If you consider Nepal, whitewater Rafting and Kayaking are not the first issues that spring into mind, well at least it had not been personally. More inclined images of Kathmandu, rice paddies, Everest along with the mysterious Himalaya pop into your head. So you can imagine my surprise while i got a chance to Nepal and found themselves rafting and kayaking over Much!
When you in Thamel or Pokhara (the key touristy area’s in Nepal) you will find travel specialists all around us, and that i immediately decided rafting was something I needed to do within my in time Nepal. The very first decision to create is which river to be. Nepal offers most of the worlds best rivers, which range from a gently flowing river to many with the fiercest whitewater on earth. So based on your experience and thirst for adrenaline, there’s most certainly something for any person! The very best times to travel are between March-June or September-October; although trips will run throughout every season water will likely be at its highest, fastest, and most exhilarating during these months.
Deciding on kayaking in Nepal to match can establish a lttle bit tricky though! There are numerous travel agencies lining the streets, however, choosing one involving the other is nearly impossible…Each will offer virtually exactly the same prices, nearly the exact same trips and promise a good time you will ever have! However there are tons of companies on the market, it’s really a shame to state which can be soon after your money. You will need to locate a registered company who have safety levels in place. I ended up choosing GRG’s Adventure Kayaking. Having met Maila, the organization owner, a few times around Thamel I trusted which he would deliver what he promised, after a little bit of research I stumbled upon that he’s currently the best Kayaker in Nepal, having just won the Himalayan Championship to the second time, I felt I needed made the best decision and will be in safe hands.
Right onto your pathway towards the river was amazing itself. Appearing out of the valley you are greeted by way of a more common way of life. Women working within the rice paddies in their saris, looking more glamorous than I really could ever achieve! Children carrying their books on their own heads walking along the highway to school; Gorgeous mountains in private; Random Buffalo dotted everywhere in the scene to name just a few things we got on the journey to the river. After Couple of hours of staring hypnotised out the window we arrived at a small village prepared for all of your rafting needs. There is a little shed (similar to normally the one imaginable Mary and Joseph stumbling upon! ) that will get changed in, toilets, tea, biscuits, water, all that’s necessary before starting per day for the river!
When going to the start point, I realised I had made the perfect decision in going with GRG’s. There are about 20 rafts prearranged and waiting to go with various companies and ours was on your own with any safety kayakers. You can observe where GRG’s got their logo ‘SAFETY FIRST’ from!
This also could it have been, Maila and the team got all of us suited and booted in everyday life jackets, helmets, (with regards to the weather, splash jackets were available) after a very informative safety talk we had arrived off! Immediately greeted by our first rapid, aptly named ‘Good Morning’ as that first splash in your face and down your T-Shirt definitely wakes you up!
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