Rafting and Kayaking |
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Nepal; one of the best places in the world for rafting and kayaking, its mountain scenery has drawn trekkers as well as climbers for many years; these same mountains shape an incredible variety of whitewater challenges for paddlers.
Bhote Koshi:
The normal run is from around 95 kilometers northeast of Kathmandu on the dam at Lamosangu. The Bhote Koshi is one of the best short raft trips to be found anywhere in the world. The Bhote Koshi is the steepest river rafted in Nepal-technically and totally committing. The rapids are steep and continual class four with a lot of continual class three in between. At high flows several of the rapids become solid class five and consequence of any mistakes become serious.
Kali Gandaki: This is one of the holiest rivers in Nepal, and every junction on the Kali Gandaki is dotted with cremation sites and above ground burial mounds. The Kali Gandaki is an excellent alternative to the Trisuli. The rapids on Kali Gandaki are much more technical and continual than on the Trisuli. It's fun and challenging river with rapids that will keep you busy for three days.
Marshyangdi: The Marshyangdi is one of the best white water runs in the world. If you are looking for a four- to five days trip with lots of demanding white water and great mountains scenery, the Marshyangdi is hard to beat. It's pretty much solid white water. Rapids are steep, technical and consecutive, making the Marshyangdi a serious undertaking. Sun Koshi: This is the longest river trip in Nepal; traversing 270 kilometers through the beautiful Mahabharat Range on it's meandering way from Dolalghat to Chatara, which is far down on the Gangetic plains. Sun Koshi is considered being one of the world's great 10 classic river journeys. Karnali: Being the longest and largest river in all of Nepal, the Karnali drains huge and well-developed catchments. The Karnali is a gem, combining a short trek with some of the prettiest canyons and jungle scenery in Nepal. Most experienced river people who have boated the Karnali find it one of the best all-round river trips they have ever done. Tamur: The Tamur combines one of the best short treks in Nepal with some really challenging white water action. Most expeditions begin with a stunning a weeklong trek from Basantapur up over the Milke Danda Range to Dovan. Best time to raft the Tamur is probably when flows are at medium, which is between mid-October to mid-November. |
Terry Banks (TF Banks, 74 Justin Drive, Sorrento 6020, Western Australia )
Diana Kelly (New Zealand)
