River rafting is journeying on the torrential river on an inflatable rubber boat. A river trip is often an adventure but not always. An amateur with a little sense of adventure can equally enjoy it. A river trip also provides opportunity for geological surveys and fishing. You are provided with white water life-vest to put on all the time while on the river. You are also provided with a helmet, when needed. A trained professional river guide heads the rafting team. Normally, all camping equipment and meals are provided by the river outfitter.
In a country like Nepal, a river trip is one of the best ways to explore a typical cross section of the country's natural as well as ethno-cultural heritage. The river is regarded as a form of goddess and used for the purpose of various religious rituals such as cremation under both Hinduism and Buddhism. A variety of cultural activities can be witnessed being performed along the river. The adjoining slopes of the river often harbor dense vegetation and interesting wildlife. Several varieties of fishes also abound the Nepalese rivers.
A foreigner must obtain a permit before going on a river trip. A fee of Rs. 80 (equivalent payable on cash in any convertible foreign currency) must be deposited at the Nepal Rastra Bank, Thapathali, Kathmandu. A copy of documents must be submitted to the Ministry of Tourism, Mountaineering Section, located at Tripureswor behind the Dastrath Stadium. This process could be completed in a day, except on Friday and other half-working days. Normally, your agent does this work for you.
There are trekking agents and river outfitters who 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 deal with is a registered one. The registered river outfitters are 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, and so on.
Normally the first day of a river trip begins early morning around 7 a.m.. You are driven to the put-in point of the river. Depending upon the distance between Kathmandu and the put-in point, the drive can take from a couple of hours to over 4 hours. This is the 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 driver 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 know-how about measures 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 whether you are hitting a major rapid or running a flat water section. A protective helmet is suggested if you are running a high class rapid.
Frequently the river outfitter provides the option between an oar or a paddle boat. Kayaking is another option. Normally the kayakers bring their own kayaks. There are outfitters who provide with a kayak, however. If your option is the paddle boat, then you are instructed to properly use the paddle either during the safety talk or before sailing off. If you are of participative nature, then your choice would be paddling. Paddling is more challenging and thrilling. The paddle boat requires well coordinated team effort between the paddlers and river guide who stays at the back and plays his paddle in the role of the steering wheel of a car. The responsibility of the participants is to follow his instruction in a proper manner. The thrilling moment for a paddler is while hitting a rapid.
It is usual that you get wet whether you hit a rapid or not within half an hour after sailing starts. In an oar boat, the river guide alone rows lightly and slowly on the flat water and penetratedly and boldly while hitting a rapid. The oar boat gives you an opportunity to observe the surroundings.
As for meals, the river outfitter normally provides all meals during the trip days except for the breakfast of the first day.
For a Day Trip - During Autumn (Mid-September through November) and Spring (March-June)
| T-shirts | |
| Shorts or light cotton pants | |
| Tennis shoes/sneakers | |
| Swim suit | |
| Sun hat | |
| Sun goggles with string | |
| Suntan lotion | |
| Sun hat | |
| 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.
For a Day Trip - During Winter (December through February)
| Warm shirts/sweat shirts or T shirts | |
| Wind proof jacket and pants | |
| Shorts | |
| 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 advised to carry warm shirts, T shirts, heavy woolen sweater, extra pair of dry shoes and trousers in addition to the above items.
You can also carry reading materials, specific medication if required, camera, binoculars, film, pocket knife and flashlight.
Growth in the number of rafters over the years has put some strain on the environment of the rivers and beaches. A little thought and action is required to conserve the river environment. The river outfitters and the rafters can play a role in the conservation by burning down such items as toilet paper, left over food etc. Undisposable items such as tin cans, bottles, could be handed out to the local villagers who could use them for their domestic purpose. While digging a toilet pit, make sure that it is deep enough. Please do not throw any thing about the river. If you care the river, it will be with you forever nice and clean.
