Once you think about Nepal, whitewater Rafting and Kayaking are certainly not the first things that spring into mind, at least it had not been for me. More likely images of Kathmandu, rice paddies, Everest and the mysterious Himalaya pop to your head. In order to imagine my surprise when I have got to Nepal and finished up rafting and kayaking more than Much!
When you arrive in Thamel or Pokhara (the principle touristy area’s in Nepal) you can find travel agencies all around us, and I immediately decided rafting was something I had to do in my amount of time in Nepal. The initial decision to produce is which river to go on. Nepal offers most of the worlds best rivers, which range from a gently flowing river with a of the fiercest whitewater on the globe. So determined by your experience and thirst for adrenaline, there’s most likely something for any person! The perfect times to go are between March-June or September-October; although trips will run all year round the water is going to be at its highest, fastest, and most exhilarating over these months.
Choosing a company to go with can establish somewhat tricky though! There are many travel agencies lining the streets, however, choosing one involving the other is practically impossible…They all offer virtually the identical prices, nearly exactly the same trips and promise local plumber you will ever have! However there are plenty of Rafting company in pokhara on the market, it’s actually a shame to state which might be just after your money. It is very important look for a registered company which have safety process in place. I ended up going with GRG’s Adventure Kayaking. Having met Maila, the company owner, a few times around Thamel I trusted that he would deliver what he promised, after a little bit of research I stumbled upon that he is currently the best Kayaker in Nepal, having only won the Himalayan Championship for the second time, I felt I had created made the correct decision and would be in safe hands.
Your journey for the river was amazing by itself. Taken from the valley you happen to be greeted by the more traditional lifestyle. Women working hard from the rice paddies of their saris, looking more glamorous than I can ever achieve! Children carrying their books on his or her heads walking along the highway to high school; Gorgeous mountains without anyone’s knowledge; Random Buffalo dotted throughout the scene to mention but a few things we were treated to on the journey to the river. After Couple of hours of staring hypnotised your window we arrive at a tiny village prepared for the rafting needs. There was a tiny shed (just like normally the one you can think of Mary and Joseph stumbling upon! ) to get changed in, toilets, tea, biscuits, water, all you have to prior to starting per day for the river!
When coming to first point, I realised I needed made the most suitable decision in using GRG’s. There have been about 20 rafts aligned and waiting to choose various companies and ours was the only person with any safety kayakers. You can view where GRG’s got their logo ‘SAFETY FIRST’ from!
And this is it, Maila along with the team got us all suited and booted in everyday life jackets, helmets, (depending on the weather, splash jackets were available) after a really informative safety talk we were off! Immediately greeted by our first rapid, aptly named ‘Good Morning’ as that first splash in your face and down your T-Shirt definitely awakens you!
For more information about kayak in pokhara resource: this.