A
Typical Day on the River
Normally
the first day of a river trip begins early in the morning around
7 a.m. You are driven to put-in point of the river. Depending
upon the distance between Kathmandu and the put-in point, the
river can take from a couple of hours. This is a situation if
you choose between the Trishuli and the Sunkoshi. A river trip
on any other river requires a longer drive or a flight plus drive
and even a trek in some cases.
If
you start at 7 a.m. and the drive drops you at the put-in point
exactly after three hours, rafting is likely to begin around 11
a.m. After you reach the put-in point, a safety talk takes place
along with the inflating of the rubber rafts and organising other
river equipment by river crew.
The
talk includes delivering of know how about measures to be taken
in case of an emergency need. The participant should listen to
the river guide very carefully. Questions can be raised to make
things clearer.
The
life-vest must be worn all the time while on the river, irrespective
of weather you are hitting a major rapid or running a flat water
section. A protective helmet is suggested if you are running a
high class rapid.
Frequently
the river outfitter provides the option between an oar boat or
a paddle boat. Kayaking is another option. Normally the Kayakers
bring their own Kayaks. There are outfitters who provide with
a Kayak. If your option is the paddle boat, then you are instructed
to properly use the paddle either during the safety talk or before
sailing off. If you are of participate nature, then your choice
would be paddling. Paddling is more challenging and thrilling.
The paddle boat requires well co-ordinated team effort between
the paddlers and river guide who stays at the back and plays his
paddle in the role of the steering wheel of a car. The responsibility
of the participants is to follow his instruction in a proper manner.
The thrilling moment for a paddler is while hitting a rapid.
It
is usual that you get wet whether you hit rapid or not within
half an hour after sailing starts. In an oar boat, the river guide
alone rows lightly and slowly on the flat wear and penetratedly
and boldly while hitting a rapid. The oar boat gives you an opportunity
to observe the surroundings.
As
for meals, the river outfitter normally provides all meals during
the trip days.
