What are some of the things that come to your mind when you think about traveling to Nepal? When it comes to planning a trip to Nepal, people usually think of the Himalayan ranges, cultural heritage sites and trekking destinations. A country rich in natural heritage, Nepal has much more to offer than this. White water rafting in Nepal is one of the bestselling packages in Nepal.
Are you planning to participate in Visit Nepal 2020? If yes, we have some major rafting plans for you. If you love adventurous activities along with exploring nature, white water rafting in Nepal is the ultimate thing to do for you in Nepal. Rivers in Nepal are characterized by clean and white water mostly bordered by hills on either sides or by one side.
There are several rivers in Nepal that provide the best rafting experience. Trishuli river and Bhote Koshi River are among the most popular white water rafting destinations in Nepal. Other major destinations for white water rafting in Nepal include Seti River, Kali Gandaki River, Marshyangdi River, Sun Koshi River, Arun River, Karnali River, and Tamur River. The length of rafting in these rivers varies from 1 day to over 10 days.
8 Best Destinations For White Water Rafting In Nepal
Trishuli River Rafting
Trishuli river rafting is the most popular one among the best white water rafting destinations in Nepal. Every year hundreds of local as well as foreign tourists visit the Trishuli river, especially for rafting. Located near from Kathmandu and Pokhara makes Trishuli River very popular among the raft lovers. Rafting area in the Trishuli River is situated about a 3-4 hour drive from Pokhara and Kathmandu. Also, the Trishuli river rafting can be recommended for people of all age groups as the water is usually quite warm and the rapids in this river aren’t too big. White water rafting in the Trishuli River takes you through the rapids like Upset, Ladies’ Delight, Surprise, S Bend, and Pinball.
You can plan for rafting in the Trishuli River on your way from Kathmandu to Pokhara or from Pokhara to Kathmandu. Trishuli river rafting starts from Chaurandi and ends at Gaighat. The scenery you get to enjoy during Trishuli river rafting includes many small canyons, Himalayan ranges, and a glimpse of the cable car leading to the famous Hindu Temple Manakamana.
Trishuli river rafting allows you to experience the diverse landscapes, versatile geography and aquatic wildlife and vegetation of the region. You can also plan for a day stay at various riverside hotels in Trishuli. These hotels have basic as well as luxurious camps on the beachside. If you are planning a trip to Nepal for Visit Nepal 2020, rafting at the Trishuli River should definitely be on your list.
Kali Gandaki River Rafting
The Kali Gandaki river rafting is another most popular white water rafting packages in Nepal. The Kali Gandaki River is considered to be the holiest river in Nepal. Kali Gandaki river rafting presents you with the sceneries of beautiful Himalayan ranges, gorges, wildlife and vegetation, etc.
Kali Gandaki River rafting is recommended for those people looking for an exciting medium-length raft trip and as a self-sufficient kayak trip for intermediate and expert kayakers. Classified as Class 3-4 River, white water rafting at the Kali Gandaki River is considered difficult compared to the Trishuli River rafting. Kali Gandaki rafting is a 3 days rafting that offers some of the best white water rafting in Nepal. Kali Gandaki River rafting trip starts from Maldhunga (3.5 hours from Pokhara) and ends at Mirmi (5 hours from Pokhara). The Kali Gandaki Gorge is the deepest gorge in the world.
Each raft will have experienced guides who have the necessary skills to make your rafting trip safe and enjoyable. The guides will be responsible for giving instructions on paddling and picking out the safest route on the river. Because the rapids are bit high, `the Kali Gandaki Rafting keeps the paddlers busy against all technical rapids in the River. The Kali Gandaki River passes through narrow gorges, alongside tumbling waterfalls and jungle, traditional Magar and Chetri villages. If the weather is clear, you’ll also have the opportunity to see the Annapurna Mountain range and a variety of wildlife and temples on River banks.
