Karnali River Rafting - 9 Days

A beginner can also enjoy grade 2 - 3 Rivers of Nepal. The categories of rivers of Nepal are from grade 1 to 5+ category. Please feel free to mail us if you wish to do river rafting.

The far west of Nepal is one of the most remote and least explored areas of the Himalayas and has only recently been opened to foreigners. Based on this unique wilderness setting, our rafting trip on the Karnali River is an expedition rafting trip from the trek to the put-in to the take out !

The Grade IV Karnali River is the longest and largest river in Nepal. The Karnali is also one of Nepal's premier fishing rivers with Mahseer, a form of freshwater perch, and giant cat fish. The river source lies high in Tibet near holy Mount Kailash and then descends from high Himalayan snowfields through a series of spectacular gorges and emerges onto the Terai flowing through Bardia Wildlife Park. Continuing across the northern plains of India, it joins the Ganges and the Bay of Bengal. Our Karnali River rafting trip begins with a chartered plane journey across Nepal followed by a two day trek along old trade routes to the put-in at the “Great Loop” of the Karnali. We raft through steep canyon country and spectacular jungle scenery. This is one of the finest stretches of whitewater in the world. We raft expedition-style carrying all food and equipment with us in the rafts. We float through very sparsely populated remote areas and it is not until the final days that we encounter villages of any significant size.

Outline Itinerary

Starting Point: Sauli

Ending Point: Chisopani

Day 01: Arrive Surkhet

Day 02: After breakfast, we walk all afternoon to the put-in point at Syauli. 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.

Day 03: The river gives the team time to build, and there are enough challenging rapids and water flow for learning errors. We still manage to get at least one great Class 4 rapid in. We camp and get excited about tomorrow.

Day 04: This is the type of day that people imagine when they think of Himalayan water. It is BIG and it is continuous. We enter the Jungle Corridor. This is a narrow 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: More of the same, including the notorious GOD’S house rapid.

Day 06: It isn’t over yet! Keep paddling hard! You are experiencing the best of the west on yet another day of great action and breathtaking scenery.

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.

Day 08: We pass the confluence with the Seti River, where the river broadens. 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 09: We come to the end of our journey at about lunchtime, 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. Or one can proceed to their own onward journey.