Whenever you think about Nepal, whitewater Rafting and Kayaking aren’t the very first stuff that spring into mind, at least it had not been personally. Best rafting in pokhara of Kathmandu, rice paddies, Everest and the mysterious Himalaya pop into the head. So that you can imagine my surprise once i got a chance to Nepal and finished up rafting and kayaking in excess of Much!
When you in Thamel or Pokhara (the main touristy area’s in Nepal) you’ll find travel companies all over the place, and I immediately decided rafting was something I needed to do during my in time Nepal. The first decision to generate is which river to be on. Nepal offers many of the worlds best rivers, which range from a gently flowing river with a in the fiercest whitewater on the globe. So according to your experience and thirst for adrenaline, there’s most likely something for any person! The best times to go are between March-June or September-October; although trips will run throughout the year water is going to be at its highest, fastest, and a lot exhilarating over these months.
Selecting a company to match can show a little tricky though! There are many travel companies lining the streets, however, choosing one between the other is actually impossible…All of them offer virtually the same prices, nearly a similar trips and promise the best time of your life! However there are plenty of companies on the market, it’s really a shame to say that are immediately after your money. It is important to find a registered company that have safety process in place. I finished up going with GRG’s Adventure Kayaking. Having met Maila, the company owner, a couple of times around Thamel I trusted he would deliver what he promised, after doing some research I came across that he’s the best Kayaker in Nepal, having just won the Himalayan Championship for that second time, I felt I needed made the right decision and will be in safe hands.
Right onto your pathway on the river was amazing by itself. Taken from the valley you are greeted by a some life-style. Women working within the rice paddies within their saris, looking more glamorous than I possibly could ever achieve! Children carrying their books on the heads walking across the highway to school; Gorgeous mountains in the background; Random Buffalo dotted everywhere in the scene to name but a few things we saw on the journey for the river. After 2 hours of staring hypnotised out your window we arrive at a smaller village geared up for your rafting needs. There is a little shed (just like normally the one imagine Mary and Joseph stumbling upon! ) for you to get changed in, toilets, tea, biscuits, water, all that’s necessary before you begin every day on the river!
When arriving at the beginning point, I realised I needed made the perfect decision in using GRG’s. There are about 20 rafts lined up and waiting to match various companies and ours was the only person with any safety kayakers. You can observe where GRG’s got their logo ‘SAFETY FIRST’ from!
This also is it, Maila along with the team got people suited and booted in life jackets, helmets, (with regards to the weather, splash jackets were available) after an extremely informative safety talk i was off! Immediately greeted by our first rapid, aptly named ‘Good Morning’ as that first splash inside your face and down your T-Shirt definitely awakens you!
For more information about kayaking in pokhara check our site.