Rafting in Nepal provides an experience of a full on adrenaline rush that you may experience only in few other places in the world.
Nepal has earned a reputation of being one of the best destinations in the world for river rafting. Nepal mountains have been drawing in trekkers and climbers for many years. These same mountains are the source for the variety of whitewater challenges for the paddlers.
Moreover, Nepal has a series of most outstanding river journeys. Rafting in Nepal, includes an adrenaline-charged mountain streams to a classing big volume wilderness. Furthermore, the combination of spectacular raging rivers, mountain scenery, and a rich cultural diversity makes rafting in Nepal an obvious choice.
The number of visitors traveling Nepal for rafting is being in a continuous rise.
There are many companies in Nepal that cater specially caters for rafters. On these rafting trips in Nepal you get to explore the river with raft carrying all your gear and food, and often camp on the beaches enjoying the starry nights.
When To Go
The best time for rafting in Nepal is from September to early December (Autumn), and March to early June (Spring). during the months of July and August (Monsoons), the rivers can be extremely high. If you are planing rafting in Nepal during monsoon, you must be an experienced rafter. Furthermore, you will require to book your trip through a very experienced rafting company with an intimate knowledge of the river.
However, October till December is the ideal months to plan a rafting trip in Nepal. Moreover, these months are the most popular time for rafting. In January, the rivers become too cold unless you have a wet suit. Further, as the days are shorter during winter, these times are best to consider the short rafting trips.
Equipment
If you have booked your rafting in Nepal through a local travel agency in Nepal, they arrange everything. All the equipment is is there. Furthermore, if you are opting for multi-day rafting trip, tents are also supplied.
However, you should carry the following supplies on your own:
- A swimsuit
- Sunhat
- Sunscreen
- Light tennis shoes or sandals (with stripes so that they remain on your feet)
- Sleeping bag (for overnight trips)
- Towel/Toiletries
- Long sleeve T-shirt / turtlenecks (synthetic)
Safety
Generally, rafting in Nepal is viewed as a safe adventure activity. The mishap rate is a lot of lower contrasted with skiing or mountain biking. In any case, the administration is setting the standard to guarantee that your experience will be totally safe. The rafting organisation will provide with well function raft, first-aid kit, helmet, and a life jacket. Furthermore, 2 Kayaks will be following your raft in an event the raft overturns.
However, we suggest you to carry a valid travel insurance. If you do not have insurance we recommend you to purchase the insurance policy from your home country.
River Grading System
River Grading System or River Rapids are from Grade I to Grave VI depending upon the difficulty. Class I rapid is an easy moving river with few obstacles, where Grade VI is nearly impossible to navigate.
Anyone who is in a reasonable physical shape and not afraid of water can safely go on river graded class I to III. International rafting standard define I to III rapid as “Easy” to ” Moderate“. However, for those who are seeking a thrilling adventure, Class IV river is difficult and exciting. However, rafting in these rapids will require a prior experience. Class V rapid is a very large step from class IV. You can expect a long continuous section of powerful white water, strenuous paddling, steep constricted channels, powerful waves and high possibility of overturning the raft.
Nepal has a reputation for difficult white water. However, there are also rivers and section which have easy rapids.
Some Of The Best Rivers For Rafting In Nepal:
Seti River (rapid Class III and IV-During Monsoons)
The Seti River passes through stunning wilderness landscape, green slopes and valleys. It is a best rafting for the bird watchers.
This gentle river has little and clear rapids. Rafting on Seti River – is a perfect excursion for those needing to encounter a portion of the staggering stream landscape in Nepal without the power of perplexing or testing rapids. The Seti river is a truly reasonable stream for family excursions.
Trisuli River (Rapid Class III to IV- During Monsoons)
For the majority of the year the rapids experienced on the Trisuli are direct, effectively arranged and very much scattered. Trisuli stream is a fantastic waterway for those searching for a short stream trip, without the test of immense rapids, yet with some truly energizing rapids, with wonderful view and a moderately quiet condition.
Bhote Koshi (Rapid Class IV to V – During monsoons)
The Bhote Kosi is one of the best rafting trips on the planet. It is the steepest river in Nepal, with persistent, quick activity, making this river a full commitment and an enormous adrenaline surge.
This rafting in Nepal is a perfect for those needing a short yet extraordinary and exciting rafting trip. It is more qualified to the individuals who has some past rafting experience.
Choosing a River
Before you decide to raft in Nepal, you need to decide what you want from the trip. Nepal offers rafting since 1 to 12 days on different rivers.
If you are traveling Nepal with the sole objective of rafting in Nepal you may choose longer trips such as Sun Koshi (in autumn), the Karnali river and Tamur River offers some heart-thumping white water with the incredible journeying aspect of a long river trip.
If a long trip is simply impossible because of financial or time constraints, don’t undervalue the shorter ones. Moreover, There are also a medium-length options that are perfect for people who wish to experience river rafting but have limited time.
On The River
Your river guide will give you a comprehensive safety briefing talk and paddle training before you launch off downstream.
- Always listen to what your guide is telling you. Always wear your life jacket. Wear your helmet, and make sure that your life jacket and helmet are properly adjusted.
- Keep your feet and arms inside the raft. If the raft hits a rock or wall, and you are in the way, the better you’ll escape with is a laceration.
- If you fall into a white water rapid, get into white water swimming position. You should be on your back, with your feet downstream and up where you can see them.
- Hold on your paddle as this will make you more visible.
- Relax and breathe when you aren’t going through the waves.
- Turn over and swim at the end of the rapid when the water is calm. Self rescue is the best rescue.