Highlights

  • Enjoy a day of cultural sightseeing in Kathmandu
  • An adrenaline-pumping on class III and IV rapids
  • Big and bouncy rapids with exciting wave trains
  • Enjoy the beautiful camp on the beach under the gaze of a famous Shiva statue
  • Kayak for a day on a smooth section of the Kali Gandaki
  • Kaligandaki river “best all-round river in Nepal”

About Kaligandaki River Rafting

Kali Gandaki River Rafting is a special type of rafting that is dedicated to those who are interested in remote rafting. River adventurers who want to spend some days in remote areas can choose Kali Gandaki River Rafting.  Passing in wild areas through narrow gorges and witnessing waterfalls, dense jungles, and traditional Magar villages are truly rewarding for rafters. Moreover, this is such a trip it offers you the chance to view a few wonderful mountains of the Annapurna Region including some species of wild animals and reptiles.

History of Kaligandaki River Rafting in Nepal

Michael Peissel was the first person to discover this rafting route in 1973. He ran through the river in small hovercraft. With him, the other two groups also rafted and kayaked here then.

Kaligandaki River Rafting Access

Kali Gandaki River begins from Mustang and flows through various places of Tibet and Nepal and finally is widened open area. While flowing down from the high Himalayas in between Annapurna and Dhaulagiri it creates the deepest gorge of the world at Dana. Rafting in Kali Gandaki trip starts and ends in the popular city Pokhara. Kali Gandaki River Rafting designed by Regulus keeps paddlers busy all day. It is beautiful rafting with lots of rapids and technical odds. It is well suits experienced as well as novice rafters.

Newbridge at Kusma is the put-in point or starting point of Kali Gandaki River Rafting. It (Kusma) is three hour's drive from Pokhara. We arrange a private vehicle to reach Kusma from Pokhara. Here you meet expert rafters who will be with you throughout the rafting as your guide. They will give you some tips and necessary instructions required before going for the river journey. You will cover around 55 kilometers distance in an inflated rubber boat. The ending point of the rafting is Dam which is around four and half hours drive from Pokhara.

Accomodation & Meals 

For any type of rafting, safety is our major concern. We provide you with self-bailing rafts, helmets, plastic paddles, wetsuits, lifejackets, and a first aid kit. Tents and a sleeping bag including a mattress & pillows are also provided. The food we provide while on the rating will be hygienic and healthy.

Furthermore, we request you to bring a T-shirt, innerwear, comfortable footwear which you will wear while rafting, warm clothes for the evening, a towel, sunblock and yes, a camera too to capture many unforgettable moments.

River facts And Best Season

September to December the river is graded 4+ whereas in between January to May it is mildly graded as 4. Similarly, during monsoon, we do not suggest you experience rafting in the Kali Gandaki River.

After accomplishing the rafting you can either get back to Kathmandu or enjoy Jungle Safari in Chitwan National Park. Or, you can also go trekking in one of the parts of the Annapurna Region.

Itinerary

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Rafting in the Kaligandaki river starts from Pokhara city. If you are in Kathmandu and want to join the rafting in the Kaligandaki river it takes around 6 to 7 hours to reach the starting point Maldhunga, Kushma Parbat from kathmandu.

Day 1: Drive from Pokhara to Maldhunga, Rafting

Drive from Pokhara to Maldhunga for 3 hrs and rafting to Modikhola. approx 3 hrs Overnight at tent beach of the river. Rafting from Modikhola to Purtighat. Overnight at tent beach of the river. 

  • Tented Camp
  • Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Rafting from Modikhola to Purtighat about 4 hours. Overnight at tent beach camp of the river. 

  • Tented Camp
  • Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Rafting from Purtighat to Mirmi about 2 ½ hours and driving back to Pokhara. Overnight at the hotel. 

  • Tented Camp
  • Breakfast & Lunch

What to Expect

  • Rafting fees and river permit.
  • Meals during your rafting trip 
  • Accommodation in a tented camp (2 in 1) with camp fire
  • Required rafting equipment & gears.
  • Two-way private transportation.
  • Necessary staff during a rafting trip
  • Experience and certified licensed holder rafting guide
  • All government taxes, official expenses & service charges
  • Rescue  & First aid kits for emergencies
  • Professional safety kayakers
  • River permits
  • Entry Visa fee and any kinds of immigration charges in Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), Nepal.
  • International Flight Fare to/from Kathmandu, Nepal.
  • Extra Night meals and accommodation on your early arrival or late departure also any domestic flight delays.
  • Extra luggage charges.
  • Personal expenses like Laundry, alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages, hot showers, phone calls, charging, boiled water/bottled waters, etc Rescue in emergency services.
  • Individual buying and souvenirs.
  • Rent or Purchase any type of equipment or gear.
  • Purchase special medicines and kits.
  • Tips for rafting guide & rafting crews

PRICES & DATES

Useful Information

River Rafting Requirements

  1. Shorts / ½ pants
  2. T-shirt
  3. Sport sandals or comfortable shoes that can get wet and will stay on your feet
  4. Polypropylene / quick dry long shirts
  5. Swimwear
  6. Track pants / comfortable long pants
  7. Warm fleece
  8. Jacket (waterproof shell)
  9. Travel towel
  10. Socks
  11. Shoes (not essential – do not bring big trekking boots)
  12. Pajamas (something comfortable to sleep in)
  13. Warm hat (in cold months)
  14. Travel towel 
  15. Personal toiletries
  16. Sunscreen / sunscreen lip protection
  17. Mosquito repellant 
  18. Water bottle
  19. Headlamp/lash light
  20. Personal first aid kit
  21. Sleeping bag (if you do not have one – we will provide a complimentary rental)
  22. A little cash for treats, tips, and the occasional chance for photographs

FAQs

What is White Water Rafting?

