River guidelines
Rafting Guidelines
Normally the first day of a river trip begins early in the morning around 7
a.m. You are driven to put-in point of the river. Depending upon the
distance between Kathmandu and the put-in point, the river can take from a
couple of hours. This is a situation if you choose between the Trishuli and
the Sunkoshi. A river trip on any other river requires a longer drive or a
flight plus drive and even a trek in some cases.
If you start at 7 a.m. and the drive drops you at the put-in point exactly
after three hours, rafting is likely to begin around 11 a.m. After you reach
the put-in point, a safety talk takes place along with the inflating of the
rubber rafts and organizing other river equipment by river crew.
The talk includes delivering of know how about measures to be taken in case
of an emergency need. The participant should listen to the river guide very
carefully. Questions can be raised to make things clearer.
The life-vest must be worn all the time while on the river, irrespective of
weather you are hitting a major rapid or running a flat water section. A
protective helmet is suggested if you are running a high class rapid.
Frequently the river outfitter provides the option between an oar boat or a
paddle boat. Kayaking is another option. Normally the Kayakers bring their
own Kayaks. There are outfitters who provide with a Kayak. If your option is
the paddle boat, then you are instructed to properly use the paddle either
during the safety talk or before sailing off. If you are of participate
nature, and then your choice would be paddling. Paddling is more challenging
and thrilling. The paddle boat requires well co-ordinate team effort between
the paddlers and river guide who stays at the back and plays his paddle in
the role of the steering wheel of a car. The responsibility of the
participants is to follow his instruction in a proper manner. The thrilling
moment for a peddler is while hitting a rapid.
It is usual that you get wet whether you hit rapid or not within half an
hour after sailing starts. In an oar boat, the river guide alone rows
lightly and slowly on the flat wear and penetratedly and boldly while
hitting a rapid. The oar boat gives you an opportunity to observe the
surroundings.
As for meals, the river outfitter normally provides all meals during the
trip days.
During autumn (mid-September through November) and spring (March - June)
-
For A Day Trip: T-shirts, shorts or light cotton trousers, tennis
shoes/sneakers, swim suit, sun hat, sun goggles with string suntan lotion.
Complete change of clothes includes shoes for the return drive to Kathmandu.
For two days or more in addition to the above, you are advised to carry extra T-shirts, shorts, an extra pair of dry shoes, trousers and a light wool sweater, etc.
During winter (December through February)
-
For A Day Trip: Warm shirts/shirts or T-shirts, wind proof jacket and
trousers, tennis shoes/sneakers. Complete change of clothes includes shoes
for the return drive to Kathmandu.
For a trip involving two days or more, you are advice to carry warm shirts. T-shirts, heavy woolen sweater (warm clothes), extra pair of dry shoes and trousers in addition to the above items.