Whitewater rafting in Nepal
| country: | Nepal |
| departures: | From 1 - 12 days (Mid-September to End-April) |
| price: | From US $22 - US $42 per day (1-12 days) excluding flights. Includes equipment and meals. We can arrange flights from the UK |
the amazing things you'll be doing
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.
Trishuli River: 1 - 3 days
The put in point for the Trishuli River is located just 3 to 3.5 hours west of Kathmandu, making it an excellent choice for short trips, or for clients enroute to Pokhara or Chitwan National Park.
The Trishuli is an excellent river for those looking for a short trip, without the challange of huge rapids, but with beautiful scenery and a relatively peaceful environment.
Bhote Koshi River: 2 days
Baseri, the put-in point for the Bhote Koshi River is 4 hours north-east of Kathmandu. The minibus journey from the 'Dam' take -out point is approximately 3 hours to Kathmandu.
There is not much time to look at the mountain scenery once on this river! However, there is an excellent opportunity to stop in Dhulikhel to admire the stunning views. The Bhote Koshi is regarded as one of the best short white water rafting trips in the world. It is the steepest river that is rafted in Nepal, with continuous rapid action making this river a full-on commitment and a huge adrenaline rush. This is an ideal trip for those wanting a short but intense and thrilling rafting trip.
Sun Koshi River: 10 days
Dolalghat, the put-in point for the Sun koshi river is two hours from Kathmandu and by your hotel with our private minibus. We have short practice in the river how to paddle and some commands by your guide before you leave.
This classic river trip is one of the top ten river journeys in the world. The ever-changing scenery helps to ensure that every day on the river is exciting and different. The beginning of the trip sees high mountains, narrow gorges, forest and small remote village. The final days brings you open plains and the thriving village of Chatara.
Kali Gandaki River: 3 days
Beni, the put in point for the kali Gandaki is just 3 hours from Pokhara. The 50 km of river action takes 3 days. The return trip from the 'Dam' take out point to Pokhara is about four and half hours.
The beautiful scenery on this remote river makes it a favourite among those looking for a short to medium length trip. The river passes through narrow gorges and canyons, alongside tumbling waterfalls, traditional Magar and Chettri villages, whose inhabitants often venture down to the riverside to meet the rafters. There are superb opportunities to see the Annapurna Mountain range and a variety of wildlife.
Arun River: 10 days rafting
The journey to the put-in point for the arun river involves a 16 hour trip, followed by a 3 day trek to the village of Bumbling. The 70km river action takes 5-6 days.
This spectacular river is only available to those undertaking an expedition. The scenery on both the trek and river is unrivaled and unspoiled. The Arun is one of the most powerful and respected rivers in Nepal, cutting through the Himalaya with deep and awesome gorges, lush valleys and superb riverside beaches.
The powerful current and large water volume ensure huge and impressive rapids are encountered the length of this river journey. The rapids can be challenging and technically complex.
Seti River: 2 days
Damauli, the put-in point for the Seti River is 5 Hours from Kathmandu by tourist bus. Alternatively the journey is 1 hour from Pokhara. The take-out point at Gaighat is appoximately 4-5 hours from both Kathmandu and Pokhara.
The warm and beautiful seti river passes through stunning jungle scenery, green hills and valleys . it is an excellent river for bird watchers and those interested in the abundance of nature found on this trip.
Tamur River: 10- 12 days
The journey to the put in point for the Tamur River involves a 18 hours road journey, followed by a three day trek to Dovan. The 155km river action takes 6-7 days. The return journey from Chatara , the take-out point, is 16 hours to Kathmandu.
This powerful and impressive river is the sixth largest in Nepal. The scenery witnessed during the trek through the little known eastern part of Nepal to the put in point is as awesome as the river itself. The sides of the valley are wooded, with only a few villages and very little agriculture glimpsed throughout the trip. There are excellent beaches for camping and plenty of wildlife. The feeling is that of a wilderness expedition.
A day in the river
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 life-vest and protective helmet must be worn all the time while on the river, irrespective of wether you are hitting a major rapid or running a flat water section.
An option between an oar boat or a paddle boat is provided. Kayaking is another option. Paddling is more challenging and thrilling. The paddle boat requires a well co-ordinated team effort between the paddlers and river guide who stays at the back and plays his paddle in the role of the steering wheel of a car.
It is usual that you get wet whether you hit a rapid or not within half an hour.
Combinations with other adventure activities
Rafting is usually combined with other adventure activities, especially in the technical Bhote Koshi river to include canyoning, abseiling or Bunjy Jumping. Nepal boasts introduction of canyoning in South Asia, and has one of the highest Bunjys in the world at 165m.
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.
Trishuli River: 1 - 3 days
The put in point for the Trishuli River is located just 3 to 3.5 hours west of Kathmandu, making it an excellent choice for short trips, or for clients enroute to Pokhara or Chitwan National Park.
The Trishuli is an excellent river for those looking for a short trip, without the challange of huge rapids, but with beautiful scenery and a relatively peaceful environment.
Bhote Koshi River: 2 days
Baseri, the put-in point for the Bhote Koshi River is 4 hours north-east of Kathmandu. The minibus journey from the 'Dam' take -out point is approximately 3 hours to Kathmandu.
There is not much time to look at the mountain scenery once on this river! However, there is an excellent opportunity to stop in Dhulikhel to admire the stunning views. The Bhote Koshi is regarded as one of the best short white water rafting trips in the world. It is the steepest river that is rafted in Nepal, with continuous rapid action making this river a full-on commitment and a huge adrenaline rush. This is an ideal trip for those wanting a short but intense and thrilling rafting trip.
