MARSHYANGDI RIVER
The "raging river", drains the northern slope of
the Annapurna Mountains. It was only opened to rafting in
1996 and yields some of the most exciting class 4 - 5 white
water in Nepal. This river demands 100% commitment from both
crew and guide. It is totally different from the big volume
rivers like the Sun Koshi and Karnali, the rapids are technical
and require a very different approach.
Big Volume Rivers need power and a good line; the Marshyangdi
needs fast reactions from the crew to get through this pinball
machine river. Located on the eastern side of the Annapurna
circuit, the Marshyangdi River has long been famous for
the beautiful views. With each twist and turn the steep
sided gorge walls frame a new mountain backdrop.
Summary
Departure point: Kathmandu / Pokhara
River stat point: Ngadi
River finish point: Bimal Nagar
ITINERARY
Pre-departure meeting will be held at the office in Kathmandu
at 6 pm the night before to clear any questions.
DAY 1: After breakfast, we leave by private
bus to Besisahaar. The last four hours of this ride takes
us off the "good" tarmac roads and tends to be
a little bouncy in places. After reaching Besisahaar we
unload the gear and enjoy a hearty lunch. One of our staff
will show up with a porter who will carry all the expedition
gear to our camp at Khudi. We arrive at Khudi in time to
set up camp, relax and find the best spot to take in the
magnificence of the surrounding Himalayas at sunset.
DAY 2: Have breakfast then we start trekking
for a couple of hours to our put in point Ngadi. Lunch will
be served, rafts are pumped, gear handed out after and your
expedition leader will brief you and train you on land about
safety and paddling. Pay attention as you are straight into
the rapids and this river has a way of underlining any mistakes!
This is the most knuckle gripping section of the river so
enjoy it. We encounter rapids as Instant Karma, Twinkie,
Adrenaline, and mama's Big Butt by Bhulbhule. We finish
today back at Khudi and have a well earned dinner no doubt
a rum punch to help it down.
DAY 3: Today will be the first full day
trip on the Marshyangdi, which offers more rapids than many
weeklong trips offer in their entirety, and it doesn't stop
after the first day. The crystal blue water thunders down
steep cataracts for mile after mile, with lush jungle clinging
precariously to the canyon walls and surreal mountains suspended
high above the forested ridges. This is a river with so
many exciting rapids that many are waiting for a reason
to be name ... who knows you might get to name one. Today
we start with hot drinks and then have breakfast - get ready
to tackle the intense whitewater rafting for the next 5
hours. We go for the action have Lunch break and then continue
our descent. The white sandy beaches below Besisahaar make
for the most comfortable nightspot around. Another evening
on the river relaxing, discussing the day's events, relaxing,
eating and watching the night sky.
DAY 4: After breakfast we hit directly
into whitewater again. At Phaliya Sanghu the whole river
is squeezed between vertical walls, which rise 200 ft to
a suspension bridge across the river. For a short section
after Phaliya Sanghu the river relaxes, the rapids are more
open and nowhere as powerful. We end the day at Bhoteodar,
where we camp on the banks in the cave of a Shiva temple.
DAY 5:The River becomes very mellow and
goes through a high walled gorge with birds and vegetation
that can only be described as breath taking. We reach our
take out point at Bimal Nagar by lunchtime where our transport
is waiting to take us back to Pokhara or Kathmandu.
