River Rafting Information
Rafting means cruising down the gushing waters of river in an inflatable rubber raft or kayak over roaring waves and swirling fast-moving water using paddles.
Rafting guide:
We have a team of highly experienced English speaking rafting guides professionally trained and thoroughly versed in topography and nature of River. They have absolute expertise on white water rafting, swift water rescue with emergency wilderness first aid Kit Box.
Team composition:
We operate Nepal rafting trips for private team of your friends and family so you can enjoy your private trip without having to deal and confront with others people with different interests and attitude. Normally, we put 6-8 people including rafting guide in a raft Boat.
Cost of the trip:
The rafting cost will be quoted depend on your requirement as well as size of group for mentioned River and its duration. If there is large size group then cost will be very less quoted and if small group then cost will be a bit higher.
River Raft Cost usually includes:
- Transportation to the put in point and back from the take out point by private coach or vehicle.
- All 3 major meals Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner (provide continental food) and accommodation in tented camp during the rafting en-route. (twin sharing North Face tent or, normal trekking tent, dining tent, toilet tent, Kitchen tent, staff tent, Table, chairs and Kitchen utensil etc.).
- All necessary safety and rafting equipments such as paddle, life Jacket, Helmet and rescue stuff.
- Daily wages for crews with their life insurance.
- River raft permit etc.
Cost does not include:
- Arrival land transportation by private vehicle, local and Reserve Bus (Airport/Hotel/Airport pick up & drop). (Personal transportation except rafting programs).
- Hotel Accommodation & major meals breakfast, lunch and dinner during your stay in Kathmandu.
- Personal clothes and rafting gears such as sun glass, Cap, T-short, Swimming costumes and other necessary stuff.
- Personal Nature expenses.
- Emergency evacuation (If incase need Helicopter).
- Drinks except tea and coffee.
- Airfare: To & from your country.
- Nepal entry visa fees & airport departure taxes.
- Personal travel insurance.
- Tips for support crew’s after the trip.
Transportation to/from put-in/put-out point:
We will arrange the vehicles of all types and sizes, from small two-seater luxury cars to large capacity luxury tourist coaches. 4WD Land cruisers are used in difficult and muddy road trips. Size and type of vehicle depend on size of your group. We use two-seater car for 1-2 persons, micro luxury 6-seater van for 3-5 persons, 10-seater van for 6-9 persons and tourist coach or coaster for group size above 10 persons. Our drivers are specially trained to serve in the hospitality industry. The vehicles are checked carefully before assigning to your service.
Best month for rafting and Kayaking:
Best time for rafting is from March to May and September to November. Temperature can get colder in January and February ranging from 7° to 20° C. For rest of the month, temperature remains minimum 18° to maximum 30° C. Monsoon rafting can be arranged on Trishuli River.
Classification of Rivers:
Maintaining the highest standard of safety and service, river trips have been classified in accordance to status of water flow, rapids and remoteness.
CLASS I Easy: Small rapids, fast moving water with riffles and small waves, few obstructions, minimal risk to swimmers and possibility of self-rescue.
CLASS II Novice: Gentle straightforward rapids with wide and clear channels and slight maneuvering required.
CLASS III Moderate: Exciting rapids with irregular waves and hazards, strong eddies and current and skilled maneuvering required.
CLASS IV Very difficult: Raging rapids, powerful maneuvering required and turbulent water flow.
CLASS V Extremely difficult: Long and very violent rapids with several hazards, unavoidable waves and holes or steep, congested chutes with complex demanding routes, high degree of danger to swimmers, expertise and reliable high quality equipments required for safe passage.
CLASS VI -Unburnable: Extremely difficult rapids, high chances of death and destruction of equipments and very slim chances of rescue.
NAME OF RIVERS CLASS:
- Trishuli II+ to IV
- Seti III
- Arun IV
- Sunkoshi IV+
- Tamakoshi V TO V+
- Tamor IV to IV+
- Kali Gandaki IV to V
- Karnali IV+ to V
- Marshyangdi IV+ to V
- Bhotekoshi V
- Bheri III+
Duration of Rafting:
Generally, rafting hours is 4-5 hours a day. In case, rafting trip is extended for more than a day, the rafting hours will automatically be more. Durations and rafting highlights are mentioned in all our detailed itineraries. Relevant tips/information will be briefed to you before you embark on any of our trips.
A typical day on the River:
We usually start our day after thorough briefings on the safety measures by river guide. Generally, we raft for 4-5 hours a day. Around mid day after we have our share of glorious rafting experience with the challenging rapids, we stop for lunch at sandy beach. In a multi-day trip, we set up a camp by riverside. Once we arrive at camping site, we can wander around nearby locality or simply relax basking in the splendor of nature. Camping overnight by riverside gives us time and opportunity to share our views, feeling and experiences under an open sky of sparking stars.
Meals and drinking water during Rafting:
For a river trip exceeding more than a day, breakfast, dinner and lunch will be served at a campsite including tea, coffee and snacks. A team of cook and kitchen staff prepare healthy and nutritious meals under strict hygienic procedure. Boiled and treated water shall be supplied to you before you board the raft.
Meals and accommodation in Kathmandu:
We have specially negotiated rates a range of hotels, we can offer the best deal to suit your every budget and preference. If you also book your hotel with us in Kathmandu breakfast is usually included in our package cost. In Kathmandu plenty of best and quality restaurants serve Nepali, oriental and continental dishes. We are able to recommend good one depending on your taste preference. A good continental lunch or dinner at a good restaurant approximately does costs USD 13-15.
Clothing and Equipment:
You are required to bring some shirts, T-shirts, socks, hat, suntan lotion, sunglasses with string, river shoes or flip-flop, flashlight, personal medication, couple of shorts and pants for the evening and morning, a sweeter or a jacket. Company provides raft (number of raft depends on size of group), safety devices, sleeping bags, mattress tents and kitchenettes.
Safety:
Cultural Treks always regard safety of rafters as utmost priority. Prior to venturing into a rafting trip, rafters are thoroughly briefed about the safety measures and rafting guidelines. A rafting trip is piloted by a river guide professionally trained in emergency wilderness first aid and swift-water rescue. Rafters venture into a river trip with safety jackets, flotation devices, helmets and river-friendly clothes. We use high quality inflatable rubber raft capable of giving extraordinary performance, agility, stability and maneuverability. Our rafts can swift through the wildest and strongest of waves and guarantee hundred percent safeties.
Meeting/airport transfers:
In all our packaged trips featured in this site, airport pick up and drop are included. You have to mention your flight detail (Airlines name and arrival time in Kathmandu) while booking any trip with us. One of our tour officers and driver meet and greet you at the airport; escort you to your hotel and brief you about your further activities in detail, collect your flight tickets for reconfirmation and deliver back them later. After your trip is over you will be transferred back to the airport in time to catch your flight back home.
Tipping:
Though optional, a small amount of tipping is appreciated by your guide and driver after their good services. Where restaurant meals are involved, the tipping is usually 10% of the bill.
Extension or side trips:
In addition to your trek, we can organize extensions both within Nepal and other neighboring countries. You may want to combine any rafting trip with a jungle safari in Nepal or Cultural Tours. May be a trip to Tibet, India or Bhutan appeals. Whatever it is or wherever it is, we can make all the arrangements for you.
Disclaimer/booking/payment:
Please visit our ‘booking condition’ section of this website.
