Nepal has earned a reputation as one of the best destinations in the world for white water rafting. Nepal's thundering waters, coming from the glaciers of the mighty Himalayas, provide unmatched thrills for rafting and plunge oneself in the landscape.

Rivers are graded on a scale of one to six, with one being a swimming pool and six a one way ticket to your maker. Four is considered to be quite challenging without being exceedingly dangerous to the novice rafter. Five requires some previous river experience. Here are some of the popular rafting trips.

Trishuli River (grade3+) is one of the most popular, if not the favorite, of Nepal's raft able rivers. Due to its proximity to Kathmandu and the easy road access, which accompanies it, most rafting companies offer trips on Trishuli. For first time rafters it offers plenty of excitement. Many choose to incorporate a ride down Trishuli with, either a trip to Pokhara or to the Royal Chitwan National Park.

Kali Gandaki (4-4+) winds through remote canyons and deep gorges for five days of intense rapid among gorgeous wildrness and mountain views. The run flows 120 KM and its challenges are continuous. Trips on Kali Gandaki begin and end in Pokhara and offer an exciting alternative to the Trishuli.

Bhote Koshi (4-5) is worth speacial a mention. It is a two day run of pure adrenaline located only three hours from Kathmandu. Twenty-six km of continuous white water soaks rafters as they shoot through a veritable maze of canyons and boulders. Little more than a swimsuit is needed for this one.

Marshyangdi (4-5) is a relative newcomer in this group. Marshyangdi run is four days of uninterrupted white water. Flowing through the gorges of the Annapurnas, it runs sandwiched between 52 km of boiling foam and towering peaks. Trips on the Marshyangdi start from Pokhara.

The karnali River (4-5) in the far west is the longest and largest river in Nepal. To arrive at its banks requires a two days trek from Surkhet in the Terai. The next 90 km are spent flying through spectacular landscapes and narrow goeges and down some of the most challenging rapids in the world. For the remaining 90 km, the scenery and wildlife are the main attraction, as is the abundance of fish. During most of this trip, the wilderness is uninterrupted by human habitations.

The Sun Koshi (4-5) is Nepal's second offering for expedition rafting. With a put in only three hours from Kathmandu, it is more easily accessible than the Karnali while nevertheless offering an incredible stretch of exhilarating white water. The sun is 270 km and requires 8-10 days to compete with road access only at the beginning and end. On the third day rapids earch the upper 4 classifications and the remainder of the trip is consistently intense-the white water stays white until the very end.