Rafting
in Nepal or white water rafting in Nepal
 |
| Nepal River map |
Rafting or white water
rafting is a challenging recreational outdoor activity using an inflatable raft
to navigate a river or other bodies of water. This is usually done on white
water or different degrees of rough water, in order to thrill and excite the
raft passengers. The development of this activity as a leisure sport has become
popular since the mid-1970s. It is considered an extreme sport, as it can be
dangerous.
Grades of white water Rafting
Below are the six grades of
difficulty in white water rafting. They range from simple to very dangerous and
potential death or serious injuries.
Grade 1:
Very small rough areas,
might require slight maneuvering. (Skill Level: Very Basic)
Grade 2:
Some rough water, maybe some
rocks, might require some maneuvering. (Skill level: basic paddling skill)
Grade 3:
Whitewater, small waves,
maybe a small drop, but no considerable danger. May require significant
maneuvering. (Skill level: experienced paddling skills)
Grade 4:
Whitewater, medium waves,
maybe rocks, maybe a considerable drop, sharp maneuvers may be needed. (Skill
level: whitewater experience)
Grade 5:
Whitewater, large waves,
large volume, possibility of large rocks and hazards, possibility of a large drop,
requires precise maneuvering. (Skill level: advanced whitewater experience)
Grade 6:
Class 6 rapids are
considered to be so dangerous as to be effectively unnavigable on a reliably
safe basis. Rafters can expect to encounter substantial whitewater, huge waves,
huge rocks and hazards, and/or substantial drops that will impart severe
impacts beyond the structural capacities and impact ratings of almost all
rafting equipment. Traversing a Class 6 rapid has a dramatically increased
likelihood of ending in serious injury or death compared to lesser classes.
(Skill level: successful completion of a Class 6 rapid without serious injury
or death is widely considered to be a matter of great luck or extreme skill)
Rafting Season
The time of the year can
really make a big difference in the flow of water in the rivers. The flow of
the rivers during the monsoon in July and August are ten times are more than
the flow of water in March.
It is usually best for
beginners to go on a trip after mid-October, when the rivers become milder.
During the November the rivers are mainly fast-moving, but not too difficult.
The busiest rafting season is in October and November. The best seasons for
rafting are from September to December and March to early June. In December and
January many river become cold and unless you have a wetsuit they may not be
enjoyable. The winter is not as cold as might be expected because most of the
trips are on rivers areas below 500m elevation. The rivers are the most mild
between from December to April. During the winter is a slower time for tourism,
there are less options with tour operator for rafting trips.
From March to the mid-May
because the river flow is low, the rivers do not move as quickly. If the water
is running faster on a river at a particular time of the year, the trip can
take a shorter time than if it is running slower.
From early September to
early October and late-May to late-June (when snow melts in the mountains and
some pre-monsoon rainfall) the rivers can flow very quickly. During this time
rafting can be more dangerous than normal. It is best to raft with an
experience company at this time, because extra precautions need to be taken.
During the monsoon, from
June to August only experts should do rafting trips. During this time there may
be 10 times as much water flowing in the rivers. Rafting can only be done on certain
rivers during this time.
Various rivers can be
different depending on the time of year. Depending on the time of the year you
are in Nepal, can adjust what river you go on.
Nepal River rafting Season and Grade in a table
River
|
Season
|
Grade*
|
Trishuli (1-3 Days)
'The classic river'
|
Jan.-May.
Jun.-Aug.
Sep.-Dec.
|
III
IV+
IV
|
Seti (2 Days)
'Warm and beautiful'
|
Jan.-May
Jun.-Aug.
Sep.-Dec.
|
III
IV
III+
|
Bhote Koshi (2 Days)
'The
harmony of Tibey'
|
Jan.-May
Jun.-Aug.
Sep.-Dec.
|
III
to IV+
---
III to V-
|
Kali Gandaki (3 Days)
'The river of God Kali'
|
Jan.-May
Jun.-Aug.
Sep.-Dec.
|
III to IV
---
III to IV+
|
Marshyangdi (5 days)
'The
raging river'
|
Jan.-May
Jun.- Aug.
Sep.- Dec.
|
III
to V
---
IV to V
|
Sun Koshi (9 Days)
'The river of Gold'
|
Jan.- May
Jun.- Aug.
Sep.- Dec.
|
III to IV+
---
III to V
|
Karnali (10 Days)
'The wild
West'
|
Jan.-May
Jun.-Aug.
Sep.-Dec.
|
III
to IV+
---
III to V
|
Arun (9 Days)
'Trekker's delight'
|
Jan.-May
Jun.-Aug.
Sep.-Dec.
|
III to IV
---
III to IV+
|
Tamur (10 Days)
'The best
of the East'
|
Jan.-May
Jun.-Aug.
Sep.-Dec.
|
III
to V-
----
III to V
|
Sun Koshi /Tamur
(11 Days)
'Best trip for adventure lovers'
|
Jan.-May
Jun.-Aug.
Sep.-Dec.
|
III to V-
---
III to V
|
Suggested Equipment List for Rafting Trips
The following lists are
suggestions. The actual equipment that
you carry will depend on your likes and dislikes. The lists include most of the items that
might be carried on a luxurious-style raft trip where weight isn't much of a
problem. If you are going on a
lightweight raft trip or on a self-supported kayak trip, then pare down and
choose those items which will meet your needs yet still enable you to be safe
and self sufficient. Feel free to make
printed copies of the list and check off items as you are getting ready for the
trip.
Company provides
Repair kit
Minimum of patching material
and adhesive appropriate for type of boat and material it is made of. Will have
such things as a spare valve, heavy - duty thread and needle for sewing tears,
spare parts for raft and frame, duct tape, wire, oar lock parts, etc.
