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Karnali (Bardia Option)

Grade 5 - A true wilderness whitewater rafting expedition

ALL MEALS 'ON TOUR' INCLUDED

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Duration

11 Days
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Accommodation

2 Nts Hotels - 2 Nts Lodges, 6 Nts camping
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Trip Overview

Grade 5 - Probably the best Himalayan rafting trip and whitewater adventure.

Set in the most remote, least explored western region of Nepal, the Karnali is a magnificent river, and this expedition is indeed unique and not for the feint-hearted. To reach the put-in point, it requires a two-day road journey from Kathmandu, first down to the Terai and then into the western hills, before reaching the river through sal forest on foot. Then the river—40 major rapids in the first four days. The surroundings are almost sheer wilderness, with the wildlife—mainly monkeys, deer, and colourful birds—adding to the experience. Then continuous, pumping days of rafting the ‘Wild Water of the West’. The river begins with fun Class II-III rapids on every corner until, before you know it, the challenge of bigger and more complex Class IV rapids in the section known as ‘Jungle Ghat’ leads into some of the big stuff: ‘Human for Lunch’ and ‘Jailhouse Rock and more ambitious Class IV-V rapids with many large holes. The river lets up just before entering a steep, high canyon where you'll scout ‘Captivity’, a Class V rapid aptly named. The day culminates with ‘God’s House’, an awe-inspiring Class V hole. By River-Day 3, sore arms testify to the hard work being done at the paddle; skills will be tested once more on ‘Flit and Strip’. ‘Lost Mutt’, and many more Class III rapids follow, and Red Rock Canyon’ (also aptly named) follows, and then there follows less turbulent but nonetheless Grade III progress. By River Day 5, most of the unforgiving rapids are behind you; now is the time to value the scenery and the silent sense of remoteness. By the time the Bheri River joins the Karnali from the east, the river has become a huge, fast-flowing tributary of the Ganges, and your last day of rafting relies as much on your paddle power as it does on the river flow. It’s with feelings of achievement that you reach the take-out point at the suspension bridge on the east/west highway at Chisapani. One option is to add an extra day and visit nature's very own ‘chill-out’ at Bardia National Park in the hope of seeing tigers and other wildlife. Sleeping bags (3-season) will be required for the nights spent camping. We can arrange sleeping bag rentals if required.

Grade 5 - Probably the best Himalayan rafting trip and whitewater adventure.

  • Set in the most remote, least explored western region of Nepal, the Karnali is a magnificent river, and this expedition is indeed unique and not for the feint-hearted. To reach the put-in point, it requires a two-day road journey from Kathmandu, first down to the Terai and then into the western hills, before reaching the river through sal forest on foot. Then the river—40 major rapids in the first four days. The surroundings are almost sheer wilderness, with the wildlife—mainly monkeys, deer, and colourful birds—adding to the experience. Then continuous, pumping days of rafting the ‘Wild Water of the West’. The river begins with fun Class II-III rapids on every corner until, before you know it, the challenge of bigger and more complex Class IV rapids in the section known as ‘Jungle Ghat’ leads into some of the big stuff: ‘Human for Lunch’ and ‘Jailhouse Rock and more ambitious Class IV-V rapids with many large holes. The river lets up just before entering a steep, high canyon where you'll scout ‘Captivity’, a Class V rapid aptly named. The day culminates with ‘God’s House’, an awe-inspiring Class V hole. By River-Day 3, sore arms testify to the hard work being done at the paddle; skills will be tested once more on ‘Flit and Strip’. ‘Lost Mutt’, and many more Class III rapids follow, and Red Rock Canyon’ (also aptly named) follows, and then there follows less turbulent but nonetheless Grade III progress. By River Day 5, most of the unforgiving rapids are behind you; now is the time to value the scenery and the silent sense of remoteness. By the time the Bheri River joins the Karnali from the east, the river has become a huge, fast-flowing tributary of the Ganges, and your last day of rafting relies as much on your paddle power as it does on the river flow. It’s with feelings of achievement that you reach the take-out point at the suspension bridge on the east/west highway at Chisapani. One option is to add an extra day and visit nature's very own ‘chill-out’ at Bardia National Park in the hope of seeing tigers and other wildlife. Sleeping bags (3-season) will be required for the nights spent camping. We can arrange sleeping bag rentals if required.

