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| rafting in nepal |
White water rafting means
cruising down a rushing river in an inflatable rubber raft or
white water kayak over crashing waves and swirling rapids for
the excitement of a lifetime. Nepal has earned a reputation as
one of the, best destinations in the world for white water
rafting. Nepal's thundering waters, coming from the glaciers of
the mighty Himalaya, provide unmatched thrills for rafting and
immersing oneself in the landscape. A rafting trip is bound to
be the highlight of your stay in the country.
Rivers are graded on a scale of one to six, with one being a
swimming pool and six a one-way ticket to your maker. Four is
considered to be quite challenging without being exceedingly
dangerous to the novice rafter. Five requires some previous
river experience.
The Trisuli River: The Trisuli River (grade 3+) is one of
the most popular, if not the favorite, of Nepal's raft able
rivers. Due to its proximity to Kathmandu and the easy road
access which accompanies it, most rafting companies offer trips
on the Trisuli. For first time rafters it offers plenty of
excitement. Many choose to incorporate a ride down the Trisuli
with either a trip to Pokhara or to the Royal Chitwan National
Park.
The Kali Gandaki River: The Kali Gandaki (grade 4 to 4+)
winds through remote canyons and deep gorges for five days of
intense rapids among gorgeous wilderness and mountain views. The
run flows 120 km and its challenges are continuous. Trips on the
Kali Gandaki begin and end ' in Pokhara and offer an exciting
alternative to the Trisuli.
The Bhote Koshi River: The Bhote Koshi (grade 4 to 5) is
worth special mention. It is a two day run of pure adrenaline
located only three hours from Kathmandu. Twenty six km of
continuous white water soaks rafters as they shoot through a
veritable maze of canyons and boulders. Little more than a
swimsuit is needed for this one.
The Marshyangdi River: The Marshyangdi River (grade 4 to
5) is a relative newcomer in this group. The Marshyangdi run is
four days of uninterrupted white water. Flowing through the
gorges of the Annapurna, it runs sandwiched between 52 km of
boiling foam and towering peaks. Trips on the Marshyangdi start
from Pokhara.
NEPAL'S RIVER SYSTEMS
Nepalese rivers can be grouped into three categories on the
basis of their origin:
(1) antecedent to Himalaya, (2) after the Mahabharat. And (3)
after the Churia range.
Antecedent rivers belong to the period prior to the rise of the
Himalaya. These rivers added their tributaries during or after
the Himalayan origin along with the development of monsoon
climate. After the formation of Mahabharat hills, the antecedent
rivers changed their courses as Mahabharat stood as a barrier.
As a result, most of the rivers changed their courses either to
the east or west. Most of these rivers were responsible to
deposit the sediments in the Churia basin.
The major river systems namely the Koshi, the Karnali and the
Gandaki belong to the Gantecedent group. Rivers originating from
the Mahabharat range and cutting through Churia hills come under
the second group; these include Kankai, Bagmati, and Kamala etc.
The third groups of rivers originate from the southern face of
the Churia hills. For the purpose of commercial rafting, the
following rivers are in use.
1. Saptakoshi River System (East Nepal)
2. Narayani or Saptagandaki River System (Central Nepal)
3. Karnali River System (West Nepal)
Eight rivers in the three rivers systems are open for tourist
for rafting. The rivers are:
The Trishuli, The Kaligandaki, The Bheri, The Seti, The Sunkoshi,
The Karnali, The Tama Koshi, and The Arun
ARRANGING A RIVER TRIP
There are rafting agents and river outfitters operate river
trips in Nepal. These outfitters could be approached in two
ways; one way is through your local agent and the other is to
make a direct contact with any of the outfitters after your
arrival in Kathmandu.
If you have a package tour which does not include a river trip,
you can still book one after your arrival in Nepal. If you are
doing so, please make sure that the river outfitter you are
going to have deal with is a registered one. The registered
river recommended because they possess legal existence.
The river outfitter normally provides you with an inclusive trip
which includes river permit fee, all meals during the trip, all
river equipment (such as inflatable rubber raft, life vest,
water proof camera container, water proof day bag) both way
transportation, all camping equipment such as tent, sleeping
bag, mattresses.
A TYPICAL DAY ON THE RIVER
Normally the first day of a river trip begins early morning
around 7 a.m. You are driven to put in point of the river.
Depending upon the distance between Kathmandu and the put in
point, the river can take from a couple of hours. This is a
situation if you choose between the Trishuli and the Sunkoshi. A
river trip on any other river requires a longer drive or a
flight plus drive and even a trek in some cases.
If you start at 7 a.m. and the drive drops you at the put in
point exactly after three hours, rafting is likely to begin
around 11 a.m. After you reach the put in point, a safety talk
takes place along with the inflating of the rubber rafts and
organizing other river equipment by river crew.
The talk includes delivering known how about measure to be taken
in case of an emergency need. The participant should listen to
the river guide very carefully. Questions can be raised to make
things clearer. The life-vest must be worn all the time while on
the river, irrespective of weather you hitting a major rapid or
running a flat water section. A protective helmet is suggested
if you are running a high class rapid.
PERSONAL ITEMS SUGGESTED TO CARRY
During autumn (mid-September through November) and spring
(March- June)
For a Day Trip: T-shirts, shorts or light cotton
trousers, tennis shoes/sneakers, swim suit, sun hat, sun godless
with string suntan lotion.
Complete change of clothes includes shoes for the return drive
to Kathmandu.
For two days or more in addition to the above, you are advised
to carry extra T-shirts, shorts, an extra pair of dry shoes,
trousers and a light wool sweater, etc.
During winter (December through February)
For A Day Trip: Warm shirts/shirts or T-shirts, wind
proof jacket and trousers, tennis shoes/sneakers.
Complete change of clothes includes shoes for the return drive
to Kathmandu.
For a trip involving two days or more, you are advise to carry
warm shirts. T-shirts, heavy woolen sweater (warm clothes),
extra pair of dry shoes and trousers in addition to the above
items.
You can also carry reading materials, specific medication if
required, camera, binocular, film, pocket knife and flashlight. |
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