Karnali River Rafting
One of the finest big volume rafting and kayaking trips in
Nepal-spectacular, remote, jungle-clad canyons, Big white and abundant
wildlife. The Karnali is Nepal's longest and largest river and with its
tributaries it drains most of the far west of Nepal-the 'wild west' as many
people call it, rising in the vicinity of Tibet's holy Mount Kailash and
glacier of Kanziroba Himal,
other small peaks, as well as Rara lake rapid encountered on this river is 1
to 5 class. This bottom section of the river definitely lives up to that
name-the area that it flows through is wild and relatively unpopulated with
some of the most pristine jungle scenery in Nepal abundant wildlife.
From the frontier town of Surkhet there is an unique and lovely two-day trek
through lowland Sal forest to the village of Saul in the seldom seen area of
far West Nepal. From Sauli it's 180 km to the nest road access at Chisopani,
on the northern border of the Royal Bardia National Park. The river section
takes about seven days, giving plenty of time to explore some of the side
canyons and waterfalls, which comes in to the river valley. For 180
kilometers we won't see a single sign of the modern world. It's one of the
last places in Nepal that you can see old growth forest and have a real
chance of seeing Nepal's wildlife.
The rapids are also pretty wild, with the river building to its climax in
these lower canyons shortly after the sharp bend in the river 'the elbow' by
the Lohore Khola, the valley narrows into a series of canyons, the river
speeds up, and there are big rapids, one leading into another, almost
continuously down to the Seti river from the 'Elbow' down to the Seti the
gradient is 3m/km (15ft a mile), but after here, the gradient eases, as the
river winds through some magnificent un-spoilt scenery, eventually emerging
onto the plains and flowing through the Royal Bardia National Park to join
the Ganges. Finally leaving you close to Bardia National Park, where you can
combine your rafting adventure with a safari trip and maybe spot some of the
park's one-horned rhinos and elusive tigers or you can either drive back or
fly back to Kathmandu.
Go on this trip if you want a true expedition style adventure and a totally
classic river journey.
| River Grade: | Class V- |
| Starting point: | Kalyani Ghat (Sauli) |
| Ending Point: | Chisapani (Bardia National Park) |
| River Distance: | 180 km |
| River Days: | 09 Days from Kathmandu |
| Best Season: | Oct - Dec or March - May |
| Price: | USD $ 450.00 Per person (Depend on pax) |
| Departure | Spring Season, Summer Season, Autumn Season |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 01: Night bus to Birendanagar (Surkhet).
Day 02: Minibus to Kalyani (Rough Road) about 4 hours and trek to
Karaleghat about 2 hours and camp.
Day 03: Rafting 4 to 6 hours white water section camp by river beach.
Day 04: Raft about 5 hours of class 4/5 grade rapids through
Junglaghat and camp.
Day 05: Full of continuos whitewater rafting and camp.
Day 06: Canyon Exploration fully, whitewater rafting and camp.
Day 07: Flowdown the jungle area and camp by jungle.
Day 08: Wildlife views while rafting and finish at Chisapani. Drive
back to Kathmandu after lunch or visit Royal Bardia National Park.
Day 09: Arrive Kathmandu.
Cost Included
- Ground Transportation (From and After)
- Meals, Western and continental food (breakfast, lunch, dinner) during your rafting trip
- River Permit
- Necessary equipment as high quality self-bailing rafts, lifejackets, helmets, plastic paddles, wetsuits (only during the winter) on certain rivers, dry bag for gear, camera barrels and all safety and medical equipment
- Safety Kayak
- Necessary Staffs (Guide, Helpers, Cook etc)
- Tented accommodation in beautiful river beach with camp fire
- Food, accommodation, insurance for all staff and their transportation
- Expedition elements include professional guides and leadership
- First aid kid box
- Company T-Shirt
Cost not Included
- Mineral water, cold drinks and alcoholic beverages during the whole trip
- Hotel accommodations & meals at if you stay anywhere at the hotel during whole trip
- Emergency evacuation
- International airport pick up drop (if you order we can arrange)
- Things of personal use
- Member insurance
- Airfare (Kathmandu-Nepaljung-Kathmandu
- Tips to Staffs
- Sleeping bag (NRS.50 per night)
Please bring: -
- T-shir
- swim wear for on the river
- Warm clothing for the evenings including a fleece or a pullover
- Sunscreen and lip protector
- Sunglasses (with retaining device) and/or a cap
- Towel and Toiletries (environmentally friendly is best)
- Personal medication
- Flashlight
- Footwear
- Reading book
- Fishing hook (you can fishing in the Himalayan River)