Example Itinerary

    • Day 1
      Arrive Kathmandu
    • Day 2
      Full days drive to Bhalubang/Lamahi
    • Day 3
      To the Karnali River
    • Day 4
      Karnali Rafting
    • Day 5
      Jailhouse Rock Rapids
    • Day 6
      God's House Rapids
    • Day 7
      Red River Canyon
    • Day 8
      Fast and Drift
    • Day 9
      Karnali Rafting to Chisapani/Drive to Nepalgunj
    • Day 10
      Fly to Kathmandu
    • Day 11
      Depart Nepal

  • DAY
    1

    Arrive Kathmandu

    Arriving at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, you'll be met and receive a private transfer for the short distance into central Kathmandu and to the "KGH" Hotel in the heart of the Thamel district. You'll be given a briefing on your forthcoming adventure, and in the evening, you can take dinner at your leisure in one of the many choices of cafes and restaurants in Kathmandu, although the open-air courtyard cafe of the KGH Hotel is as good as anywhere.

    Accommodation: KGH Hotel - Kathmandu
    Included Meals: None

    DAY 1

    Arrive Kathmandu

    Arriving at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, you'll be met and receive a private transfer for the short distance into central Kathmandu and to the "KGH" Hotel in the heart of the Thamel district. You'll be given a briefing on your forthcoming adventure, and in the evening, you can take dinner at your leisure in one of the many choices of cafes and restaurants in Kathmandu, although the open-air courtyard cafe of the KGH Hotel is as good as anywhere.

    Accommodation: KGH Hotel - Kathmandu
    Included Meals: None

    DAY
    2

    Full days drive to Bhalubang/Lamahi

    Travelling by private vehicle, you're heading overland to Nepal's 'wild west'. We did say at the outset that this is a remote, wild rafting expedition, and reaching the Karnali and the thrills it provides certainly takes some effort and hardship. Stopping en route for lunch along the way, today's drive is around 10 hours. Tonight's accommodation will be a very basic, simple lodge, as tourism rarely reaches this area.

    Accommodation: Simple Lodge, Bhalubang/Lamahi
    Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

    DAY 2

    Full days drive to Bhalubang/Lamahi

    Travelling by private vehicle, you're heading overland to Nepal's 'wild west'. We did say at the outset that this is a remote, wild rafting expedition, and reaching the Karnali and the thrills it provides certainly takes some effort and hardship. Stopping en route for lunch along the way, today's drive is around 10 hours. Tonight's accommodation will be a very basic, simple lodge, as tourism rarely reaches this area.

    Accommodation: Simple Lodge, Bhalubang/Lamahi
    Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

    DAY
    3

    To the Karnali River

    Stopping for lunch along the way, it's around a six-hour drive to Surkhet, and the further you travel, the worse (and steeper) the road gets! Reaching the put-in point involves a 4km walk, so a team of local porters will be engaged to carry all the equipment necessary for this outstanding, wild rafting adventure. The rafts will be inflated, and tonight you'll camp on the far bank downstream.

    Accommodation: Wild Camp 1, Karnali River
    Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

    FIND OUT MORE ABOUT FULL SUPPORT CAMPING

    DAY 3

    To the Karnali River

    Stopping for lunch along the way, it's around a six-hour drive to Surkhet, and the further you travel, the worse (and steeper) the road gets! Reaching the put-in point involves a 4km walk, so a team of local porters will be engaged to carry all the equipment necessary for this outstanding, wild rafting adventure. The rafts will be inflated, and tonight you'll camp on the far bank downstream.

