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Bhote Kosi, not nr Pokhara & Kali Gandaki, closer!

So I have decided to try and paddle some rivers whilst I am here in Kathmandu, Ball of Dirt doesn't seem to know where these rivers are so I am making up some where for them to go.

The Bhote Kosi (Bhote meaning river from Tibet) is about 3 hours North East of Kathmandu towards where the bungjy jump site is. Its a steep river with constant rapids at class 4+ and in the monsoon it can reach up to class 5 with the extra water. There were 3 rafts and a saftey kayaker following me down the river, so it was a good crowd. The weather was hot and the water cool once you got used to it. We were on the river for 2days of wet and steep action, with camping being half way down the river. The campsite was basic, but clean and comfortable, in the middle of now where.

The Kali Gandaki was abit more of an adventure to get to. Germaine and David from the Bhote Kosi trip and Germaine's  friends Anna were on the trip. (I am spelling Germaine this way because I can, I am  the author and am taking poetic licensing on names that I have never heard before, this is an appology for mis-spelling any names previous and futurerous. Unless I have spelt it right then ignore the  last sentence in part.)

We met early in the morning and headed on the 7hour bus trip to Pokhara where we would spend that evening before the next 3hour bus trip the next day to the start of the river. Rivers  are very spread out in Nepal. On this trip we had a raft, 2kayaks and a cataraft for all of the gear. There was a lot that was coming with us. There were 8 people all together, 2 raft guides, a saftey kayaker and a trainee guide from the company. The river was bigger volume than the Bhote Kosi but with less rapids and less contineus, but alot more remote. The campsites were on sandy beaches on the side of the river both nights and whilst the guides did there thing with the food. Which they were very good at, Indra and Mudam (guides) could easily open a resturant. We pitched the tents, carried the gear up from the  river and started water fights, sorry that was carry water up from the river for cooking. On the second night in the middle of knowhere some local boys came to sell some drinks and chocolate. They only sold one bottle to us but helped with the cooking and washing up. I don't think the youth of the west has the motervation to walk that far on the off chance of selling a bottle or two, to tourists and helping around the camp for free. We floated to the take out on the still waters of a Italian dam that has been built in the river, enjoying pasta and potato salad whilst the rafts where tied together and we each took it in turns to row the last few miles.

The ride back to Porkhara was even longer, 5hours, and we arrived back in a rainstorm, and after some of us had had hot showers, we headed out  for some food and  then off to play pool before saying good bye to every one. I caught the 7am bus to Kathmandu and 7hours later it arrived. In the morning I am catching the bus back to Nuwakot  to start my last 4weeks teaching, time is going quickly.

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