Karnali River Rafting

One of the finest big volume rafting and kayaking trips in Nepal for spectacular, remote, jungle-clad canyons, 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 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 next 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.

General Information About Karnali River

Possible operation: Autumn & Spring
Departure: Fix and on Request
Rafting days: 10 days (Kathmandu to Kathmandu)
Entrance by: 19 hours bus ride from Kathmandu lead you to Surkhet
Put-in point: Sauli
Put-out point: Chisapani
River distance: 180 km.
Possible optional trip to: Bardia National Park for an excellent safari trip or drive back to Kathmandu.
Number of pax require: Minimum 6 persons

Itinerary:

Drive Kathmandu-Surkhet
Day 01 : We travel to the far west and arrive in Surkhet very late/early hours of the next morning, You are able to have a sleep here.

Drive Surkhet-Sauli
Day 02 : After breakfast, we will take a truck as far as the road goes until about lunch time. After lunch we walk all afternoon to the put-in point at Sauli. A great walk which highlights just how "out there" you really are. You pass local villages and spectacular scenery, and then you hit the river.

Rafting starts
Day 03 : After having heavy breakfast at 8:00 a.m. we get ready for wild ride. This section of the River is terribly wild. Continues rapid makes rafter forget to breathe.

Rafting
Day 04 : This is the type of day that people imagine when they think of Himalayan water. It is big and continuous. We enter into the Jungle Corridor. This is a narrowing jungle clad gorge and it is all ours.

Rafting
Day 05 : More of the same including the notorious GOD'S house rapid. Camp at the Seti Dovan and relax.

Rafting
Day 06 : It isn't over yet! Keep paddling hard! You really are experiencing the best of the west on yet another day of great action and breath taking scenery and camping at Jamuna village

Rafting
Day 07 : This is a holiday after all so we have programmed a rest day so you can take time to enjoy your surroundings and relax on a great sandy beach.

Rafting
Day 08 - 09 : We see the rapids dying off as we come out of the gorge. We pass the confluence with the Seti River where the river broadens. Today, the next day and a half are a chance to enjoy your journey admiring the country and villages you pass. You will have seen the save kayakers in action and will no doubt be inspired, so ask the guides for some supervised instruction, or take over the raft and learn about the river. You see there is more to a rafting expedition than just rafting.

Drive Chisopani-Kathmandu
Day 10 : This is the final day of river. We end this trip in the early afternoon at Chisopani Bridge & lunch is served there. You will catch night bus at about 1530hrs to get back to Kathmandu or you can enjoy in Bardia National Park, which is famous for bird watching.