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Best period
Nepal's climate is dictated by the monsoon, which starts in
June & usually ends by late September. The best time for
rafting are late September to early December & March to early
June. From mid-October onwards the weather is settled and this
is one of the most popular time to go rafting as the monsoon
is over and everything is very green. Rivers are moderately
high but with dropping levels creating more rapids as autumn
wears on. Temperatures too are comfortably warm and skies
clear with fine mountain views. The winter months from late
December through to early February are cold, but skies are
clear & river levels are low. From late February through to
early April is also a good time for river running - river
levels are reliably low and air temperatures warm. From June
to August the monsoon rains arrive and the rivers swell making
rafting a risky proposition.
Grading System
There are many different types of river rafting in Nepal. It
is important to select the type of trips that suits the
clients’ interest and ability. Any raft with an oar frame, the
river guide normally sits in the middle and rows while
passengers relax and enjoy the scenery. With a paddle raft the
guide normally sits at the back calling instructions and
steering, while the crew provides the power. A good teamwork
is very important while rafting.
Rivers here are graded from one to six with one as an
easy-moving water with few obstacles and six being considered
nearly impossible to negotiate and hazardous. Anyone who is in
reasonable physical shape and not afraid of water can safely
go rafting on rivers with grading from one to three. One is
considered as easy, two as moderate and three as moderately
difficult. Four is considered to be challenging. From four to
six participants should be very fit, confident and have some
rafting experience.
Few useful
information:
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a. |
The
clients should select the type of trips that suits their
interest & ability only as per the river levels &
difficulty. |
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b. |
They should check to see that end loops and leash is
adequate before pushing off. This makes it easier to
keep a good hold on the boat when negotiating big rapida
and also in the event of rescue |
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c. |
When participants accidentally fall into a rapid, they
should try not to panic. They should hold onto their
paddle, which makes them more visible. They should try
to float on their back, with the feet downstream.
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d. |
Due to space
constraint on the raft, we highly suggest clients to
minimize their belongings as much as possible. |
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e. |
Valuables like
gold ornaments, passport, air tickets, documents etc;
should be left behind in the hotel locker in Kathmandu.
Even credit cards are not necessary unless they will be
proceeding on to Pokhara or Chitwan after the river
trip. A little extra money will be required incase they
prefer to have a drink in the evening or buy small
souvenir. |
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f. |
Other expensive
items like camera, watch; etc are to be deposited with
the river guide, who will place them in a watertight
container. |
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g. |
During the river
trip, it is adviseable to wear shorts, T- shirts & shoes
without socks. A spare set of dry clothing is to be
ready after the end of the trip to change into for the
evening. Spectacles or sunglasses are to be tied behind
in order to prevent them from being swept away in a
rapid. Sun cream together with a good sun-hat is also a
must. A small towel to dry off after a spell of white
water rapid can be also handy. |
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h. |
During the trip clients must wear the provided life
jacket & helmet properly at all the times. They should
check with the guide before taking them off. Their
feet and arms should be kept inside the raft all times.
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i. |
On
calm stretches of the river, they can have a swim but
they must get permission from the guide before diving
into the water. Our river guide is an expert and he
knows the river intimately. Hence his instructions are
to be followed without question. The participant should
always be
a team person. |
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j. |
Lunches are
usually cold consisting of sandwiches, salads & cheese
and fresh fruit. This will be eaten on the trip on a
suitable river beach. Dinner is buffet style without
chairs & will consist of stew, brown bread & dessert. On
longer trips a Nepalese menu consisting of rice,
lentils, vegetables may be provided. Breakfast & dinner
are usually laid buffet style on a table with self
-service. Chairs & tables for meals are not provided on
rafting trips. |
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k. |
A flash light is a
must for that late night visit to the toilet tent or the
trip back to the tent in the evening. We recommend
bringing own sleeping bags. Mattresses are provided by
us on the trip but the clients must ensure that all the
belongings are secured & inside the tent. Nothing should
be left lying on the beach, either during lunch or on
overnight stops. |
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l. |
In the winter, evenings can be quite cold and breezy.
Hence, warm sweaters and jackets are necessary. In
summer, the riversides are warm hence only light
clothing is required.
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