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Trishuli River Rafting — 2 Days

A group of adults enjoys an exciting whitewater rafting trip on a scenic river.
Length
2 days
Highest point
1,400 m
Difficulty
Moderate
Best months
Sep–Nov, Mar–Jun
Starts
Kathmandu (drive to put-in)
Group size
2–16 People
Sleeping
Riverside Camp

Two days of Grade 3-4 rapids on the Trishuli River with a night camped on a riverside beach — Nepal most popular rafting adventure, 2 hours from Kathmandu.

  • Nepal's most accessible multi-day rafting experience — just 75 km from Kathmandu
  • Grade III–IV rapids including the famous Monsoon Rapid and Ladies Delight stretch
  • Jungle-clad gorge scenery: monkeys on the banks, kingfishers over the water
  • Riverside tented camp under the stars — fall asleep to the sound of the river
  • Combine with a Pokhara trip: the run finishes at Baireni, en route to Pokhara
  • No prior rafting experience required — safety kayakers and professional certified guides throughout
  • One of the best-value two-day adventures in all of Nepal

The climb, day by day

1,000 m1,400 m, day 2
12
Altitude reached each day of the itinerary
  1. Day 1Kathmandu — Drive to Charaudi — Rafting Begins580 m

    Morning drive from Kathmandu (2.5 hours) west along the Prithvi Highway to Charaudi (580m), the put-in point on the Trishuli River — Nepal's most popular commercial rafting river. Safety briefing and paddling instruction from your experienced guide. Launch into Class II–III rapids through dramatic gorges and boulder gardens, passing jungle-clad hillsides and local fishing villages. Camp or stay in a riverside lodge overnight on the sandy banks of the Trishuli.

    Distance
    25 km
    Walking
    4–5 hours
    Meals
    B, L, D
    Night
    Camping
  2. Day 2Rafting to Kurintar Take-Out — Drive Kathmandu1,400 m

    Continue rafting downstream through more exciting Class II–III rapids past towering cliff faces and the confluence with the Marsyangdi River. Take out at Kurintar (300m). The Trishuli offers exhilarating whitewater combined with beautiful Himalayan foothills scenery. Drive back to Kathmandu (2.5 hours) arriving afternoon.

    Distance
    20 km
    Walking
    3–4 hours
    Meals
    B, L
    Night
    –

The price includes

  • Transport Kathmandu–Trishuli–Pokhara (or return to Kathmandu)
  • All rafting equipment (raft, paddle, helmet, life jacket, wetsuit)
  • Experienced certified river guide + safety kayaker
  • Riverside tented camp accommodation (1 night)
  • All meals: Day 1 lunch + dinner; Day 2 breakfast + lunch
  • All government and river permit fees

You pay separately

  • International airfare to/from Nepal
  • Nepal entry visa fee
  • Comprehensive travel insurance with adventure activities cover (mandatory)
  • Personal expenses and souvenirs
  • Tips for river guides and crew
  • Alcoholic beverages at riverside camp

The Trishuli River Rafting is Nepal's most accessible multi-day white-water experience — Grade III–IV rapids on a river that flows 75 km west of Kathmandu through jungle-lined gorges on the way to Pokhara, making it the natural adventure addition to any Kathmandu–Pokhara itinerary. The 2-day programme covers the Charaudi-to-Baireni section: the famous Monsoon Rapid, Ladies' Delight, and the Upset rapids, with a riverside tented camp overnight under the stars between the two days.

No prior rafting experience is required — the professional certified guide and safety kayaker manage the technical sections, and the grade allows first-timers to fully engage without excessive risk. The run ends at Baireni, from where Pokhara is 3 hours by road — making this a natural bridge between the Kathmandu and Pokhara legs of a Nepal trip rather than a detour.

Best seasons: September–November and March–May (post-monsoon and pre-monsoon water levels ideal). Ends at Baireni (en route to Pokhara). No experience required.

Questions people ask

What is covered by the $145 Trishuli rafting price?
The price includes all rafting equipment (helmet, life jacket, paddle, wetsuit if needed), a certified professional river guide and safety kayaker, one night of camping on a riverside beach with tent, sleeping bag, and all meals from lunch on Day 1 through breakfast on Day 2, and transport back to Kathmandu or onward to Chitwan at the end of Day 2. Transport from Kathmandu to the put-in point is included.
Do I need rafting experience, and what age and health requirements apply?
No prior rafting experience is required — Trishuli Grade 3-4 rapids are suitable for beginners with a spirit of adventure. The minimum recommended age is 12 years. Participants should be able to swim (basic swimming ability, not expert) and should not have serious heart conditions, back problems, or epilepsy. A safety briefing and paddle practice are conducted before entering the water.
How far is the Trishuli River from Kathmandu and how does logistics work?
The put-in point on the Trishuli River is approximately 2–3 hours (80km) from Kathmandu along the Prithvi Highway. You depart Kathmandu by 7:00–8:00 AM, arrive at the river by mid-morning, and begin rafting. At the end of Day 2 the takeout point is typically at Charaudi or Kurintar, with transport arranged back to Kathmandu or continuing to Chitwan (a popular add-on).
What is the best season for Trishuli rafting?
October–November and February–May are the prime rafting months — the river runs clear and at good volume, with warm days and manageable water temperatures. The monsoon season (June–September) dramatically increases water volume and creates Class 5 conditions that are only suitable for expert rafters; beginners should avoid this period. December–January is cold but the rapids are excellent.
What is the overnight riverside camp experience like?
After a full afternoon on the river, you pull out at a sandy riverside beach where your support team has already set up camp. The evening includes a campfire, a hot cooked dinner, and sleeping under the stars in a dramatic river gorge. The Trishuli canyon walls close in overhead, the river rushes past, and there is no road access — genuine wilderness for one night.
Can Trishuli rafting be combined with a Chitwan National Park trip?
Yes — this is one of the most popular Nepal adventure combinations. The Trishuli takeout point at Kurintar is just 2–3 hours from Chitwan, so on Day 2 your group finishes rafting and drives directly into Chitwan for a 1 or 2-night jungle safari. We offer a discounted combined package; ask your trip coordinator for current pricing.

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