Nepal

[leerogers]

Hi All

I've just got back from 2 weeks paddling in Nepal, and I'd like to recommend it to all as an amazing trip, both river running wise and for the whole experience.

There was a group of 4 of us, all first timers. Logistics are easy, there's a whole variety of rivers for all levels of paddlers. We did 11 days paddling out of a possible 13, grades III-IV+. Food is good quality, plentiful and cheap. Cost wise we spent £1000 total for 2 weeks including flights, food, transport, boat hire, Christmas shopping and lots of beers! We could have done it cheaper if we'd been scrimping a bit more.

Would like to say thanks and recommend GRG adventure kayaking (http://www.grgadventurekayaking.com/) who helped us get straight onto the water upon arrival (we got to Kathmandu at 8pm sat night and were on the water at 11am the next day). They were great at sorting the logistics and as extra help on the water while you get used to the bigger volume, not to mention sorting food and kit so you don't have to have heavy boats. We did an extra trip with them at the end too.

The rest of the trip we stayed in Pokhara and highly recommend Charly at Ganesh Kayak shop who we rented boats from ($15 per day) and who was instrumental in getting us maximum paddle time, by giving us level info, booking us taxis, jeeps and telling us which buses to catch home! Obviously Slimes guidebook is still the bible, though some of the prices quoted have gone up a bit now and some new bridges have been built!

All in all, an amazing country, a great paddle destination that is much easier to organise than you might imagine. PM me if you want any more info or a list of stuff we paddled.

Cheers
Lee

[Poke]

Think I messaged you before your trip out there.. We're flying out for new year with Qatar, and they're being awkward with boats.

Did you fly Qatar, did you take boats and did you have to pay through the nose for the privilege?

Cheers
Tim

[Poke]

Scratch that one!! Just got your PM. Have posted it here for reference for others. Hope you don't mind...

Got back from Nepal yesterday, we had no problems with Qatar despite been about 5kg each over the 20kg limit, though def got the opinion that it was down to the check in person!

Met a couple of other paddlers who were actually flying with boats and apparently they tried to charge them $360 to bring their boats back, but they negoiated it down to 2000Rps (£16).

[leerogers]

Yeah no worries.

Flight was good, lots of films, TV in headrests and free drinks! If you've got a long stop-over in Doha (we had 4 hours(delayed to 6) on way out and 7 on return) then pack a therm-a-rest in your hand luggage as the chairs are the worst for crashing on!

Cheers
Lee