Nepal

Rivers in Nepal are treated as goddesses. They are the ever flowing and inspiring source of beauty, abundance and infinite adventure. The rugged geography, extreme variations and excessive snow melting in Nepal make this mountain kingdom blessed with blossoming, flowering rivers, running across the country. This makes Nepal an obvious choice for river adventure. River journeys in Nepal are electrifying and nerve thrilling. Your life flashes before you as you comfortably hurtle towards monster boulders and towering walls of water. So come let us indulge in this maddening and bone chilling experience.

The splendid rivers of Nepal can be divided into three categories in accordance to their origins. The first category comprises the three main river systems of the country - the Koshi, Gandaki and Karnali river systems, all of them originating from glaciers and snow-fed lakes.

The BHOTE KOSHI [ 2 DAYS ]

It's a 3 hours bus ride from Kathmandu. The Bhote Kosi is with out a doubt the most action packed short white water run in Nepal. The river drops steeply offering relentless stretches of class III-IV white water. Boulder gardens, small waterfalls, steep chutes and 90 degree bends are just some of the obstacles to be overcome. Like the Marsyangdi, this river is not typical of the big volume waters of the Himalayan, it is steep and technical and requires a reactive crew.

The fun doesn’t stop there at the end of an action packed day, relax in unspoiled surroundings on the beach.

TAMAR RIVER [ 11 Days ]

No expedition to Nepal would be complete without a trek in the Himalayas and its no accident the one of the worlds finest rivers starts with one of Nepal's most scenic treks. Our 4-day trekking route follows a 3000-meter ridge through beautiful woods and meadows with magnificient views of Kanchenjunga, Makalu and the Everest mastiff, before dropping into the lush villages of the Tamur valley. A truly memorable approach to this classic Himalayan white water descent. The Tamur and its tributaries drain the snows of Kanchenjunga, third highest peak in the world. Constrained by steep valley walls, it becomes Nepal's sixth largest river and one of the remotest while water river trips of its length.

SUN-KOSHI [ 8 days ]

The Sun Koshi 'River of Gold' has been rated as one of the top ten rafting trips in the world! It is also in the list of 'must do while in Nepal'. The river rises near Shisha Pangma in Tibet and runs eastwards, draining the highest mountains of the world before emerging on the plains of India, where it joins the Ganges. Our journey takes us 270km through some of Nepal’s most remote regions giving you a unique wilderness experience. The first two days are relatively easy and allow time to train you as a team before the bigger rapids arrive. The rapids have acquired names like Meat Grinder, High Anxiety, Jaws and Big Dipper, from previous experiences on expeditions. Say no more! The calmer stretches between rapids give you time to take in the phenomenal views, swim (voluntarily) in warm water and camp on white sandy beaches. This river is a BIG volume HIGH adrenaline expedition!!!

KARNALI [ 11 DAYS ]

Nepal's longest and largest river, the Karnali, springs forth from the base of Mt. Kailash in Tibet, the center of the universe for both the Buddhist and Hindu religions. Flowing south into Nepal it forms the major drainage system of the western districts.The Karnali is one of the finest BIG volume river trips in the world, a classic expedition into Nepal's remote, unpopulated "wild west".

From our starting point at Sauli the river drops into imposing canyons filled with powerful, big volume white water. These canyons flow into scarcely populated areas of pristine jungle teeming with abundant bird and wildlife. Rapids like "Captivity", "Flip and Strip" and "Gods House" are separated by just enough easier water to regroup and prepare for the next big challenge.

Towards the end of the trip the river gradient begins to ease as the Karnali leaves the mountains and flows out into the Gangetic plains of the Terai. The jungle thickens as the river broadens, and the pristine Beaches become bigger and more beautiful.

OPTION A

This is an ideal opportunity to go to Bardia National Park and the resort from Chisopani will collect you. This would include two nights in the park and full safari activities including elephant rides.

Itinerary

Day 01: We meet at the office at 7am (Pokhara or Kathmandu) with your bags ready to go. This is a long bus journey, so be prepared with water etc. We travel to the far west and arrive in Surkhet very late/early hours of the morning. You are able to have a sleep here.

