Plan my trek
Plan my trek
Trishuli, Seti, Koshi
Late Sep–Nov, Mar–May
~NPR 6,000 (£30)
Half day to 17 days
About 10–16
Easy to strenuous
Nepal is one of the world’s classic white-water destinations. Snowmelt from the Himalaya feeds big, warm-bottomed valleys, so in a single country you can choose between a gentle family float, a hard day of grade IV–V rapids two or three hours from Kathmandu, or a ten-day expedition through roadless gorges that ends beside a national park. Commercial rafting began here in the 1970s, and the oldest operator, Himalayan River Exploration, was registered in 1976; the industry has had five decades to build guiding skills, river knowledge and logistics.
What makes rafting in Nepal special is the combination of scale and access. The Trishuli runs alongside the main Kathmandu–Pokhara road, so a first-timer can be on the water by late morning. The Bhote Koshi, near the Tibetan border, is the steepest river commercially rafted in Nepal. Further out, the Sun Koshi, Karnali and Tamur offer multi-day trips with beach camping, village life on the banks and very few other people. Prices are low by international standards, especially for multi-day trips.
Rafting companies in Nepal must be registered tourism businesses, and the industry body is the Nepal Association of Rafting Agencies (NARA), recognised by the government in 1989. NARA works with the Nepal Tourism Board and in February 2026 organised the 24th Himalayan Whitewater Challenge on the Trishuli, which was also billed as the 50th international rafting and kayaking festival. River guides are expected to be trained and licensed, and individual river permits for clients were abolished in 1999, so you do not need to buy a permit yourself.
There is, however, no single published national safety standard that every company must follow; each operator runs its own protocols. That is why choosing the operator matters more than choosing the river, and why our safety section below explains what to check.
2026 note: the flash flood of 26 August 2026 travelled the full length of the Trishuli. Other rafting rivers, including the separate Bhote Koshi in Sindhupalchok, were not hit by that event. Read the Trishuli card and the safety section before booking.
Rafting rivers in Nepal are graded on the international I–VI scale. Grade II–III means splashy wave trains and easy manoeuvres; grade IV means powerful, technical rapids where swimming is likely if you flip; grade V is for fit, committed teams with experienced guides. Grades rise and fall with water level, so a river that is grade III in March can be a solid IV in October.
Drive times below are typical in good conditions; roads in Nepal are slow and monsoon damage can add hours.
Grade: III, III+ in higher water. Duration: 1–3 days. Access: about 80 km (roughly three hours) west of Kathmandu on the Prithvi Highway; the main stretch runs from around Charaudi down towards Kurintar and Fishling. You cannot raft all the way to Chitwan, so trips end with a road transfer.
The Trishuli is big-volume and forgiving, with rapids that have names but rarely punish mistakes. It is the most-rafted river in Nepal and works for first-timers, teenagers and groups heading to Chitwan or Pokhara.
After the August 2026 flood: the surge raised the river by about 9 m at Galchhi within 30 minutes, swept away the Charaudi suspension bridge and undermined the highway at Krishnabhir (reopened to two-way traffic on 17 September 2026). Riverbanks, beaches, camps and some rapids may have changed. Ask your operator when they last ran the stretch and whether camps are open.
Grade: IV–V at higher flows, around III–IV in low water. Duration: 1–2 days, with roughly 20–26 km of river. Access: about three hours north-east of Kathmandu on the Araniko Highway, close to the Tibetan border.
With a gradient of around 15 m per km, this is the steepest river rafted commercially in Nepal. Rapids come one after another with little recovery time, the water is cold and you will paddle hard. It suits fit people who have rafted before or who want a serious first challenge with a strong guide team.
This Bhote Koshi (Sindhupalchok) is a different river from the Bhote Koshi in Rasuwa that flooded in August 2026. The valley is also home to canyoning and a long-running gorge bungee, so many people make a weekend of it.
Grade: III–III+. Duration: half a day, with about 90 minutes to two hours on the water. Access: a short drive from Lakeside to a put-in near Hemja, finishing at the dam above Pokhara.
The Upper Seti is narrow, milky with glacial silt and surprisingly lively for such a short run. It is the easiest way to try white water if you are based in Pokhara between treks, and is often combined with paragliding or a lake day. Expect wave trains and a few tighter drops rather than big-volume holes.
