nepal is great value for the money versus other places in the world. On a rafting trip you get to really see the inner countryside of Nepal. A rafting trip is a great opportunity to view birds and wildlife.

Most of the rivers are clean and there are not many insects on the beaches. Mosquitoes are unusual.

The standard trip usually offered is a three-day trip. A rafting trip can be quite an exciting and memorable experience.

River Grading
Rivers are graded by an international grade from class 1 to 6. A grade of 1 is slow moving water and there are not many impediments. A class 6 river is extremely difficult to ride on and is considered dangerous.

Most people can easily ride on a grade 1 to 3 river. During a ride on a class 1 or 2 river you flow along at a leisurely pace a good part of the time and you run some small rapids.

To ride on a class 4 river it is best to have some rafting experience, be able to deal well in water, and should be healthy.

Class 5 A class 5 river can be a real experience. You can expect a powerful flow of water, hard paddling, and there is a chance of the raft overturning. If you overturn in a class 5 river, it is a potentially risky situation and you should have an idea what to do if this happens.

Many of the rivers are class 3 or 4. There are also rivers that are class 1 or 2. There are some real tough rafting rivers at the class 5 or 6 levels. Rivers can be especially rough during and just after the monsoon.

Rafting Groups
Rafting Agents (NARA; 01 221-197), PO Box 2585, Kathmandu and the Nepal River Conservation Trust (01 271-894), PO Box 6720, Kathmandu. These groups can be contacted to give you an idea on reputable rafting companies. It you have any complains you can contact this groups.

Permits
A permit is needed to raft or kayak. Permits are gotten at the Ministry of Tourism, Tripureshwar Marg, Kathmandu, near the National Stadium. The cost is $5. They have a list of the river where rafting is allowed. Beside the river listed in this book, there may be some other rivers that can be rafted on.

Costs of Rafting
Trips cost between $20 and $85 per day, depending on the quality of the service, the river used, the amount of people on the trip. The standard cost for a trip on the Trisuli is $40 or $50 a person with an up-scale company which includes transportation by private van or jeep to and from the river and good meals. It will cost around $25 per day with a budget company. The lower price means the equipment will usually be inferior, transportation may be a bus instead of a jeep, and the food will not be as good. On other rivers the charge may be $20 more per day. For $20 per day the standard may be really low, and it is advised to pay a bit more and have a pleasant, safe trip.

If you are going to do a more difficult trip, for instance go on a class 4 river or higher, you should be much more careful to choose a company with experience, good equipment and guides.
Charges in Nepal are about half the price that a trip would be in the USA.

Travel Insurance
You should check if your insurance covers a rafting trip. If you have a problem off the main road, you may need a helicopter for a rescue. You should leave a copy of your insurance with the rafting operators and make clear what phone number should be called if there is a problem.

Rafting Seasons (When to Go)
The time of the year can really make a big difference in the flow of water in the rivers. The flow of the rivers during the monsoon in July and August are ten times are more than the flow of water in March.

It is usually best for beginners to go on a trip after mid-October, when the rivers become milder. During the November the rivers are mainly fast-moving, but not too difficult. The busiest rafting season is in October and November. The best seasons for rafting are from September to December and March to early June. In December and January many river become cold and unless you have a wetsuit they may not be enjoyable. The winter is not as cold as might be expected because most of the trips are on rivers areas below 500m elevation. The rivers are the most mild between from December to April. During the winter is a slower time for tourism, there are less options with tour operator for rafting trips.

From March to the mid-May because the river flow is low, the rivers do not move as quickly. If the water is running faster on a river at a particular time of the year, the trip can take a shorter time than if it is running slower.

From early September to early October and late-May to late-June (when snow melts in the mountains and some pre-monsoon rainfall) the rivers can flow very quickly. During this time rafting can be more dangerous than normal. It is best to raft with an experience company at this time, because extra precautions need to be taken.
During the monsoon, from June to August only experts should do rafting trips. During this time there may be 10 times as much water flowing in the rivers. Rafting can only be done on certain rivers during this time.

