About Us
Our Paddle Nepal Family
Paddle Nepal was created in 2006 by Nim B Magar – 12 time Nepali National Kayak Champion and International Rafting Federation Instructor. With the support of Nim’s Canadian wife Kelly and his two brothers Som and Santosh, our family have established one of Nepal’s most reputed whitewater adventure companies. Born and raised on the banks of the Trisuli River, “Min” and his brothers are well known and respected in the international paddling community. Our brothers have proudly represented Nepal internationally in the various whitewater competitions around the world. Together, they share over 40 years experience guiding some of the best rivers on the planet.
Born and raised in Nepal on the banks of the rivers on which we work and play, our Paddle Nepal family shares unlimited enthusiasm for adventure, passion for whitewater, dedication to safety and a genuine respect for Mother Nature. We are proud to be Nepalese and excited to share our extraordinary country, culture, rivers, canyons and skills with travelers from around the world.
Inspired by our own experiences working, training, coaching and competing internationally, our dream is to improve local industry standards.We aim to provide the most fun, safe and professional whitewater adventures for our guests, while helping Nepalese river guides achieve better employment opportunities.
Testimonials
“We have used Paddle Nepal several times over the past 5 years bringing youth groups and volunteer programs into Nepal. Paddle Nepal is clearly the most professional adventure company we have had the pleasure to work with in the Himalaya including Bhutan & India! They provide honest and efficient pre-trip advice, high quality trips that are fun and safe with professional guides and top of the line equipment. We highly recommend Paddle Nepal for Rafting, Learning to Kayak and Canyoning adventures in Nepal. We just wish they would start Trekking too!!!”
Kevin Bernard – UK
Our Team
Nim Bahadur Magar
Founder / Owner & Managing Director / Senior River Guide / Instructor
- Paddling since 1992
- Nepal / Europe / UK / Canada / Korea / Tibet / China / Japan
- 12 time Nepalese National Kayak Champion / 9 time Nepalese National Raft Team Champion / 2018 Official Nepalese National Raft Team Coach
- International Rafting Federation Class IV Guide & IV Safety Kayak Instructor / Rescue 3 International WRT / Wilderness First Aid / New Zealand Rafting Association licence / Nepal Association of Rafting Agents licence
- President of Nepal Association of Rafting Agents / President of Nepal Rafting and Canoeing Association – Western Region
Santosh Bahadur Magar
Part Owner / Senior River Guide / Chhikesory Adventure Camp Manager
- Paddling since 1998
- Nepal / Tibet / China / Iceland / Norway
- Previous member of Nepal National Rafting & Kayaking Teams
- International Rafting Federation Class IV Trip Leader / Rescue 3 International WRT Advanced / Rescue 3 International Technical Rope Rescue Technician / High Peak International / Wilderness First Aid / American Canyoneering Acadamy Level 2 / Nepal Association of Rafting Agents licence
Som Bahadur Magar
Part Owner / Senior River Guide / River Guide Manager
- Paddling since 2002
- Nepal / Iceland / Japan
- Previous member of Nepal National Rafting Team / Member of 2018 Official Nepal National Rafting Team
- International Rafting Federation Class IV Trip Leader & IV Safety Kayaker / Rescue 3 International WRT / Wilderness First Aid / Nepal Association of Rafting Agents licence
Jange Bahadur Magar
Part Owner / Senior River Guide / Equipment Maintenance Manager
- Paddling since 1990
- Nepal
- International Rafting Federation Class IV Guide / Rescue 3 International WRT / Wilderness First Aid / Nepal Association of Rafting Agents licence
Sayas Ghimire
Senior River Guide
- Paddling since 2006
- Nepal / Iceland / Japan
- International Rafting Federation Class IV Trip Leader / Rescue 3 International WRT Advanced / Rescue 3 International Technical Rope Rescue Technician / High Peak International Wilderness First Aid / American Canyoneering Acadamy Level 2 / Nepal Association of Rafting Agents licence
Raju Shrestha
Senior River Guide
- Paddling since 2000
- Nepal / India / Sri Lanka / Japan
