- Cultural Treks & Expedition
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From easy drifting rivers to great white water Challenges
The Marshyangdi is the mother of all rivers, in the local dialect, it means ‘raging one’ and rage it does! it is steep, powerful, and not to be underestimated. It has some of the wildest commercially run white water in the world. This river has reputation amongst rafters as one of the best due to both the intensity of the rapids and the awe-inspiring mountain scenery. Unlike some of the lower rivers, the Marshyangdi is usually a clear turquoise blue. The rapids wrap themselves around weirdly sculptured boulders and flow beneath impossible undercuts as the river drops down out of the Annapurnas. If you ever see a group of wizened river rats drowning in a bar you may hear the Marshyangdi described as an Adrenaline overload, Most beautiful river I have ever done, Orgasmic, a Jewel of a river or Liquid madness!
It may be a dream whiter water run, but it is a logistical nightmare. Even still, our guides fight amongst themselves for the honor of running it. The huge boulders require instinctive and Expert River reading skills to identify the right lines. The rapids are so continuous and technical that we run the rafts empty for greater maneuverability. In true Nepali style, we employ porters to carry our gear. Don’t worry, still manage to squeeze on board our extensive first aid kit and the exceptional Cultural Treks lunch box.
Blue River, white water: 6 Days
River Grade: IV-IV+
To – From: Kathmandu – Kathmandu.
Total River Distance: 55 kms.
To Put – in: 1 day drive + 1½ day trek
From Take –out (P.M. day 6): 5.5hrs.
In the early morning, we move towards the bus station to catch schedule bus to Besisahar. We reach there about 1700hrs and check-in local hotel or tent. Dinner is served at 8pm.
After having breakfast we start trekking with porters to Nagdi. Lunch is served en-route and camping in Nagdi.
Breakfast is served at 08:00am. As soon as we have our breakfast, we get ready for adventures rafting. Lunch is served at 1200hrs and camping at Bhoteodar.
Today the river eases a little but we still have to make it through the Shark’s Teeth and try not to get hung up on the bone cracking boulder placed nastily in the middle of it. Let your mind drift as we wind through narrow gorges and towering cliffs. Then it’s time to wake up for a series of tight rapids and nasty undercuts that will funnel you right into the tortuous and chew Kiwi Cupcake. A few more rapids and its lunch time at the Shiva temple. It is river legend that two Kayakers from Manchester were found camped here having given up paddling and taken up religion – may be post traumatic river disorder. All as done before and camping at Turture.
Today get ready for another series for class 4 rapids. Watch out for the house size rock in the middle, which forms a terminal hole. All of a sudden around a bend we come across golden sandstone cliffs and our lunch stop, Leopard Beach, so called after Leopard prints were found there. This afternoon the river widens and becomes class 3+. Relax and admire the scenery, the bird life and local fisherman. The sad signal to the end of our adventure is the suspension bridge at Bimalnagar and the first sight of the main road. Then it’s all aboard for Kathmandu and the nearest bar to wax lyrical about the best river in the world.