Runs are most reliable from late September to early November and again in spring. In high monsoon water the river is often too pushy for commercial trips.
Grade: II–III. Duration: 2 days on the river, usually with one night on a beach. Access: put-in at Damauli, around two hours from Pokhara by road; the river flows towards the Trishuli confluence, so trips work well en route to Chitwan.
The Lower Seti is warm, clear and quiet, with jungle-lined banks and small villages. Rapids are fun rather than frightening, which makes it the best family option and a favourite location for beginner kayak clinics. It is also a good choice in winter, when higher rivers feel cold.
Choose this if you want the camping, swimming and campfire side of a river trip without the adrenaline of bigger rivers.
Grade: III–IV. Duration: typically 3 days on the river, about 60 km. Access: put-in near Baglung, around three hours west of Pokhara; take-out near the Andhi Khola confluence, above the hydropower dam at Mirmi.
The Kali Gandaki flows through one of the deepest gorges on earth before reaching this stretch, and on the water you pass temples, cremation ghats and terraced hillsides with very little road noise. Rapids are continuous and technical in places, with quieter stretches between.
It is a good second river for people who have done the Trishuli, and it fits neatly after a trek in the Annapurna region, since the put-in is close to the trekking roadheads.
Grade: IV–V. Duration: historically 3–4 days on the river. Access: put-ins in the Besisahar area of Lamjung, around five to six hours from Kathmandu or four from Pokhara.
The Marsyangdi was once rated among the best continuous white-water rivers in the world. Several hydropower projects now divert water through tunnels and leave sections much lower in the dry season, and reports since 2020 describe classic multi-day rafting as largely a thing of the past.
Some operators still run shorter sections or kayak trips at suitable flows. Treat the Marsyangdi as an option for experienced paddlers only, and ask exactly which section is being run and why before you pay.
Grade: III–V. Duration: 8–10 days in total, with about 270 km of river. Access: put-in at Dolalghat, around two to three hours east of Kathmandu; take-out at Chatara in the eastern lowlands, followed by a long drive or a flight from Biratnagar.
The Sun Koshi starts gently and builds day by day, with the biggest rapids in the middle and later sections. You camp every night on white sand beaches and pass through some of the least-visited hill country in central and eastern Nepal.
It suits fit people with some rafting experience who want a full expedition rather than a day out. October and November are the classic months.
Grade: IV–IV+, depending on water level. Duration: around 10 days door to door, with seven or so nights of beach camping and about 180 km of river. Access: fly Kathmandu–Nepalgunj (about an hour) and drive around five hours to the put-in at Dungeshwar; take out at Chisapani, next to Bardia National Park.
The Karnali is Nepal’s longest river and its upper gorges hold big, powerful rapids, followed by calmer days through forest. Many people finish with a wildlife stay in Bardia.
It suits experienced rafters and anyone wanting genuine remoteness. Sources disagree on whether autumn or spring is the bigger-water season, so ask your operator what flows to expect on your dates.
Grade: IV–IV+. Duration: around 12–17 days in total, including a trek of three to four days to the put-in, and about 120–130 km of river. Access: drive from Biratnagar to Basantapur, trek via Gupha Pokhari and the Milke Danda ridge to Dobhan, then raft to Chatara.
The Tamur drains the Kanchenjunga area and combines a ridge trek with mountain views, rhododendron forest and one of Nepal’s most exciting multi-day rivers, with well over 100 rapids. Water levels need to be just right, so trips run in a short window, mainly mid-October to late November and again in spring.
Choose the Tamur if you want a true expedition and have both time and fitness.
Every licensed operator runs things slightly differently, but a typical one-day trip on the Trishuli or Bhote Koshi from Kathmandu follows this pattern. Pokhara half-days on the Upper Seti are similar but shorter.
Pick-up from Thamel is usually between 6.30 and 7am. The drive takes two and a half to four hours depending on traffic and road works, with a breakfast stop on the way. Wear clothes you can change out of and keep valuables to a minimum; most operators carry a dry bag for a phone or camera, but there is no secure locker at the put-in.
At the put-in your guide fits each person with a helmet, a personal flotation device (life jacket) and a paddle, and explains paddle commands, how to sit, what to do if you fall in (feet up and downstream, on your back), how to be pulled back into the raft and what happens if the raft flips. A good briefing lasts 15–30 minutes and includes practice. On colder rivers such as the Bhote Koshi, wetsuits or splash jackets are often provided.
