Rafting

White Water Rafting is a special venture in the river on inflatable rubber boat. A river trip is usually an unusual adventure. The most thrilling, exciting and exotic river trips in Nepal can be arranged throughout the year. You have to choose river trips lasting 1 to 12 days on some of the best and exciting rivers in Nepal. These wild-rivers, some of them rising from the hidden plateau of Tibet and some of them from the high Himalayan Mountains of Nepal cut deep down the rugged sloppy mid-hills of Nepal and then finally meander across the Indian plains to join the holy waters of the river Ganga.


In a country like Nepal, a river-trip is one of the best noble gateways to explore a typical cross section of the country's natural as well as ethno cultural heritage. Whether it's just the two of you for a romantic escape or perhaps a group of friends outing, this action packed jaunt to the foothills will surely become a favorite outing sport of yours for many years to come. The river flows and passes through some of the most beautiful canyons, ethnic villages and landscapes of Nepal. The trips offer full spectrum of wilderness river experiences from the gently flowing stretches to the Loud roaring wild and wet rapids. All the guides are highly trained and qualified in the aquatic sport for white water river rafting.


Selecting Rivers
When selecting your rafting trip, you should know what to expect out of it. River journeys range from short one-day excursions to 12 day expeditions. Each one is incredibly unique and offers an experience of a lifetime, and the excitement does not depend on the length of the river trip. The table below serves as a general guideline for journeys on the most popular rivers in Nepal. Trisuli is the river, where you can plan your rafting trip any time, even in the last moment when you are in Kathmandu, Chitwan or in Pokhara. River Days Autumn Spring


Karnali 10 - 11 Sep – Nov Feb – May Kali Gandaki 3 - 4 Sep – Nov Feb – May Marshyangdi 4 - 6 Oct – Dec Feb – Apr Sun Kosi 8 - 10 Sep – Nov Feb – May Bhote Koshi 2 Oct – Dec Feb – May Tamur 10 - 11 Oct – Dec Mar – Apr Trisuli 1 - 3 Year round Year round Seti (Kayak Clinic) 4 Oct - Nov x


About Safety
Most people's image of white water rafting is one portrayed by films and the media and almost everyone who hasn't done it imagines it as a horrendously dangerous sport. But the truth is reverse. Accidents, even minor ones are rare and rafting has a much safer accident record than say driving, cycling, or probably walking. This is because when you are on the river you are in relatively protected vehicle - a nice big bouncy rubber raft directed by an experienced river guide will never get out of the control. Aside from formal qualifications in Swift-water Rescue and Wilderness, First Aid Training, almost all Nepalese river guides have devoted much of their lives to learning and running whitewater.


Rapid Grading
We have used the standard international classification of difficulty when grading the river. But one of the problems of the international classification is that the majority of white water is class 3 and 4 and in fact there is a vast difference between an easy grade 4 and a hard one. We have used + & - grades to be more definitive:
1 2 3 3+ 4- 4 4+ 5- 5 5+ 6
Where we call a river class 4+ we mean that in our opinion this is the overall standard of the river - there may be long sections at a lower standard of difficulty.
Class 4- (5) means that in our opinion the overall standard of the overall standard of the river Class 4-, but there are a few class 5 rapids that can be relatively easily portaged if required. Our opinion in the grade of difficulty is base on typical water volumes for the stated month only normally November. If the monsoon is late then water volumes will be much higher and the river correspondingly more difficult, if not impossible.


International River Classification of difficulty.
Class 1 Easy, moving water with occasional small rapids. Few or no obstacles.


Class 2 Moderate, small rapids with regular waves. Some maneuvering required but easy to navigate.


Class 3 Difficult, small rapids with irregular waves and hazards that need avoiding. More difficult maneuvering required but routs are normally obvious. Scouting from the shore is occasionally necessary.


Class 4 Very Difficult, large & continued rapids that require careful maneuvering.


Class 5 Extremely Difficult, long powerful rapids with confused water makes path - finding difficult and scouting from the shore is essential.


Class 6 Nearly Impossible, might possibly but not probably be run by team of experts at the right water level, in the right conditions with the all possible safety precautions, but still considerable hazard to life.


All river gears: rafts, Kayaks, paddles, life jackets, helmets and wetsuits are state of the art, and meet international standards. A reliable rafting outfitter makes periodic checks to determine the condition of the equipment and if deemed inappropriate, they retire the item. They also take all appropriate measures to ensure that your rafting experience is safe, enjoyable and hopefully the first of many to come.


In all the river expedition, you'll be provided services with professional whitewater guides, private ground transportation, porters, permits, cooks, delicious meals that are hygienically prepared (vegetarian options are available, as well as special dietary needs), first-rate equipment, self bailing rafts, life jackets, helmets, wetsuits (according to season and on certain rivers), dry bags for gear, tents, and camera barrels. But they do not generally include the followings: Bottled or alcoholic beverages, any type of insurance, visa costs and personal expenses, flight cost to link your river put-in points (if necessary)


What you need to Bring ?
The less luggage you carry, the more you will enjoy yourself. Synthetic fibers are preferable to cotton on the river, as they are light, quick drying and provide insulation even when wet. To help you prepare for your trip, here is a suggested packing list.


For Camping and Traveling : Sleeping bag and pad, lightweight pants, cotton underwear, lightweight long-sleeved shirt or t-shirt, fleece jacket, toiletries (Including moisture lotion, spare glasses / contact lenses, torch or headlamp with extra batteries, water bottles. If you are traveling to the Karnali, Marshyangdi or Tamur, it is recommended that you bring walking shoes or lightweight hiking boots for the treks.


River Wear: Secured-fitting river sandals or running shoes are essential in the even of a swim (those who fall off raft are called swimmers in the trade). Shorts or a swim suit, sarong for women (recommended when visiting villages, as it covers the legs and doesn't offend the locals), baseball cap, sun glasses with retaining device, sunscreen and leap balm.


Optional Items: Small binoculars, camera and film, fishing equipment, walkman / Discman and tunes, reading and writing material and a personal first aid kit.