Various rivers can be different depending on the time of year. Depending on the time of the year you are in Nepal, can adjust what river you go on.

Rafting Trips Types
There are several factors to consider when taking a rafting trip. The difficulty of the river, how long the trip is, and the type of raft used, should be considered. The quality of the boats and staff can vary which can affect the comfort and safety of the trip.

Trips can vary from a luxury trip where everything is done for you in style and you are rowed down the river. The tents are put up and cooking done for you. On other trip you may be part of the trip and you help put up the tents and load the boats.
A rafted can either be paddled or rowed. If the raft has an oar framed and is rowed, the guide usually sits in the middle of the boat and rows the boat, while the passengers just sit there. On a raft that paddles are uses, the guide is in the back and steers the boat, while the passenger paddle. Most people prefer to paddle and be an active part of the team, and most companies use this system.

Rafting Companies
There is an organized trekking industry in Nepal rule by Nepali and Western rafting operators.
It is best to only use a company that belongs to the Nepal Association of Rafting Agents, which deals with complains and requires their members to only use licensed trained guides. You are supposed to have a rafting permit, which cost $5 and is arranged by the rafting company. To get the permit you are supposed to be insured. All rafting equipment is supplies by the company. You should check that the company supplies life-jackets and helmets and the guides are actually certified and have experience doing rafting trips. Companies often do not do all rivers, and often they specialize in particular rivers. This is especially true of the harder ones.

Trips depart regularly, usually at least one long trip a week during the season.

Around 90 companies in Kathmandu claim to be rafting companies. Some of them are reputable companies with a good amount of experience. Others are new and may not be any good at all. They often do not have proper equipment or good guides. You basically get what you pay for. If you go with some budget operators the trip may be dangerous and uncomfortable.

Booking with travel agencies overseas will be more expensive, but everything is arranged in advance. The best rafting trips are fully books weeks in advance during the busy seasons.

Often you will be dealing with a travel agent, who is selling a raft trip done by another company and they are receiving a commission. They often can not answer your question and may even lie and tell you whatever you want to hear. It is always best to deal directly with the rafting company. Another reason to book with the rafting company directly, is you can see who else is going on the trip.

A rafting trip can be arranged overseas, but this almost certainly will be much more expensive than arranging the trip in Kathmandu. You may want to book a rafting trip overseas if you are pushed for time. All the companies in Kathmandu book raft trips. This has the advantage of the trip being cheaper and you can meet the people on your trip before committing to a particular trip.

What to Bring
Usually you will need a light change of clothing and you may need a sweater at night. You will also need sandals, a swim suit, sun glasses, a towel, sun screen, a hat and saddles or rubber-soled shoes. If you are staying overnight you usually will need a sleeping bag, which can be rented in Kathmandu. If it will be cold you may want to have a wet suit. The higher-end companies provide wet suits and thermal tops. You should ask your rafting companies if you need anything else.

You will normally have to bring your own sleeping bag. They can be rented in Kathmandu. The rafting companies usually supply tents, foam mattresses, and waterproof bags to put your gear in. Some companies may provide a waterproof box for cameras, and if they don’t you most likely will not want to bring your camera.

Rafting Companies
The following companies have established and good reputations. There charge between $40 and 85 per day.
Equator Rafting
Thamel, Kathmandu
(01 414-803; fax 411-933)
Himalayan Encouters
Courtyard of Kathmandu Guest House, Thamel, Kathmandu
(01 417-426; fax 417-133)
Himalayan River Exploration
Hattisar, Kathmandu
(01 418-491; fax 414-075)
Himalayan Wonders
Namche Bazaar Building, Thamel, Kathmandu
Raging River Runner
Jyatha, Thamel, Kathmandu
(01 214-712; fax 229-983)
Ultimate Descents
Northfield Cafe, Thamel, Kathmandu
(01 414-765; email: rivers@ultimate.wlink.com.np)

Safety
The main factor on a trek is safety, which is a major reason to select a reputable rafting company. Many companies have a video or photos, which shows what kind of equipment they use and give an idea of their efficiency. You may want to talk to people that have just returned from a rafting trip, to see what they thing of the company they went with. It is very important that the guide is trained, experienced, and speaks good English.

