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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 $… or 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
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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’
treks 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’ trek. 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.
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