- International Rafting Federation Class IV Trip Leader & IV Safety Kayaker / Rescue 3 International WRT / Wilderness First Aid / American Canyoneering Acadamy Level 2 / Nepal Association of Rafting Agents licence
Kamal Thapa
Senior River Guide
- Paddling since 1998
- Nepal / Japan / USA
- International Rafting Federation Class IV Trip Leader / Rescue 3 International WRT / SOLO Advanced Wilderness First Aid / New Zealand Rafting Association licence / Nepal Association of Rafting Agents licence
Samsher Gurung
Senior River Guide
- Paddling since 2000
- Nepal / Iceland
- International Rafting Federation Class IV Trip Leader / Rescue 3 International WRT / Wilderness First Aid / Nepal Association of Rafting Agents licence
Govinda Adhikari
Senior River Guide
- Paddling since 2007
- Nepal / India / Japan
- International Rafting Federation Class IV Guide / Rescue 3 International WRT / Nepal Red Cross First Aid / Nepal Association of Rafting Agents licence
Ram Prasad Pandey Chhetri
Senior River Guide
- Paddling since 2007
- Nepal / India / Japan
- International Rafting Federation Class IV Trip Leader & IV Safety Kayaker / Rescue 3 International WRT / Solo Advanced Wilderness First Aid / Nepal Association of Rafting Agents licence
Surya Bahadur Magar
Senior River Guide
- Paddling since 2000
- Nepal / India / Sri Lanka / Japan
- Previous member of Nepal National Rafting Team
- International Rafting Federation Class IV Guide / Rescue 3 International WRT Advanced / Wilderness First Aid / Nepal Association of Rafting Agents licence
Man Bahadur Kandel (Michael)
Senior River Guide
- Paddling since 2007
- Nepal / India / Turkey / Iceland / Japan
- Member of 2017 & 2018 Official Nepal National Rafting Team
- International Rafting Federation Class IV Guide & III Trip Leader / Rescue 3 International SRTA-WA / Wilderness First Aid / Nepal Association of Rafting Agents licence
Rohit Kumar Rai
Senior River Guide
- Paddling since 2007
- Nepal / Japan
- International Rafting Federation Class IV Guide & IV Safety Kayaker / Rescue 3 International WRT / Wilderness First Aid / Nepal Association of Rafting Agents licence
Rabi Shrestha
Senior River Guide
- Paddling since 2008
- Nepal / India / Iceland
- International Rafting Federation Class IV Guide / Rescue 3 International WRT / Wilderness First Aid / Nepal Association of Rafting Agents licence
Rajip Tripathi
River Guide
- Paddling since 2010
- Nepal / India / Iceland / Japan
- International Rafting Federation Class IV Trip Leader & IV Safety Kayaker / Rescue 3 International WRT / Wilderness First Aid / American Canyoneering Acadamy Level 2 / Nepal Association of Rafting Agents licence
Prakash Gurung
River Guide
- Paddling since 2010
- Nepal / Japan
- Member of 2017 Official Nepal National Rafting Team
- International Rafting Federation Class III Guide / Rescue 3 International WRT / Nepal Red Cross First Aid / Nepal Association of Rafting Agents licence
Prashant Gurung
River Guide
- Paddling since 2007
- Nepal / India / Japan
- International Rafting Federation Class IV Guide & IV Safety Kayaker / Rescue 3 International WRT / Wilderness First Aid / Nepal Association of Rafting Agents licence
Jeevan Gurung
River Guide
- Paddling since 2011
- Nepal / India / Japan
- Member of 2018 Official Nepal National Rafting Team
- International Rafting Federation Class IV Safety Kayaker / Rescue 3 International WRT / Solo Advanced Wilderness First Responder / Nepal Association of Rafting Agents licence
Ganesh Gurung
River Guide
- Paddling since 2013
- Nepal / India
- International Rafting Federation Class III Guide & IV Safety Kayaker / Rescue 3 International WRT / First Aid / Nepal Association of Rafting Agents licence
Bharat Gurung
River Guide
- Paddling since 2012
- Nepal / Japan
- Member of 2018 Official Nepal National Rafting Team
- International Rafting Federation Class IV Guide & IV Safety Kayak / Rescue 3 International WRT / Wilderness First Aid / American Canyoneering Acadamy Level 2 / Nepal Association of Rafting Agents licence
Keshar Gurung
River Guide
- Paddling since 2011
- Nepal / India / Japan
- International Rafting Federation Class IV Guide & IV Safety Kayaker / Rescue 3 International WRT / SOLO Advanced Wilderness First Aid / American Canyoneering Acadamy Level 2 / Nepal Association of Rafting Agents licence
Bhupan Gurung
River Guide
- Paddling since 2011
- Nepal / India / Japan