Look for self-bailing rafts, a throw bag in each boat, a first-aid kit and, on harder rivers, at least one safety kayaker and ideally a second raft.
Rafts usually carry six to eight paddlers and a guide at the back. Expect two to four hours of paddling on a day trip, with stops to scout bigger rapids, swim in calm sections and stretch your legs. Lunch is normally a picnic on a beach. Overnight trips camp in tents on river beaches or stay at riverside camps with simple meals and a campfire.
Limits vary by operator and river. As a rough guide, children from around 10–12 can join easy grade II–III trips with a parent, while grade IV–V rivers such as the Bhote Koshi often have a minimum age of 14–16. There is usually no strict weight limit but you must be able to fit a life jacket and help paddle. Tell your operator about heart conditions, recent surgery, pregnancy, epilepsy or back problems. You do not have to be a strong swimmer for easy rivers, but you must be comfortable being under water briefly.
Many operators offer photos or GoPro footage for an extra charge, either shot by a safety kayaker or from a helmet camera. Ask before you book whether this is included. If you bring your own action camera, use a secure helmet mount and a leash; anything handheld will be lost on the first big rapid.
After lunch and a change of clothes, the drive back to Kathmandu often takes longer than the morning drive, and arrivals around 6–7pm are normal. From the Trishuli you can instead be dropped at a bus heading to Pokhara or Chitwan, which saves a day of travel.
Rafting in Nepal is good value. Operators usually quote in US dollars to foreign visitors; we show approximate rupee and sterling equivalents using the rates published by Nepal Rastra Bank in October 2026 (around NPR 155 to the US dollar and NPR 205 to the pound). Prices below are per person for small groups, based on published 2025–2026 rates from established operators and booking platforms, and include standard extras unless noted. Quotes change with group size, season and fuel prices, so treat these as bands rather than fixed rates.
| Trip | Typical length | Approx. price per person |
|---|---|---|
| Trishuli day trip from Kathmandu | 1 day | NPR 6,000–12,500 (about £30–£60) |
| Trishuli with riverside camp | 2 days | NPR 8,500–18,500 (about £40–£90) |
| Upper Seti from Pokhara | Half day | NPR 6,000–9,500 (about £30–£45) |
| Lower Seti float with beach camp | 2 days | NPR 11,000–18,500 (about £55–£90) |
| Bhote Koshi from Kathmandu | 1 day | NPR 9,500–18,500 (about £45–£90) |
| Bhote Koshi with overnight at a riverside resort | 2 days | NPR 15,500–25,000 (about £75–£120) |
| Kali Gandaki | 3 days | NPR 18,500–39,000 (about £90–£190) |
| Sun Koshi expedition | 8–10 days | NPR 62,000–140,000 (about £300–£680) |
| Karnali expedition | about 10 days | NPR 108,000–186,000 (about £530–£910) |
| Tamur expedition (with trek) | 12–17 days | Usually on request; budget roughly NPR 140,000–230,000 (about £680–£1,130) |
Watch out for very cheap deals. The cheapest day trips often cut corners on guide numbers, kit or safety kayakers. Paying a little more to a long-established, NARA-member operator is money well spent.
River levels drive everything. The monsoon (roughly June to mid-September) fills rivers to dangerous levels, and most commercial rafting stops or is limited to a few big-volume stretches. Autumn brings the best combination of high, clean water and warm weather; spring is warmer with lower, more technical water that rises again with snowmelt in May. For the wider picture, see our guide to the best season to travel in Nepal.
| Months | River conditions | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Late September–November | High, powerful water after the monsoon, settling through November; warm air and clear mountain views | Peak season on every river; Bhote Koshi and Kali Gandaki at their most exciting; Sun Koshi, Karnali and Tamur expeditions |
| December–February | Lower, clearer and cold water; short days; air warm at midday in the lowlands | Trishuli, Lower Seti and Sun Koshi still run; wetsuits recommended on the Bhote Koshi; fewer crowds |
| March–April | Low to medium water, more technical rocks, warming weather | Good all-round season; Upper Seti, Trishuli and Karnali popular; Tamur window |
| May | Snowmelt and pre-monsoon storms start to raise levels | Good on most rivers early in the month; check forecasts late May |
| June–mid-September | Monsoon floods, debris and landslides | Most trips closed; some operators run the Trishuli or Bhote Koshi in suitable flows. Not recommended for beginners |
In 2026 a non-monsoon event, the glacier collapse that triggered the 26 August flood, showed that Himalayan rivers can surge with little warning. Reputable operators watch official flood warnings and will cancel if levels are unsafe; accept that decision.