Before you begin the guide should give instruction on how to paddle and on safety. If you are not given a good safely talk, you should insist that you get one. You should always keep your hands and feet in the raft.

If you fall out of the raft in a rapid, you should go into the white-water swimming position — you get on your back and put your feet downstream elevated so you can see them. Hold onto your paddle, which make it easier to see you. When the rapids ends and the water becomes calm you should turn over and start swimming. The best way to get rescued is to save yourself.
You should always wear your life jacket and should wear your helmet whenever your guides tells you to. You should make sure that are on properly.

There should be at least two rafts on a trip. In this way if someone falls out of a raft, the other raft can help to save them. On a rough river it is best that there are at least three rafts. It is also accepted that one or two kayaks can substitute for a second raft, but the kayakers have to be trained professionals at saving people. On a rough river kayakers can often get to someone that no other craft can get to.

Equipment
For rougher trip, it is important to have a modern, self-bailing raft. Plastic and alloy paddles are better than the locally made wooden ones. There should be plastic bags to keep the gear dry, even if the raft turns over. A waterproof camera container is needed to keep a camera dry.

You can ask how old the equipment is and whether there is repair equipment. There should be a good first-aid kit.
Having a good helmet and life jacket is essential.

Raft Guides
The man in charge of the trip should be trained and have at least 50 days of rafting experience. He should have done at least five trips on the river you are rafting on. It is a good idea to speak to the leader of the trip in advance to get an idea of their experience. If they have been trained or have experience overseas it definitely will help. Guides should be trained in first aid and CPR.

Kayaking
There are a few companies that have kayaks and also give lessons on how to kayak.
If you are on a rafting trip that has a kayaker, you can ask him to help train you up. You should make sure the kayakers have the experience to know what rapids are safe to run.

Independent Rafting or Kayaking
If take an independent trip it is still advised to get up-to-date information from a rafting company, as river condition often change.

Books to Read
White Water Nepal by Peter Knowles and David Allardice is a good guidebook with detailed information on each river, different trips, 60 maps and what equipment to have. This is a good book to read if you are planning to do an independent trip.

Getting Equipment to Nepal
Airlines usually treat a short kayak in the same way as a bicycle, that there is no excess baggage unless it is over weight. If you are with a group you can work out a deal when you book your flight. If you are by yourself it is best to just show up with you kayak and book it on as if there is no problem. You should carry your heavy items on with you. If you call in advance, there is a good chance you will be told what the actual rules are and have to pay extra charges. If you do call in advance, do not identify yourself; just ask the questions you want answered. It always pays to act dumb.

Rafting Trips
River trips last from two to 14 days. There are many different kinds of conditions on different kinds of rivers. Depending on your experience you will want to deal with different kinds of conditions.
Depending on the time of the year, the conditions of a river can be totally different. A raft trip on the Sun Kosi in September can be an exciting white-water trip, which in the early spring the trip can be rather sedate. While doing a rafting trip on the Marsyangdi during spring is an exciting trip, and if you try to do it in September, it would be extremely dangerous, if not impossible.

The Karnali is basically a good white-water experience all year around, but in the months of September and early June, it is a definite challenge.
Long trips on the Karnali and the Sun Kosi not only give a rush during the white-water rapids, but there are also some relaxing times on the river. These long trips can be a life-time pleasant experience, with last memories and the meeting of life-long friends.

Rivers
Most rafting in Nepal is done on the Trisuli River. Most trips last for three days, which includes three or four hours driving each way. The best rapids are above Mugling and below Baireni the rapids are not so good. The usually stopping point on most trips is between Mugling and Narayanghat.
A popular trip is the week-long ride on the Sun Kosi, which begins at Dolalghat, 3 km east of Kathmandu. It is a fairly exciting trip that goes through some nice scenic areas.

