A two week Nepal tour in November 2008

Descent of the mighty Sun Kosi with guiding and raft support

Descent of the lower Tamur with kayak guiding

Skill level required, class 3-4 paddlers with an ability to roll (at least some of the time!!)

(although non kayakers can also make the trip on Sun Kosi as a raft passenger and are very welcome)

We operate with the magnificent assistance of Explore Nepal who provide the raft support, and logistics on the ground in Nepal and who also own the Kantipur House Hotel, Bhojan Griha, and the Koshi Tappu birdwatching camp. All of the support staff on this trip aside from Chris Dickinson, the kayaking guide, will be Nepalis. We strongly believe in using Nepalis to support our Nepal trips because it gives guests a much greater insight into the land of Nepal and its people. Bharat Basnet, owner, of Explore Nepal has developed some of the most impressive eco tourist facilities in the country that seek to present and conserve elements of the culture and architecture of Nepal. Meals provided are indicated in the itinerary in brackets. Kathmandu has many interesting restaurants you will wish to sample for those meals not provided. The intinerary is an outline only and may be varied according to weather and flow conditions,

ITINERARY Starts 2nd Nov 2008 in Kathmandu

Day 01: Arriving Kathmandu (KTM). You will be met at the airport and transferred to the Hotel Kantipur
Temple House, a beautiful hotel in the heart of the old city, designed in traditional style.. Rest of the day at leisure.

Day 02: Preparation of trip. Meet the crew and check preparation. Collect and outfit rental and personal kayaks. Evening meal at Bhojan Griha a refurbished ancient palace, with a cultural evening of music and dance as well as absolutely superb authentic nepali cuisine.(Breakfast, Dinner) Hotel Kantipur

Day 03: KTM-DOLALGHAT (the put in for the Sun Kosi River).(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner).
Mountain bike ride from Bhaktapur to Sun Kosi with stop for picnic lunch. Bus drives east to Dolalghat, the put-in, in support of bikes. At this point we will prepare the raft for launching, we begin by packing our waterproof bags into the raft. The raft loaded, we cast off sometime early afternoon and head downstream. We float down the Indrawati to join the Sunkosi. In the beginning the Sunkosi is a peaceful river and our first day is an introduction to rural Nepal and river life.

Day 04: RAFTING /KAYAKING ON SUNKOSHI RIVER. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner).
In the morning, just before reaching Jhunga Jhola, we will scout a rocky rapid. In the afternoon we pass the confluence of the Tamba Kosi. Just above the confluence is one of the largest rapids on the Sunkosi the Nepalese call it Meatgrinder. It is also known as Bat Rapid for the bat cave in the cliff above the rapid. This rapid is a great introduction to the power of Sunkosi and can be rated as class 4 on a scale from 1 - 6. Also during the river trip we will have time to visit some villages and make short hikes into the surrounding countryside. Alternatively you can just enjoy the life on white sand beaches and swim in the river. Our Nepali crew will establish camps and arrange all the catering for us. We expect clients to set up tents (provided) for themselves and be responsible for the packing and unpacking of their dry bags. It is also nice to help the crew with unloading and loading rafts when the time comes. On the river, Chris will guide paddlers as much or as little as they wish and is happy to provide coaching input if asked. Chris will make all the key trip and safety decisions in conjunction with our raft guide. The raft regime will be geared to a kayaking trip. The Sun Kosi float is close to 240 miles and of course much of the river is relatively gentle with fast flowing water. Rapids typically form below significant side valleys where monsoon floods have poured material into the main river over time.

Day 05: RAFTING /KAYAKING ON SUNKOSHI RIVER. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner).
Today the canyon changes. The ridges begin to close in and the vegetation becomes thicker. We float through an interesting geological area and encounter a number of small to medium size rapids.

Day 06: RAFTING /KAYAKING ON SUNKOSHI RIVER. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner).
The white water picks up near the village of HARKAPUR. This is the Sun Kosi's biggest rapid and merits Class 5. In the afternoon we will camp near the confluence of the Dudh Kosi, the river which drains the Everest region.

Day 07: RAFTING /KAYAKING ON SUNKOSHI RIVER. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner).
Below the Dudh Kosi the river widens and flows through a broad valley. Further on, the Sunkosi bends south and cuts through the Mahabarat Range.
This afternoon we run a number of small rapids rated 3 to 4. We will camp near the Rasuwa River.