Sun Koshi River: 10 days
Dolalghat, the put-in point for the Sun koshi river is two hours from Kathmandu and by your hotel with our private minibus. We have short practice in the river how to paddle and some commands by your guide before you leave.
This classic river trip is one of the top ten river journeys in the world. The ever-changing scenery helps to ensure that every day on the river is exciting and different. The beginning of the trip sees high mountains, narrow gorges, forest and small remote village. The final days brings you open plains and the thriving village of Chatara.
Kali Gandaki River: 3 days
Beni, the put in point for the kali Gandaki is just 3 hours from Pokhara. The 50 km of river action takes 3 days. The return trip from the 'Dam' take out point to Pokhara is about four and half hours.
The beautiful scenery on this remote river makes it a favourite among those looking for a short to medium length trip. The river passes through narrow gorges and canyons, alongside tumbling waterfalls, traditional Magar and Chettri villages, whose inhabitants often venture down to the riverside to meet the rafters. There are superb opportunities to see the Annapurna Mountain range and a variety of wildlife.
Arun River: 10 days rafting
The journey to the put-in point for the arun river involves a 16 hour trip, followed by a 3 day trek to the village of Bumbling. The 70km river action takes 5-6 days.
This spectacular river is only available to those undertaking an expedition. The scenery on both the trek and river is unrivaled and unspoiled. The Arun is one of the most powerful and respected rivers in Nepal, cutting through the Himalaya with deep and awesome gorges, lush valleys and superb riverside beaches.
The powerful current and large water volume ensure huge and impressive rapids are encountered the length of this river journey. The rapids can be challenging and technically complex.
Seti River: 2 days
Damauli, the put-in point for the Seti River is 5 Hours from Kathmandu by tourist bus. Alternatively the journey is 1 hour from Pokhara. The take-out point at Gaighat is appoximately 4-5 hours from both Kathmandu and Pokhara.
The warm and beautiful seti river passes through stunning jungle scenery, green hills and valleys . it is an excellent river for bird watchers and those interested in the abundance of nature found on this trip.
Tamur River: 10- 12 days
The journey to the put in point for the Tamur River involves a 18 hours road journey, followed by a three day trek to Dovan. The 155km river action takes 6-7 days. The return journey from Chatara , the take-out point, is 16 hours to Kathmandu.
This powerful and impressive river is the sixth largest in Nepal. The scenery witnessed during the trek through the little known eastern part of Nepal to the put in point is as awesome as the river itself. The sides of the valley are wooded, with only a few villages and very little agriculture glimpsed throughout the trip. There are excellent beaches for camping and plenty of wildlife. The feeling is that of a wilderness expedition.
A day in the river
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 life-vest and protective helmet must be worn all the time while on the river, irrespective of wether you are hitting a major rapid or running a flat water section.
An option between an oar boat or a paddle boat is provided. Kayaking is another option. Paddling is more challenging and thrilling. The paddle boat requires a well co-ordinated team effort between the paddlers and river guide who stays at the back and plays his paddle in the role of the steering wheel of a car.
It is usual that you get wet whether you hit a rapid or not within half an hour.
Combinations with other adventure activities
Rafting is usually combined with other adventure activities, especially in the technical Bhote Koshi river to include canyoning, abseiling or Bunjy Jumping. Nepal boasts introduction of canyoning in South Asia, and has one of the highest Bunjys in the world at 165m.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Kathmandu to Dolalghat.(3 hrs by bus) |
| Day 2: | Rafting from Dolalgahat to Kuhebhir(camp). (10 am to 3 pm ) |
| Day 3: | Kuhebhir to Punchhighat.(9 am to 3 pm) |
| Day 4: | Punchhighat to Punch & Juddy.(9 am to 3 pm ) |
| Day 5: | Punch & Juddy to Harkhapur.(9 am to 4 pm) |
| Day 6: | Harkhapu to Raighat. (9 am to 5 pm) |
| Day 7: | Raighat- Sundar Beach - (9 am to 2 pm) |
| Day 8: | Sundar Beach - waterfall(9 am to 2 pm) |
| Day 9: | waterfall to Chatara.(9 am to 3pm) |
| Day 10: | Chatara to Kathmandu by Bus |
how this holiday makes a difference
 We are a Nepali company and travel through this company makes a direct impact in the economy of Nepal. We also try to maximise our contribution to the local economy by hiring local guides and porters for these trips and staying in smaller lodges to spread the income.The company does not vertically integrate and sub-contracts all support activites like transportation, lodging etc. so that the money gets spread in the economy. It conserves on paper minimising paperwork in the office and by giving out electronic brochures. When required, brochures are printed on both sides of the paper and are in a folder format so that only relevant inserts need be given. We also have put in place a development support system whereby 10% of its profits go to charities like the Joy Foundation Nepal who conduct free cataract eye camps in rural areas of Nepal and Antardristi Nepal, which is developing a fund to start a incest and rape care centre for minors. 10% of the company's profits also goes directly into employee benefits. Through the snow leopard trek, part of proceeds will support snow leopard conservation efforts. In the field, guides, porters and clients are all oriented in responsible travel. A zero litter policy is in place so that it minimises wastage in the region. We also only take out very small groups with a maximum of twelve participants per group. All trips also focus on culture. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |