Beginner Kayak Clinic – 4 Days

“Experience Whitewater Kayaking”

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TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
  • Learn to whitewater kayak in Nepal
  • Experience a genuine river expedition
  • Challenge yourself
  • Paddle from Pokhara to Chitwan National Park – Get OFF the bus!

Our beginner “kayak clinic” has been designed to get a first time paddler feeling comfortable and competent kayaking whitewater rapids in just 4 days. Starting with 1 day on Pokhara’s Phewa Lake with views of the Annapurna Mountains, followed by 3 days paddling and camping on the remote Lower Seti River, this is the ultimate itinerary to learn the basics of whitewater kayaking while enjoying a mini river expedition and exploring Nepal.

Day 1 –
Our first day is spent on Phewa Lake where we will learn a variety of basic paddle strokes, braces, rescue techniques and the Eskimo roll. Enjoy views of paragliders in front of the Annapurna Mountains as we practice. A simple picnic lunch is provided on the beach before paddling around the Barahi temple on the way back to the kayak shack at Lakeside.

Day 2 –
Our whitewater adventure begins less than 2 hours away on the Lower Seti River – the warmest river in Nepal. Each day the Lower Seti River becomes a little more challenging as the volume increases and rapids grow in size, making it the perfect learning environment. Raft support escorts the team for the entire journey, providing refuge in case participants need a break at any time.

An introduction to whitewater theory, river safety and navigation is provided before diving onto the river. We will learn about river currents, eddies, holes and waves while our instructors teach how to cross the river, eddy-in and eddy-out and discover paddling through gentle river current and mild rapids. Lunch is prepared on a riverside beach half way through the day. 

Tonight we camp on a remote riverside beach surrounded by jungle. Camping gear, luggage, cooking equipment, food and drinking water is brought with us on the support raft for the duration of the river adventure. Our guides will prepare a variety of hygienic and delicious buffet style meals.

Day 3 –
After breakfast, camp is taken down, packed back up and reloaded onto the support raft to continue our journey down river. As a team, we make sure to leave the beach cleaner than when arrived.

Now it is time to discover a few fun and bumpy rapids where our instructors will show the way down the best lines to navigate the escalating whitewater. Between these class 2/2+ rapids there are plenty of flat water sections to practice the Eskimo roll or to simply relax and beautiful scenery, wildlife and culture.

Tonight’s camp is set on another beautiful white sandy beach with a local village nearby. At camp there is always opportunity to learn wilderness survival skills or fascinating cultural information from our expert local guides.

Day 4 –
All of our new skills will be put to the test on the last day, as we challenge some exciting 2+/3 rapids before our adventure comes to an end near the confluence of the Trisuli River on the outskirts of the Chitwan National Park. We will have a final Eskimo rolling test before lunch and good-byes. Private transportation with our crew is provided back to Pokhara while local bus options are possible towards Chitwan, Bandipur or Kathmandu.

This beginner “kayak clinic” is also recommended as a warm up for more experienced paddlers who are out of practice and looking to brush up on the fundamentals before challenging bigger Himalayan Rivers.

Take the thrill of whitewater into your own hands and join us on our most popular river adventure.

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What's Included
  • Professional English speaking licensed guides highly trained and safety certified to international standards in Whitewater River Guiding, Swift Water Rescue and Wilderness First Aid
  • Gear raft support
  • Kayak, paddle and full personal outfitting including international name brand ISO/CE certified PFDs, helmets, spray decks, paddle jackets and wetsuits
  • Dry bags and pelican boxes to keep your personal items dry and safe on the river
  • Variety of fresh, hygienically prepared meals while on the river, including tea, coffee, hot chocolate and treated drinking water
  • Camping logistics and equipment including shelters, tents, simple mattresses and sleeping bags
  • Round trip transportation
  • River permits
  • Industry standard first aid kits
What's NOT Included
  • Unrelated transportation, accommodation, visas, travel documents, departure taxes etc…
  • First night accommodation in Pokhara
  • Footwear
  • Items of a personal nature including swimwear, towel and toiletries
  • Insurance **we provide insurance for our crew – but participants must be properly insured through an emergency medical travel plan**
  • Tips for guides **if you feel that our crew did a great job, you are invited but not obligated to offer a personal tip**
What to Bring
  • Shorts / ½ pants
  • T-shirt
  • Sport sandals or comfortable shoes that can get wet and will stay on your feet
  • Polypropylene / quick dry long shirts
  • Swimwear
  • Track pants / comfortable long pants
  • Warm fleece
  • Jacket (waterproof shell)
  • Socks
  • Shoes (not essential – do not bring big trekking boots)
  • Pyjamas (something comfortable to sleep in)
  • Warm hat (in cold months)
  • Travel towel 
  • Personal toiletries
  • Sunscreen / sunscreen lip protection
  • Mosquito repellant 
  • Water bottle
  • Head lamp / flash light
  • Personal first aid kit
  • Sleeping bag (if you do not have one – we will provide a complimentary rental)
  • A little cash for treats, tips and the occasional chance for photographs
Map

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Trip Departure Dates

Winter – Spring 2024

February March April May June
01 – 04 Feb
05 – 08 Feb
09 – 12 Feb
13 – 16 Feb
17 – 20 Feb
21 – 24 Feb
25 – 28 Feb
01 – 04 Mar
05 – 08 Mar
09 – 12 Mar
13 – 16 Mar
17 – 20 Mar
21 – 24 Mar
25 – 28 Mar
29 Mar – 01 Apr
02 – 05 Apr
06 – 09 Apr
10 – 13 Apr
14 – 17 Apr
18 – 21 Apr
22 – 25 Apr
26 – 29 Apr
30 Apr – 03 May
04 – 07 May
08 – 11 May
12 – 15 May
16 – 19 May
20 – 23 May
24 – 27 May
28 – 31 May
01 – 04 Jun
05 – 08 Jun
09 – 12 Jun
13 – 16 Jun
17 – 20 Jun
21 – 24 Jun
25 – 28 Jun

Fall – Winter 2024 / 2025

September October November December January
14 – 17 Sep
18 – 21 Sep
22 – 25 Sep
26 – 29 Sep
30 Sep – 03 Oct
04 – 07 Oct
08 – 11 Oct
12 – 15 Oct
16 – 19 Oct
20 – 23 Oct
24 – 27 Oct
28 – 31 Oct
01 – 04 Nov
05 – 08 Nov
09 – 12 Nov
13 – 16 Nov
17 – 20 Nov
21 – 24 Nov
25 – 28 Nov
29 Nov – 02 Dec
03 – 06 Dec
07 – 10 Dec
11 – 14 Dec
15 – 18 Dec
19 – 22 Dec
23 – 26 Dec
27 – 30 Dec
31 Dec – 03 Jan
04 – 07 Jan
08 – 11 Jan
12 – 15 Jan
16 – 19 Jan
20 – 23 Jan
24 – 27 Jan
28 – 31 Jan

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Trip Details

DURATION:

4 days (1 day Lake / 3 days River)

CLASS:

II / III

DEPART FROM:

Day 1 @ Lake / 9:30am
Paddle Nepal Lakeside Center, Pokhara
Day 2 @ River / 7:00am
Paddle Nepal Lakeside Center, Pokhara

START POINT:

Damauli / 1 ½ hours from Pokhara

FINISH POINT:

Gai Ghat / 3+ hours to Pokhara

RETURNS TO:

Paddle Nepal Lakeside Center, Pokhara
(private bus)
Kathmandu / Bandipur / Chitwan
(local bus options)

MEALS:

Day 1 = lunch
Day 2 = lunch & dinner
Day 3 = breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 4 = breakfast & lunch

ACCOMMODATION:

2 nights riverside beach camping
(1st night in Pokhara NOT included)

SEASON:

Open: Sep. – June
Best: Oct. – Dec. and March to May

PRICE:

$294 USD until end of June 2024
$350 USD from Sep 2024

 

HOTEL KARUNA @ LAKESIDE
Our favorite place to stay in Pokhara