The opening of the Upper Seti River to rafting this season has given adventure tour operators in Pokhara something to cheer about.

Although almost 80 rafting companies are registered here, only about 20 are active, thanks to declining tourism and the growing number of dams, according to industry people.

"The Upper Seti will provide an excellent opportunity for those who want to enjoy rafting but have limited time and budget," says Ramesh Neupane of Holiday Adventure. The Seti tumbles down the flanks of Machapuchre and slices through the heart of Pokhara to flow across the midhills of Nepal to join the Trisuli north of Chitwan.

Its stretches downstream of Pokhara up to Damauli have always been a favourite with rafters and kayakers because of the accessibility and the year-round water. But the rougher top section are what will provide thrills to tourists.

Rafting entrepreneur Megh Ale says, "It is possible to raft in the upper portions of the Seti, but that is for the more experienced rafters."

Besides providing dramatic scenery of the mountains and lakes, the 10-km stretch of the Seti before it meets the Madi provide an excellent close-up of the valleys north of Pokhara. The current here is more for experienced rafters and kayakers but once the river reaches Damauli, it becomes calmer.

The Seti has one of the narrowest gorges in Nepal and was opened at the request of rafting and kayaking entrepreneurs. The river offers Grade 3+ 'pick and drop' rapids and is also suitable for people who have limited time and in places perfect for families with children who want to enjoy a water ride.

The Seti's opening brings to 15 the number of Nepali rivers where rafting is now permitted. They include the Tamur, Arun, Sun Kosi in eastern Nepal, Bhote Kosi, Indrawati, Bagmati, Trisuli, Tama Kosi, Marsyangdi, Kali Gandaki and Budi Gandaki in central Nepal and in western Nepal the Bheri and Karnali.

The three most popular rafting rivers in Nepal are Bhote Kosi, Sun Kosi and Karnali where steep and technically difficult continuous rapids rated 3-4+ are encountered. Karnali is ranked fifth among the world's rivers for rafting and kayaking while Sun Kosi comes 10th.

Nepal's rafting industry is racing against time to sell rivers before thy are blocked by hydropower projects. Operators used to offer five-day packages on the Kali Gandaki, one of the fiercest and most challenging white waters but once the 'Kali Gandaki A' hydropower project was introduced, it was cut to a three-day trip. This has made rafters turn to other rivers.

"The ceasefire has increased the number of rafters in the rivers around Pokhara," Neupane says, "but for the trickle to turn into a flood there has to be sustained peace."