Nepal Travel Trek

Karnali 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.

The Karnali, Nepal’s longest river, descends the Himalayas through a series of magnificent gorges. The rafting has its exposure of green wood along, small villages inhabited by backward Raute community. In habitual Nepalese fashion dozens of porters carry equipment for two days as we trek to one of Nepal’s most isolated and least explored areas. Exceptional rafting through tropical jungles, deserted beaches and small villages. The trip takes eleven to twelve days of real wild-river adventure.

Nepal's longest and largest river, the Karnali, springs forth from the base of Mt. Kailash in Tibet, the center of the universe for both the Buddhist and Hindu religions. Flowing south into Nepal it forms the major drainage system of the western districts.The Karnali is one of the finest BIG volume river trips in the world, a classic expedition into Nepal's remote, unpopulated "wild west".
From our starting point at Sauli the river drops into imposing canyons filled with powerful, big volume white water. These canyons flow into scarcely populated areas of pristine jungle teeming with abundant bird and wildlife. Rapids like "Captivity", "Flip and Strip" and "Gods House" are separated by just enough easier water to regroup and prepare for the next big challenge.
Towards the end of the trip the river gradient begins to ease as the Karnali leaves the mountains and flows out into the Gangetic plains of the Terai. The jungle thickens as the river broadens, and the pristine Beaches become bigger and more beautiful.
 Best season to visit: begin October –December February –May
Raft Grade: Class 01-05
Length of Raft: It is advisable to do 12 days along this route to fully experience the river rafting in Nepal. 
Accommodations: Camping

Additional Information: Put in point is Karaleghat (560m) and Take out point is Chisapani (195m). Average gradient is 0.20% and Maximum gradient is 0.5% and the volume in November is 300M3/sec.

Outline Itinerary:

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. Option –This is an ideal opportunity to go to Bardia National Park and the resort from Chisopani will collect you. This would include two nights in the park and full safari activities including elephant rides.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 01: Kathmandu to Surkhet: Drive
We meet at the office at 7am with your bags ready to go. This is a long bus journey, so be prepared with water etc. We travel to the far west and arrive in Surkhet very late/early hours of the morning. You are able to have a sleep here.
Day 02: Surkhet to Sauli: Drive
After breakfast, we will take a truck as far as the road goes until about lunch time (this all depends on availability...be flexible). 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, you hear the river!
Day 03: Rafting
 The river gives the team time to build and there is enough challenging rapids and water flow to allow for learning errors. We still manage to get at least one great class iv rapid in. We camp and get excited about tomorrow.

Day 04: Rating
This is the type of day that people imagine when they think of Himalayan water. It is BIG and it is continuous. We enter into the Jungle Corridor. This is a narrowing jungle clad gorge and it is all ours. The team building is put into full practice and when your guide shouts "all forward" he really means it! Enjoy the ride all day and camp in this sensational setting.

Day 05: Rafting
More of the same including the notorious GOD’S HOUSE rapid. Don't forget to take in the bird life which is equally as abundant as the lush vegetation. Camp and relax.

Day 06: Rafting
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 breathe taking scenery.

Day 07: Rafting
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.
Day 08-09: Rafting
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 and 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 safety 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.
Day 10: Rafting
We come to the end of our journey at about lunch time where our bus will be waiting to collect us. Those who have booked to go to Bardia National Park (highly recommended!), will be collected from here as well.
Day 11: Kathmandu
We arrive back at Kathmandu/Pokhara, in the early morning of the eleventh day. What a journey!!!
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 of the Nepal's rafting operators have the best kayakers and instructors; they are always willing to share their enthusiasm and expertise. We encourage kayakers to join any of the trips. You needn’t worry as the 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
• groupleader will be free over ten pax

Not included :

• mineral water, cold drinks and alcohols during whole trip
• hotel accomodation & meals at hotel during whole trip
• emergency evacuation
• things of personal use
• member insurance
• airfare Kathmandu - Nepalgung
• private transportation