Flowing from east to west, the Rapti River is an inseparable part of the lives of thousands of Nepalese people and hundreds of species of flora and fauna. Especially in Ghatgain, Rapti serves as the source of food, shelter and transportation for the local bote tribe. They use their homemade wooden canoe to navigate the river and engage in fishing. They sell their fish in the nearby market which becomes the major source of their income.
If you wish to experience the life of these tribes, then you can hop onto these wooden canoes and explore the long stretch of the river. There, you will get a true sense of how these humble people explore the river and earn their livelihood.
As you move along the river, you will spot rare aquatic fauna of Rapti River like Gharial crocodiles, Elongated tortoises, Ruddy shelduck and so on. The gentle sound of the river with the mesmerising quack of ducks and chirps of birds will be engraved in your mind as one of the most unforgettable moments of your life. With each stroke from the long stick of the boatman, your canoe will flow downstream giving you a richer experience than any other form of adventure.
The most common route for Canoe Ride in the Rapti River from Ghatgain is as follows:
- You will board the Canoe from the River bank in Ghatgain.
- Your boat will be accompanied by a Boatman and two nature guides
- As you flow through the river, your guides will brief you about the animals and landscapes you encounter.
- Your canoe travel will last until you reach “Kasara” where the famous “Crocodile Conservation and Breeding Farm” is located
- On that farm, you will be able to observe hundreds of Gharial and Magar Marsh Crocodiles of all ages which have been protected by Chitwan National Park.
- These Crocodiles will be released into the Rapti River once they are adults.
Now looking at these animals inside their cages you might feel sorry for them. But remember, if it wasn’t for these cages, these species would have been extinct long ago. The reason for their disappearance is that a Gharial Crocodile lays their eggs on the bank of the river during the flood season. When Rapti River gets high, such eggs are liable to be flooded away. Another threat for such eggs is natural predators like Jackels and even humans. Conservationists are able to notice such threats to the existence of Gharial and they established this safe heaven for them.
- After the short tour of the conservation farm, you will either take the:
- Jungle Safari inside the Chitwan National Park
- Jeep Drive
- Direct return to the Hotel
- Village tour
- And so on…
Your further program will depend on what you wish to add to your adventure.
So this was the short introduction to how your Canoe Ride from Ghatgain will go about. If you wish to experience this adventure in your life then contact us right away via our email or contact number or message us at one of our social media handles.