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A beginner can enjoy rafting in friendly rivers
like Trishuli and Seti where as wild waters of Karnali and Sunkoshi are waiting
the experienced rafters. You are provided with a life-vest, one helmet and
paddle to put on all time while you are on the river. A trained professional
river guide heads the rafting team. Normally, we provide all camping equipment
and meals. |
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There are eight major rivers in three River
system of Nepal Koshi (east), Gandaki (central), and Karnali (west) are open for
White water rafting for tourists (see map). Modern rafts, experienced staff and
well maintained equipment make the river rafting safe adventure. 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 Class 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 Royal 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 (and
includes) 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. The
next 8 days, 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.
We will meet at 6 PM in our Kathmandu-office, the day before for a pre-departure
meeting to give a briefing and clear any questions. This will give you time for
any last minute preparations.
Day 01: Pick up from airport, drop to hotel (A)
Day 02: We meet at the office or we pick
you up at your hotel in Kathmandu at 7 am 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. (A, B, L, D)
Day 03: 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 Syauli. A great walk which high lights just how "out there" you
really are. You pass local villages and spectacular scenery, and then you hit
the river. (A, B, L, D)
Day 04: The river gives the team time to
build and there is 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. (A, B, L, D)
Day
05: 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. (A, B, L, D)
Day 06: More of the same including the
notorious GOD'S house rapid. (A, B, L, D)
Day 07: 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 breath taking scenery. (A, B, L, D)
Day 08: 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. (A, B, L, D)
Day
09-10: 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, 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. (A, B, L, D)
Day 11: 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. (A,
B, L, D)
Day 12: We arrive back at Kathmandu in
the early morning of the twelfth day and rest at hotel. After that you may use
your rest of time to buy souvenir in Kathmandu. (A, B) Day 13:
Departure from Nepal (B)
Abbreviation: (A = Accommodation, B =
Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner)
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