The rapids on the Kali Gandaki River, near Pokhara, are fast moving. The trip usually begins at Baglung and then continues for four days to Radmi Ghat. There are great views of the Annanpurnas and Dhaulguiri the first couple days. You can do this trip at the end of the Annapurna trek.

There is also fairly mild rafting on the Seti River.
Most rafting trips to Chitwan National Park actually stop in Narayanghat.

Choosing what river to go on will depend on what you are looking for—thrill, excitement, relaxation or scenery. How much money and time you have are also considerations.

Trisuli
Most of the rafting trips are done on the Trisuli (about 60%), which is near Kathmandu (west of) and is the easily river to get to. The rapids on basically straight-forward and they are spread out. The river has some medium difficulty rapid (3+). It has some good scenery. The best white water is between Baireni and Mugling, especially between Charoundi and Kuringhat. If you start at Kuringhat or Mugling the trip will mainly be a mellow floating trip. A trip on this river can end near Pokhara or Chitwan. The raft trip does not go all the way to Chitwan National Park, but stops around Narayanghat, and from there you have to take a vehicle to the park.

Rafting on this river is usually the cheapest trip, and it is a good river to raft on if you are pushed for time. Most trips are two or three days. If you on a budget trip of $25 per day, usually it will be on this river.

The Prithvi Highway, the road from Kathmandu, runs along the river, which does not make the trip so peaceful, and the campsites can be noisy. The fact that it is a popular river to raft on can often be a disadvantage, especially during October and November. Beaches for camping can be littered with trash and other people on the river can be distracting. During the monsoon the rivers goes up and the trash is washed away, so it is clean in September.

Some companies carry the gear in vans, which means that you can not camp on the north side of the river away from the way, which is usually quieter.

The Trisuli is between Pokhara and Kathmandu and Chitwan National Park, so a raft trip can be done while traveling between these places.

Sun Kosi
It is 270km from the put in place at Dolalghat to where it ends at the trip ends Chatara, making this the longest rafting trip. It goes through the Mahabharat Range and end in the Gangetic Plain. The trip takes eight to 11 days. The trip is not as expensive as many trips because it is easy to organize. It is considered to be one of the top 10 classic white water rafting trips in the world. This trip is considered to be one of the ideal combinations of rafting, culture, peaceful nights and beautiful scenery. It is a good river to go on a first trip. It is the most popular of the longer river trips.
The trip begins three hours from Kathmandu by road, 60km from the Tibetan border. It ends at Chatara, near Dharan in the eastern Terai. If you were plan to go to Darjeeling from Nepal, this trip saves you 18 hours on the bus to the eastern border.

The trip begins by going through class 2 or class 3 rapids during the first few days. On the third day the rapids becomes much faster and more powerful (class 3 and 4). In the middle of the trip, the river becomes more sedate. During the last part of the trip some of the most exciting and largest rapids are experienced.

The camping is excellent and less group raft on this river, so it is fairly secluded. It is best when the flow is from medium to high, from mid-September to the end of October and in May and early June.

Karnali
This is considered to be one of the best white water rafting trips that can be done anywhere in the world. The Karnali is longest and biggest river in Nepal. This trip combines a low-level trek, some great rafting and some beautiful scenery. As this river goes through some steep and tight canyons, running the rapids can be difficult. As this river can be dangerous, you should make you have a reputable rafting company.

When the river is high, there are some fast moving, big rapid. During the lower waters, the Karnali is still a great trip, as the smaller river still moves fast. During the spring as the sun melts the snow this make the river rise up greatly, making the rapid much more difficult.

