Best Time of Year (when Go)
As we explain elsewhere, the time of year always makes a big difference to the difficulty of water. After the monsoon in August, water volumes are huge and all rivers much more difficult or too dangerous. From October 1st week to Late November the weather is settled and this is high season for rafting. Winter months are cold, so this is a better time for shorter trips. The summer season from March to May has lower flows but warmer temperatures. Kinds or Rafting Trip Long multi-Day trips :-
The Sun Kosi is the cheapest and most popular of these trips because the start is close to Kathmandu and you can drive to both start and finish points. Described as one of the 'ten best rafting trips in the World', it makes an excellent choice for most people and especially for those doing their first river trip in Nepal.
The Karnali is our pick as the best overall trip. The rapids are more challenging than the Sun Kosi, add to it's remote setting, superb canyons and pristine wilderness; finish with a couple of days at the Royal Bardia Wildlife Reserve and you have a rafting trip that is probably 'Best of its kind' anywhere in the World.
The Tamur could be described as a mini-Karnali, with a spectacular trek in to the start and lots of white water interest - at the right water level probably more challenging than the above rivers. Medium length trips :-
If you still want an exciting multi-day white water raft trip, but your time is more limited, then the obvious choices are the Trisuli and upper Kali Gandaki. The cheapest trip is likely to be on the Trisuli but this is spoilt by the main highway that runs alongside most of it. The upper Kali Gandaki is a much finer river in our opinion and the Arun is an alternative but unfashionable option. For the experienced rafter, this is surpassed by the magnificent whitewater and scenery of the Marsyangdi.
If you prefer easier water, then the most accessible option is the lower Kali Gandaki: this offers good scenery, jungle, wildlife and unspoilt beaches. Short Trips :-
The Trisuli is the obvious and popular choice for either white water or more easy rafting. However we think that if you have 2 days and are looking for an easy trip then top choice must be the Seti River, away from roads, and with beautiful scenery. If you only have a day then the upper Sun Kosi is relatively unspoilt and yet close to Kathmandu. For the experienced crew, the Bhote Kosi offers two days of challenge and continuous adrenaline buzz. Nepal is now the premier destination in the world for multi-day raft trips.
Here's some of the reasons and some sample paragraphs and headings from the main rafting chapter in White Water Nepal
Trekking in nepal
Rafting Nepal
Whitewater River Rafting in Nepal:
Whatever your desire for adventure, it is easy to find the perfect river in Nepal. With a wide range of difficulties from a gentle 1-day float down the Trishuli river, Seti river, to an exhilarating 10-day adventure through the rapids of the remote Tamur, Arun and Karnali, Budhi gandaki, there is an experience for everyone waiting in Nepal's famous white waters. Nepal's rivers change with the seasons. Each year, after the heavy monsoon rains the waters swell, changing the run of the rivers and the nature of the rapids. New rapids are created, others become more difficult and some simply impossible to navigate. It is important to remember that some of the white water action you are about to read about could have changed by the time you come to run the river. we are constantly monitoring changes in the rivers and their rapids, so that we can always ensure the safety of our clients and plan expeditions with precision
Nepal has earned a reputation as one of the best destinations in the world for white water rafting/Kayaking. For the rafting purpose, rivers are graded on a scale of one to six depending on how wild they are. Four grades are considered to be quite challenging without being exceedingly dangerous to the novice rafter. Grade V requires some previous river experiences.
Class 1
Easy: Moving water with occasional small rapids. Few or no obstacles.
Class 2
Moderate: Small Rapids with regular waves. Some maneuvering required but easy to navigate.
Class 3
Difficult: Rapids with irregular waves and hazards that need avoiding. More difficult maneuvering required but routes are normally obvious. Scouting from shore is occasionally required.
Class 4
Very Difficult: Large rapids that require careful maneuvering. Dangerous hazards. Scouting from shore is often necessary and rescue is difficult. Kayakers should be able to roll. Turbulent water and large irregular waves may flip rafts. In the event of a mishap there is significant risk of loss damage and/or injury.
Class 5
Extremely Difficult: Difficulties of class 5 carried out to the extreme of navigability. Might possibly (but not probably) be run by a team of experts at the right water level, in the right conditions with all possible safety precautions, but still with considerable hazard to life.
