| Nepal isn't just a trekker's paradise it's also a paradise | | | | dammed, but the part above the dam is without a |
| for whitewater rafting enthusiasts. | | | | doubt one of Nepal's best river journeys. The villages |
| If you stop and think about it for a moment this | | | | along the river are seldom-visited and provide a true |
| really shouldn't come as much of a surprise. Sooner | | | | insight into the culture of the area. There is abundant |
| or later the snow from at least the lower elevations | | | | wildlife along the banks and the sand carried by the |
| of Nepal's grand mountains has to melt and when it | | | | river has been deposited along the bends making |
| does it has to flow somewhere. Eons of melting | | | | lovely sandy beaches. |
| water have carved deep canyons and valleys. | | | | Of course it's not all about the scenery, Kali Gandaki |
| A mixture of spectacular mountain views, twisting | | | | rapids are highly technical and continuous and paddlers |
| canyons and white-sand beaches set the scene for | | | | are never left with enough time to get bored. A |
| trips down Nepal's rivers. The rivers themselves run | | | | three-day trip the river provides a great combination |
| from mild and meandering to rushing and roaring with | | | | of drops, chutes and churning rapids all of which are |
| rapids all the way up to class V. Four of the best of | | | | class III to IV+ during the fall and spring seasons. |
| Nepal's whitewater rafting rivers include the Trisuli, | | | | The Marshyangdi |
| the Bhote Koshi, Kali Gandaki and the Marshyangdi. | | | | Just one trip down the Marshyangdi and you'll come |
| The Trisuli: | | | | to appreciate the meaning of name, which translates |
| Due to its easy access from Katmandu and Pokhara, | | | | into "Raging River" in one of the local dialects. The |
| lovely valleys and deep gorges, and a mixture of | | | | Nepalese government only recently opened the |
| both thrilling rapids and milder sections the Trisuli is | | | | Marshyangdi and this in itself adds a special air to this |
| Nepal's most popular river. Nepal's rafting is no longer | | | | trip. |
| undiscovered and the popularity of the Trisuli means | | | | If you choose to go on this trip you'll find solid, |
| that the river can be crowded and the beaches well | | | | steep, technical and continuous rapids. It truly is a |
| used during the height of rafting season. The secret | | | | serious undertaking, but if you're looking for a |
| is to run it during monsoon season. Heck you're going | | | | demanding, thrilling river this is it. |
| to be wet anyway so what's a "little" rain. The ironic | | | | Choosing a Commercial Rafting Company: |
| thing is that when the river is at its best, high and | | | | When whitewater is exploding all around you and |
| wild, most rafters are nowhere to be found. Take | | | | you're being tossed about the boat you realize that |
| the plunge and do the Trisuli during monsoon season, | | | | the one thing that really matters most at that |
| it'll no doubt be the most exciting thing you can do in | | | | moment is the quality of your guide. Does he or she |
| Nepal. | | | | have the experience to get you through safely? If |
| The Bhote Koshi: | | | | so, your in for a delightfully exhilarating ride, but if not |
| Rises from high Tibet, which is also called Bhot, and | | | | things could become scary very quickly. Make sure to |
| tumbles into Nepal through spectacular valleys. The | | | | find out how experienced the company's guides are |
| fourteenth-highest mountain in the world is | | | | and especially how experienced your guide is. Ask |
| Shishapangma and it is from Shishapangma's glaciers | | | | about their credentials and where they got them. |
| that the water which carves a steep flows into | | | | Equipment is another big factor in your safety. Take |
| streams that for a 46km run, which ends at the | | | | a look at the boats of the company and the boat |
| Lamosunga Dam. At high flows the rapids are class | | | | you'll be in. It should look sturdy and in good condition. |
| IV-V, with V being the upper end of the scale. At | | | | Modern whitewater rafts have a good amount of |
| lower levels the rapids still offer fun class III rapids. | | | | rocker on both ends and the boat your in should too. |
| Often described as continuous the Bhote Koshi fulfills | | | | Self bailing boats (boats that allow water to flow out |
| the dreams of adrenaline seekers. | | | | from the floor when it comes in over the side) are a |
| Hardly anyone walks away from a trip down the | | | | great idea in big water. Some quality rafting |
| Bhote Koshi without commenting that it was the ride | | | | manufactures include Avon, Maravia, and Sotar all of |
| of a life time and that goes for experienced rafters | | | | which build boats that have multiple air chambers |
| as well as first-timers. | | | | which is a must for safe equipment. |
| Kali Gandaki: | | | | In addition to your guide many companies will send |
| On the northern side of the Himalyan range is | | | | along a safety kayaker or two. These people can be |
| Mustang, and this is where the Kali Gandaki, named | | | | invaluable at helping you if you get tossed out of the |
| for the Hindu goddess Kalie, begins. On of the world's | | | | boat, so look for a company that provides them. |
| deepest river canyons has been carved by the Kali | | | | The right river, in the right country with the right |
| Gandaki which runs down between the Dhaulagiri and | | | | company is a sure recipe for a once in a lifetime |
| Annapurna ranges. | | | | experience that you will always look back on and |
| Sadly the lower portion of this river has been | | | | treasure. |
