You’ll have 1 soft stuff bag that goes in a dry bag for everything to go in. Valuables or crushables (e.g. sun glasses / bottles of Deet …) go in the Peli-case

 

Paddling clothes for warm water:

• Helmet
• BA
• Spray deck, remember to check yours will fit choice A and B from the hire list
• Quick drying long sleeve top (and legs if on raft) to protect from sun (rash vest or base layer)
• Cag for the afternoon wind, short sleeve fine but if back to back storms it can get cool so still take long sleeve
• Shorts
• 3 sets of undies – on, off & a spare in case evening rain prevents a wash drying
• River shoes that have grip to portage on boulders
• Consider gloves (socks if rafting) to protect against the sun
• Factor 50 sunscreen
• Contact lenses not ideal with water quality and silt after rain or big water splashes
• Bug repellent (mainly last 2 days) maybe for lunch stops
• Dry bag to take bits in the boat – you can’t access kit between camps
• Airbags, check if required before going, there were some with a bit of life in them provided
• Personal safety kit
• Throwline? Probably not going to use due to river width and the fact the group don’t stop to set up safety
• Water bottle, they provide clean water and squash
• Lots of food at breakfast, lunch and dinner no need for extra snacks

 

Camping kit:

• Tents provided but the fine sand got in. You may want to have a bag to protect valuables
• Summer sleeping bag, they will provide but you may like to use your own
• Camping pillow or pillowcase to stuff with clothes
• Roll mat can be provided, taking a thermarest recommended
• 1 set of shorts, t-shirt, long sleeve warm top, waterproof jacket, trousers if susceptible to insect bites
• Pyjamas – it was super hot
• Travel towel (also needed for some hotels)
• Wash stuff for a dip in the river
• You might want shoes (flip flops fine) when it goes dark as there are some rocks, possible glass in places and insects towards the end of the trip
• Sunglasses and/or hat
• 1st aid kit, guides do carry one but you might want some personal bits
• Insect bite cream might be handy
• Imodium and hydrolyte, just in case
• Head torch – a red light doesn’t attract midges if you have one
• Aftersun or moisturiser in case of sunburn
• A mosquito net could be hung in the tent if desired, but not required
• Alarm clock if good at sleeping
• Power bank or solar charger
• Camera
• Limited phone signal on the river
• Camp was packed up before breakfast so if you need anything after eating you need to carry it in your boat

 

Other bits:

• Hand sanitiser for bus ride and days before/after river trip
• A bag for walking round town before and after trip
• A sarong might be useful when changing at the get in/out for the girls
• They provide plenty of loo roll, but take a little for the bus ride. The stops won’t have any
• 1 set of clothes for a day after the river to be left in luggage bag at hotel if you want a clean outfit. Holdalls rather than suitcases are easier to back down to leave at hotel
• A sheet sleeper may be desirable for some hotels or for the hot nights in the tent, but not essential
• £50-100 to change there for meals and goodies. Can do this at some hotel receptions and there are loads of exchange shops in the streets
• Most currency accepted at money exchange. US dollars also accepted in some shops
• Leave passport at hotel reception. It’s advisable to have a photo copy with you on the river
• Kit and paddle bags could be left on the bus
• Hotels had Wi-Fi
• If bothered about smog and dust a face mask might be handy around Kathmandu
• Paddle Nepal t-shirts 1000 rupees (Sizes come up small)-
• If you wear flight socks or get swollen ankles on long hot journeys you might want to have your socks to hand for the 10+ hour bus ride

 

Travel info:

• Dollars for 15 day visa, approx $20
• Keep hold of used boarding pass they are recollected during transfer
• Fill in visa application online before travel and take a printed copy otherwise take 2 passport photos http://online.nepalimmigration.gov.np/tourist-visa
• Should fill in a landing card
• Have a pen for arrival and departure
• Fill in an immigration card on departure
• Beware girls and boys go through separate queues for security, keep your passport and boarding card with you not in bag as they are checked when you are. Bags went through the boys queue.
• Take a copy of travel insurance info with you on the river
• Could take the contact info for the British Embassy in Kathmandu.
• Probably worth a visit to the travel nurse to check vaccinations. The route can be downloaded from the Paddle Nepal website