The thrill, adrenaline, and sound of crashing water waves made this experience unforgettable. Thanks to the opportunity organized by the Maitri Adventure Club (MAC), I could experience the raw beauty of nature on the Bhote-Koshi River alongside my colleagues.
The Journey Begins
On the 27th of October 2024, my day started early at home, packing up essentials with a mixed feeling of excitement and a few nerves about what lay ahead. By 6:00 a.m., we were on the road, heading toward the Bhote-Koshi White Water Rafting and Beach Resort. The drive took us through winding mountain roads and scenic hills, getting us to the destination.
After around two hours, we started catching glimpses of the river from the bus window, building our excitement. As we reached the destination, we saw stunning turquoise hue water crash against the rocks with white foams, and the river rushed downstream.
Gearing Up
At the resort, we decided to leave our belongings and waited as the guides loaded rafting boats on the pickup truck. We all got into the truck and traveled uphill to the rafting adventure point.
We were buzzing with excitement and snapping photographs, sharing nervous laughs wondering what might happen. While we were taking videos and photographs, the guides were busy preparing the boats and kayaks. They distributed life jackets, helmets, and paddles to us.
Before the rafting journey began, the guide provided a brief about rafting. Some of the commands he used were FORWARD, DOWN, FAST-FORWARD, BACKWARD, and STOP. It was both reassuring and entertaining to watch the demo of pulling team members back to the rafting boat. After the briefing, we got on the rafting boat, securing our legs tight on the boat to prepare for the adventure.
Finally, with paddles in hand, we all cheered loudly, “Hip hip, hooray!!!” and our rafting journey began with a safety kayak alongside us.
Into the Rapids
As soon as we pushed off from the riverbank, the excitement hit its peak. We gripped the raft's rope tightly, bracing ourselves for the adventure ahead. The guide yelled “Forward!” with a commanding force, and we dug our paddles in, pulling backward to propel the boat forward.
The boat started moving swiftly toward a massive wave, and as we crashed into it, the cold spray from the Bhote-Koshi splashed over us, waking us to the thrill of the moment. There was also a funny moment when some team members started yelling “Hawa xaina!” (There's no air in the boat!), as the boat crashed on a huge wave. It broke the tension and had all of us laughing, adding a bit of humor to the intensity of the journey.
“The waves suddenly turned our boat, and we found ourselves facing the opposite direction of the current. We had to paddle hard backward to regain control and face yet another massive wave coming from behind.”
Adrenaline began peaking as we paddled harder, shouting “Back!” in unison, determined to conquer the next rapid. As we passed through the rapid, the guide yelled “Down!” and we quickly crouched inside the boat, bracing ourselves to prevent falling over. Caught up in the excitement of the waves and the thrill of the ride, we didn't even realize we had already completed half of our journey.
A Cold Swim & The Second Half
In the middle of the journey, we decided to rest and get some hands-on experience swimming in the cold river (we had safety life jackets and a kayak nearby). In the heat of the moment, we ignored how cold the water was and decided to float holding each other's hands in a circle, getting drifted towards our rafting boats where we continued rafting.
The second half of our journey began with renewed confidence. We paddled against the current for a distance, following the guide's instructions as he steered us through. With adrenaline now pumping, we shouted “Fast-forward!” and moved the boat swiftly towards a massive series of waves. Holding on tight, we fought against the powerful waves, showered by cold water, but as a team, we pressed forward.
The Journey Home
At 4:00 p.m., we packed our belongings and made our way home. I got to capture the golden reflection of the sunset shimmering on the river. The calming music and relaxing vibes filled the air, and with gratitude everything went smoothly, leaving us with unforgettable memories of nature and the Maitri team.
We reached home on time, feeling fulfilled. I am truly grateful to the Maitri Adventure Club for this incredible experience. I hope the journey continues with the club, and that the Maitri family is filled with many more adventures.
Some Glimpses
Written by Safal Raj Manandhar
Associate Software Engineer at Maitri Holdings Services