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 Nepalit 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.
OPTION A
This is an ideal opportunity to go to BardiaNational Park and the resort from
Chisopani will collect you. This would include two nights in the park and full
safari activities including elephant rides
DEPARTURE POINT Kathmandu or
Pokhara
RIVER START POINT Sauli
RIVER FINISH POINT Chisopani
OUTWARD TRAVEL TIME 14
Hours
RIVER GRADEIII
- IV+
RETURN TRAVEL TIME 12 Hours
Itinerary
Day 01
We meet at the office at 7am(Pokhara or Kathmandu) 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
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, then.......you hear the river!
Day 03 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 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 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 06It 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.
Day 07This 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
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 10We 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 BardiaNational
Park (highly recommended!), will be collected
from here as well.
Day 11
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 bestkayakers
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
kayakeris always with the expedition
