Nepal Travel Trek

Kaligandaki River Rafting

River is the main sources and most powerful and attractive forces on natural part of Nepal. There are several excellent rivers in Nepal which offer brilliant rafting or canoeing. Trishuli, Seti, Bhotekoshi, Kali Gandaki, Marshyangdi, Sunkoshi, Arun, Karnali, Tamur are the main excellent rivers for rafting or canoeing. Nepal's rivers are second to none, originating from the glaciers of the worlds highest mountains, they plunge through towering gorges and forested foothills before the more tranquil journey along the Ganges plain on their way to the Bay of Bengal. Rivers here are regarded as goddesses, and are included in a number of Hindu and Buddhist religious rituals. There are clear sandy beaches to camp or take a meal, and cool clear pools to bathe.  On these rivers you will find the world's most thrilling whitewaters with a wide range of difficulties and warm water. There is no more relaxing experience, any better way of getting from Kathmandu valley to the jungles of the Chitwan Valley, a drop of thousands of feet in new heavenly miles. Experience water rapids grade 2 to 7 in a beautiful environment of colorful villages, subtropical vegetation and friendly people will be unforgettable. River journeys range from one-day short-cut excursions to 11-day long way expeditions. Each offers incredibly unique knowledge and engenders a lifetime record.

Kali Gandaki a holy river is the only river comprising the world's deepest gorge with its bone-chilling rapids. A beautiful and unspoiled river with good white water, this river is ideal for people wanting an exciting medium length raft trip. Kali Gandaki river trip first requires either a flight or drive from Kathmandu to Baglung. A typical trip could begin at Modibeni, at the confluence of the Kali Gandaki and the Modi Khola. This expedition has everything, exciting rapids, sandy beaches, cascading waterfalls, gorges, wildlife and a feeling of remoteness.

The upper part is a beautiful unspoiled river with good white water, gorges and a feeling of remoteness. The lower part is a big but relatively easy river, with small gorges, jungle and an abundance of wildlife. A combined upper and lower part of the river is a classic, best of its kind.
The Kali Gandaki rises in Mustang. Here it is a flat and braided river, flowing in an arid open valley. At Kalopani (black water) the river drops off the roof of the world and cuts one of the deepest gorges in the world between Dhaulagiri, height 8,167 m and Annapurna, height 8,091 m.
The Kali Gandaki is named after the goddess Kali and is considered a particularly holy river. It is also a gold bearing river, and we met several small groups who were sluicing and panning the gravel's of the river bed for minuscule amounts of metal.

Best season to visit: October –December and from March –April
Raft Grade: Class 01-04 (Upper) & Class 01-03 (Lower)
Length of Raft: It is advisable to do 06-07 days along this route to fully experience the river rafting in Nepal.        
Accommodations: Camping

Additional Information: Put in point of Upper Kaligandaki is Modi Khola and Take out point is Ramdi . And Put in point of Lower Kaligandaki is Ramdighat and Take out point is Narayanghat. Average gradient Maximum gradient of the Upper Kaligandaki is 0.35% & is 0.80% respectively and Lower Kaligandaki is 0.14% & 0.22% respectively. The volume of Upper Kaligandaki in November is 112 M3/sec and lower kaligandaki is 336M3/sec.

Outline Itinerary:

(a) Upper Kaligandaki

(b) Lower Kaligandaki

Note – Our Itinerary does not include your arrival and departure day to and from Kathmandu, and our fixed dates are the trekking starting date from Kathmandu. And, our river guides will give briefing every evening for the next day. So, any information not covered now by this itinerary can be discussed then.

Detailed Itinerary
Day 01: Kathmandu to Beni:
At around 7/8 am, we drive for around 3-4 hrs to the put-in point near Beni. Throughout this drive we have stunning views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri peaks as well as the sacred Machapuchare. Upon arrival, we unload all the equipment and you will receive a full safety briefing.  Have lunch and then the guide will take you to the river starting point ready to begin your exciting 3 days raft trip. First day we begin with some class III rapids this is a warm up for the team, after 10/15 minutes you will be encountering 2 big class 4 rapids i.e. ‘Small Brother’ and ‘Big Brother’. Your guide will be making you work hard at doing exercises to work as a team maneuvering the raft efficiently.  After scouting the rapid, the safety kayaks will go first then the raft. Soon after encountering these two big rapids we will reach the Modi Khola confluence where we will choose the beach for the evening campsite. We unload the rafts and one raft team prepares dinner and rum punch whilst the others play or relax and take in the scenery.
Day 02: Beni to Purti Ghat:
Once the rafts are packed we start down the river for a day mixed with adrenaline calm and spectacular scenery including views of Annapurnna 1 and Himachuli. We will tackle many class III sections and the challenging class IV named REFUND. This section of river is abundant with vines, wildlife and lush vegetation hanging from the cliff faces. Our campsite is below the village of Purti Ghat.
Day 03: Purti Ghat to Pokhara:
Soon after being back on the water we reach the holy village of Seti Beni. The river has deposited a house size boulder in the confluence with a smaller tributary. Since confluence is considered holy places in the Hindu religion, this boulder has become an important shrine to the local river people. There is usually a great audience to watch and listen to the spectacle as each team negotiates the rapid that has formed around this holy place.  Not long after this it is time for the journey to end. Our bus will be waiting for us. We load up the gear and prepare for the bus journey back to Pokhara.
KAYAKING:
This is a great river for intermediate to advanced Kayakers. Most rapids are pool-drop and there are surfing waves almost all the way down the river. Many rafting operators in Nepal has the best kayakers and instructors l, they are always willing to share their enthusiasm and expertise. We encourage kayakers to join any of our trips. You needn’t worry as our safety kayaker is always with the expedition

Included:

• All meals during the rafting and trekking period
• Rafting & trekking permit
• Transportation by van
• Rafting, kitchen and camping equipment
• Experienced Captain
• Cook and other staffs
• Group leader will be free over ten pax

Not included:

• mineral water, cold drinks and alcohols during whole trip
• Hotel accommodation & meals at hotel during whole trip
• Emergency evacuation
• Things of personal use
• Member insurance
• Private transportation