Rafting or white water rafting is a challenging recreational activity using an inflatable raft to navigate a river or other bodies of water. This is usually done on white water or different degrees of rough water, in order to thrill and excite the raft passengers. The development of this activity as a leisure sport has become popular since the mid-1970s.

Rafting is  a very popular adventure sport around the world and it is accepted in the same spirit and vigor in Nepal. Nepal is the second richest country in the world in water resources after Brazil with numerous fast rivers. It is among those countries in the world where you can enjoy rafting in rivers ranging from simple grade 3  to the most dangerous and challenging grade 6 rapids. It is therefore a paradise for rafters and thrill seekers.

Rafting  is a sport  and fun-time activity that is suitable for people of all ages and groups.People have a choice of rivers given their need for adventure or experience.Rafting offers the ultimate adrenaline rush and will keep people asking for more .

Here is how Nepal is a preferred rafting destination for people all over the world.   

The Guide

All the guides are skilled outdoorsmen, superb chefs and great companions. Apart from their river skill, these guides love what they do and their good humor and  friendly gestures are sited as one of the key highlights .Also they are trained to international standards and have spent several years rowing for leading rafting companies.



The Food

As a member of the guiding team,  there’s a cook who prepares  delicious and healthy meals to keep the rafters tummy well fueled along the trip. The cook is qualified and knows all the precautions to take when cooking for travelers and ensures a high standard of food hygiene. He will cook for them a variety of meals   during the camp fire and and also at the end of the rafting trail.

Transport

Naturally rivers don’t flow in a straight line form one town to the next so rafters will be required to cover some road distance  to reach the start point of the river. they will be transported using private buses to the river. During the transport time they will be accompanied by the rafting team..



Accommodation

Rafting is a fully supported adventure. It includes camping. Campsites will be on the river banks, normally on sandy beaches. Tents and basic sleeping mats will be supplied , giving rafters the option to sleep inside or outside. As  most rivers are away from the roads, all the equipment and food is brought along by the rafting team. They will set up the camp site with a kitchen and dining area, a camp fire for the night time and  toilet facilities.



The weather

During the main rafting seasons in  Nepal, rafers will find the weather to be warm and with minimal rain fall. In February and after late October the weather can become cold especially during the evening times.Rafters are expected to bring along warm clothing to wear whilst not on the river. The rafting company will supply them with spray jackets to help keep them dry and warm whilst on the river at these times.

Best time for Rafting in Nepal

For rafting October through mid-December and March through early May are the best times. In this time rafers can enjoy  great mountains views, clear sky and rewarding natural scenery. In winter it is possible but they have to watch out for hypothermia. During this time rafters should certainly  expect cold water and perhaps think in terms of wet suits and dry tops. Monsoon time is dangerous which brings heavy rains that flood the rivers most so people wouldn't want to be or rafting at that time.

Nepal River Rafting Grades Whitewater Rivers have an internationally recognized grading scale as follows:



Grade I - Flat water, (little current)

These types of rivers are flat and slow moving. A river with a 1 grade listed will have some flat spots. A completely 1 graded river will be totally flat. This kind of river is good for sightseeing and relaxing.



Grade II - Bubbling current (small rapid)

A grade II river has a swifter current and some small rapids



Grade III - Technical & Exciting (needs trained guide)

In a Grade III river, the rapids are becoming more serious and technical. Grade III and above can only be rafted with trained guides. This is a fun river with lots of excitement



Grade IV - Seriously big rapids

This is where the adrenaline gets going; grade IV River has a fast moving current with many big drops and rapids. This kind of river is action packed and needs technical paddling.



Grade V - The hair-raising limit!

This is a serious river not for the faint hearted, with a torrent like current and huge rapids this is the ultimate in white water adventures.



Grade VI – Unrunable



Please note that most rivers contain more than one grading. For example a grade I – IV river will contain elements of all fthe grades, flat spots, slower small rapids and some big fast rapids. The grade also varies depending on the season and the amount of water running down the river.

