Himalayan white water rafting is another most exciting ways of exploring the wilderness beauty of Nepal. Nepal has some world famous rivers for ultimate white water rafting which can create once in a lifetime memories. With a wide range of difficulties available from a gentle 1-day float down on the Trishuli River to the high rapids of Tamur, Arun and Karnali Rivers for about two weeks, one can feel a perfect exhilaration of river adventure.
Rivers of Nepal generally change with the seasons. The level of water swells due to the heavy monsoon rain and it changes the run of the rivers and the nature of the rapids. There are new rapids created, others become more difficult while some are simply impossible to navigate.
Rivers such as Trishuli, Seti, Bhote Koshi, Kali Gandaki, Marshyangdi, Sun Koshi, Karnali, Arun and Tamur are the popular rivers for white water rafting adventures in Nepal. We are organizing fully supported kayaks and rafting expeditions to some of the best Nepal’s raging rivers in a style that caters specifically to the needs of kayakers and rafters with maximum river time.
Trishuli River Rafting – The Classic River
| Starting Point | Charaundi |
| Ending Point | Kurintar |
| Duration | 1 Day |
| River Distance | 17 Kilometers |
| River Grade | 2/3 Class |
| Average Gradient | 3m/km |
| Volume | 300cms |
| Best Season | Jan-May, Sep-Dec |
| Source of River | Langtang Himal. |
Trishuli River offers an excellent opportunity to observe the diversity of demography, landscapes, cultural heritage and the flora and fauna of Nepal through the course of rafting. Trishuli Rafting is available for 1 to 3 days as per your interest. This river offers the thrills of white-water on the course of three days trip. The Trishuli River is the most easily accessible river from Kathmandu, Pokhara and Chitwan.
Scenic valleys, attractive gorges, exhilarating rapids and easier sections of the river for swimming and relaxing as well as the right amount of time that makes the trip perfect for the first-time or experienced rafters. This river can be rafted for most time of the year and also highly suited for rafting with families outside the monsoon. It becomes very wild particularly in the monsoon. An extended trip to Pokhara or Chitwan is available with this rafting.
Seti River – The Warm River
| Starting Point | Damauli |
| Ending Point | Ghai Ghat |
| Duration | 2 Days |
| River Distance | 32 Kilometers |
| River Grade | 3 Class |
| Average Gradient | 3m/km |
| Volume | 70cms |
| Best Season | Mar-May, Sep-Dec |
| Source of River | The Glaciers of Annapurna. |
The Seti River is another classic river in Nepal passing through two beautiful and contrasting scenic areas of Manaslu and Annapurna regions. This River has relatively small volume with blue and warm water. This is an ideal short trip for first time rafters or as “Warm-up” for intermediate kayakers. The water temperature is incredibly warm, making it a popular choice for winter trips and also for kayak clinics for the course of beginners.
The Seti River is a relaxing river with a lot of high action rapids also. It offers great chances for swimming and wildlife spotting. It is one of the most beautiful and pristine still rivers in Nepal. If you are visiting with family, Seti is the most suitable river. You can raft on this river in combination further with a trip to Chitwan or Pokhara.
Bhote Koshi – The Harmony of Tibet
| Starting Point | Baseri |
| Ending Point | Lamo Sangu Dam |
| Duration | 2 Days |
| River Distance | 18 Kilometers |
| River Grade | 4/5 Class |
| Average Gradient | 16m/km |
| Volume | 40cms |
| Best Season | Mar-Apr, Oct-Dec |
| Source of River | Langtang & Sisha Pangma Himal. |
Bhote Koshi River begins its life in Tibet (Bhot) and roars its way into Nepal through some of the most breathtaking valleys and gorges that can ever be seen. The Bhote Koshi path is the steepest and torrent in Nepal. A day trip or two-day expedition with parts of the river for twice is available on this river. Bhote Koshi is a thrilling adventure trip with very steep and basically continuous mountain river that combines fun and excitement.
Bhote Kosi is surrounded by mountains, forests and waterfalls with only 3 hours drive from Kathmandu. It is probably the most exciting short rafting trip in Nepal and one of the best white water adventures in the world. The rapids here are a solid class IV- V at high flow, and a more classic III at lower levels. The Bhote Koshi has its all from thrilling actions deep gorges and breathtaking scenery.
Kali Gandaki – The River of Goddess Kali
| Starting Point | Nayapul (Baglung) |
| Ending Point | Mirmi Dam |
| Duration | 3 Days |
| River Distance | 56 Kilometers |
| River Grade | 4 Class |
| Average Gradient | 5m/km |
| Volume | 120cms |
| Best Season | Jan-May, Sep-Dec |
| Source of River | The world’s deepest gorge. |
The Kali Gandaki River got its name after the Hindu Goddess Kali. The River springs up on the edge of the Tibetan plateau in the Upper Mustang and tumbles down to the plains through the majestic Mt. Dhaulagiri and Mt. Annapurna Himalayan ranges creating one of the world’s deepest gorges. Nice drops, sparkling chutes and turbulent rapids provide class III to IV+ runs during the Fall and Spring seasons.
The Kali Gandaki is one of Nepal’s finest and medium length Rivers. It runs with clear and blue water offering breathtaking mountain views with fascinating villages and passes through tiny villages. This River is one of the most holy rivers and the way is dotted with cremation and burial grounds.
Marshyangdhi – The Raging River
| Starting Point | Ngadi |
| Ending Point | Dumre |
| Duration | 4 Days |
| River Distance | 51 Kilometers |
| River Grade | 4/5 Class |
| Average Gradient | 10m/km |
| Volume | 80cms |
| Best Season | Nov-Dec, Mar-Apr |
| Source of River | Lumjung Himal. |
Marshyangdi is the raging river in Nepal with the best white water rafting in the world. This is one of the best class 4 kayaking rivers in the world with continuous exhilarating whitewater recommended for expert kayakers and rafters only. This is the river that demands respect and many of the rapids have not been named yet.