Rafting in Nepal is generally well run, and many thousands of people raft every year without incident. It is still a risk sport: there have been fatalities over the years on popular rivers including the Trishuli and Bhote Koshi, and remote rivers are days from a hospital. Most of the risk is controlled by who you go with.
Your life jacket should be properly sized, buckled and tight enough that it does not ride up over your ears when pulled at the shoulders. Helmets should fit snugly. Rafts should be self-bailing and in good repair, with a throw bag, pump, repair kit and first-aid kit on board. If kit looks worn out or missing, say so, and do not get on the river.
Many UK travel policies include rafting up to grade III or IV as standard, but grade V, expedition rivers and kayaking often need an adventure-sports add-on. Read the wording for the grade and the activity, and check that emergency medical cover includes helicopter evacuation if you are rafting a remote river such as the Karnali or Tamur. The FCDO’s advice is that insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and emergency expenses. Our guide to travel insurance for trekking in Nepal explains what to look for.
Rafting is not recommended if you are pregnant, have a serious heart or lung condition, uncontrolled epilepsy, recent surgery or significant back or neck injuries. If you have asthma, carry your inhaler in a dry bag. Drink treated water, use sun cream (the reflection on the river burns quickly) and tell your guide about any condition before the briefing.
At the time of writing (October 2026) the UK FCDO does not advise against travel to Nepal. It highlights the major flooding of 26 August 2026 in Rasuwa district and the Nepal–China border area, with Gorkha, Nuwakot and Dhading also affected, and warns that affected areas may remain unstable and that heavy rain or an earthquake could trigger further landslides and rockfalls. Nepal’s disaster authority reported at least 939 deaths by 31 August, including people working on hydropower projects and tourists.
For rafters, this matters most on the Trishuli, which runs through Nuwakot, Dhading and the Gorkha–Chitwan border. The Prithvi Highway reopened at Krishnabhir on 17 September and the 18 flood-damaged suspension bridges on the Trishuli corridor had reopened by mid-October, but riverside camps and beaches may still be recovering. The FCDO also notes that protests can start at short notice following the September 2025 unrest, and that flights via the Middle East may be disrupted. Check the latest FCDO travel advice for Nepal before you travel and follow local authority instructions.
For broader advice on staying safe in the mountains, read our safety tips for trekking in Nepal.
Rafting fits easily into most Nepal itineraries because the main rivers sit on the routes between Kathmandu, Pokhara and Chitwan. Instead of a full day on a bus, you can spend that day on the water. Here are three tried-and-tested plans.
Leave Kathmandu early, raft the Trishuli for three to four hours, eat lunch on the beach and then join a tourist bus or private car on to Pokhara, arriving in the evening. It turns a long transfer into the highlight of the week. In late 2026, confirm that your operator has resumed regular Trishuli trips before planning around this.
Day 1: raft the Trishuli or Lower Seti with a night at a riverside camp. Day 2: finish rafting by lunchtime and drive about two hours to Sauraha for an evening on the edge of Chitwan National Park, ready for a jungle walk or jeep safari the next morning. Our Chitwan guide, linked above, covers safaris and park fees.
Day 1: half-day on the Upper Seti, afternoon by Phewa Lake. Day 2: tandem paragliding from Sarangkot in the morning and the zip line in the afternoon. Day 3: rest or set off on a short trek such as Poon Hill. Rafters who want more can add three days on the Kali Gandaki after the trek.
Day 1: drive three hours from Kathmandu and raft the Bhote Koshi in the afternoon, staying at a riverside resort. Day 2: try canyoning in a side valley or the gorge bungee jump, then return to Kathmandu by evening. This is the most intense two days of adventure sport you can fit in near the capital.
A river trip is a great way to recover after a big trek, since it uses different muscles and the camping is relaxed. Pair the Kali Gandaki with the Annapurna Circuit or Annapurna Base Camp, or finish a trip like our Everest Base Camp Trek with a day on the Trishuli or Bhote Koshi before you fly home. Browse more options in our Nepal trekking guide.