The most popular rivers to go rafting in Nepal are :

Trishuli River Rafting (The High water River)

Trishuli is a  grade 3 river. It is the most popular and enchanting rafting river in Nepal which is easy to access from Kathmandu and Pokhara. During the monsoon, rafting in this river is one of the most exciting activities you can do in Nepal. This rafting trip offers you scenic villages, attractive gorges, exhilarating rapids and easier sections of river for swimming and relaxing.



During monsoon, this river swells to its peak and offers brilliant white water action just a stone throw away from Kathmandu. This will quench the white water desire of travelers with limited time in Nepal. The Trishuli meanders its way through scenic gorges and impressive valley on its way to the plains.

Though this river can be rafted most time of the year, during monsoon it transforms itself into a swollen torrent of raging white water. It creates exciting and heart pounding adventure when the river is running high and wild. It is surely a trip not to be missed. Outside the monsoon this river is also highly suited for rafting with families and is ideal for first time rafters.



So the Trishuli is one of the favorite and most popular rivers in Nepal for rafting.

Bhote Koshi River Rafting (100% adrenaline rush)

Bhote Koshi is a grade 5 river and not recommended for beginners. Beginning its life in Tibet (Bhot) this river (koshi) roars its way into Nepal through some of the most breathtaking valleys and gorges you will ever see. The Bhote Koshi path is the steepest in Nepal creating a torrent. In this river the rafting will be exciting without risking anything. Its and thrilling and at the same time most charming rafting trip not found anywhere else in the world. It is a very steep and very continuous mountain stream, a combination of fun and excitement and surrounded by mountains forests and waterfalls.



From the mountain Shisa Pangma (the 10th highest mountain in the world) the glacier waters roar down in to Nepal. It is a challenging and enthralling water trip which gives the rafter an experience of rafting in whitewater in this wonderful country, Nepal.



The Bhote Koshi has it all, thrilling action and breathtaking scenery from thrilling drops, deep gorges and amazing lime stone formations. Beginning near the border this trip allows you to take in the stunning beauty of the areas as well as take part in other activities at the last resort like canyoning, mountain bike riding and of cthese the Bungee Jump.



Thus this river offers you nothing less than the trip of a life time.

Sun Koshi (The River of gold) The Sunkosi is known in Nepal as the River of gold. It is the longest river trip in Nepal traversing 270 km in length through the beautiful Mahabharata range. It begins after 3 hthes drive from Kathmandu and is 60 km from the Tibet border. It is considered as the ideal river for long rafting. The Sunkoshi menders its way through the lovely and picturesque Mahabharata range of mountains. This all encompassing trip takes you from the mountains near the Tibet border to the hot dusty Indian plains.

This river begins its jtheney slowly allow the rafter to gain a feel for its ways. As the river progresses through fantastic scenery and quite fine village, its intensity picks up and boast some of the biggest waves seen on raft able rivers. This trip is listed as one of the world’s top ten classic river jtheneys

The Kali Gandaki (The Holy River) The Kaligandaki River is named after the Hindu goddess Kali. The River springs up on the edge of the Tibetan platue in the Upper Mustang Region. It tumbles down to the plains through Dhaulagiri and Annapurna ranges carving through one of the deepest Canyons in the world. The Kaligandaki is one of Nepal’s finest and most fun medium length Rivers, merging great white water with some of the Nepal’s fine scenery and fascinating villages. It runs with clear and blue water and offers breathtaking mountain views. Along the jtheney it travels through tiny villages and pristine land.

This river is one of the most holy in Nepal and the way is dotted with cremation and burial mounds along with many small temples.

This river offers a great range of rapids and gives you technical and fun rafting. In the evening ythe camp will be on the pristine white water sands and you will enjoy the quite night time.

Marshyangdi (The Raging River) In the local dialect, Marshyangdi translates to Ragging River and is well-known as one of the best whitewater runs in the world. This is one of Nepal’s steepest rivers, combing with glorious views and its fascinating natural surrounding and typical culture it makes for an incredible trip. It offers some breath taking scenery as it snakes its way beyond Manaslu and Annapurna through forests and traditional villages. Rapids are continuous, very challenging and very committing. This solid white water is a serious trip, certainly not one for the faint of heart. This is a river that demands respect.