- International Rafting Federation Class IVTrip Leader & IV Safety Kayaker / Rescue 3 International WRT / SOLO Advanced Wilderness First Aid / American Canyoneering Acadamy Level 2 / Nepal Association of Rafting Agents licence
Bhabi Raj Gurung
River Guide
- Paddling since 2011
- Nepal / Japan
- International Rafting Federation Class III Safety Kayak / Rescue 3 International WRT / SOLO Advanced Wilderness First Aid / Nepal Association of Rafting Agents licence
Dinesh Yadav
River Guide
- Paddling since 2012
- Nepal / Iceland / China / Japan
- International Rafting Federation Class IV Trip Leader & Safety Kayak / Rescue 3 International WRT / High Peak International Wilderness First Aid / Nepal Association of Rafting Agents licence
Naresh Gurung
River Guide
- Paddling since 2012
- Nepal / Japan / Iceland
- International Rafting Federation Class IV Safety Kayak / Rescue 3 International WRT / Widerness First Aid / Nepal Association of Rafting Agents licence
Suk Bahadur Gurung
River Guide
- Paddling since 2011
- Nepal / Japan
- International Rafting Federation Class IV Guide & IV Safety Kayak / Rescue 3 International WRT / SOLO Advanced Wilderness First Aid / Nepal Association of Rafting Agents licence
Karna Bahadur Magar
River Guide
- Paddling since 2012
- Nepal
- International Rafting Federation Class III Guide / Rescue 3 International WRT & Swift Water Safety Institute SRT-1 / Wilderness First Aid / Nepal Association of Rafting Agents licence
Rajendra Gurung
River Guide
- Paddling since 2013
- Nepal / Japan
- International Rafting Federation Class IV Guide & IV Safety Kayaker / Rescue 3 International WRT / SOLO Advanced Wilderness First Aid / Nepal Association of Rafting Agents licence
Jeevan Magar
Junior River Guide
- Paddling since 2015
- Nepal
- International Rafting Federation Guide Trainee / Rescue 3 International WRT / Wilderness First Aid / Nepal Associate of Rafting Agents license
Pradip Magar
Junior River Guide
- Paddling since 2015
- Nepal
- International Rafting Federation Guide Trainee / Rescue 3 International WRT / Wilderness First Aid / Nepal Association of Rafting Agents license
Dinesh Ghimire
Junior River Guide
- Paddling since 2015
- Nepal
- International Rafting Federation Guide Trainee / Rescue 3 International WRT / Swift Water Safety Institute SRT-1 / Wilderness First Aid / Nepal Association of Rafting Agents license
Lil Bahadur Gurung (BJ)
Junior River Guide
- Paddling since 2016
- Nepal
- Member of 2018 Official Nepal National Rafting Team
- International Rafting Federation Guide Trainee / Rescue 3 International WRT / Swift Water Safety Institute SRT-1 / Wilderness First Aid / American Canyoneering Academy Advanced Training / Nepal Association of Rafting Agents license
Prakash Gurung
Junior River Guide
- Paddling since 2016
- Nepal
- International Rafting Federation Guide Trainee / Rescue 3 International WRT / Swift Water Safety Institute SRT-1 / Wilderness First Aid / American Canyoneering Academy Advanced Training / Nepal Association of Rafting Agents license
Sunil Gurung
Junior River Guide
- Paddling since 2016
- Nepal / China
- International Rafting Federation Guide Trainee / Rescue 3 International WRT / Swift Water Safety Institute SRT-1 / Wilderness First Aid / American Canyoneering Academy Advanced Training / Nepal Association of Rafting Agents license
Min Bahadur Gurung
Junior River Guide
- Paddling since 2016
- Nepal
- Rescue 3 International WRT / Swift Water Safety Institute SRT-1 / American Canyoneering Academy Advanced Training / Nepal Association of Rafting Agents license
Susma Kathet (Muna)
River Guide Trainee
- Paddling since 2016
- Nepal
- Swift Water Safety Institute SRT-1 / First Aid / American Canyoneering Academy Basic Training / Nepal Association of Rafting Agents training
Nisan Gurung
River Guide Trainee
- Paddling since 2016
- Nepal
- Swift Water Safety Institute SRT-1 / First Aid / American Canyoneering Academy Basic Training / Nepal Association of Rafting Agents training
Rupesh Thapa
Operations Office Manager
Suresh Gurung
Operations Office Assistant
Rupa Lama
Operations Office Assistant
Rajani Gurung
Ground Operations Support
Ravi Chaudhary
Kathmandu Office Support
Pradip Balami
Kathmandu Office Support
Suman Ale Magar
Boat House Manager
Chhabi Lal Magar
Bus Driver
Babu Lal
Jeep Driver
Sana Ghale
Bus Driver
Kelly Maya Magar
Wife / Dreamer / Mover of Mountains / Creative / Cheer Leader / Mother
Kailash Bahadur Magar
The Future