|
Rafting is
one of the most exciting ways of exploring nooks and corners in
Nepal. Option ranges from paddle rafting as a team to luxury
safari-style trip where our staff is provided to address the
group needs to kayaking along in the waters. Yet another
extremely popular water sport option is canoeing to explore
hidden landscapes. The best time of these activities is October
through mid-December and March through early May. The government
has opened sections of 16 rivers graded on a scale of 1 to 5 for
commercial rafting. Since safety is of utmost importance,
choosing veteran rafting company is a wise move. It is also
important to observe all the safety rules and precautions while
on the raft.
Rivers in Nepal are graded on a scale of one to six for white
water rafting. 4 is considered to be quite challenging without
being exceedingly dangerous to the novice rafter. 5 require some
previous river experience. Here are some of the popular rafting
trips;
 Trisuli River (Grade 3): It is one of the most popular, if not
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 Trishuli. For the first
time rafters it offers plenty of excitement. Many choose to
incorporate a ride down the Trishuli with either a trip to
Pokhara or the Chitwan National Park.
 Kali Gandaki (4-6): 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 offer an exciting
alternative to the Trishuli.
 Bhote Koshi (4-5): is worth special mention. It is a two-day run
of pure adrenaline located only three hours from Kathmandu.
Twenty-six kilometers of continuous white water batters rafters
as they shoot through a veritable maze of canyons and boulders.
Little more than a swimsuit is needed for this one.
 Marshyangdi (4-5): is a relative new corner in this group. The
Marshyangdi run is four days of uninterrupted white water.
Flowing through the gorges of the Annapurnas, it runs sandwiched
between 52 km of boiling foam and towering peaks. Trips on the
Marshyangdi start from the Pokhara.
 Karnali (4-5): The Karnali in the far west is the longest and
largest river in Nepal. To arrive at its banks requires a
two-day trek from Surkhet in the Terai. The next 90 km arte
spent flying through spectacular landscapes and narrow gorges
and down some of the most challenging rapids in the world. For
the remaining 90 km, the scenery and the wildlife are the main
attraction, as is the abundance of fish. During most of the
trip, the wilderness is uninterrupted by human habitations.
 Sun Koshi (4-5): Sun Koshi is Nepal’s second offering for
expedition rafting. With a put in only three hours from
Kathmandu, it is more easily accessible than the Karnali while
nevertheless offering an incredible stretch of exhilarating
white water. The run is 270 km and requires 8-10 days to
complete with road access only at the beginning and end. On the
third day rapids reach the upper 4 classifications and the
remainder of the trip is consistently intense- the white water
stays white until the very end. |
