Sun Koshi (Lower)

The Sun Koshi (Lower) is one of those rivers whire along trip (9 days) is possible . Rated as one of the ten best high water river expeditions, it has tuberlent waves and a large volume of water. The river runs through landscape of thick vegetation that harbors rich wildlife. Many species of birds, monkey and even leopards can be seen during the rafting trip. The river also has Gharial crocodiles which are predominantly fish eating creatures. The put-in point at Dolalghat is a three-hour drive from Kathmandu.

Tamor

The river Tamor lies in the east of the country and is fed by the waters coming down  from

Mt. Kanchanjunga. Tamor has some excellent Class IV and Class V rapids ensuring a good rafting trip. Ideal for adventure seekers, this is another long trip that involves a flight to Biratnagar in the terai, followed by a long drive after which a four-day trek leads up to the put-in point.The trek is rewarding with great mountain views.

The flight from Kathmandu to Biratnagar itself promises grand panoramic views of the Himalayas.

Arun

The Arun river run provides yet another adventutous trip in eastern Nepal for those who want more than just

a river trip. The approach to the river involves a three-day trek through the wilderness, passing through villages and enjoying views of mountains. This is a thrilling trip combining rafting with trekking and camping out in a pristine forest. The large volume of water ensures thrills and spills as it cuts a deep gorge through the hills. Impressibe rapids that are technically challenging are encountered throughout the river run.

The trip begins with a flight to Tumlingtar in the Hilly region of eastern Nepal where rafters camp for the night before setting out towards the river.The next day's adventure is a short trek to the next camping site.On Day 3, the river trip begins and Class III and Class IV rapids are encountered.

Bheri

The river Bheri has its origin in the Dolpo region of Nepal and is yet to be fully explored. Graded as an easy

 river to raft, it nevertheless gives rafters a thrilling ride. Along the way are encountered charming little villages with ancient traditions that have been perfectly preserved. Bheri is also well-known for its good fishing spots. As with the Karnali, the journey here begins with a plane ride to Nepalgunj followed by a 3-4 hrs drive to the put-in point at Samjighat.

Soon after setting off on the river journey, the first major rapid is encountered and there are many more along the way.

Rafting in Nepal - Video

A short video of the rafters rafting in Nepali higher Class rivers.

Seti Karnali

The Seti Karnali is yet another remote river in far-west Nepal. The airstrips at Nepalgunj, Dipayal and

 and Chainpur make access to this river relatively easy. Seti Karnali flows through serene wilderness promising plenty of wildlife viewing. The river starts at a steep gradient but gradually eases as it flows down. Seti Karnali is known for its splendid white beaches and views of distant mountains.

If one decides to put-in at Deura, the approach involves a trek over a hill from Gopghat which is rewarding for beautiful scenery and views of Api and Saipal peaks which are the source of the Seti Karnali. The Class III+ and Class IV rapids encountered here can be tackled with little difficulty

Karnali

Karnali, the longest river in Nepal, Originates in the holy Mt. Kailash in Tibet, and flows through deep

gorges, deserted beaches and steep canyons. One of the best river trips in Nepal, the Karnali run can last up to ten fun-filled days. The mild Class III to fabulous Class V rapids make the rideas unforgettable one, and combining fishing or jungle safari with the trip adds another dimension to the great adventure.
Rapids:Captivity, Flip and Strip, God's House, Elbow and Sweet Well.
The Karnali is also famous for Mahseer fishing. Far removed from urban influence, this is a remote region of Nepal with frequent sightings of diverse wildlife. The river is demanding with encounters of massive rapids that test the skill of rafters. For thrill seekers looking for an adrenaline high, it has a 7km roller-coaster ride through a fabulous gorge. The journey to the river starts with an hour-long flight to Nepalgunj and a drive to Surkhet. The put-in point at Tallo Dhungeshwor is reached after a six-hour drive through lovely sal forest.

Tama Koshi

The river Tama Koshi flows down from Tibet and has a volume twice that of the bhote Koshi. After flowing 75km down, it reaches the road at Busti which is the usual put-in point. 'Tama Koshi' in Nepal means 'River of Copper'. The river is recommended only for keen Kayakers who can maeuver through the treacherous waters. The put-in point is at Busti Bridge which is reached after a 4-hour drive by car from Kathmandu.

The river deceptively is quite calm on the outset, but soon plenty of rapids are encountered for the next 4km before an island is reached. Both sides of the island present Class V + rapids.

Balephi

The river Balephi comes down from Mt. Dorje Lakpa which is seen north of Kathmandu.

It lies 50km from the capital, Kathmandu. This is a fast flowing river that goes past Helambu and has has steep slopes on either side. The put-in point lies 3 hrs. away by bus near a village called Jalbire Gaun. Rafters have to drive past Dolalghat and the village of Balephi to get there.

This river offers one of the shorter rafting trips and has Class III and Class IV rapids. With many boulders on the way, it is full of surprises and rocky as well as technical. What lies ahead can only be seen as one glides past the boulders. After leaving Jalbire around moon, the end of the trip or the put-out point at Sukute is reached in about 3 and half hours after going past the Balephi bridge. It is then time to head back to Kathmandu by bus.

The best time for rafting on the Balephi is October to November.

Dudh Koshi

Flowing down from the Everest region, the Dudh Koshi is a great river of eastern Nepal. The Hingu  and
Inku rivers flow into this river greatly augmenting the flow. The last 32 km of Dudh Koshi is highly recommended for rafting. It then flows into the Sun Koshi which makes it feasible to start a river trip on the Dudh Koshi and end it in the Sun Koshi.


