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Rafting in white water

WHITE WATER RAFTING IN NEPAL
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.
Rivers are graded on a scale of one to six, with one being a swimming pool and six a one-way ticket to your maker. Four is considered to be quite challenging without being exceedingly dangerous to the novice rafter. Five requires some previous river experience.
NEPAL'S RIVER SYSTEMS
Nepalese rivers can be grouped into three categories on the basis of their origin:
(1) antecedent to Himalaya, (2) after the Mahabharat. and (3) after the Churia range.
Antecedent rivers belong to the period prior to the rise of the Himalaya. These rivers added their tributaries during or after the Himalayan origin alongwith the developement of monsoon climate. After the formation of Mahabharat hills, the antecedent rivers changed their courses as Mahabharat stood as a barrier. As a result, most of the rivers changed their courses either to the east or west. Most of these rivers were responsible to deposit the sediments in the Churia basin.
The major river systems namely the Koshi, the Karnali and the Gandaki belong to the Gantecedent group. Rivers originating from the Mahabharat range and cutting through Churia hills come under the second group, these include Kankai, Bagmati, Kamala etc. The third group of rivers originate from the southern face of the Churia hills. For the purpose of commercial rafting, the following rivers are in use.
1. Saptakoshi River System (East Nepal)
2. Narayani or Saptagandaki River System (Central Nepal)
3. Karnali River System (West Nepal)
Eight rivers in the three rivers systems are open for tourist for rafting. The rivers are :
 

Rafting in whitw water in nepal

The Trishuli - The Kaligandaki-The Bheri-The Seti- The Sunkoshi- The Karnali- The Tama Koshi-The Arun-The Marsyangdi
ARRANGING A RIVER TRIP
There are rafting agents and river outfitters 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 have deal with is a registered one. The registered river 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.
A TYPICAL DAY ON THE RIVER
Normally the first day of a river trip begins early morning around 7 a.m. You are driven to put?in point of the river. Depending upon the distance between Kathmandu and the put in point, the river can take from a couple of hours. This is a 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 drive 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 organising other river equipment by river crew.
The talk includes delivering known how about measure 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 weather you hitting a major rapid or running a flat water section. A protective helmet is suggested if you are running a high class rapid.
PERSONAL ITEMS SUGGESTED TO CARRY
During autumn (mid-September through November) and spring (March- June)
For A Day Trip: T-shirts, shorts or light cotton trousers, tennis shoes/sneakers, swim suit, sun hat, sun godless with string suntan lotion.
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.
During winter (December through February)
For A Day Trip:  Warm shirts/shirts or T-shirts, wind proof jacket and trousers, 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 advise to carry warm shirts. T?shirts, heavy woolen sweater (warm clothes), extra pair of dry shoes and trousers in addition to the above items.
You can also carry reading materials, specific medication if required, camera, binocular, film, pocket knife and flashlight.
POPULAR RAFTING RIVERS AND THEIR GRADING :
The Trisuli River : The Trisuli River (grade 3+) is one of the most popular, if not the favourite, of Nepal's raftable rivers. Due to its proximity to Kathmandu and the easy road access which accompanies it, most rafting companies offer trips on the Trisuli. For first time rafters it offers plenty of excitement. Many choose to incorporate a ride down the Trisuli with either a trip to Pokhara or to the Royal Chitwan National Park.
The Kali Gandaki River : The Kali Gandaki (grade 4 to 4+) winds through remote canyons and deep gorges for five days of intense rapids among gorgeous wilderness and mountain views. The run flows 120 km and its challenges are continuous. Trips on the Kali Gandaki begin and end ' in Pokhara and offer an exciting alternative to the Trisuli.
The Bhote Koshi River : The Bhote Koshi (grade 4 to 5) is worth special mention. It is a two?day run of pure adrenaline located only three hours from Kathmandu. Twenty?six km of continuous white water soaks rafters as they shoot through a veritable maze of canyons and boulders. Little more than a swimsuit is needed for this one.
The Marshyangdi River : The Marshyangdi River (grade 4 to 5) is a relative newcomer in this group. The Marshyangdi run is four days of uninterrupted white water. Flowing through the gorges of the Annapurnas, it runs sandwiched between 52 km of boiling foam and towering peaks. Trips on the Marshyangdi start from Pokhara.

River in Nepal

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Bhakti Devkota © Copy Right @ Go to Nepal.tripod.com ®
2007