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International Rafting Federation
Train and certify as a River Guide, Safety Kayaker or Trip Leader on Himalayan whitewater.
Overview
Our IRF course in Nepal is a five-day, on-river course for raft guides and kayakers who want certification from the International Rafting Federation. You train on real Himalayan whitewater and can certify as a River Guide, a Safety Kayaker, a Trip Leader, or a combination of these roles.
In 2026 there are two courses. The Beginner Course on the Bhotekoshi, 25–29 November, is sold out. The IRF Course on the Marsyangdi, 6–10 December, is open for booking.
Himalayan Outdoor Project hosts the course in Nepal and handles your booking. You pay 25% of the total in advance, and you are notified by email and WhatsApp once your booking is received.
About the IRF
The International Rafting Federation (IRF) is the world body for the sport of rafting and river conservation. It organises the World Rafting Championships and runs the Guide Training & Education (GTE) system, which aims to make rafting safer worldwide.
The GTE system gives rafting operators, national federations and regulators a common standard for whitewater guiding. The IRF describes it as the only globally recognised raft guiding certification, accepted in more than 50 countries.
For a working guide, that matters. An IRF certificate shows employers and clients that your skills have been assessed against an international standard, in Nepal or on rivers abroad. Read more on the official International Rafting Federation guiding page.
Certifications
For guides who run a raft and crew on whitewater. It focuses on the core skills of commercial rafting: reading the river, controlling the raft, briefing clients and responding when something goes wrong.
For kayakers who paddle in support of raft trips. A safety kayaker positions on the river to protect swimmers and rafts and to help with rescues, a specialist role that needs strong river running and rescue skills.
For experienced guides who take responsibility for a whole trip and the guide team, including planning, on-river decisions and safety across every boat. Trip Leader already includes guide certification.
Dates & Prices
Each IRF course in Nepal runs for five days. Certification fees are charged on top of the course fee, based on the roles you choose.
Beginner Course
25–29 Nov 2026
Location: Bhotekoshi
$200course fee
IRF Course · Open for booking
6–10 Dec 2026
Location: Marsyangdi
$120course fee
Certification
Who It's For
An IRF course in Nepal suits anyone who works on, or wants to work on, commercial whitewater trips:
Not sure which certification fits your experience? Contact us before you book and we'll help you choose. If you work in outdoor education, see also our Navigation Course and Himalayan Pathfinder Course.
Why Nepal
Nepal is one of the world's great whitewater destinations. Rivers fed by Himalayan snow and glaciers give long, continuous rapids, and the autumn season after the monsoon brings settled weather and good river levels. Taking an IRF course in Nepal means training on the kind of water you will guide on.
The Marsyangdi flows down from the Annapurna region and is known for continuous, technical whitewater. It hosts the 6–10 December IRF Course.
The Bhotekoshi is a steep, fast river within a few hours' drive of Kathmandu and one of Nepal's most demanding rafting rivers. It hosts the 25–29 November Beginner Course, which is sold out.
The course is led by Anup Gurung, an IRF instructor and co-founder of Himalayan Outdoor Project. A world-class kayaker with three decades of whitewater experience, Anup has mentored generations of river professionals across the Himalayas and beyond.
His teaching goes beyond technique. Alongside guiding and rescue skills, he teaches guides to read the river, respect it and give something back to it.
For other river events and workshops, see our Events page.
Booking
Booking your IRF course in Nepal takes a few minutes:
FAQs
An IRF course is training run to the standards of the International Rafting Federation, the world body for rafting. It can lead to IRF certification as a River Guide, Safety Kayaker or Trip Leader.
River Guide, Safety Kayaker and Trip Leader. You can take one, or add Safety Kayaker to River Guide or to Trip Leader.
No. Trip Leader already includes guide certification, so you don't take Trip Leader and River Guide together. If you go for Trip Leader and don't pass at that level, you'll receive the guide certification for the level you're assessed as capable of.
6–10 December 2026 on the Marsyangdi. The 25–29 November 2026 Beginner Course on the Bhotekoshi is sold out.
The 6–10 December IRF Course is $120. Certification fees are added on top: River Guide $45, Safety Kayaker $40 and Trip Leader $70. Each additional certification you combine costs $15.
25% of your total in advance. The booking form shows your exact total and the advance due.
For Raft Guide and Safety Kayak certification, the IRF requires a Standard First Aid certificate from a course of at least 8 hours that includes CPR. Check the latest IRF certification requirements before your course.
IRF guidance says candidates under 18 can take the course but are only certified once they turn 18 and request the certification.
Yes. The IRF says its guide certification is recognised and accepted in more than 50 countries.
After you submit the booking form, you'll be notified via email and WhatsApp.
Call +977 9844555636 or email info@himalayanoutdoorproject.com.
Questions?