From Kathmandu you first take a long bus ride to the far western end of Nepal. You can also fly to Nepalganj and cut the bus ride down to five hours. You then make a two-day low-level trek from the town of Surkhet through Sal forests. You then spend seven or eight days on the river. You may also stay in one of the camp for two days to experience the wilderness. The trip ends near the Royal Bardia National Park, which is an enjoyable place to visit at the end of the trip.

It has secluded wilderness, excellent canyon, and wildlife. The trip begins with Class 4 rapids and then gradually become more moderate as it goes along. The best time to raft the river is when it is a low to medium level, and is best in March and April. It is good all the time except when the river is at a high flow.

Seti
The trip on the Seti is a great two or three day trip on simple rapids through beautiful jungles. It is a pleasant trip, but does not go through high level rapids. This a good trip to learn beginning kayaking. It is easy to get to from Pokhara. These are mainly Class 3. This is a better trip than going on the Trisuli because it goes away from the road, has good scenery and has some nice white sand beaches to camp on. It has some good bird watching. The river water is extra warm, so it is a good choose in the winter.

A normal drop-in point is at Damauli on the Kathmandu to Pokhara (Prithvi) Highway, between Pokhara and Mugling. It is then a 32km trip to the confluence of the Trisuli River near Narayanghat. You can also be dropped off at Dule Gouda 30km up stream, but the rapid are not so good.

Kali Gandaki
Kali Gandaki is one of the most popular rivers along with the Trisuli. It is one of the most holy rivers in Nepal. The rapids are fairly difficult and continuous. It is a good alternative to the Trisuli, and is the second most popular river for rafting trips. It has some nice scenery, good villages and temples. There is no road along it.

Most of the rapids are class 3 and 4. At low and mediums flows the trips is an enjoyable and challenging active three day trip. During the high waters unless you are expert, it will be very difficult. The put in place is at Baglung.

During the high water season it may be possible to raft to Ramdhighat on the Siddhartha Highway and add two more days on this trip.

From Ramdhighat, you could keep going to the confluence with the Trisuli at Devghat, which is another three or four days (130km). You can also begin at Ramdhighat if you like. If you go past Ramdhighat doesn’t have much water, and not many people raft here. You can see some nice scenery and some wildlife. Rafting on this part of the river is not so popular.

Marsyangdi
The Marsyangdi has some of the most exciting and best white water rafting in the world. It begins with an exhilarating class 5 run from Dumre to Besisahar. Between Besisahar and Ngadi there are some fantastic views of the Annapurnas and Manashlu, right in front of you. From Ngadi to the ending point at Bimalnagar, it is basically tough white water rafting. The trip last six or seven days.
The ride on the Marsyangdi is a difficult one, so it is essential to have a first-company who has guide experience running this river. You need the best equipment. Rafts have to self bailing. An experience kayakers for safely should be on this trip. This is a fantastic trip for an experience rafter.

Bhote Kosi
The trip on the Bhote Kosi is one of the best two day rides in the world. As this river is the steepest in Nepal, it runs through some difficult rapids. The river runs through some long class 4 rapids and has continuous class 3 rapids at other times. It is three hours from Kathmandu.

The put in place is usually from Highway Km 95 (above Barabise) and the trip goes to the dam at Lamosangu. Above this there are many class 5 rapid and it can be extremely dangerous.
Riding this river is a real rush. You should make sure the rafting company has a lot of experience on the Bhote Kosi and that the equipment and guides are first-class.

Upper Sun Kosi
The rafting trip on the Sun Kosi is an enjoyable 20km from with class 2 rapid. There are some nice beaches along the trip, which are a nice place to have a picnic. This is a nice trip for the family.

Other Rivers
The Bheri River, in west Nepal, is a float trip with some nice jungle scenery and wildlife. Along with the rafting trip you can also visit Royal Bardia National Park.

Rafting on the Arun starting at Tumlingtar is a good three day trip. It can be a bit difficult to get to the beginning point.

There are many of river in Nepal that could be rafted, but for many of them the government is not allowing rafting to done on them.

Copyright ©2001 John Howley and Spiritual Guides