Nepal Tourism Raftings Nepal Information Nepal Maps

White Water Raftings

Though rafting was introduced in Nepal in 1970, commercial rafting started only in 1975. In this rather short period of time Nepal has earned a reputation for being one of the best destinations in the world for white-water rafting. Even within a short distance of 100 miles, the topography varies significantly leading to variation in the run of the rivers originating in high mountains which pass through the middle hills before dropping dramatically in the southern plains and joining the Ganges River System in India.

The waters in Nepal offer eciting adventure for travellers, with choice ranging from 2 to 3 day trips to 2 to 3 week trips. Rivers are graded on the basis of the ferocity of their rapids, and Nepal has rapids that range from 1 to 5+. Besides, rafting in Nepal offers options including paddling and kayaking.

The best time for rafting is from October through mid-December and March through early May. So far the government has opened up 16 river sections for commercial rafting.

ACTIVITIES

Arun River, which is graded as 5, is one of the famous rivers of eastern Nepal. The rafting begins at Tumlingtar and ends at Chatara, Kartikeghat. The starting point can be approached either by flight or by road. A short trek is required from both the airstrip and the bus stop. Some portions of the river are smooth while some are rough and challenging. After finishing the journey, rafters either drive back from Chatara via Biratnagar or fly from Biratnagar to Kathmandu.

Bheri River rafting site in Nepalgunj can be reached by a half-hour flight or a 627-kilometer drive from Kathmandu. The rafting starts from Birendra Nagar and ends at Chisapani, with the first section of the remote and relatively uneplored river having many twists and turns. The gorge occasionally opens into valleys and small villages. The trip can be continued with a jungle tour in the Bardiya Wildlife Reserve. The number of rafters per year varied from 100 to 200 between 1990 and 2000.

Balephi River is a tributary of Sunkoshi river. It offers a two day rafting epedition. The starting point is located at Chanaute and ends at Chehere on the Sunkoshi river.

Bhotekoshi River at grade 4 to 5 is a two-day run of pure adventure. The starting point for rafting is at Baseri, above Barhabise and it ends at Lamosangu. It is the steepest river rafted in Nepal with a span of twenty-si kilometers.

Budhi Gandaki River is a si-day run where the rafting starts at Arukhet and ends at Mugling along the Kathmandu-Narayanghat Highway.

Dudhkoshi River offers a long rafting epedition of 13 days. The starting point is at Bash and ending at Chatara.

Kali Gandaki River (Kali Gandaki Graben) winds through remote canyons and deep gorges of intense rapids. Starting at Baglung, one can raft down to Mirmi, Ramdighat. The run flows 120 km and its challenges are continuous.

Karnali River (Grade 4 to 5) located in the far west is the longest and largest river in Nepal. It flows through steep, jagged canyons where the rapids are tightly packed, offering challenging water at all flows. The rafting starts at Bhanket and ends in Chisapani. It takes about 7 days to navigate the 90 kilometers of canyons and waterfalls. During most of this trip, the wilderness is uninterrupted by human settlements.

Marsyangdi River (Grade 4 to 5) offers a four-day long rafting beginning from the village of Nagdi from Besisahar to Bimalnagar along the Prithivi Highway.

Seti River (Grade 3 to 5) can be reached from Damauli, roughly 160 kilometers west of Kathmandu. Rafters encounter several rapids before reaching Trisuli River.

Seti Karnali River (Grade 4 to 5) in the far west is a tributary of Karnali River and is twelve days rafting starting from Dauda to Chisapani. The river is noted for its blue-green water and white sandy beaches.

Upper Sunkoshi River offers a rafting length that starts from Khadechaur behind the Sunkoshi Hydropower Station and ends at Dolalghat along the Araniko Highway.

Lower Sunkoshi River graded from 4 to 5 is one of Nepal's longest rafting trips. The rafting site at Dolalghat is three hours drive from Kathmandu. The run is 270 km and requires 9 to 10 days from Dolalghat to Chatara down in the Indo-Gangetic plains.

Tamor River is a tributary of Saptakoshi River and drains the snows of Kanchenjunga. The rafting in this river starts from Basantapur and ends at Chatara.

Tamakoshi River is another tributary of the Saptakoshi. The rafting length starts at Busti and ends at Chatara. Only a few rafters have done this river in the past.

Trisuli River, as indicated by data, is one of the most popular rivers in Nepali for rafting. Due to its proimity to the capital city Kathmandu and easy access, most rafters prefer trips on the Trisuli River. It is the cheapest river trip available in Nepal. Rafting starts from Trisuli and ends at Narayanghat.

Everest

More information and pictures

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