Karnali River Rafting:

Karnail River (Jewel of middle west) is also known as the longest and largest river in Nepal, emerges at Mt. Kailash, Holy Mountain and flows through the scenic flora and fauna. It features an easy one-day trekking from the nearest road access to the put in point. Along the river journey to encounter with the challenge of 4-5 class rapids is one of the pleasure and equally the experience of remote life through the dense of forest is another vitality of this trip. The rafters also may combine the wild life safari trip to Bardia National Park. Karnali River rafting is closed during June, July and August due to monsoon season.  

Itinerary:

Day 1-2: The hardest part of the Karnali expeditions is actually getting to the river. Drive from Kathmandu to Kalyani Dada by bus. We camp the second night on this peace full hill overlooking the Terai and sub Himalayan region. 

Day 3 -08: After breakfast we will get together to clean the mess that we have made during our camp. After all, we start one and half-hours trek with local porters to get to the bank of the river. We inflate the rafts and tie the equipments. Our river guides spend the first part of the morning explaining the finer points of how to paddle through whitewater and stay in the raft as it bucks and contorts through the rapids. All the raft and safety kayakers works as a team, communicating with and supporting each other its impressive to watch. By the time we get to the harder rapids, with names like Sweetness and Light, Jail House Rock and Flip n’ Strip, the crew will be working together with exquisite timing and precision. The major rapids are all scouted which gives us the opportunity to choose the most exhilarating route and decide on what safety is needed. It is also and excellent opportunity to take photos and watch the runs of the other crafts.

On the second day on the water, we face the biggest day of rafting as we paddle down to Jungle Ghat. We normally stop at the only village of any size on the upper section of the river to got and have a cup of tea and check out the local scene.  It’s always good to have a break here as 10 minutes downstream we pull over into the surging eddy above Jailhouse Rock. Below all you can see is the pulsing plumes of spray accompanied by the ominous rumbling of the river, a really good indication that this is a rapid worth looking at. Inversion rapid follows this, a series of massive standing waves that leads down into a steep canyon with a 300 foots waterfall cascading into the river. Camp at Scorpion Beach, which will be home for our layover days. River gorge is one of the most heavily forested and pristine areas. Wildlife is abundant. Languar and rhesus monkeys are common, and the bird life is phenomenal. Leopards have been spotted from the river, and found a paw print in the sand. Pythons have also been spotted.  Camping is awesome.

Several beaches we camp at offer waterfalls or mud baths. Fishing, some of the masher and catfish get big enough to scare us. If you are an avid fisherman be sure to bring you kit along.

The most sustained challenging section of the river begins with God’s House a mirror image of Jailhouse Rock, and continues in a series of canyons for about 7 km with 16 odd rapids. This is what we are here for it’s real thrill a minute roller coaster ride with rapids on every bend. The whole river narrows down into the bowels of the Earth as we run such classic drops as Juicer Flip ‘n Strip, Totali Ghat , Snapshot, and Freight Train before stopping at a sweeping sandy beach in a beautiful canyon for the night. Sandstone cliffs tower on either side as we continue through the red rock canyon and still more rapids.
The lower section of the Karnali is home to freshwater dolphins marsh mugger crocodiles and gaurials. After five days of white water it is nice to take a rest and watch the scenery pass.

Day 9-10:  From our last campsite nestled in the rock formations of the lower canyon we drift down to Chisopani, the 1st town we have seen for ten days. Most people want to crawl back up the river at this point. But alas, the river only flows one way.  From here on day 10th we board the bus for the return trip to Kathmandu or Bardia National Park or India border.

 

Cost include:
Inflatable boat, helmet, paddle, lifejacket, rescue rope, carabena, water, all three hygienic meals during  river days, free rum and coke, transport by bus, kitchen wear, excellent cook, expert guide, helper, rescue Kayak, water prove sack for your baggage and camping equipment / meals, sleeping tent and mattress.

Cost not include:
Flight ticket, your insurance, personal belongings, sleeping bag, sun glass with rope, sandle and sun cream.