Karnali
Come and join us on the 11th May - Guarenteed departure.
Class: 4 (5)
From: Sauli (560m)
To: Chisopani (195m)
Distance: 113 miles
River Days:8-10 depending on the season
Volume in November: 300cms (10,500 cfs)
Best season: Oct- Nov, End of April - June
Nepal's longest and largest river, the Karnali,
begins its life near to Tibet’s holy Mount Kailash. It carves
its way through the Tibetan plateau and through the Himalaya into Nepal’s
lush western forests. After the snow melt this river becomes a raging
torrent with huge rapids which offers brilliant rafting and kayaking.
A highlight is the 7km long gorge which is one long raging rapid that
sucks you in one end and spits you out the other (in one piece!). This
is one of the Nepal’s must do rivers.
Not only is the river a gem for its white water, but it’s course
travels through a relatively unpopulated area, filled with pristine
jungle allowing the paddler good chances of viewing the abundant wildlife
like deer, leopards, tiger, jackals, mongoose, monkeys and small brown
bears. Although the river is remote, the bus ride and short trek to
the start point is pleasant and extremely scenic making it a worth while
all round trip.
Rafting
Rafters need no previous experience.
Kayaking
This is a great river for the advanced kayaker. You need to be a confident Class IV paddler to kayak this river. Plenty of big rapids and surfing waves to keep you entertained. If you are a beginner kayaker coming on a rafting trip, we will give you the opportunity to try out kayaking on some of the easier sections of the river.
Trip Dates: Running March to May or October to December
Spring 2013- 11th May
Autmun 2013- 26th Oct, 9th Nov
Or on request
Trip Includes:
All staff including highly qualified & licensed Guides and professional
Safety Kayakers all fluent in English and holding up to date First Aid.
All camping equipment (including toilet tents, shelters, air matresses,
tarps, personal tents etc)
All meals and water whilst on the river (tea, coffee, hot chocolate
and juice will also be provided)
Transportation to and from the river (optional flights avaliable)
All equipment (including PFD's, helmets, dry tops, throw bags, dry bags,
pelican boxes, wetsuits, paddles, etc all at international standards)
Porters
River permits
Gear Raft support
Extensive medical kit
Trip photos (make sure you bring a USB stick along with you)
Not included:
Unrelated travel, visas, insurance, travel documents etc...
Items of a personal nature (toiletries, personal
medication, clothing, camers...)
Personal insurance
Bottled mineral water (we will provide you with
local treated water which is safe to drink)
Alcohol and additional snacks.
Travel insurance (to travel with GRG's you are
required to have adequate insurance for the activity you are participating
in, we have the necessary insurance for our crew but you must have your
own seperate policy)
Optional tips for guides.
Itinerary
Day 1
We will leave early in the morning from Kathmandu after loading the bus up and drive to Surkhet and spend the night in a hotel.
Day 2
After a hearty breakfast we will drive as far as the road allows and trek just a few hours to the put in point where we will camp for the night.
Day 3-8
The rafting begins. The days that follow are going to be one wild ride from rapid to rapid and from one pristine white sandy beach to the next. We will have one rest day along the river which gives a good chance to have a beach party, rest and relax on the sandy beaches and play a few games. For the most part our camps will be isolated and remote. The river is banked densely with jungle and has some truly breath taking scenery. The last couple of days the river flattens out, allowing us to relax and enjoy wildlife spotting. We will start to notice the differance in scenery (and temperature) as we drift closer to the Indian Plains.
Day 9
Our last day on the water. We will paddle to our take out point at Chisopani, unload the gear for one last time and jump on the waiting bus/plane.
Day 10
After a long 18 hour drive (or a quicker half hour flight) we wil finally arrive in Kathmandu, ready for a good shower and a nap!
At the end of this trip you also have the option to add on a trip to Bardia National Park. Email us for more details.
Click here to view the Karnali River Map
Cara Rudio - "When I booked my trip to Nepal, I didn't really know what to expect, but it turned out to be the absolute most amazing trip I have ever taken! The scenery was incredible and the whitewater was spectacular, but what really made the trip so great was the GRG's crew. You could tell how much they absolutely loved their jobs by how happy they were no matter what. Their passion for the river and Nepal was totally contagious -- you couldn't help but get absolutely wrapped up in the experience, loving every minute of it! They honestly treated us like friends, not clients. (Except, of course, that they were waiting on us hand and foot!) The scenery and whitewater will be the same no matter what outfitter you use, but you'll never find a crew as fun and passionate as the GRG's team!"
Suggested add ons -
