Rafting information in Nepal

Whitewater Rafting in Nepal:

Whatever your desire for adventure, it is easy to find the perfect river in Nepal. With a wide range of difficulties from a gentle 1-day float down the Treshuli river, Seti river, to an exhilarating 10-day adventure through the rapids of the remote Tamur, Arun and Karnali, there is an experience for everyone waiting in Nepal's famous white waters. Nepal's rivers change with the seasons. Each year, after the heavy monsoon rains the waters swell, changing the run of the rivers and the nature of the rapids. New rapids are created, others become more difficult and some simply impossible to navigate. It is important to remember that some of the white water action you are about to read about could have changed by the time you come to run the river. At MRR we are constantly monitoring changes in the rivers and their rapids, so that we can always ensure the safety of our clients and plan expeditions with precision.

Best time for rafting: September to early December and March to early June are the best times to go rafting in Nepal. October being the most popular months for whitewater rafting. The Trishuli and Seti river are good for rafting even during the monsoon months.

Nepal has earned a reputation as one of the best destinations in the world for white water rafting. For the rafting purpose, rivers are graded on a scale of one to six depending on how wild they are. Four grades are considered to be quite challenging without being exceedingly dangerous to the novice rafter. Grade five requires some previous river experiences.

River Name & Days Best Season Grade* Water Flow Departure Date
Trushuli (1-3 DAYS) Sep - Dec 3+ 500-300 Every Day
  Jan - May 3 250-1100 Every Day
  Jun - Aug 3+ 1600-4800 Every Day

 

River Name & Days Best Season Grade* Water Flow Departure Date
Seti Khola (2 DAYS) Sep - Dec 3 1400 Twice a weeks
  Jan - May 2+   Twice a weeks
  Jun - Aug 2+   Twice a weeks

 

River Name & Days Best Season Grade* Water Flow Departure Date
Bhote Koshi (2 DAYS) Sep - Dec 4+ 30-170 Every Tuse/Sat
  Jan - May 4- 20-50 Every Tuse/Sat
  Jun - Aug 4+ 90-220 Every Tuse/Sat

 

River Name & Days Best Season Grade* Water Flow Departure Date
Kali Gandaki (3 DAYS) Sep - Dec 4- 60-550

Jan: 02,10,18,26,

Feb: 04,12,20,28

Mar: 02,12,18,28
  Jan - May 3+ 25-100 on request
  Jun - Aug 3+ 300-800 Not runable

 

River Name & Days Best Season Grade* Water Flow Departure Date
Marshyangdi (4-5 DAYS) Sep - Dec 5- 50-480 Jan: 05,10,24,28, Feb:06,12,18.24
Mar: 07,12,16.28
  Jan - May 4+ 30-100
  Jun - Aug NR 250-600

 

River Name & Days Best Season Grade* Water Flow Departure Date
Sun Koshi (8-9 DAYS) Sep - Dec 5 250-1700

Jan: 05,13,21,30,

Feb: 01,10,18,26

Mar: 02,11,20,29

 
  Jan - May 4+ 200-300 Jan to May every weeked
  Jun - Aug NR 700-2400 Not runable

 

River Name & Days Best Season Grade* Water Flow Departure Date
Karnali (10 DAYS) Sep - Dec 5 200-1300

Jan: 01. 21, 31

Feb: 02,12,22

Mar: 03,13,23
  Jan - May 4+ 150-430 on request
  Jun - Aug NR 700-1700 on request

 

River Name & Days Best Season Grade* Water Flow Departure Date
Arun (9 DAYS) Sep - Dec 5- 150-800 on request
  Jan - May 4 100-300 on request
  Jun - Aug NR 600-1100 on request

 

River Name & Days Best Season Grade* Water Flow Departure Date
Tamur (9 DAYS) Sep - Dec 5 90-750 on request
  Jan - May 5- 40-200 on request
  Jun - Aug NR 500-950 on request

Grading System

Class 1 Easy: Moving water with occasional small rapids. Few or no obstacles.
Class 2 Moderate: Small Rapids with regular waves. Some maneuvering required but easy to navigate.
Class 3 Difficult: Rapids with irregular waves and hazards that need avoiding. More difficult maneuvering required but routes are normally obvious. Scouting from shore is occasionally required.
Class 4 Very Difficult: Large rapids that require careful maneuvering. Dangerous hazards. Scouting from shore is often necessary and rescue is difficult. Kayakers should be able to roll. Turbulent water and large irregular waves may flip rafts. In the event of a mishap there is significant risk of loss damage and/or injury.
Class 5 Extremely Difficult: Difficulties of class 5 carried out to the extreme of navigability. Might possibly (but not probably) be run by a team of experts at the right water level, in the right conditions with all possible safety precautions, but still with considerable hazard to life.
Class 6 Extremely difficult but can be run by extremely Rafters exports.

*For consistencey river grades are taken from the guide book "Whitewater Nepal Book".