A exhilarating experienceWhite Water rafting is a popular water adventure sport in Nepal, All major rivers created from the Himalayas and running down the mountains offers tremendous exciting experience of white Water rafting. A river journey is one of the most enjoyable and effective ways to experience the life of rural areas & spectacular scenery of nature's beauty. Manakamana River Adventure is a professional rafting company for the arrangement of thrilling white water rafting trips in Nepal with safety. Our top preference is to provide quality service with safety to every client. Our rafting guides inform all the aspects of rafting and river safety before starting of each journey. Safety Kayakers are always along on high water expeditions.
Trisuli River
Grade 3 +
1-3 days trip
This is one of the most popular rivers in Nepal. It provides plenty of white water excitement, spectacular scenery of nature , landscape. The trip starts in Charaudi, camping on sandy beach of river at night. a rafting - trip ends at Nayaranghat. Proceed to Kathmandu/Chitwan / Pokhara will be the choice for the rafters. From Nayaranghat it is not long drive to Royal Chitwan National Park for wild life safari.
The most finest river offers beautiful scenery of nature , tremendous excitement of white water rafting, wonderful villages. Five hours drive from Kathmandu to rafting put in point at Damauli , the rafting trip starts in Damauli and ends at Gaighat. Drive back to Kathmandu or continue tour for wild life safari at Royal Chitwan National Park will be the option after the termination of the trip.
Kaligandaki River
Grade 4+
4-days trip
This is one of the best canyon rivers in Nepal. It provides magnificent views of the Himalayas, wonderful picturesque scenery, most exciting rapids . The trip begins from Beni (Baglung) and it finishes at Andhi-Khola.
Marshyandi River
Grade 4+
3-days trip
This is one of the most challenging steep rivers for thrilling white water rafting. It provides splendor views of the Himalayas, landscape, culture, vegetation, technical thundering rapids, colorful valley of Marsyandi. The trip starts in Bensishar and ends at Bimalnagar.
Sunkosi River
Grade 4+
8-10-days trip
The excellent exhilarated top ten river offers tremendously exciting experience of white water rafting, beautiful natural scenarios, cultivated landscape, typical valley, watching four hundred different kind of birds with listening their sweet sounds, visit at a popular Hindu temple wherein lot of Hindu devotees gathered to worship in the full moon day of January. The scenic river follows 270 km from rafting put in point at Dolalgaht to trip take out point at Chatra. The trip provides real taste of white water rafting and it is also photographer's paradise.
Bhote-Kosi River
Grade 4+
1-2-days trip
This is the wildest and veritable maze of Canyons River for short rafting trip. If you do not have much time, just the desire for an adrenaline overload, the river is for you, Early mooning three hours drive from Kathmandu to rafting put in point at Balephi , from where the white water rafting will continue until arriving at main tributary of the Sunkosi , the trip is terminated at Dolalghat.
Karanali River
Grade 4-5
11-days trip
This is one of the longest and largest wilderness river in far west of Nepal exploring beautiful villages, culture , magnificent views of the Himalayas, a unique chance to have a look of wild animals. The trip starts in Karalighat/Sauli combined with 02 -days short trek from Surekhet ( Nepalgunj) and ending at Chisapani. The option tour is available for wild life safari at Royal Bardiya National Park which has not been long opened for tourists.
Tamur River
Grade 4-5
9-days Trip
The Tamur river one of the finest rivers combined with three days trek offers spectacular views of Himalayan, landscape, beautiful scenery of mother nature and a unique chance to mix with the local people and get an insight into their livelihood and culture with an exhilarating river expedition. Fly to Biratnagar either drive to Basantapur. The trip starts in Dovan and ending at Chatra. Some people prefer rafting on the river on the way back from Kanchanjunga trek.
Nepal is a river runner's paradise - no other country has such a choice of multi-day trips, away from roads, in such magnificent mountain surrroundings, with warm rivers, a semi tropical climate, impressive geography, exotic cultures, wildlife and friendly welcoming people!
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.
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" Raging River " in the local dialect aptly describes one of the best whitewater runs in the world. Only recently opened for commercial rafting (many rapids have not been named yet), the Marshyangdi is one of the next generations of rivers in Nepal, steeper and with a much more continuous stretch of rapids. The trek is stunning, with great views of the Manaslu and the Annapurnas ahead of you the entire time. The scenery is breathtaking. | |||||||||||
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