White-Water Rafting

Extreme Sports Adventures in Nepal 

What is White-water Rafting?

A sizable rubber raft seating 6 to 8 rafters and a guide explains this extreme sport, white-water rafting. To that end, rafting and white-water are the same sport, to enjoy the outdoors using large rubber rafts. These are inflatable rubber rafts, are used for navigating a river or other body of water. You may be rafting on smooth water, taking a leisurely sail, or find yourself trying to stay in the boat from the rough currents of the rapids. That area of the river is known as an extreme sport, which can be fatal.

Where is the best place to go white-water rafting?

These ten rivers, all located in Nepal, are noted for their calm rivers, and the rivers for the extreme adrenaline rush junkie. They all offer tours from 1/2 day to varying multiple days. Please be sure you follow the recommendation for what to pack in the way of clothing, especially when taking a tour of many days.

• Upper Seti River
• Karnali River
• Sun Kosi River
• Marshyandi River
• Tamur River 
• Trisuli River
• Bheri River
• Bhote Koshi River
• sKali Gandaki River
• Lower Seti River 

When is the best time to visit Nepal for rafting?

It’s important that you do your homework so you travel at the best time of year for river white-water rafting. You need to decide what you want from your vacation and rafting experience. Rafting in Nepal: The best times for rafting or kayaking are March to early June and September to early December.

Understand the calendar and what it means in terms of the weather and how it affects the kind of rafting experience you are seeking to accomplish. As an example: During March to May, the weather conditions are very hot and the affect on the rivers show up with lower water flows which means for you the rapids will be a lower grade than between September to November.

The pre-monsoon storms and some snowmelt, bring a higher water level with rising rivers in May. However, just the opposite is true between June and August, when the Monsoon rains cause havoc causing rising water levels so high it becomes difficult to manage. That leaves only parts of the Rivers Seti, Upper Sun Kosi and Trisuli which are commercially run during the monsoon. 

Additionally, between September to early October and May to June, rivers can be potentially the most dangerous times to be on a river, due to Monsoon run-off. If you want to challenge those conditions, you will need a guide with a strong team and those that have the utmost experience and knowledge of the rivers.

That leaves you with Mid October to November for the best conditions, but also when you may have a difficult time making reservations due to the warm and quieter weather. It’s also the most popular time frame to go either rafting or kayaking on exciting and warm rivers.

Lastly, December, with its cold water, shorter days of winter and is where you would need a wetsuit.

How should you dress when White-water Rafting in Nepal?

When white-water rafting, the usual dress is in cool clothes, but you need to always prepare for cooler evenings. It is recommended that you pack a bathing suit, towel, tennis shoes, water shoes but if sandals, be sure they won’t fall off. Should also pack a insect repellant, sunscreen, and sunhat to protect your head and face from sun exposure. These items are all necessary for your rafting tour.

Is there a weight limit for rafting?

The brief/quick reply is no. There does not appear to have any such restrictions, however, weight could impact other aspects that decide if you should go on a white-water rafting trip.

Hard-fast rule! Stay in the boat!

When rafting, you must pay attention and watch in every direction but be watchful particularly for any rocks coming from downstream. Pay attention to instructions prior to leaving the dock. Your guide will use commands when needing your participation such as Bump. It’s a warning the boat is about to hit a rock. If you hear that yell out, Bump, immediately lean in and place your paddle T grip on the floor of the boat, but keep your hand over the grip, being prepared for what your guide may need you to do next.

 What does it cost to go White-water Rafting in Nepal?

 Nepal offers a value exchange with the tour packages for each type sport activity. In comparison, rafting in Nepal is far less cost than the United States. However, rafting is totally different from that of any other country. You can enjoy a one day rafting trip for as little as $60. to trip of 10 days for $950. per person. This usually includes all of your food, tent hire, equipment and ground transportation. The day trips usually including transportation and lunch.

 How old do you have to be to go white water rafting?

Size matters when it comes to paddling and staying in the raft. Generally speaking, kids under 12 are best suited for trips up to Class III. Twelve year olds and a little older up may be able to handle a Class IV challenge depending on the amount of paddling help that the guide may need in the rapids.

Final Thoughts:

Nepal, although it’s a country that suffers with much poverty, it’s a rich country in its natural beauty having endless possibilities for the tourist. Nepal is known as being the best vacation location worldwide for rafting, trekking and many other extreme sport activities, from river journeys to wilderness expeditions. So, keep in mind that if you are looking for that adrenaline rush, you’ve found the perfect place in Nepal!

Always wear a life jacket or floatation devise. Remember that safety is our number one priority., plus that you are part of a team working together. 

Question the company guide that you are considering hiring about their experience, if they had ever been involved with an accident on the river as a guide, what government agency regulates them and provided their training.

Two outdoor recreational activities that are considered extreme sports are Rafting and White-water rafting, which use an inflatable raft to navigate a river or other bodies of water. The same river can be considered both mild and easy, yet another section of that same river can be known as extreme and even deadly.

If you are wanting to experience, a raging river with all it takes to satisfy your adrenaline junkie inside of you, the you will need to find either a Class V or VI to raft. The Class V rapids are extremely difficult. They are profound with cross-currents, under tow, powerful currents, and huge drops and holes as well as obstructed, turbulent rapids. However, if it’s the thrill of near death possibilities, then Class VI is what you want, but let me warn you, this Class it’s nearly impossible to navigate.

For the family vacation, Class I or perhaps Class II would be more fitting. Class I has almost no wave action and requires little effort. The same is true for Class II efforts, but this class has a few medium size waves which do require some effort. Finally, Class III and Class IV. Class III has many decent, but irregular waves, with fast currents and narrow passages…said to be less forgiving when errors are made. Lastly, Class IV, should only be navigated by advanced maneuvering skills. In conclusion, if you really want to be challenged, you will go out for Class V or VI, but remember what I have told you about this class being nearly impossible. You need to examine your skill levels and perhaps speak with the guide as to whether you are ready for either of these last two classes. It’s a thrill and experience, but do you really want to risk your life?