Sun Koshi River Rafting
The Sun Koshi River Rafting is the longest trip in river miles offered in Nepal and is also rated as one of the top ten river expeditions in the world by National Geographic. This is why the Sun Koshi River offers you a longer rafting experience as compared to the Trishuli and Bhote Koshi River rafting. Warm water, big bouncy rapids, white sandy beaches, great wildlife and beautiful sceneries are the major attractions of the rafting trip at the Sun Koshi River.
Sun Koshi River rafting starts from the Tibetan border and drains off the Eastern Himalayas all the way to the sacred Ganges River in India. You can enjoy an 8-day rafting experience starting from the Tibetan border and running all the way to the confluence with the Ganges. Each and every day of the 8-day rafting trip is made memorable by the sceneries of the beautiful high mountains, open valley, forests and small remote villages. The final day of the rafting trip brings you to open plains and the thriving village of Chatara.
The Sun Koshi River rafting is favorable for everyone from beginner rafters to experienced Kayakers. The grades III – V rapids in the Sun Koshi River are named on the basis of previous experience collected by the rafters. Along with white water rafting, you can also try out Kayaking on the quieter sections of the river. Surprisingly, the river is calm and tranquil at one moment and the very next moment you will find it wild, turbulent and challenging. So you must be prepared to face any kind of situation while rafting in the Sun Koshi River.
Seti River Rafting
If you want to experience a river trip in Nepal, you should definitely go for Seti River rafting. The beautiful Seti River passes through two beautiful areas of Manaslu and Annapurna. During the white water rafting at the Seti River, you’ll pass by stunning jungles, green hills and many ethnic villages. The start point of the Seti River, i.e. Damauli, is located about five hours drive from Kathmandu and a two-hour drive from Pokhara.
While choosing the white water rafting package, it is recommended to go for a two-day rafting package. This rafting package covers 32 kilometers ends at the confluence of the Trishuli and Seti River. You’ll encounter several rapids as you reach Trishuli River and finally Devghat.
Kayaking is another attraction in the Seti River. The swollen rapids during the monsoon work as an exciting test for experienced rafters and kayakers. The Seti River rafting is best experienced with a journey to Chitwan National Park or trekking in the Annapurna district.
If you are a bird lover, then you should be excited to know that the Seti River is the best place to observe the birds in varieties. This is why, Seti River rafting is a highly recommended family trip for rafting, kayaking, bird watching, wildlife and countryside exploration.
Karnali River Rafting
The Karnali River is the longest and largest river in Nepal. One of the most important facts about this river is that it springs forth from Mount Kailash, a sacred mountain in Tibet important to both Buddhist and Hindu religious followers. Karnali River rafting is situated in the most remote western region in Nepal, it becomes more than just a rafting trip. To reach the Karnali river rafting destination, you’ll have to trek for hours. This makes the trip seem like an expedition! The white water rafting at the Karnali River finishes at the famous Bardia National Park.
The Karnali River is more constrained by its canyon walls so, it gives the river bigger, continuous and serious rapids. The Karnali River rafting has a series of continuous grade 4 and grade 5 rapids. During the raft, the valley narrows into a series of canyons, the river speeds up and there are big rapids, one leading into another, almost continuously down to the Seti River. White water rafting at the Karnali River rafting is the best option for you if you are looking for an intensely remote river expedition with white whitewater combined with a relaxed and peaceful float into pristine wilderness.
White water rafting at the Karnali River can be divided into two parts. The first half of this river journeys into the “wild west” and offers incredible whitewater excitement, commonly described as “a thrill a minute roller coaster ride”. The second half of the trip settles down into some more moderate & gentle rapids and eventually a relaxed float rewarded by dramatic and hugely varied pristine and unspoiled wilderness.
