| Whitewater Nepal |
| Rafting in Nepal |
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Nepal is now the premier destination in the world for multi-day raft trips. Here's some of the reasons and some sample paragraphs and headings from the main rafting chapter in White Water Nepal: |
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Why go rafting in Nepal? · The rivers of Nepal take you away from the busy trekking routes and penetrate the heart of rural, roadless, unspoilt Nepal. · Rafting offers an attractive alternative to trekking, something to note if you don't enjoy walking. It also complements trekking, in that you see the country from a different viewpoint. · Rafting 'leaves no footprints', has minimal ecological effect, and causes little disruption to the social patterns of local life. · Rafting gives you the unique and enjoyable experience of river travel and if you wish, the exhilaration of running white water. · There can be few better ways of viewing wildlife, than from a boat. White water or flat water? Rafting has this image of crashing through horrendous rapids and monstrous waves and, yes, at times of high flow, in the monsoon, this may be justified. But, at most flows there are many class 3 and class 4 rivers of moderate difficulty and also many rivers of class 1 and 2 where you can float along admiring the scenery and running a few very small rapids. Rafting in Nepal is a superb experience in it's own right - the thrill of running white water rapids is the cream on the cake for those who enjoy it! Most people are naturally a little bit apprehensive if they haven't been on white water before, but after the first rapid are 'hooked' - as long as people are physically fit and not scared of water they can safely go on water of class 1 to class 3. Remember that we grade a river on the hardest sections - most rivers have days of easier water and long stretches in between the rapids in which to relax. For more difficult and exciting class 4 rivers people should be active, confident in water and preferably have some previous rafting experience. |
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Time of Year As we explain elsewhere, the time of year always makes a big difference to the difficulty of water. After the monsoon in September, water volumes are huge and all rivers much more difficult or too dangerous. From mid-October onwards the weather is settled and this is high season for rafting. Winter months are cold, so this is a better time for shorter trips. The summer season from March to May has lower flows but warmer temperatures. |
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Paddle rafting versus oar powered rafts How Long? Who enjoys Rafting? Women in particular in our experience - for many different reasons, so don't ask us - ask them! A rafting trip can be a wonderful family holiday and an excellent experience for older children , older people enjoy the river experience, the natural surroundings and the relaxed pace of camp life. If you or friends are disabled, then rafting and kayaking offers the freedom of getting out into the real Nepal. |
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How much will it cost ? Joining a Group Cat-a-rafts, Duckies and Kayaks Safety Safety Guidelines 1. Raft guides should have at least one previous trip on the river. 2. The Trip Leader should have a minimum of five previous trips on that river. 3. All Guides should have a current First Aid certificate. |
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High Water Trips Which River? Long multi-day trips The Sun Kosi is the cheapest and most popular of these trips because the start is close to Kathmandu and you can drive to both start and finish points. Described as one of the 'ten best rafting trips in the World', it makes an excellent choice for most people and especially for those doing their first river trip in Nepal. The Karnali is our pick as the best overall trip. The rapids are more challenging than the Sun Kosi, add to it's remote setting, superb canyons and pristine wilderness; finish with a couple of days at the Royal Bardia Wildlife Reserve and you have a rafting trip that is probably 'Best of its kind' anywhere in the World. The Tamur could be described as a mini-Karnali, with a spectacular trek in to the start and lots of white water interest - at the right water level probably more challenging than the above rivers. |
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Medium length trips Short Trips Summary of the 'Bests' Travel Arrangements Combining Trips Selecting a Rafting Company Value for money The Quality Trip General advice The Budget trip Well Established Companies Questions to ask Your Raft Guide Equipment Personal Equipment lists Hints |
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Which River? Click here for a summary of rafting rivers Your choice of river for a rafting trip will depend on a multitude of factors, many of course personal to you, but here are some ideas to get you started. The river descriptions in the second half of this book should also prove helpful. Remember that time of year is critical to your choice; in high water conditions, September and October, some rivers are highly dangerous (for example the Marsyandi) and all others are much more difficult. You need to think carefully about this; as one raft guide put it "water levels are critical to people's enjoyment". In low water conditions some rivers, such as the Sun Kosi lose most of their interest, however the upper Kali Gandaki and Karnali are always good. |
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Long multi-day trips If you have seven days or more, are looking for white water and a really exciting and memorable experience, then the choice is between the Tamur, the Sun Kosi, and the Karnali - these are all World Classics, with excellent white water, stunning scenery, unspoilt villages away from all roads and beautiful beaches. These surpass all other rafting trips in Nepal! The Sun Kosi is the cheapest and most popular of these trips because the start is close to Kathmandu and you can drive to both start and finish points. Described as one of the 'ten best rafting trips in the World', it makes an excellent choice for most people and especially for those doing their first river trip in Nepal. The Karnali is our pick as the best overall trip. The rapids are more chal-lenging than the Sun Kosi, add to it's remote setting, superb canyons and pristine wilderness; finish with a couple of days at the Royal Bardia Wildlife Reserve and you have a rafting trip that is probably 'Best of its kind' anywhere in the World. The Tamur could be described as a mini-Karnali, with a spectacular trek in to the start and lots of white water interest - at the right water level probably more challenging than the above rivers. |
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If you are looking for a long multi-day trip, but with easier water, then the best are in the Far
West: the Seti Karnali, the Bheri, and the Mahakali; all remote and beautifully unspoilt. Medium length trips If you still want an exciting multi-day white water raft trip, but your time is more limited, then the obvious choices are the Trisuli and upper Kali Gandaki. The cheapest trip is likely to be on the Trisuli but this is spoilt by the main highway that runs alongside most of it. The upper Kali Gandaki is a much finer river in our opinion and the Arun is an alternative but unfashionable option. For the experienced rafter, this is surpassed by the magnificent whitewater and scenery of the Marsyandi.. If you prefer easier water, then the most accessible option is the lower Kali Gandaki: this offers good scenery, jungle, wildlife and unspoilt beaches. |
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Short Trips The Trisuli is the obvious and popular choice for either white water or more easy rafting . However we think that if you have 2 days and are looking for an easy trip then top choice must be the Seti, away from roads, and with beautiful scenery. If you only have a day then the upper Sun Kosi is relatively unspoilt and yet close to Kathmandu. For the experienced crew, the Bhote Kosi offers two days of challenge and continuous adrenaline buzz. Summary of the 'Bests' · Best long, white water trips, 'World classics' - Karnali, Tamur, and Sun Kosi. · Best rivers for wildlife and fishing - Babai, Bheri, Karnali, Mahakali. · Best 3-6 day white water trips - Marsyandi, upper Kali Gandaki, Arun. · Best 4-12 day easy water trips - lower Kali Gandaki, Bheri. · Best 1-3 day white water trips - Trisuli, Bhote Kosi, lower Tamur. · Best 1-3 day easy water trips - upper Sun Kosi, Seti, Babai. · Best combined treking & rafting trips - Tamur, and Marsyandi. · Best budget trips - Sun Kosi, Kali Gandaki, Trisuli. · Best Family trips - upper Sun Kosi, Seti. |