We pride ourselves in running a relaxed and flexible schedule. Every American River rafting trip is different depending upon the group, other trips on the water, and sometimes the weather. The following is a sample of what your trip might be like:
Hover over any day to see details
Drive from Pokhara to Damauli — two hours. Meet your guide at the Madi River Bridge put-in for a safety briefing and gear check. Into the water by mid-morning. Paddle through wide braided channels as the canyon walls rise on both sides. Stop for a riverside lunch, then continue downstream to Sarang Ghat. Make camp on a wide sandbar beneath the Magar village above. Your crew prepares dinner as the sun drops behind the canyon walls.
After breakfast, back on the river. The boulder field above Sarang Ghat delivers the best whitewater of the trip — a clean Class III run your guides will walk you through. Below it the canyon opens into jungle. Watch for kingfishers and hornbills on the banks. Lunch on a sandbar in the jungle corridor. The Seti joins the Trishuli in the afternoon. Take-out at Gaighat, equipment loaded, and drive back to Pokhara — or one hour south to Chitwan National Park.
✓ SWR certified rafting guide throughout
✓ Safety kayaker on every departure
✓ All rafting equipment — self-bailing raft, paddle, PFD, helmet
✓ Full camping kitchen with dedicated cook
✓ All meals — Day 1 dinner through Day 3 lunch
✓ Camping tents and sleeping mats
✓ Groover system — carry-out waste management throughout
✓ Ground transport Pokhara–Damauli and Gaighat–Pokhara
✓ Pre-trip safety briefing
✓ OarPeak emergency first aid kit
– International flights
– Nepal entry visa
– Personal travel insurance
– Personal clothing and gear
– Sleeping bag — hire available in Pokhara
– Alcoholic beverages
– Guide and crew gratuity
Spring (March – May) — Best Season
Perfect conditions. Stable flow, warm days, warm water. March and April are ideal — medium water level, fun Class II–III rapids, clear skies. May is still very good but water begins to rise as pre-monsoon rains start.
Autumn (October – November) — Best Season
Post-monsoon skies are the clearest of the year. October and November offer medium water levels, excellent visibility, and the most comfortable temperatures on the river. The best months for first-time rafters.
Winter (December – February) — Good
Cold mornings but clear water and gentle flow. Low water levels make the river calm and easy. Good for birdwatching and a relaxed paddle. Not ideal for swimming.
Monsoon (June – September) — Not Recommended
Heavy rain raises the Seti significantly. Class II–III sections become Class IV+ during peak monsoon. Not recommended for general guests. July and August are the highest flow months of the year.
| Months | Air Temp | Water Temp | Water Level | Condition |
| Mar-May | 20-32°C | 20-26°C | Medium-High | Warm days,stable flow, warm water. |
| Jun-Sep | 22-30°C | 22-26°C | High-Very High | Heavy rain,high water,strong currents |
| Oct-Nov | 16-28°C | 18-22°C | Medium | Clear skies,perfect flow,comfortable temperature |
| Dec-Feb | 14-22°C | 14-18°C | Low | Cold mornings,gentle flow,clear water |
* Best seasons are October–November (autumn) and March–May (spring). Avoid June–September during monsoon. The Seti runs at medium water levels in peak season with Class II–III rapids throughout. Water temperature is warm year-round outside winter months.
Choose your boat
🚣 Paddle Boat ⭐ Most Popular
Everyone paddles together, guided by a professional river guide at the back calling strokes. You're part of the action, working as a team to navigate the rapids.
✓ Great for families & groups
✓ Fun, energetic & interactive
✓ Builds teamwork & excitement
✓ Suitable for beginners
Best for: family adventure & first-timers
⚓ Oar Boat
Your guide does all the rowing from a central oar frame — you sit back, relax, and take in the scenery as you float through the river valley.
✓ Relaxed, scenic experience
✓ No paddling required
✓ Great for all ages & abilities
✓ Expert guide in full control
Best for: relaxed & scenic river float
Not sure which to choose? Our team is happy to help you pick the right boat for your group. Both options are available on the Lower Seti River.
Physical Requirements
The Lower Seti is an active participatory trip suitable for first-timers and families. You should be comfortable in water, able to follow your guide’s instructions, and reasonably active. No prior rafting experience required.
Minimum age is 8 years. No upper age limit.
If you are pregnant, have a heart condition, or a back or shoulder injury, please consult your doctor before booking and let us know at the time of enquiry.
Trip Forms
Each guest must complete a registration form and sign a liability waiver before departure. We will send these after booking is confirmed. Please complete them at least two weeks before your trip.
Every OarPeak enquiry is answered by a guide — not a booking agent. Maximum 12 guests per departure.
Woody was a fantastic guide. He gave us a great adventure on the river and kept us entertained. I would highly recommend Woody as a guide. Bill and staff were very nice too. Yay Oats!!
- Cindy
Group of 7 60ish year olds who enjoy excitement. This hit the mark. Sam was an INCREDIBLE guide..she kept us on track and had excellent comments. Exciting, adventurous, fun, laughter...a perfect trip
- Michael
Lots of fun! Progressive challenge along the river with an experienced guide makes it exciting but not scary.
- Helene
We did a large rafting event with a professional organization and they were able to accomodate all 60 that signed up. They kept as as a group which was awesome. Highly recommend OARS!!
- ElephantRider
My 16 year old daughter suggested a Father-Daughter trip with two of her friends. There was six of us total and we now have an incredible memory. Our guide Decklin (sp?) was great, he knew the river very well and we had zero mishaps. He was very engaging and all around fun. The rough rapids were enough to get the heart beating but not so aggressive that we got thrown out. Although I think our next trip will be a trip with the bigger rapids. This is a great trip, I highly recommend it.
- TJ
Yes. The Lower Seti is OarPeak’s most accessible multi-day river. Class II–III throughout — enough movement and whitewater to feel like a real expedition, but nothing that requires technical experience. A full safety briefing covers everything before the first paddle stroke at Damauli.
Yes. The Seti is one of Nepal’s best family rivers. Minimum age is 8 years with a parent or guardian. The warm water, gentle pace and sandbar camps make it ideal for children. Contact us with your group ages and we will confirm suitability before booking.
The Lower Seti is noticeably warmer than most rivers in Nepal — fed by lower-altitude tributaries that take the edge off the glacial melt. Water temperature ranges from 18–26°C during peak season. Swimming is genuinely comfortable from March through November.
The trip begins at Damauli — two hours east of Pokhara on the Prithivi Highway. The trip ends at Gaighat, below the Trishuli confluence. It is a four to five hour drive back to Pokhara, or approximately one hour south to Chitwan National Park.
Yes — Gaighat is approximately one hour from Chitwan National Park. Many guests raft the Seti and transfer directly to Chitwan without returning to Pokhara. We can arrange the logistics as part of your booking.
Yes. Both start and finish in Pokhara. The combined trip is 10 days at $1,040 per person — raft the valley first, then trek to the mountains above it. Ask us about scheduling when you enquire.
Minimum group size is 1 — solo travellers are welcome and will join a shared departure. Maximum is 16 guests per departure, strictly enforced on every OarPeak trip. Private departures for groups of 4–16 are available on request.