The Dudh Koshi trip also allows stunning views of the Khumbu himal and there are many lodges along the trail. The river throws up challenging class III and Class IV rapids along the way and as the going gets though, there are places where portage becomes necessary. But before it merges with Sun Koshi, the river slows down to an easy flow.

Amazing Adventures in Nepal Tourism year 2011 - RAFTING/KAYAKING/CANYONING

Rafting is one of the most exciting ways of exploring Nepal. Options reange from paddle rafting a team to Kayaking alone in the water. Yet another extremely popular water-sport option is canyoning to explore hidden landscapes. Rafting trips are usually planned in the dry seasons from October through mid-December and March through early May. The overnment has opened 16 rivers graded on a scale of 1 to 5 for commercial rafting. Since safety is of utmost importance, choosing a well-reputed rafting company is recommended. It is also important to obeserve all the safety rules and precautions provided by the river guide. For futher details visit Official site of Nepal Association of Rafting Agents.

Sun Koshi (Upper)

The Sun Koshi (Upper) is the ideal river for novices as it has no big, challenging rapids. The surrounding scenery is beautiful and the trip is relaxing with mountain views to admire. The river run is a short half day of rafting through forested valleys and white sandy beaches. Combining an overnight stay at Dhulikhel, rafters can enjoy superb views of the Himalayas and a stunning sunrise the nest morning before heading out to the river.

The put-in point for this Sun Koshi trip is at Balefi Bazaar. As the trip begins, rafters immediately face Class I rapids.

Bhote Koshi

Another popular river for rafting, the Bhote Koshi originates in the Tibetan plateau from where it flows down steep gorges to Nepal in the south. Naturally, the landscape it flows through is rugged, adding thrills to the trip. It's a tough ride with Class IV and Class V rapids at the higher flows and Class III in the lower levels.

Rapids: Frog in the Blender, John's Home, Gerbil in the Plumbing, Liquid Bliss, Daxed and  confused.

It's a 3-hour drive from Kathmandu along the Ariniko Highway to Bhote Koshi. The drive to the put-in point has its own highlight-views of snow capped mountains such as Langtang and Dorje Lakpa towards the north of the country.

Budi Gandaki

One of the rivers that have their source within Nepal, the Budi Gandaki drains the eastern slopes of two great mountains, the Manaslu and Ganesh Himal. It flows into the Trishuli like many rivers do and has an easy gradient from Arughat Bazzar just below which is the put-in point. Classified as Class II and Class III, the Budhi Bandaki is another starting point for the Trishuli run.
Very often, this trip is combined with a trek in the Gorkha district where great views of Manaslu and Banesh Himal can be had.

Seti

Ideal for those looking for a short two-day trip in a remote location, the river Seti is suitable for a family outing. This river takes rafters through loverly forested regions and over plenty of easy rapids. The put-in point being close to the Kathmandu-Pokhara Highway, is easily reached after a short drive.

The river trip begins down a remarkable forested canyon which brings rafters immediately close to Mother Nature. The surrounding greenery incudes a warm feeling on one of Nepal's warmest rafting rivers. The jungle brings its own reward with wildlife sightings right along the river.

Marshangdi

Seasoned rafters from around the globe consider the Marsyangdi one of the best rafting rivers in the world. Encounters with rapids of Class IV to Class V make this run an exciting and exhilarating one. To further add to the thrills on this river, there are superb views of the Manaslu and Annapurna massifs throughout the trip.

Rapids: Instant Karma, Twinkle, Mama's Big Butt and Adrenaline.

This is one of those trips which involve a day's trek.
 Rafters are taken on a wonderful adventure,

Kali Gandaki

A medium length river, the Kali Gandaki offers spectacular views of mountains and flows by charming little villages with no motor roads in sight. With views of eight-thousand meter peaks and challenges of rousing rapids, this is indeed a unique experience for rafters. With visits to temples and villages, this trip is a cultural one as well, and the technical nature of the rapids ensures a busy time paddling.

Rapids: Small Brother, Big Brother and Refund.

The adventure begins with a trip down to Pokhara (either a half-hour plane ride or a five-hour drive) where the first day is spent relaxing.

Trishuli

The river Trishuli is which is relatively close to Kathmandu, is one of the popular rivers for rafting and is ideal for beginners. Unraveling deep gorges and rolling valleys, the river takes rafters through remarkable landscape before arriving in the plains (terai). The exhilaration of tackling challenging rapids is followed by relaxing sections that allow time for admiring the surroundings. Trips can last anywhere from one day to three days and river is open to rafting through the year, unlike other rivers where trips are not feasible during the monsoons.

Rafting Rivers

Rafting in Nepal

The rivers open for rafting in Nepal are : The Tamur, Arun, Dudh Koshi, Likhu, Tama Koshi, Sunkoshi and Indravati of the Koshi river system in eastern Nepal; The Kali Gandaki, Budi Gandaki, Marsyangdi, Trishuli, Seti, Madi and Daraudi of the Gandaki river system; The Humla Karnali, Seti Karnali, Bheri and Mugu Karnali of the Karnali river system in far western Nepal.

A Typical Day on the River
Typically, on the first day, rafters are driven to the put-in point which is the actual starting point of the river trip. In a few cases, the approach may also involve a short hike before arriving at the river bank.

Rafting in Nepal

Nepal has been with numerous fast flowing rivers that gush down from the Himalayas cutting through mountains and carving deep gorges to finally reach the vast plains where, slowing down they meander lazily towards India. Many of these rivers are ideal for rafting ,and some are considered the best in the world by professional rafters from the west. Rafting is also a fascinating means of getting to know the country rivers flow through some of the most enchanting landscapes that include snow-covered mountains, terraced hillsides, sparkling waterfalls, lush green valleys and typical, charming little Nepali villages.