Day 08: RAFTING /KAYAKING ON SUNKOSHI RIVER.(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner).
Today we enter tropical vegetation. The river narrows into a gorge lined by thick forest. Broad leaf trees, ferns, mosses,bamboo and creepers canopy the
river banks.This is known as the Jungle Corridor and is one of the most beautiful sections of the trip and also has some of the best white water,

Day 09: RAFTING /KAYAKING ON SUNKOSHI RIVER. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner).
Below Tribenighat, the confluence of the Sun Kosi with the Arun (from Makalu) and the Tamur (from Kanchenjunga), we will stop at Brah Kshetra and camp one final night on a beach below this village. We will visit the interesting temples here.

Day 10: RAFTING /KAYAKING ON SUNKOSHI / TAMUR RIVER. (Breakfast, Dinner).
Very early we will float to Chatara takeout and kayakers will load onto jeep for drive to Mulhgat via Dharan to make descent of last part of Tamur and
back to Chattra, where our jeep will be waiting. This provides a chance to run one of the best one day sections of big water class 3-4 in Nepal with countless rapids. We will kayak without raft support and carry our own lunch. At takeout we drive 1 hour (20 kms) to KOSHI TAPPU WILDLIFE RESERVE where we are based on 2 night stay.
Overnight at luxury KOSHI TAPPU WILDLIFE CAMP in the lowland Terai, close to the banks of the Sapt Kosi, by now Nepal's biggest river.

Day 11: Full day relaxing at KOSHI TAPPU WILDLIFE CAMP or if you wish you can go for a birdwatching tour and or village tour near by the camp. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner).

Day 12: Transfer to Biratnagar airport and fly back to KTM. If not too cloudy this flight gives stunning views of the Himalayas. Overnight at HOTEL KANTIPUR TEMPLE HOUSE. (Breakfast).

Day 13: Free day. Overnight at Hotel Kantipur Temple House. (Breakfast).

Day 14: Transfer to the airport for the final departure on 15th November 2008. (Breakfast)

PRICE starting and finishing at Kathmandu airport is £1280.

Please note that this is a luxury trip with first class hotels, jungle camp AND internal scheduled flight back to Kathmandu. You will also have one of the UK's most experienced river guides. It IS possible to do this cheaper but to do that you have to stay in poor hotels, ride bone shattering buses for up to 16 hours or more overnight and eat poor meals that you prepare or clear up yourself. This is a fully catered trip with professional staff, hotels guides etc.

• of which £300 is payable as a non-returnable deposit to secure a booking and the full balance is due by 30th September 2008
• Clients are responsible for arranging their own international flights to KTM.
• In the event that we cancel the trip (for example for lack of numbers) ALL monies paid will be refunded.
• In the event of a withdrawal before 30th September 2008, any trip fees paid, excepting the deposit, will be refunded in full.
• After that date no refunds are possible so please take out relevant cancellation insurance.
• All cheques payable to "Mr.C.J.Dickinson"

The above cost includes:

• 4 nights stay in KTM at superb HOTEL KANTIPUR TEMPLE HOUSE on Bed and breakfast basis.
• 2 nights stay in LUXURY CAMP at KOSHI TAPPU WILDLIFE CAMP with all meals and park activities.
• Internal Flight from Biratnagar (in lowlands) back to KTM with airport tax.
• All necessary transfers and drives by private vehicles.
• On Raft trip, staying in Tents with all meals, rafting equipment, guides, permit etc.
• Traditional Nepali grand dinner feast at Bhojan Griha, former Rana Palace, on Day 02.
• Drive Chatara (Sun Kosi takeout) to Mulghat (for Tamur descent) and from Chatara to Koshi Tappu by private vehicle.

• Not included:
• Single Room supplement will be £120.00 per person extra on top of the trip price if you want a room to yourself.
• Kayak rental will be extra and is negotiated on your behalf in good faith with local rental companies at current rates. Estimate £10/day. We usually rent from Ganesh kayak Shop in Pokhara (who will send boats up to Kathmandu - see http://www.raftnepal.org/ganesh/ for details of kayaks available). You can of course bring your own kayak to Nepal. Some airlines will co-operate and some will not.
• Meals not mentioned above (Kathmandu has a plethora of attractive restaurants)
• Alcoholic beverages
• International flights, insurance and innoculations