Rafting has begun on the Narayani River, targeting the Nepal Visit Year 2020. The 45.5 kilometres rafting route with its station at Kalikhola of Ichhamanakamana rural municipality-6, Chitwan is said to be the country’s longest one. The route ends at Kavreghat of Bharatpur metropolis-16. Two motorboats ( a 14-seater and a 10-seater) are available on a regular basis for the rafting operated by the Aaushma Motorboat Company, said company chair Bijay Chandra Adhikari.
The company plans to add a ‘small cruise’ for the trip by the next two months. Company vice-chair and manager Ganesh Bahadur Thapa said the service was launched upon realising a great potentiality of water tourism in Nepal. As he said, Nepal’s rivers such as Narayani, Koshi and Karnali can be developed into best destinations for water tourism. He hoped that the Narayani rafting would support the Visit Nepal Year 2020 announced by the government. “It aims to promote domestic tourism as well.”
The motorboat route provides the views of several important sites including the Jalbire Falls, historic Devghat, Maulakalika of Gaidakot, Narayangadh Bazar and Shivaghat. One has to pay Rs 3,500 to enjoy the rafting package each time. The package includes one-time snacks, one-time meal and one night stay in a hotel. However, a couple will get a 10 per cent discount on it. The charge is only for domestic travellers and the amount for foreigners will be fixed soon, it said.—
