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Trishuli River
As per the Hindu legend the Trisuli River orginated by Lord Shiva driving his trident
(in Nepali 'Trisul') in the hill just above the Gosainkunda to creat three springs when
he needed a cool rast in the Lake Gosainkunda. Trisuli river starts from Betrawati (625m)
and flows to Narayanghat (170m) covering distance of 141 kms. The river is approachable from
Kathmandu by vehicle in 2 to 4 hours' drive and the river days would be from 4 to 7. The
difficulty in class is 3+ to 4.
This river is most popular rafting river with impressive gorges, exciting rapids, some easier
sections, and easily accessible from Kathmandu and Pokhara. This river is also recommended for
intermediate kayakers. Not far from Betrawati, Trisuli joins the Bhote Kosi that flows from Tibet ;
the two rivers joining in some pretty fearsome looking gorges that are visible on the way up to the
Langtang Trek .
By Betrawati the gradient has eased and after this it becomes a more mature and powerful river
which later adds many other major rivers to its flow - the Buri Gandaki, the Marshyangdi, and the
Seti. When the Kali Gandaki joins it, shortly before the plains, it changes its name to Narayani.
Here, it is a mighty river - peak flows in the Monsoon have been measured at 25,700 cu.mecs (extreme,
instantaneous discharge); about 900,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 50 times the typical flow of the
Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. Normally the flow on the main rafting section of the Trisuli
is about half that of the Grand Canyon, and in many ways the rapids are smaller scale versions of those
on the Colorado; they are formed mainly by boulder outwash from tributary streams and are characterized
by big green shoots, holes either side, and huge exploding waves down the bottom.
The river has carved some very impressive gorges in its lower part as it cut its way through the
2000m high Mahabharat Range. These gorges are also the route followed the Prithivi Highway, the first
national highway that linked Kathmandu to India. The opposite side to the road is relatively wild and
uninhabitated and plenty of wildlife is seen here, a profusion of colorful birds, including eagles and
vultures - especially true if continue on down into Chitwan National Park where you may see crocodiles
and rhino by the riverside.
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» Rafting in Trisuli River
A rafting trip in Trisuli needs no recommendation: thousand of thrilled rafters have written home
and recommended the trip to their friends. For many people it represents the ideal compromise trip:
just the right length of time, exhilarating rapids, but not too difficult, easily accessible from
Kathmandu and at reasonable price. The rapids on the Trisuli are mainly big, bouncy and relatively
safe: 'flips' (where the raft capsized) or other accidents are rare in normal water conditions,
and also it is possible to walk around the few difficult rapids.
There is a wide choice of different length trips on offer, from a one week relaxed trip all the way
from Trisuli Bazar to Chitwan to half day 'testers' specials. Trisuli Bazar is normally only a starting
point in higher water conditions - Sept/Oct or April/May. For many people the optimum length trip is 3
days, starting at or near Malekhu and taking out near Gaighat. This gives you a full and satisfying
experience - you run all the major rapids, watch the river grow as its tributaries join, marvel as it
cuts its way through impressive gorges, then leave it just before when it spreads out over the great
plain of the Ganges.
In case of time constraints, then a one or two day trips can be done - these can also save travel time
if scheduled as a break of the journey from Kathmandu to Pokhara or Kathmandu to Chitwan. These short
trips can vary from fairly relaxed float trips, avoiding the more difficult rapids, to one day 'roller
coaster' specials. The latter can run some of the best of the white water but pose obvious dangers and
can be a rather vicarious experience.
Day 01: 7.00 a.m: 3 hours' drive to starting point Malekhu, 72 kms on the way to Pokhara. Unload and
pump-up rafts for a quick start. Scout class 4 rapids called "Teen Devi". Hit rapid then stop for lunch
(about 1 hour break). After lunch, hit class 3 rapid called "Twin Rock" and other smaller then camp by
river side (approx. around 4 p.m.).
Day 02: After breakfast, a quick pack-up and set out at about 9.30 a.m. Run white water a full day hitting
rapids of class 3 & 2. Out of which one before and one after lunch called "Upset" & "Surprise" which are
of class 4. Calling it a day we camp around 3.30 p.m.
Day 03: After breakfast, we set out to hit a class 3 rapid called "S-Bend" and then, after an hour of
leisureous float we hit another rapid of class 4 called "Pin Ball" nearing Mugling, halfway between Kathmandu
and Pokhara. After half-an-hour's relaxing float we stop for lunch at a Double Decker beach. After lunch
we will set out for the final excitement of this trip hitting a few class 2 rapids and eventually to a
big hit "Rockey", a class 3 rapid. At about 2 p.m. we end our river trip at Gaighat and after hot drink
at the raft ending point, we drive either to Kathmandu, or, to Pokhara or, to Chitwan.
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