Class 6
Extremely difficult but can be run by extremely Rafters exports.
Arun River Rafting
The Arun is respected as one of the most mighty and powerful rivers of Nepal. The lower valley is in parts quite well populated with a wide variety of different tribes. The whole area is relatively un-spoilt, and sees only a few trekking groups, mainly taking the Eastern approach to Everest and Makalu Base Camp. Read more........
Karnali River Rafting
The river lies on the far west from Kathmandu. The rafters run through narrow gorges having challenging rapids. The biggest & longest river in Far West Nepal, starting and ending at Kathmandu, 3 to +4 graded Moderate River.
The Karnali, Nepal's mightiest river, descends through the Himalayas in the series of magnificent gorges. It drains most of the far west of Nepal. It is called "Wild West". Read more................
Seti River Rafting
2 days tour. Starting from Kathmandu or Pokhara and ending at Chitwan. Normal graded river good for beginners. Less crowded by tourists. The seti is an excellent 2 days trip in an isolated area. Where beautiful jungle, plenty of easy rapids and fantastic Himalayan scenery. The river is an excellent for beginners, intermediate, learners and family trips. Read more.......
Trishuli River Rafting
It is one of the most popular rivers for the rafters having easy access by road along its major part. It runs between Kathmandu and Pokhara. It is about 3 hours drive to the west from Kathmandu where the rafting can be easily managed to end at a place where a wildlife tour begins in Chitwan. Over 250 species of birds are found around the river. The river flows through grain fields and villages to the surrounding hills. Read more..........
5 days tour from Kathmandu or Pokhara. 4+ graded river in Middle West Nepal for steep blows expedition. Narrow and a rocky river, it is a four days run through uninterrupted water, which lies to the western part of Nepal. "Steep and challenging" Marshyangdi means "Raging River" in the local dialect and this aptly describes one of the best white water running in the world through continuous, exhilarating white water and Great Mountain scenery. Read more.......................
Sun Koshi River Rafting
Sunkoshi rafting starts from Baseri (dolalghat) and end at Chatara, requiring 08 to 09 days. Baseri is 3 hours drive from Kathmandu to the east. Among many advantages of a long river trip, one is a pleasant diversity of things within a short span of time with a chance to see 250 different species of orchids and 400 species of birds available around the basin. 4-5 graded Wild River in east Nepal. Challenging one. Tour not recommended in the months February to April. Read more..........
Bhote Koshi River Rafting
Bhote Koshi lies to the east of Kathmandu where the rafters experience rafting through a veritable maze of canyons and boulders. 2 days tour from Kathmandu to Kathmandu. One of the wildest rafting river, Steep blows. Starting near from the Nepal-Tibet border.
A beautiful mountain river, Nepal's shortest and wild river for your limited time or desire of white water running. Read more................
Kaligandaki River Rafting
Starting and ending at Pokhara, west Nepal. 3-5 hours rafting every day. 4 graded river. Classic and moderate rafting tour.
Nepal's medium length river trip, turbulent rapids, slow drifting, white water, world's deepest gorges, rich wildlife, historical and feeling of remoteness.. Read more...................
The Tamur and its tributaries drain the snows of Kanchenjunga third highest peak in the world. The river is the sixth largest river in Nepal and seems to have a feeling of thrusting power and of being constrained by its valley sides. Tamur and its tributaries have a steep gradient and are probably only of interest to expedition kayakers. Read more..........
Tamur River River Rafting
Summary of the ' Best Rafting in Nepal '
Best long, white water trips, 'World classics'
Karnali, Tamur, and Sun Koshi
Best rivers for wildlife and fishing
Bheri, Karnali
Best 3-6 day white water trips
Marshyangdi, Kali Gandaki, Arun
Best 4-12 day easy water trips
Kali Gandaki, Bheri
Best 1-3 day white water trips
Trisuli, Bhote Koshi, lower Tamur
Best 1-3 day easy water trips
Sun Koshi, Seti
Best combined trekking & rafting trips
Tamur and Marshyangdi
Best budget trips
Sun Koshi, Kali Gandaki, Trisuli
Best Family trips
Sun Koshi, Seti. Trisuli
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