Nepal is one of the most exciting destinations for adventure sport. Seventy percent of Nepal’s total land mass is mountains; therefore, Nepal is a wonderful destination for trekking and mountain expeditions. Nepal is second to Brazil in fresh water resource. That’s whys Nepal is a haven for water based adventure sports such as rafting, kayaking and canoeing. Source of most of the rivers in Nepal are the Himalayas, so they are very steep, and full of white water rapids.
There are many rivers in Nepal opened for rafting, kayaking and canoeing. Here are the best ten river routes in Nepal.
Rafting and Kayaking Routes in Eastern Nepal
Tamur
Distance: 120 Km
Duration: 12 days
Cost: $700-$800
Transport: 5 hours drive from Biratnagar. Biratnagar is 45 minutes flight from Kathmandu.
Tamur River is in eastern Nepal that runs in the foothills of Mount Kanchenjunga. The trip includes a three-day trekking. You will get an opportunity to see the Nepali wilderness.
Sun Kosi
Distance: 270km
Duration: 9 days
Cost: $350-$450
Transport: 3 hours drive from Kathmandu
Sun Kosi has class 2 and class 3 rapids and is the longest rafting route in Nepal. The river runs through hills called Mahabharata Range. The trip starts near Tibetan boarder and ends near Indian boarder. This one of the easiest river trips in Nepal that gives you magnificent experience.
Rafting Routes in Central Nepal
Trisuli
Distance: 40m
Duration: 2 days
Cost: $100 (approx.)
Transport: 2 hours drive from Kathmandu
Trisuli is the most popular short rafting trip. The rapids along this river route are class 2 and class 3, but during the rainy season it can culminate to class 4. At the end of rafting and kayaking, you can campsite on the white sandy beach, and visit Pokhara, a city famous for the mountain that looks like fish tail shape.
Bhote Kosi
Distance: 18km
Duration: 2 days
Cost: $120 (approx.)
Transport: 3 hours drive from Kathmandu
Bhote Kosii is near Tibetan boarder. It is not only the best short raft/kayak trip in Nepal, but also one of the world’s best rafting and kayaking destinations. On the deep gorge of Bhote Kosi you can also bungee jump. The river in many places has class 5 rapids.
Upper Sun Kosi
Distance: 20km
Duration: 2 days
Cost: $100 (approx.)
Transport: 2 hours drive from Kathmandu
Upper Sun Kosi can be an easy alternate to Bhote Kosi. It has class 3 white water rapids. It is also a good destination for learner kayak clinics.
Rafting and Kayaking Routes in Western Nepal
Seti
Distance: 32km
Duration: 2 days
Cost: $150-$200
Transport: Half an hour drive from Pokhara. Pokhara is 30 minutes flight from Kathmandu.
Seti River is very ideal for learners. It has class 2 and class 3 rapids. Kayak clinics are very popular in Seti. At many places, the river rises up making the rafting and kayaking very challenging.
Kali Gandaki
Distance: 90km
Duration: 3 days
Cost: $130-$170
Transport: 2 hours from Pokhara.
The add-on of this rafting trip is Chitwan National Park, where you can see one-horned rhinoceros. The river runs through deep gorges giving spectacular views of villages and temples along the way.
Marsyandi
Distance: 27km
Duration: 4 days
Cost: $230-$260
Transport: 5 hours drive from Kathmandu
Marsynadi is called raging river. It is very steep. Annapurna Circuit trek starts little away from Marsyandi River. It offers white water rafting and kayaking.
Karnali
Distance: 180km
Duration: 10 days
Cost: $500 (approx.)
Transport: 4 hours drive from Nepaljung. Nepaljung is one hour flight from Kathmandu.
Karnali is the longest and the largest river in Nepal. The river is famous for dolphins. The trip includes 7 days rafting. You can end your trip with a visit to Bardia National park, where you can see Royal Bengal Tiger. The river runs along the canyons and waterfalls.
Bheri
Distance: 15km
Duration: 1 day
Cost: $120 (approx.)
Transport: 4 hours drive from Nepaljung
Bheri runs along the jungle and hills in western Nepal. Rafting on Bheri gives add-on with a visit to Bardiya National Park. You can see plenty of wildlife along the way. Bheri gives you an opportunity for fishing.
For me, I would choose Trisuli because it is popular short rafting. Rafting and kayaking are really not my kinds of sports. But if I’ve traveled all the way to Nepal, I’m not leaving until I go water rafting. LOL.