RIVER RAFTING IN NEPAL

Nepal has earned the reputation of being one of the best destinations for river rafting adventure in the world. There are many rivers that originate from the glaciers of the Himalayas and plunge through narrow gorges and traverse their rugged foothills. The rivers meander through lush tropical jungles, canyons and boulders and ultimately enter into the low lands of Nepal. During the river rafting, travelers pass through continually changing, verdant landscapes, past ancient cultures and diverse peoples. The serenity of being floating on the river with the excitement of shooting whitewater rapids provides a truly unique experience to the rafters.

General information

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 day on the river

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.