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 and emergency wilderness first aid.

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.

Cost of the trip:

The cost of each trip depends on duration of trip and group size, the higher the group size lower is the cost. Cost usually includes: All full board camping service and transportation to the put in point and back from the take out point by private coach, all safety equipment etc. Cost does not include: alcoholic beverages, personal clothing, expenses of personal nature and insurance.

Transportation to/from put-in/put-out point

We have a fleet of mostly Japanese made Toyota 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 hospitability 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 from 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 & 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 manoeuvring required.

CLASS III: Moderate. Exciting rapids with irregular waves and hazards, strong eddies and current and skilled manoeuvring required.

CLASS IV: Very difficult. Raging rapids, powerful manoeuvring 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: Unrunnable. 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 
Karnali: III to V 
Seti: III 
Bheri: III+ 
Arun: IV 
Sunkoshi: IV+ 
Tamor: IV to IV+ 
Kali Gandaki: IV to V 
Marshyangdi: IV+ to V 
Bhotekoshi: V 
Tamakoshi: V TO V+

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 multiday 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 & 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 & accommodation in Kathmandu

We have specially negotiated rates of a range of hotels. We can offer the best deal to suit your budget and preference. If you 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 costs USD 10-15.

Clothing & 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 & kitchenettes.

Safety

Explore Himalaya 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 manoeuvrability. Our rafts can swift through the wildest and strongest of waves and guarantee hundred percent safety.

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 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. Tipping is usually of 5-10% of your total cost.

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 Nepal Cultural Tours. Maybe a trip to Tibet, India or Bhutan appeals you. Whatever it is or wherever it is, we can make all the arrangements for you.