If you consider Nepal, whitewater Rafting and Kayaking usually are not the first items that spring into mind, well at least it was not to me. More inclined pictures of Kathmandu, rice paddies, Everest along with the mysterious Himalaya pop to your head. So that you can imagine my surprise while i got a chance to Nepal and ended up rafting and kayaking more than Much!
When you in Thamel or Pokhara (the key touristy area’s in Nepal) you’ll find travel agencies all over the place, and i also immediately decided rafting was something I needed to do within my in time Nepal. The very first decision to produce is which river to be on. Nepal offers lots of the worlds best rivers, starting from a gently flowing river for some in the fiercest whitewater on the globe. So according to your experience and thirst for adrenaline, there’s definitely something for any person! The best times to go are between March-June or September-October; although trips will run all year long the lake is going to be at its highest, fastest, and many exhilarating during these months.
Picking a company to choose can establish a lttle bit tricky though! There are plenty of travel agencies lining the streets, however, choosing one relating to the other is almost impossible…Each will offer virtually exactly the same prices, nearly a similar trips and promise the best time of your life! However there are tons of companies available, it’s actually a shame to express which might be immediately after your money. You will need to discover a registered company that have safety process in place. I ended up using GRG’s Adventure Kayaking. Having met Maila, the business owner, several times around Thamel I trusted he would deliver what he promised, after doing some research I ran across he is currently the best Kayaker in Nepal, having only won the Himalayan Championship to the second time, I felt I needed made the correct decision and will be in safe hands.
Your journey towards the river was amazing itself. Taken from the valley you happen to be greeted by way of a some life-style. Women working hard in the rice paddies within their saris, looking more glamorous than I can ever achieve! Children carrying their books on their own heads walking down the highway to school; Gorgeous mountains in private; Random Buffalo dotted throughout the scene to just some things we saw on the journey for the river. After 2 hours of staring hypnotised out your window we attained a tiny village equipped for your rafting needs. There was clearly a small shed (rather like the one imaginable Mary and Joseph stumbling upon! ) to get changed in, toilets, tea, biscuits, water, all you need before you begin a day about the river!
When arriving at first point, I realised I had made the best decision in going with GRG’s. There was about 20 rafts arranged and waiting to choose various companies and ours was alone with any safety kayakers. You can observe where GRG’s got their logo ‘SAFETY FIRST’ from!
Which maybe it was, Maila and the team got everyone suited and booted in life jackets, helmets, (depending on the weather, splash jackets were available) and after an incredibly informative safety talk we had arrived off! Immediately greeted by our first rapid, aptly named ‘Good Morning’ as that first splash within your face and down your T-Shirt definitely wakes you up!
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