An adventure sport where you cruise down and navigate a river aboard an inflatable rubber raft. White Water refers to rivers that have a lot of rapids, so White Water Rafting means running across rough rivers like these.

Do I have to be able to swim?

There are no situations on our trips when you are required to swim in the river. However, river sports present some risks and you may fall into the water accidentally during the trip. On all our trips you will be wearing a buoyancy aid (floatation jacket) which will hold your head above the water in the event that you fall out of the raft, ducky, or kayak. However, some confidence in the water is required as you will still need to be able to help the guide and move towards the raft or safety kayaker.

What happens on a typical rafting trip in Nepal?

Our goal, since 2000, has been to help people enjoy "the best outdoor experience of their lives." Every day on the river brings a new experience, whether it’s spending a ½ day experiencing your first rapids, spotting wildlife, hiking to ancient petroglyphs, or staying up late to watch shooting stars.  However, there are certain things you can count on. A Day with Regulus Nepal.–What to Expect on your Regulus Nepal. Whitewater Vacation details everything from breakfast to bathrooms.

Do I need previous experience?

No, but you should be ready to spend a few hours to a full day participating in an outdoor activity. Prior rafting experience is required to raft the Trishuli River.

I have never been before. Which trips are best for me?

Start off with a class III, or an easier class IV trip. An alternative is to ride along on an oar boat, which many companies offer on different rivers. If you are confident in the water, healthy, and feel adventurous, you can drop right into a class IV river without prior experience. Guides will make sure you are trained in safety and paddle techniques. For class V Rivers, you must have prior class IV experience.

What if I wear glasses?

No problem, many people raft with glasses. We suggest you buy a cord to attach them firmly to your head, so should they slip you will not lose them. If you prefer to raft without them, then we have a strong box to keep them safe while rafting.

Do I need insurance for this trip?

We recommend that our clients have proper medical insurance before choosing to raft with us. This allows us to make necessary arrangements in case of emergencies.

What equipment do I need for the trip and what equipment do you provide?

What we provide: Rafts, life-jackets, helmets, oars, other accessories, First Aid Kit (tapes, bandages, general drugs, etc).
What you need to bring: Clothing and footwear, toiletries, cameras, batteries, and other personal items.

What is the best season for White Water Rafting in Nepal?

September to early December and March to early June are commercial rafting months in Nepal. The more adventurous and experienced, however, choose to run the rivers from early September to early October and from May to June when there is a high flow in the river stream.

How many people are in a raft?

The rafts are large enough to carry six people (plus cargo on expedition trips) and your rafting guide. If you’re traveling with friends or in a group, we can generally organize it so that you are together in the same raft.

How far is the rafting from Pokhara / Kathmandu?

The details of travel to each river can be found on the River Trips page. The closest rafting to Pokhara is the Upper Seti, only a 1/2 hour drive from Lakeside. The closest rafting to Kathmandu is the Trisuli River, 3 hour drive away.

How are the White Water Rivers in Nepal classified?

The rivers of Nepal are graded on Class 1 to 6 international scale:

  • Class I Easy
  • Class II Medium
  • Class III Difficult
  • Class IV Very Difficult
  • Class V Extremely Difficult
  • Class VI Unrunnable

What is the possibility of falling out of the boat?

That often depends on the river levels but there is always a chance that participants may fall out of the raft.  You will be instructed by your guide on how to brace yourself in the raft to minimize the chance of falling out, but if you do our guides are trained to deal with this and every river trip has a safety kayaker (1 per paddle raft). There is a full safety briefing before you commence your rafting trip explaining what to do if you fall out of the raft.

How do I book a trip with you?

You can book a trip with us using the booking form on our website or if you’re already in Nepal you can come to visit us in our office at Lazimpat.

What happens if it is raining or bad weather?

White water rafting will still go ahead if it is raining or bad weather, you are going to get wet anyway and the river is normally at its’ best then. We will not refund if you decide to cancel at short notice due to rain or bad weather.

Is there a guide in the raft with us?

Yes, every boat is captained by a fully qualified and certified rafting guide. On some occasions, a trainee guide will also be in the raft to gain experience and learn from the qualified guide.

What about showers and toilets?

Showers will not be possible, in some places you can wash in the river or a stream. In such cases please be aware of the environment and use only biodegradable soaps and shampoos. Your rafting team will construct a pit toilet for your use near the campsite and supply toilet paper.

Can I bring my camera?

Yes, you are welcome to bring your camera on the trips. All our trips will have a large communal dry box that you can place your camera in while on the river. We also have small size dry boxes and bags available for hire, if you would like to keep your camera with you in the raft. However, it should be remembered that river trips are a risky activity and we cannot guarantee your camera’s safety against damage especially when out of our dry boxes.

There will be a professional film of your trip available for purchase on DVD upon completion of your trip.

What are the costs included and excluded in the rafting package?

Cost includes

  • Ground transportation
  • wages and insurance of guides
  •  porters and kitchen staff
  • food and accommodation during the rafting period, boats, and accessories (helmets, paddles, etc).

Cost Excludes

  • Mineral water or beverages
  • hotel accommodation or meals if you choose to stay in a hotel during the trip
  • personal items
  • emergency evacuation 
  • airfare when applicable.