A little preparation makes the day more comfortable and helps your money reach the people who earn it.
For one-day Trishuli, Upper Seti and Bhote Koshi trips you can usually book a day or two ahead in Kathmandu or Pokhara, even in peak season. Book well in advance for multi-day expeditions on the Sun Koshi, Karnali or Tamur, which run on fixed departures and need flights and permits for staff. Booking through a trusted local partner as part of a wider trip saves the hassle of comparing agencies on the street.
Tipping river guides and safety kayakers is customary in Nepal. A common approach is to pool tips as a group at the end of the trip and hand them to the lead guide to share, or to give each staff member an envelope. For a day trip, around NPR 500–1,000 (about £2.50–£5) per guest is reasonable; on multi-day expeditions, budget roughly 10% of the trip price. Tip in rupees.
Choose operators that pack out all rubbish from beach camps and use toilet tents or bury waste well away from the river. Avoid single-use plastic bottles; bring a refillable bottle and treatment tablets or a filter. Many rivers are holy, and cremation ghats line some stretches, so do not swim or take photos near funerals. Hydropower and riverbed mining are reshaping several rivers, and rafting income gives local communities a reason to keep rivers running free.
Nepal is one of the best places in the world to learn to kayak or to take a paddling holiday. Beginner clinics usually start on calm water and move on to the Lower Seti or Trishuli over several days, while experienced paddlers tackle the Bhote Koshi, Marsyangdi sections and steep side creeks. Inflatable kayaks (“duckies”) are another option on easier rivers. Ask operators about instructor qualifications and student-to-instructor ratios.
Rafting works best as part of a well-paced trip. Explore more in our Nepal travel guide, then tell us your dates and interests and we will help you build a route that fits rivers, treks and cities together: plan your trip with Get Lost Forever.
Related guides to read next.
The Ultimate Guide to Nepal
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With a reputable, NARA-member operator, trained guides, good kit and a safety kayaker on harder rivers, rafting in Nepal has a good safety record, but it is not risk-free. Choose your river to match your experience, listen to the briefing and accept cancellations for high water.
For beginners, the Trishuli and the Seti. For a short, intense day, the Bhote Koshi. For a classic multi-day trip, the Kali Gandaki (3 days) or the Sun Koshi (8–10 days). For remoteness, the Karnali or Tamur.
At the time of writing a one-day Trishuli trip from Kathmandu costs roughly NPR 6,000–12,500 (about £30–£60) including transport and lunch, a Bhote Koshi day around NPR 9,500–18,500 (about £45–£90), and expeditions such as the Sun Koshi or Karnali several hundred pounds. Prices are usually quoted in US dollars.
Yes. The Trishuli, Upper Seti and Lower Seti are suitable for first-timers with a guided raft and no previous experience. Save grade IV–V rivers such as the Bhote Koshi until you have rafted before or are confident in the water.
Late September to November is the best overall season, with high, exciting water and warm weather. March to May is the second season. Most rivers are closed or unsuitable for beginners during the June–September monsoon.
You do not need to be a strong swimmer on easy rivers because you wear a life jacket, but you should be comfortable in water and able to stay calm if you fall in. For grade IV–V rivers, operators prefer confident swimmers.
The August 2026 flood changed parts of the Trishuli corridor. The highway reopened in September and suspension bridges on the corridor had reopened by mid-October, but camps and some sections may still be recovering. Ask your operator when they last ran the river and check the latest FCDO advice; the Seti, Kali Gandaki and Sindhupalchok’s Bhote Koshi were not affected by that flood.
Yes. The Upper Seti is a half-day trip from Lakeside, the Lower Seti and Kali Gandaki start within two to three hours of Pokhara, and the Trishuli can be rafted on the way between Pokhara and Kathmandu.
Often, but check the grade. Many policies cover rafting up to grade III or IV as standard, while grade V rivers, expeditions and kayaking may need an adventure-sports add-on. Make sure emergency cover includes helicopter evacuation for remote rivers.
Choose the Trishuli for a relaxed, scenic first trip that also gets you towards Pokhara or Chitwan. Choose the Bhote Koshi if you are fit, have rafted before and want non-stop technical rapids; it is shorter but much more intense.
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By Govind Rai · Updated 22 October 2026Everything you need to plan your first trip, in one free download.
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