What to Bring
Personal Equipment: The less luggage you have to carry
around the more you will enjoy yourself. Clothing should
ideally be light weight, dry quickly, and provide
insulation even when wet. Synthetic fibres are
preferable to cotton on the river for this reason. Here
is a fairly extensive to serve as a guide
For Camping and
Traveling
A sleeping bag and pad. Your
sleeping bag should be a two to three season bag,
either down or synthetic filled. A foam pad or
Thermoses sleeping mattress is mandatory for a good
nights sleep. For those who do not have a sleeping bag
and pad, they can be rented easily in Kathmandu or
Pokhara for about fifty cents a day.
Lightweight pants.
Cotton underwear.
Light weight long sleeved shirt
or T-shirt. We use these as sunscreen in camp....don't
worry about getting enough sun, you will.
A fleece style jacket.
Polypropylene or wool is preferable.
Toiletries: keep it to a minimum,
and forget the cosmetics, you won't have a chance to
use them. Bring plenty of moisturizing lotion.
Spare glasses or contact lenses
if you wear them.
Flashlight or headlamp with spare
batteries.
Water-bottle
River Wear
River sandals like Teas or Alps
are the preferred footwear on the river. It is
essential that all rafters have footwear that they can
wear in the raft which will not come off in the event
of a swim , as this is considered standard safety
equipment. Old running shoes will also do.
Shorts or a swimming costume.
A sarong for women (a long piece
of cloth wrapped around your waist) is another good
option, and can be purchased cheaply in Nepal. This is
invaluable for visiting villages and respecting local
custom for dress.
A baseball style cap and good
sunglasses are absolutely essential. Sunglasses should
be equipped with a retaining device to keep them on
your face where they belong.
Sunscreen (spf 15 or or greater
and waterproof) is essential DON'T FORGET LIP BALM,
SPF 15 MINIMUM!
For Trekking (Karnali,
Marsyangdi and Tamur Expeditions)
A day pack for the trek to the
river.
Long sleeved thermal top and
bottoms (long underwear).
Light and medium weight weaves
are the handiest.
Walking shoes or light weight
hiking boots are a must. People who are used to
walking long distances over uneven terrain will do
fine with light hiking shoes or even running shoes.
Some of the guides will do the trip in Teas, but if
you saw their feet, you'd opt for better footwear.
Heavy mountaineering boots are more of a burden than a
blessing.
Toilet paper and a lighter- nice
to have a spare.
Optional Items
Small binoculars for wildlife
viewing in the national parks.
Camera and film. Also bring a
good cleaning kit, as field conditions are harsher
than in towns.
Spare batteries are also handy.
Fishing equipment.
Walk/Discman and tunes.
Reading and writing material.
Personal first aid kit.
Perhaps the most
important thing you can bring is a good mental
attitude...
