There are over 120 rafting operators in Thamel alone! Choosing a good operator can itself be
confusing and difficult. As with other sections of the guide I've chosen only to include the
operators that I have some personal knowledge of.
Avoid booking via the agencies if you can,
they may have less information than the operators themselves. Why pay the extra commission when
you can go directly to the operator?
Most of the operators have web-pages of their own - some of these are available via the 'Cool Links'
page on this site.
Drift Nepal are in the middle of Thamel under the 'San Miguel' sign.
A Company feature, details and a direct Internet link are
available
HERE
Equator Expeditions are based in Thamel, just up the road from the Kathmandu Guest house. The
Nepali owner, Mahendra, is a big, friendly likable guy with considerable experience of river
running in Nepal. Equator also have an office in Pokhara
A Company feature, details and a direct Internet link are
available
HERE
Ultimate Descents have undergone several changes in recent years.
David Allardice's Ultimate Descents International are running trips and adventures via the
Last Resort office near K.C.'s and the 'Ultimate rivers' office which is next to the Kathmandu
Guest house.
A Company feature, details and a direct Internet link are
available
HERE
Megh Ale, the Nepali former co-owner runs Ultimate Descents Nepal from an office near the
Northfield cafe in Thamel.
A Company feature, details and a direct Internet link are
available
HERE
Ultimate descents, Drift, U.D. Nepal and Equator continue to be at the top of the list of
operators as far as I am concerned.
They were the only four companies running the early descents of harder rivers like the
Bhote kosi in the fall 2001 season.
Many operators will offer cheaper rates, but when it
comes to facts, you get what you pay for - would you risk the price reductions when safety
is such a big issue?
Other operators that I have some knowledge of are listed below . . .
Himalayan encounters run from an office within the courtyard of the Kathmandu guest house. I
travelled with them in 1994 on a Kali-Gandaki trip and the food quality, safety factors and
overall organisation were first class.
Himalayan River Exploration have a based near Thamel and details of the trips they run can be
found on their web-site. They are represented in the U.K. by ExploreAsia Ltd. Their site is
on the 'cool links' page.
White Magic have 20 years of rafting experience in Nepal. Many of their staff hold international
qualifications and the company offers trips on all the main rivers. Their office is close to
Thamel.
Adventure-Whitewater are U.K. based and offer trips in Nepal and several other countries around
the world. Their prices reflect the fact that all organisation, accomodation and transport etc
are provided for you. If you want less hassle at the Kathmandu end these are the operator for you.
We have a direct link to their web-page in our Cool-links section
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