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United Rafting · Guide Training & Education
Train and certify as a River Guide, Safety Kayaker or Trip Leader on Himalayan whitewater.
Overview
Our course in Nepal is a five-day, on-river course for raft guides and kayakers who want certification under United Rafting's Guide Training & Education (GTE) system. 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 GTE Course on the Marsyangdi, 6–10 December, is open for booking.
Himalayan Outdoor Project hosts the GTE 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 United Rafting
United Rafting is the international governing body for rafting. It was formed by unifying the International Rafting Federation (IRF) and the World Rafting Federation (WRF), and runs international competitions under the World Rafting name.
Guide Training & Education (GTE) is United Rafting's programme for guide training, safety and professional qualifications. It gives operators, national federations and regulators worldwide a common international standard for whitewater professionals. GTE was first developed by the IRF in 2001 and now forms the base of the United Rafting GTE programme.
For a working guide, that matters. A GTE qualification shows employers and clients that your skills have been assessed against an international standard, in Nepal or on rivers abroad. GTE workshops and assessments are delivered by certified United Rafting GTE Instructors. Read more about United Rafting and GTE, or browse registered courses on Find Your Workshop.
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. United Rafting award: Raft Guide.
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. United Rafting award: Safety Kayaker.
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. United Rafting award: Raft Trip Leader.
Dates & Prices
Each GTE 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
GTE Course · Open for booking
6–10 Dec 2026
Location: Marsyangdi
$120course fee
Certification
Who It's For
A GTE 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 your GTE course in Nepal 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 a GTE 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 GTE 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 GTE course in Nepal is led by Anup Gurung, a United Rafting GTE 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 GTE course in Nepal takes a few minutes:
FAQs
A GTE course is guide training and assessment under United Rafting's Guide Training & Education (GTE) system. It can lead to GTE certification as a River Guide, Safety Kayaker or Trip Leader.
GTE grew out of it. The IRF first developed the GTE system in 2001. After the IRF and the World Rafting Federation unified as United Rafting, the IRF GTE system became the base of the United Rafting GTE programme.
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. United Rafting awards the certification that matches the skills you demonstrate, so 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 GTE 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.
Yes. For River Guide and Safety Kayaker, United Rafting requires a Standard First Aid certificate with at least 8 hours of training and CPR. Trip Leaders need an Advanced First Aid certificate with at least 16 hours of training and CPR. The course must have been completed within the last three years, and fully online courses are not accepted. See the GTE certification requirements.
Three years from the assessment date, as long as you keep a current, approved First Aid certificate. For your certificate you'll need to give your instructor a passport-style digital photo and your date of birth.
After you submit the booking form, you'll be notified via email and WhatsApp.
Call +977 9844555636 or email info@himalayanoutdoorproject.com.
Questions?