Bheri River Rafting
Bheri River in the Dolpo district is yet any other fantastic white water rafting river in Nepal. Compared to the Bhotekoshi River, Bheri an easy river that offers extremely good landscapes, blue water and view of beautiful villages. Bheri River is also popular for fishing, mingling with the great natural landscape, and the surrounding miscellaneous vegetation and fauna. Bheri River Rafting can be combined with a tour to the Bardiya National Park.
Unlike other rivers, the grade for Bheri River varies depending on the time of year. Grade III to V in the autumn and Grade III to IV in the spring. The first section of the Bheri River rafting is quite tough with twists and turns, creating many exciting narrow gorge section of the river with the vertical cliff of 200-300 feet on either side. The rapids in this river are mild in comparison to rapids one encounters are some of the more ferocious rivers in Nepal.
This must be one of your premier rafting trips in Nepal. It has some of the best fishing places in Nepal, together with beautiful and diverse scenery, lots of wildlife and unspoiled villages. Two large tributaries, the Thuli (large) and the Sani (small) join at Ramanagat to form the main Bheri River.
Tamur River Rafting
The Tamur River is the sixth largest river in Nepal. The Tamur River rafting expedition is the ultimate combination of a Himalayan trek with world class whitewater. This is because the white water rafting at the Tamur River rafting starts with 4 days trekking following a 3000-meter ridge through woods and meadows taking in stunning views of Kanchenjunga, Makalu & Mount Everest before dropping off into the lush villages of the Tamur Valley.
The Tamur River is an outstandingly beautiful river that provides superb views of the Himalayan ranges. Tamur river rafting includes around 120 km descent through more than 100 of the most exciting rapids still to be named has to offer grade 3 to 4, with some graded -5. This makes the Tamur River rafting one of the best white water expedition trips in the world.
The exciting Tamur River Rafting starts with intense class IV and V rapids. The huge grade IV and V rapids are challenging and exhilarating. The river keeps you busy throughout the rafting with non-stop rapids and river actions. This rafting package is best suited to those who seek adventure and want different experiences from the rivers of Nepal. Tamur River rafting trip can be combined with trips to Chitwan National Park or treks in the Kanchanjunga region.
Bhotekoshi River Rafting
Located at approximately 3 hour drive from Kathmandu, the Bhote Koshi River is regarded as one of the best short white water rafting trips in the world. Bhotekoshi rafting is a bit challenging compared to Trishuli River rafting as it has rapids of classes 3, 4 and 4. This adventurous Bhotekoshi river rafting trip offers you with a continuous rapid action that requires full-on commitment.
The Bhotekoshi River rafting starts from the lower part of Khadichour, which is a 3-hour drive from Kathmandu and ends at the Sukute Beach but the start point can change during the monsoon season. Bhotekoshi river rafting is ideal for both starters and expert paddlers experiencing fun and thrill with challenging rapids. With a gradient of 15 m per km, it is a full eight times as steep as the Sun Koshi, which feeds further downstream.
Rafting in the Bhotekoshi River can be done throughout the year but for a better experience, you can plan your rafting trip in this river during September-October-December-January and February. This short rafting tour full of thrill and the huge adrenaline rush is better suited for people who have prior rafting experience. Rafting through the cool water you can also enjoy emerald green fields, curious villagers lining suspension bridges, mountains and many more. During your rafting trip to Bhotekoshi, you can also participate in water sports such as canyoning. The ultimate experience of bungee jumping or swing is suggested over the Bhotekoshi River and can easily be combined with the Bhotekoshi rafting package.
Everest Trail Walker is a local trekking and adventure tour operator based in Kathmandu, Nepal. Managed by a group of trekking guides having more than a decade of experience in adventure travel service in the Himalayan kingdom of Nepal. Everest Trail Walker aims to provide adventure travelers or trekkers a comprehensive choice of treks, culture tours, white water rafting trips, Jungle Safari and climbing with very high quality and safety standards. Their treks and rafting tours are operated with a strong and experienced Nepali support team. The team has also developed various packages for Visit Nepal 2020. You can also work with them to develop a customized package that suits your time and need.