Marshyangdi River is one of Nepal’s steepest rivers that offer some breathtaking views as it snakes its way beyond Manaslu and Annapunra Himalayan range following through the forests and traditional villages. The rapids are continuous, very challenging for the most part and the rafting is serious one.
Karnali River – The Wild West
| Starting Point | Karaleghat |
| Ending Point | Chisapani |
| Duration | 9 Days |
| River Distance | 185 Kilometers |
| River Grade | 4/5 Class |
| Average Gradient | 4m/km |
| Volume | 300cms |
| Best Season | Feb-May, Oct-Dec |
| Source of River | Kanti Himal in Tibet. |
The Karnali River is longest and largest river of Nepal that offers one of the finest big volume rafting and kayaking trips. The river originates from Tibet’s holy Mount Kailash and glacier of Kanziroba Himal, other small peaks as well as the Rara Lake. The river section takes about seven days, giving plenty of time to explore some of the side canyons and waterfalls.
Karnali River rafting is completely wild for 180 kilometers and no single sign of the modern world can be seen. The rapids are also pretty wild. The river winds through some magnificent un-spoilt scenery emerging onto the plains and flowing through the Bardia National Park to join the Ganges lastly. The Karnali rafting trip can be more interesting with a jungle safari trip in the Bardia National Park.
Sun Koshi – The River of Gold
| Starting Point | Dolalghat |
| Ending Point | Chatara |
| Duration | 9 Days |
| River Distance | 272 Kilometers |
| River Grade | 4/5 Class |
| Average Gradient | 2m/km |
| Volume | 400cms |
| Best Season | Jan-Apr, Oct-Dec |
| Source of River | Mount Everest. |
The Sun Koshi refers to as the River of Gold in Nepal. The river offers one of the ten best white water journeys in the world. It is considered as the ideal river for longer river trip that originates from snow-capped mountains. The warm water, beautiful scenery and great camping make this a classic river adventure. Intermediate and advanced kayakers may enjoy this trip more.
The Sun Koshi is an unpredictable river with great challenges. However, there are few more tributary of Sun Koshi as Rosi Khola, Junga Khola, Tamakoshi (Copper River), Dudh Koshi (Milk River), Rasuwa Khola, Arun River and Tamur River forming the giant Sapta Koshi which flows through the Mahabharata range onto the Gangetic plain.
Arun River – The Trekkers’ Delight (5 Days/4 Nights)
The Arun River springs up from the Everest region and joins with the Sun Koshi on the way. Along the path, the Arun River rambles through spectacular mountain scenery, remote villages and farming valleys. The river truly rages with some rapids graded as class VI at its peak flow in some places while it is serene allowing you time for relaxation and to enjoy the pristine surroundings in other areas.
Tamur River – The Jewel of the East (10 Days/9 Nights)
The Tamur River adventure is a combination of a short trek and Wild River rafting that originates from the melting snow of the mighty Kanchenjunga, the third highest peak in the world. The remoteness of this river makes it truly adventurous and unspoilt while it roars its way through deep gorges and lush countryside. Its shores have the pristine white sandy beaches, ideal places for camping. The Tamur River offers spectacular white water and there are very few villages and limited farm lands along the river.
Kayaking:
Kayaking is an individual running water sport. Kayaks are made of a special type of plastics and have flotation devices inserted to aid buoyancy. Kayakers move through the water with a double blade paddle and are able to negotiate rapids and obstacles on the river. Nepal is certainly the perfect destination for kayaking with its wide range of rivers and challenging rapids. We can place you on a trip to one of those challenging rivers whether you are a total beginner or an experienced white water kayaker.
River Grading:
According to its difficulty, the rivers are rated on a scale of Class I – VI which is internationally recognized.
Class I: Flat water (Little current)
These Rivers have shower-moving current with little or no obstacles.
Class II: Bubbling current (Small rapid)
The Class II Rivers are fast moving with some obstacles and smaller or medium rapids.
Class III: Technical and exciting (needs trained Guide)
These Rivers have serious rapids and are technical. So, the Class III rivers can be rafted only with the trained guides.
Class IV: Seriously big rapids
The Class IV Rivers have long, continuous sections of white water with many big drops and large waves which requires strong paddling and good teamwork on the boat while rafting.
Class V: The hair-raising limit
These Rivers have powerful prolonged sections of huge rapids and big holes which require very strong paddling and experienced rafting team.
Class VI: Impossible to run (Very high current)
Finally, the Class VI Rivers are considered to be almost impossible to run rafting but can be run by kayak. Most rivers contain more than one grading. Class I-IV River will contain elements of all grades, flat spots, slower rapids and some big fast rapids. The grade also varies depending on the season and the amount of water in the river.
We will deliver:
- Top quality Rafting equipment
- Highly trained Crew
- Well organized camping
- Hygienic food
Equipment:
- A pair of river sandal
- Shorts or a swimming costume
- Good sunglasses, sunscreen and baseball style cap
- Windproof & Waterproof outer wears jacket & pant
- A pair of shoes or boots
- A Sleeping bag
- Two pair of shocks, towels
- Flashlight with spare batteries & bulbs
- Personal medical kit box
- Chocolates and dry food
- Some reading materials
- A Fishing rod
Safety:
Safety is our main concern. Therefore, all our guides are trained to international standards and have spent several years rowing for the leading rafting organizations.
Trekking Encounters Nepal has strong ties to the reputable Rafting agencies in Nepal.
Please Contact Us for a fixed departure rafting trip to any of the Rivers above.