Rafting
Kayaking Canyoning The fact that you
want to raft down Nepal's
challenging rivers means that you
have long ago graduated from the
nursery school of "Row, row, row
your boat". The many 'raftable'
rivers in Nepal meander between
canyons, villages, and virgin
forests, wildlife, like needle
through thread, weaving the
country's rich tapestry of
ethnic-culture and bio-diversity.
Originating in the bowels of the
Himalayas, these rivers flow across
the length and breadth of Nepal and
neighboring India, before emptying
mostly into the Bay of Bengal.
Rafting is inarguably the best way
of exploring Arcadian Nepal. The
waters offer something to everybody:
from grade 5-5+ rivers with many
raging white water rapids for the
brave and the adventurous, to grade
2-3 rivers with a few rapids for the
laid-back type. The beautiful thing
is that just about anybody, whether
old or very young, can raft.
Moreover, it can either be a
two-week trip or a 2-3 day trip-you
decide.
Paddle rafting is strongly
recommended. It involves teamwork
with the river runner barking
instructions from his perch on the
aft. You can either do participatory
rafting, where you and your group
are provided with a runner and
barebone staff support, or a "luxury
safari style" trip where a full team
of staff is provided to address your
group's every need and want. Mind
you, rafting is not the only way to
travel downstream. A few companies
offer inflatable kayaks, or
fiberglass kayaks for hire.
An extreme sport popular in Europe,
Canoeing is now available in Nepal.
Canoeing gives you the freedom to
explore some of the most ruggedly
beautiful, yet forbidden places in
the world.
Season
October through mid-December and
March through early May are the best
times. It is possible in winter, but
you have to watch out for
hypothermia. During monsoon (June
through September), the white water
sections are dangerous, but gentler
stretches are runnable.
Raft Route
River Profiles:
So far the government has opened
sections of 10 rivers for commercial
rafting.
Karnali (arcade 4-5)
Nepal's longest, it flows through
steep, jagged canyons where the
rapids are tightly-packed, offering
continuous challenging water at all
flows. Either a bus ride to
far-western Nepal or a flight to
Nepalgunj can take you there. The
river section takes about 7 days to
navigate, even as you explore
canyons and waterfalls. For those
craving an adrenaline rush, this
river is a must.
Sun Kosi (grade 4-5)
This is the longest river trip
(270km) offered in Nepal. You begin
at Dolalghat just three hours out of
Katmandu and end in Chatara, down
the Gangetic Plain of north India, 9
or 10 days later. The Sun Kosi
starts off with relatively mild
rapids the first couple of days. The
surprises sneak up on you during the
last days. It is considered one of
the world's top 10 classic river
journeys.
Trisuli (grade 3+)
The cheapest river trip available in
Nepal, where you pay $�Eor so per
day. Although relatively unsafe
during monsoon, it is fun otherwise.
A Trisuli river trip can be combined
with trips to Chitwan or Pokhara. It
is undoubtedly the most popular of
Nepal's raft able rivers.
Kali Gandaki (grade 5-5+)
Sacred Hindu river, here the rapids
are technically challenging, winding
through canyons and gorges. Starting
at Baglung, you could raft down to
Ramdighat in five-six days. You may
then continue on to the confluence
with the Trisuli at Devghat, adding
another 130 km and 3-4 days.
Bhote Kosi (grade 4-5)
A couple of hours out of Kathmandu,
it is 26 km of continuous white
water. Can be done in 2 days. It is
the steepest river rafted in Nepal,
requiring Zen-like concentration
from the river-runner, and offering
an adrenaline rush even in low-water
months. Starting above Barabise, you
raft down to the dam at Lamosangu.
Upper Sun Kosi (grade 1-2)
Begins at Khadichour and ends in
Dolalghat. The river is lined with
clean sandy beaches, which make for
great picnic or camping spots. The
trip offers a great family getaway,
far from the madding crowd.
Other rivers
The Bheri in western Nepal can be
combined with a visit to the Royal
Bardia National park. The Arun from
Tumlingtar is another option.
Safety:- Safety is the most
important part of any river trip.
Choosing a professional veteran
rafting company is the first step.
So it helps to abide by the
following tips:-
|
- Pick your river with
care. Seek information
from a rafting agency,
local experts, and
literature on river
levels and difficulty. |
|
-
There should be a
minimum of two rafts per
trip, so that one can
help when a fall happens
from the other |
|
- Carry first-aid kit,
survival and rescue
gear. |
|
- Check to see that end
loops and the leash are
adequate before you push
off. This makes it
easier to keep hold of
your boat when swimming
big rapids, and also in
the event of rescue. |
|
- Be a team person,
paddle synchronously. |
|
- For boats, paddles and
helmets, loud colors are
recommended. |
|
- Wear life jackets and
helmets, properly too. |
|
- Keep your feet and
arms inside the raft at
all time |
When
you fall off into a rapid, float on
your back, with your feet
downstreaImja Tse (Island peak),
6169m. is one of the most popular
lesser peaks and scaling the
mountain you will need some
mountaineering skill.
This trip is the same as the
�Everest�Etreks till your entrance
to the Chukkung valley. Either you
can take air service from Katmandu
to Lukla or drive to Jiri 184 km.
Eastward of Katmandu and commence
trek to Lukla and then continue up
past Namche Bazaar, Tengboche,
Dingboche, Imaja Glacier to the Base
camp of Imja Tse or Island peak.
Three days are set aside for the
ascent of Imja Tse and follow the
same route back to Katmandu as in
the �Everest�Etrek. If you take
one-way flight to Lukla, the whole
trip will cover within 23 days and
16 days is enough if both way
flights are taken.
This trip offers you not only
enchanting views of Mt, Everest
(8848m.) Lhotse (8516m) Amadablam
(6856m.) and numerous other peaks;
draws your attention towards
monasteries and traditional Sherpa
villages. Such a massive glance of
the Himalayan peaks can create in
you a pleasant wave of internal
felicity. |
