
The best part of rafting in Nepal is to get up close with the snow-fed white water rivers. Unlike other countries Nepal is famous for its wild raging Himalayan rivers, temperate water and soft sand. Moreover, Nepal probably offers the longest river trips in the world up to 12 days. Till now there have been 16 rivers opened for rafting that runs North to South. Some of them include Bhote Koshi, Seti, Karnali, Tamor and Marshyangdi. These rafting trips take you through a unique experience of village life and unspoiled natural settings.
White water rafting means cruising down a rushing river with an inflatable rubber raft or white water kayak over crashing waves and swirling rapids- an excitement of a life time that you can hardly afford to miss. The Nepalese Rivers are directly fed by the melting of Himalaya glaciers.
Nepal has earned a reputation as one of the best destinations in the world for white water rafting. Sun Koshi and Tamor are listed in world's top ten river for rafting and kayaking.
It is not only the temperate water and soft and open beaches that are star attraction of rafting experience in Nepal, the opportunity to indulge in local culture and rich natural surroundings is also not to be missed. Moreover, Nepalese rivers are considered a river runner's paradise no other country has such a choice if multi-day trip, away from road, in such magnificent surroundings with warm river, a semi tropical climate, impressive geography, exotic culture, wildlife and friendly welcoming people!
Grading
Rivers are graded on a scale of one to six, offering more challenges and difficulty as you ascend.
I Class: Rivers have shower-moving current with little or no obstacles.
II & III Class: Rivers are fast moving with some obstacles and smaller or medium rapids.
IV Class: Rivers have long, continuous section of white water and large waves which requires strong paddling and good team work in the boat.
V Class: Rivers have powerful prolonged sections of rapids and big holes, which requires very strong paddling and experienced rafting team.
VI Class: Rivers is considered to be almost impossible to run rafting.
Below are some tips on popular rivers and their respective grades and trip duration:
S No. |
River |
Grade |
Duration |
1. |
Trisuli |
I+ |
1-3 days |
2. |
Seti Khola |
III |
2 days |
3. |
Bhote Kosi |
III/IV+ |
2 days |
4. |
Kali Gandaki |
III/IV |
3 days |
5. |
Marshyangdi |
IV/V |
4 days |
6. |
Sun Kosi |
IV/V |
7 9 days |
7. |
Arun |
---- |
9 days |
8. |
Karnali |
III/V |
10 days |
9. |
Tamur |
III/V |
11 days |