Most river trips in Nepal are at a low altitude so that typically you will find the water pleasantly warm and the climate sub- tropical – in truth, this is one of the pleasure of paddling here: much of the time all you need to wear is a pair of shorts and a thermal top. If you are doing a multi- day trip you won't normally need to carry lost of heavy cold weather gear.
Here, is a suggest gear list for a self- contained trip down the Bheri in November.
Items for River :
River sandals Shorts or a swimming costumes A miniskirt style swimming wear for women A baseball style cap, good sunglass and quality sunscreen
Shells & insulators :
Windproof & water proof outerwear, jacket & pants (gortex or nylon)
Fleece jacket/sweater (wool or synthetic only for the winter season)
Clothes:
Loose fitting hiking pants (For men or women)
Long Skirts for women (Below the knees). Long underwear, tight pants can be worn under skirts if desired. The Nepali “Lungi” is a thin colorful ankle-long wrap-around skirt that is lightweight and readily available in Kathmandu for about US$4 each. One cultural note, Nepali women bath at public tap stands in a specially altered Lungi that has a drawstring above the chest. Shorts for women are not culturally appropriate outside of Kathmandu. Also, most Nepali or western men do not wear shorts either but it is acceptable.
Long sleeve t-shirt / turtlenecks (synthetic)
Short sleeve t-shirts
Several pairs of thick socks (wool or synthetic), with thin liners (synthetic)
Light weight long underwear, top & bottom (polypropylene or “capilene”)
Wide brim hat (straw type beach hat or synthetic outdoors). To sunburn protection on face, ears, & neck , Underwear, etc
Footwear:
1-pair well broken in hiking shoes or boots.
1-pair new – condition lightweight walking / running shoes, with textured soles.
Other Items: Quality sleeping bag & sleeping pad. For those who don’t have they can rent it easily in Kathmandu or Pokhara. Light weight clothing as pants, shorts, cotton underwear, t-shirts, swim wear Light weight long sleeved shirt or t-shirt and a fleece style jacket Toiletries (environmentally friendly is best) Flashlight with spare batteries & bulbs A couple handkerchiefs Pocket knife Stuff sacks Biodegradable soap Hand towel Feminine hygiene items, including plastic bags to pack out dirty items. Lighter / matches (for toilet paper and candles) Spare eyeglass or contact lenses (Due to the ease of getting eye infections, care should be taken in using contacts. Disposable contacts lenses replaced frequently can lessen the risk of eye inflections. Hard shell water bottle; one 2-liter or two 1-liter bottles (“Nalgene” or Manmade Metal) that will not melt while adding hot boiled water.
Emergency contact information ; Personal medical kit.
Optional item’s to consider bringing
Sport sandals or flip flops for camp and bathing (“Teva”)
Camera equipment
Picture book of family, house, job (Small size such as 3x5 or 4x6)
Binoculars, altimeter, compass, thermometer
Fishing equipment
Watch with alarm
Ear plugs (good for bus rides / plane rides / sleeping)
Journal / notebook
Swim suit
Reading book
Favorite snacks / sports snacks
Tape recorder
Walkman & Nepali songs tapes or western songs tapes
Shaving equipment
Nepali language books / tapes
Cards & games
Fanny pack
Trekking poles if you are going for trekking
Zip lock bags (Assorted sizes)
Folding umbrella (Ideal for hot climate trekking - rain or not) Part of Nepali culture in certain areas.
Sewing Kit
Personal first aid kit