Seti River Rafting

The Seti Khola is another classic Nepal River coming from the Himalaya, winding its way through forested canyons and twisted rock and sandstone formations. This river travels through Magar villages where the famous Gurkha soldiers hail.



The Seti Khola is a relaxing river with a lot of high action rapids. It offers great chances for swimming and wildlife spotting making it highly suitable for families and first timers. It is one of the most beautiful and pristine rivers in Nepal. You will get fun and enjoy very much this river while rafting. You can raft this river in combination with a trip to chitwan or Pohkara.

The Tamur River (The Jewel of East Nepal) This newly opened river adventure offers a breathtaking combination of short trekking and Wild River rafting making it an exhilarating expedition.



The Tamor takes its flow from the snow melt of the mighty Kanchenjunga massif which is the third highest peak in the world. The remoteness of this river makes it truly beautiful and un spoilt as it roars its way through deep gorges and lush countryside.



Along the Tamur there are very few villages and limited agricultural areas. Its shores are dotted with pristine white sandy beaches which are ideal for camping. The Tamor offers spectacular white water. This trip involves a three day trek through the foothill of Himalayas. Combining the best of Nepal, rafting and trekking, this is an unforgettable jtheney. The river well earns its name, ‘the jewel of the east’.

Arun River Rafting (The High water River)

The beautiful Arun River in Nepal’s springs up from the Everest region joining with the Sunkoshi on the way and snakes its way onto the Indian plains in Bihar. Along the path, the Arun rambles through spectacular mountain scenery, remote villages and farming valleys. At its peak flow in places, this river truly rages with some rapid graded as class VI. In other places, the Arun meanders along at a more sedate pace allowing you time for relaxation and to enjoy ythe pristine surroundings.



Due to Arun’s remoteness getting there is all part of the action. You can travel the 500 km over two days by road or fly to a nearby airstrip. From the bus or airstrip it is fthe hthes trek to Kartikeghat, ythe put in point. Though difficult to get to, it is certainly one of the most rewarding river trips in Nepal.

River Rafting Information Safety

Of course when rafting especially during the high water, safety is a major concern. Prior to going on the water, the guides will give you a complete safety lesson and demonstration of  how to deal with any situation that might occur whilst on the river.You will be supplied with and will be required to wear a helmet and life jacket at all times. The guides will make the trip fun for you but at the same time they won’t take unnecessary risks. Though on some rivers there are high class rapids, they will all be within the limits of the guides.The guides are all highly qualified and experienced allowing them to give you the thrills of the river in safety. There are occasions when accidents do happen, that’s why the guides have full first aid training and know how to handle such situations.

Tips you should follow before and during a rafting session

Always choose a river grade according to your age and experience. For example never take kids or elderly people on a grade 4 and above rivers because such rivers have lots of rapids. The adrenaline and excitement can cause fear among kids especially. For beginners grade 3 rivers are most suitable as they are less risky and offer some degree of fun as well.

Always make sure you have put on your life jacket and helmet properly. These gears are meant to save your life in case you fall into the river .The life jacket should be strapped on tightly and the floating device round the neck should always be exposed. This ensures that your head is above the water should you fall off during a rapid.

Always follow the instructions of the guide. He/she is trained to keep you safe and provide a nice and enjoyable time for you.

When approaching rapids keep the noise level as low as possible. It is a natural tendency for us to scream during excitement but it can make the team difficult to hear the instructions of the guide

Always make sure that you hold the raft paddle correctly. The standard way to hold it is to hold the T-grip with your palm with the thumb going underneath it ,giving it  the appearance of a fist. Without this you could easily lose hold of your paddle going into a rapid injuring others or yourself. Also the paddle could fall into the raging river.

Make sure that your leg is locked into the rafts locks if there or keep your feet locked into the  inside arch of the raft.

Do not lean out of the raft while you paddle. You can easily lose control and fall into the water while going into  rapids