Pump
appropriate for the type of valve. One per
boat.
Cargo nets / Platforms
Usable platforms to keep
gear off the floors. We shall use cargo nets to secure cargo to raft. All gear
must be securely attached to raft to prevent potential loss.
Bailing Bucket
A three~five gallon buckets
for non-self-bailing rafts – 2 each.
Straps
Plenty of cargo straps for
attaching gear and accessories securely to rafts.
Rope
100’ Bowline will be taken
for tying up boats to shore. A handline rope/webbing will be secured around the
perimeter of the raft for self - rescue or to hold onto in rough waters. We
shall carry a 150' non - stretch rescue rope and Rescue throwlines in bags will
be in each boat and everyone should practice using them.
Other group equipment
Multi-day trips will require the ability to
transport food, cooking gear, ice chests, and stoves and fuel etc. We shall
take a firepan for open fires, shovel, First Aid Supplies, Water carriers,
garbage bags & other supplies to maintain a clean camp. All trash &
garbage will be carried out.
Toilet
Toilet tents with deep
dugout latrines with folding western style seats have time and again proved to
be best
Personal things
Warm Weather – Day Time
• Shorts
• T-shirts
• Long pants
• Long sleeve shirt
• Light jacket
• Socks
• Underwear
• Sun hat
Have one change of clothes
packed dry for when you get wet. Use synthetics or synthetic / cotton blends
for coolness, lightweight and rapid drying inside plastic bags.
Wetsuit or Drysuit
• For cooler weather boating
3mm nylon inside and out farmer john style wetsuit with or without jacket and
booties or a dry suit is recommended. Gloves
• Nylon/neoprene or leather
gloves for warmth, protection or better grip.
Cold Weather
• Long pants
• heavier jacket
(waterproof)
• polypro underwear
• sweater (Tibetan woolen
are best)
• heavier socks
• winter hat
• gloves
Use synthetics or wool for
rapid drying and warmth. Have a complete change of clothes packed dry –
preferably inside plastic bags.
Footwear
• River sandals or shoes
designed to get wet or aqua socks or wetsuit booties for river use. Athletic
shoes or light weight hiking/walking boots for on shore.
Rain Gear
• Jacket or poncho - Goretex
(or equivalent), coated nylon, or rubber coated canvas
• Pants - Goretex (or
equivalent), coated nylon, or rubber coated canvas
• Rain hat
Other equipment
Toilet Articles
Biodegradable Soap
• Towel
• toothbrush/paste
• Other personal toiletries
• Small personal size First
Aid kit Personal medicines if and as required.
Knife
• Pocket knife or river
sheath knife
Sunglasses
• With strap to keep from
falling off or losing
• extra pairs
Sun Block Lotion
• Type 30 and lower numbers if
desired, waterproof.
Survival Gear
• Map
• Compass / GPS
• Whistle
• Flashlight with extra
batteries
• Sewing kit & Repair
kit
• Insect repellant
Optional Gear
• Camera & Film - Packed
in special waterproof camera box or water tight amino can.
• Binoculars - Same as for
camera.
• Guide Books - River
guides, flora, fauna, geology, etc.
• Notebook and Pens - For
keeping personal river journal
• Fishing Gear – Optional!!
• Watch – Inexpensive Water
Proof!
Sleeping / Shelter Gear
• Sleeping Bag - Synthetics
best (dries faster and insulates when wet).
• Sleeping Pad – Foam or air
mattress
• Shelter - Free standing
tent (on sandy beaches it can be hard to get tent stakes to hold), Tarp or
other shelter from rain and wind and bugs.
• Storage - Heavy-duty PVC
waterproof bags to store and transport gears – we also provide dry barrels that
will be tied to the boat.
Rafting river of the Nepal
Nepal’s rivers can be
broadly divided into three categories in accordance with their origins. The
first category comprises the three main river systems of the country-the Koshi,
Gandaki and Karnali river systems, all of them originating from glaciers and
snow-fed lakes.
The Koshi river system
consists of the Tamor, Arun, Dudhkoshi, Likhu, Tamakoshi, Sunkoshi and Indravati
rivers. Of these, the Arun and Sunkoshi originate in Tibet . The confluence of
these rivers is at Tribeni (near Dharan) in Sagarmatha Zone. Flowing for almost
10kms through a narrow gorge before entering the plains, the "Sapta
Kosi" or he "Koshi" swollen with the waters of the seven riversÕ
finally merges into the Ganges .
The Gandaki river system in
central Nepal consists of the Kaligandaki, Budhigandaki, Marsyanghi, Trishuli,
Seti, Madi and Daraundi rivers. The Kaligandaki is the longest river and the
Trishuli, the main tributary of this system.
The Kaligandaki originates
in Mustang and converges with the Trishuli at Deoghat in Chitwan. The river is
then called the Narayani and goes on to meet the Ganges . The Karnali river
system in western Nepal consists of the Humla Karnali, Mugu Karnali, Seti and
Bheri rivers and is the longest river system in the country. The Humla Karnali,
which rises in Tibet , is the main tributary. After entering India , this river
assumes the name Gogra .
Rivers like the Mechi,
Mahakali, Bagmati, Kamala, Rapti, etc., most of which have their origin in the
Mahabharat range, constitute the rivers of the second category. The Bagmati,
which rises at Bagdwar and drains out through the Chobhar gorge, is the
principal river of the Katmandu Valley .
Streams and rivulets
originating mostly from the Chure hills make up the third category; these
rivers rely on monsoon rains and are otherwise dry
Listed Rafting river name of Nepal