Day 02: After breakfast, we will take a truck as far as the road goes until about lunch time (this all depends on availability...be flexible). After lunch we walk all afternoon to the put-in point at Sauli. A great walk which highlights just how "out there" you really are. You pass local villages and spectacular scenery, then.......you hear the river!

Day 03: The river gives the team time to build and there is enough challenging rapids and water flow to allow for learning errors. We still manage to get at least one great class iv rapid in. We camp and get excited about tomorrow.

Day 04: This is the type of day that people imagine when they think of Himalayan water. It is BIG and it is continuous. We enter into the Jungle Corridor. This is a narrowing jungle clad gorge and it is all ours. The team building is put into full practice and when your guide shouts "all forward" he really means it! Enjoy the ride all day and camp in this sensational setting.

Day 05: More of the same including the notorious GOD’S HOUSE rapid. Don't forget to take in the bird life which is equally as abundant as the lush vegetation. Camp and relax.

Day 06: It isn’t over yet! Keep paddling hard ! You really are experiencing the best of the west on yet another day of great action and breath taking scenery.

Day 07: This is a holiday after all, so we have programmed a rest day so you can take time to enjoy your surroundings and relax on a great sandy beach.

Day 08-09: We see the rapids dying off as we come out of the gorge. We pass the confluence with the Seti river where the river broadens. Today and the next day and a half are a chance to enjoy your journey admiring the country and villages you pass. You will have seen the safety kayakers in action and will no doubt be inspired, so ask the guides for some supervised instruction, or take over the raft and learn about the river.
You see there is more to a rafting expedition than just rafting.

Day 10: We come to the end of our journey at about lunch time where our bus will be waiting to collect us. Those who have booked to go to Bardia National Park (highly recommended!), will be collected from here as well.

Day 11: We arrive back at Kathmandu/Pokhara, in the early morning of the eleventh day. What a journey !!!

KAYAKING:

This is a great river for intermediate to advanced Kayakers. Most rapids are pool-drop and there are surfing waves almost all the way down the river. Many of the Nepal's rafting operators have the best kayakers and instructors, they are always willing to share their enthusiasm and expertise. We encourage kayakers to join any of the trips. You needn’t worry as the safety kayaker is always with the expedition.

KALI GANDAKI [ 3 DAYS ] (Pokhara to Pokhara)

The Kali begins its journey high on the Tibetan plateau in the kingdom of Mustang. Plunging its way down through the Himalayas, the river carves the deepest gorge in the world between the two 8000m peaks Dhaulagiri and Annapurna. The Kali Gandaki was first opened to commercial use in 1991. The journey descends through challenging white water, unique cultures and amazing beaches. When not negotiating rapids, time on the river can be spent under cascading waterfalls and enjoying the backdrop of the Annapurna ranges. Both experienced and novice rafters will love it. Being one of the holiest rivers in Nepal, every river junction on the Kali Gandaki is dotted with cremation sites and above ground burial mounds.

As the trip begins and ends in Pokhara you need to get there one day before the trip. There are few options depending on your budget and time schedule. All of them are relatively easy to arrange and if you want your tour operator can assist you. [ MAP ] [ PICTURE ]

MARSHYANGDI RIVER [ 3 - 4 DAYS ] 

The "raging river", drains the northern slopes of the Annapurna mountains. Opened to rafting in 1996 it yields some of the most exciting class iv-v white water in Nepal. The river demands 100% commitment from both crew and guide. It is not for the faint hearted! Located on the eastern side of the Annapurna circuit, the Marsyangdi River has long been famous for the beautiful views and world class white water. With each twist and turn the steep sided gorge walls frame a new mountain backdrop.

River Rafting/White Water Rafting

River Rafting is journeying on torrential river on an inflatable rubber boat. A River Raft is the most enjoyable way of checking one's guts. Both amateur and experienced rafters equally enjoy it. A river trip also provides the opportunity for geological surveys and fishing.

In a country like Nepal, blessed by Himalayan rivers, 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 is used for the purpose of various religious rituals 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.