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Rafting in Nepal
Sun Koshi
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Tamur |
Bhote Koshi l
Kali Gandaki l
Karnali l
Trisuli
Bhote
Koshi
Bhote
Koshi flows from Tibet (the roof of the world)
crosses the Great Himalayas of northeastern Nepal,
and ultimately combines with the Indrawati River at
Dolalghat to form the Sunkoshi river. Bhot is the
Nepalese term for Tibet. Since this river flows from
Tibet, it is known as Bhote Koshi. The river is
followed by the Arniko Highway from Kathmandu to
Lhasa, so access and scouting are relatively easy.
Itinerary
From : Baseri (95 km)
To : Lamoshanghu Dam
Distance : 18km
River Days : 2
River Grade : 4-5
Best Season : Nov-Dec, Mar-May
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Day 01 |
Drive six hours to Baseri.
After lunch start rafting continuous
whitewater rapids to Barhabise. Return
Baseri by bus and camp |
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Day 02 |
Rafting the Bhote Koshi
River class 4 rapids and finish at
Lamoshanghu Dam. Drive back to Kathmandu |
Summary
: For the first time rafters, a day trip can be
recommended to this river. The river contains blue
water, beautiful scenery and greening white water
beaches.
Top
Kali
Gandaki
 very
few groups have rafted the Kali Gandaki compared to
Trisuli river and all who have rafted it speak
highly of it. If Kali Gandaki is compared with other
popular rafting trips it could best be said to be
something like shorter Sun Kosi trip - perhaps
slightly easier white water, fine scenery, wildlife
and an unspoilt valley. It makes a pleasant
alternative to a Trisuli trip.
The new
road built from Pokhara to Baglung few years ago has
dramatically improved access to this river. The
put-in and take-out are roughly 3 hours and halfday
from Pokhara. True connoisseurs of river exploration
will want to exted the rafting trip and continue on
below Ramdi down the lower part of the Kali gandaki,
into the Narayani and down to Chitwan National Park (because this lower
section is easier and different in character). A 5
days' itinerary outlined herebelow is recomended:
Itinerary
From : Nayapur, Kusma
Rafting
To : Ramdi Ghat
Distance : 76km
River Days : 5
River Grade : 5
Best Season : Late September, April-May
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Day 01 |
09.00 Hrs: Drive
from Pokhara to raft put-in point at Nayapul
which takes about 3 hours and one can enjoy
stunning views of Annapurna, Dhaulagiri peak
as well as the sacred "Fish-tail"
Machhapuchhre throughout the drive. Upon
arrival at Nayapul, lunch will be served and
full safety briefing will be given by the
expedition leader.
The first rapids we run are "Refund" and
"The Evil One" soon after the confluence
with the Modi Khola river we will choose our
beach campsite. |
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Day 02 |
After breakfast,
once rafts are ready we start down the river
for a full of white water, during which you
will see magnificent view of Annapurna I and
Himalchuli. Along this part of the river,
vines and lush vegatation hang from the
cliff faces through which small waterfalls
ran with our safety kayakers in position,
you will negotiate numerous exciting rapids
before a welcome lunch break. Our campsite
this evening will be at sandy beach. |
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Day 03 |
After breakfast,
soon after getting on the water, we arrive
at the holy village of Seti Beni. Here the
river has deposited a house-sized boulder at
the confluence with a smaller tributary
sincce confluences are considered holy
places in the Hindu religion. This boulder
has become an important shrine to the local
people.
A clean run through Seti Beni and then we
hit a rapid called "Jungle Corridor". The
river narrows through this remote gorge
providing many thrilling drops and turns to
challenge the rafting crews. In the
afternoon "Tombstone" rapid looms on the
horizon. We will choose our campsite. |
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Day 04 |
After breakfast, we pass through the middle
section of the Kali Gandaki. The river
looses its gradient. The rapids are replaced
by long coin pools and some small riffles.
This
provides a nice relaxing day where you can
loung in the raft and enjoy the scenery.
Then a quick supply stop at Ridi Bazar at
approximately midday is followed by an easy
float down to our beach campsite. |
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Day 05 |
This last day we run
the largest rapid in the river "A Walk In
The Dark". A large landslide fell into the
river, creating this roller coaster rapid. |
Many other
smaller drops are negotiated before arriving at the
Ramdi Ghat road bridge and our take-out point. After
lunch, equipment is loaded into the bus and we begin
a scenic drive back to Pokhara or Kathmandu.
Summary : A
magnificent white water trip, one of the best in the
world, with approximately 130 rapids in 120km. The
river flows through a beautiful and unspoilt valley
and the trek to the start is one of the most scenic
in Nepal. |
