It offers the chance to challenge yourself on the backdrops of some of the most breathtaking sceneries in the country while putting some new skills into practice.
With nine friends and a weekend free, we signed up with Ultimate Descents for their 2days/1night Bhote Koshi rafting package. Some were skilled rafters undaunted by the grade 3-4+ rapids, but for many it was their first time in a raft.[break]
Our weekend included bus transport to the river, which was a 3-hour ride with a mandatory stop for a Nepali dal-bhat-tarkari lunch along the way.
Our initial nerves gave way to laughter when we tried on our new outfits. Complete with helmets, lifejackets and a paddle, we were ready to raft – or so we thought.
The staff at Ultimate Descents gave us a thorough safely talk as well as explaining some basic rafting techniques. They also explained the role of the kayaks, which would be accompanying us alongside the raft in case they were needed in a rescue. At this point, we had no idea how useful this information would be.
In the rafts at last, we were all surprised how easy it was and how much fun it was straightaway. After surviving our first few rapids, there were cheers and high fives all around.
By lunchtime, our confidence had grown to the point where we named ourselves “Team Extreme”, a name that stuck for the remainder of the weekend.
Even first-time rafters enjoyed the thrill of the river, and being able to admire the amazing scenery as we rowed past. Sky-high mountains, clear water and friendly locals had everyone impressed.
Late afternoon, we boarded the bus, tired but happy with the day’s efforts. From here, we were driven to the Borderlands Eco Adventure Resort for a night of camping alongside the river. Borderlands provided warm showers, great food and a huge lawn to relax on and chat about our day on the river.
But Day 2 loomed, and our guides had warned us that the rapids would be bigger, the current stronger, and the need to row well was more important than ever.
Friendly rivalry between the two boats had reached a new high, each competing to be the better raft on the day. We organized team cheers and high fives, anything to outdo the other.
After breakfast and packing up our campsite, it was time to complete out warm-up session where we flexed our muscles and did way too many star jumps before getting back in the boats.
Ultimate Descents describes rafting on the Bhote Koshi as “continuous, challenging and action-packed, and offers nothing less than the ride of a lifetime,” and they weren’t wrong.
From the beginning of Day 2, the rafting was fast-paced and exhilarating, with plenty of rapids and even more screams. All of us were too busy trying to stay in the boats to enjoy the views and wave to the locals as we went past.
For the beginners, the Bhote Koshi was a great introduction to the sport, and it offered regular challenges to those more experienced team members.
In the final few hours of the day, several people went overboard but were quickly rescued by the Ultimate Descents staff in both the rafts and the kayaks. On the plus side, it gave us all a chance to get wet, but it’s an experience some will never forget.
The weekend ended with a swim down the river, some celebratory high-fives and a few chocolates on the bus ride home.
Whitewater rafting was a highlight of our trip to Nepal, and understandably popular with Nepalis and foreigners alike. While none of us left as champion rafters, we headed back to Kathmandu with plenty of stories and photos of our adrenaline-filled weekend away.
Related story
Vehicle pulled out from Bhote Koshi River, two passengers still...