    Accommodation: Wild Camp 1, Karnali River
    Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

    FIND OUT MORE ABOUT FULL SUPPORT CAMPING

    DAY
    4

    Karnali Rafting

    After an early morning 'bed tea' served in your tent, it's a camp breakfast, followed by a full safety and expedition procedures briefing. You'll be kitted out with wetsuits, safety helmets and lifejackets (and pads too!) And as this is a self-sufficient expedition, everything you need with you for the next few days will be carried on board and stored in dry bags. At last, you take to the water, and it's a gentle introduction to begin with as you paddle calm water for a couple of hours before it's time to stop for a picnic lunch. In the afternoon, you raft for around 3 hours, and after around an hour, you encounter your first rapid, a good grade 4. The rapids then increase in number, length, and power. After the afternoon's fun, camp tonight is a dramatically located spot on the beach with a large crag overhanging it.

    Accommodation: Wild Camp 1, Karnali River
    Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

    DAY 4

    Karnali Rafting

    After an early morning 'bed tea' served in your tent, it's a camp breakfast, followed by a full safety and expedition procedures briefing. You'll be kitted out with wetsuits, safety helmets and lifejackets (and pads too!) And as this is a self-sufficient expedition, everything you need with you for the next few days will be carried on board and stored in dry bags. At last, you take to the water, and it's a gentle introduction to begin with as you paddle calm water for a couple of hours before it's time to stop for a picnic lunch. In the afternoon, you raft for around 3 hours, and after around an hour, you encounter your first rapid, a good grade 4. The rapids then increase in number, length, and power. After the afternoon's fun, camp tonight is a dramatically located spot on the beach with a large crag overhanging it.

    Accommodation: Wild Camp 1, Karnali River
    Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

    DAY
    5

    Jailhouse Rock Rapids

    After a gentle start, things soon livened up this morning, with a couple of obtuse, difficult bends and plenty of rapids, including the Grade 5 'jailhouse rock'. There's the odd tricky lead in and some huge boulders to negotiate too. After a lunch break, there's an afternoon of bouncy, playful rapids to keep you focused before reaching camp. From here, you'll probably hear the roar of tomorrow's first set of rapids.

    Accommodation: Wild Camp 2, Karnali River
    Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

    DAY 5

    Jailhouse Rock Rapids

    After a gentle start, things soon livened up this morning, with a couple of obtuse, difficult bends and plenty of rapids, including the Grade 5 'jailhouse rock'. There's the odd tricky lead in and some huge boulders to negotiate too. After a lunch break, there's an afternoon of bouncy, playful rapids to keep you focused before reaching camp. From here, you'll probably hear the roar of tomorrow's first set of rapids.

    Accommodation: Wild Camp 2, Karnali River
    Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

    DAY
    6

    God's House Rapids

    That noise was 'God's House', and before you know it, you're in this Grade 5 section. Even after lunch, it's quickly into the big rapids again with a mix of grades 3+ and 4, including 'rafters trap' and 'lost mutt'. Although today is shorter (around 4 hours in total), we think you'll agree with your team over dinner at camp tonight that it was nothing short of terrific rafting.

    Accommodation: Wild Camp 3, Karnali River
    Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

    DAY 6

    God's House Rapids

    That noise was 'God's House', and before you know it, you're in this Grade 5 section. Even after lunch, it's quickly into the big rapids again with a mix of grades 3+ and 4, including 'rafters trap' and 'lost mutt'. Although today is shorter (around 4 hours in total), we think you'll agree with your team over dinner at camp tonight that it was nothing short of terrific rafting.

    Accommodation: Wild Camp 3, Karnali River
    Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

    DAY
    7

    Red River Canyon

    The morning consists of 2-3 hours of easier rapids and a somewhat lazy drift on the fast-flowing current as you cruise through Red River Canyon. The afternoon's journey consists of a couple of hours of easy paddling on a lovely stretch of easy, fast-flowing water. Tonight's camp is on a large beach and close to a small settlement.

    Accommodation: Wild Camp 4, Karnali River
    Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

    DAY 7

    Red River Canyon

    The morning consists of 2-3 hours of easier rapids and a somewhat lazy drift on the fast-flowing current as you cruise through Red River Canyon. The afternoon's journey consists of a couple of hours of easy paddling on a lovely stretch of easy, fast-flowing water. Tonight's camp is on a large beach and close to a small settlement.

    Accommodation: Wild Camp 4, Karnali River
    Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

    DAY
    8

    Fast and Drift

    A morning of easy Grade 1–2 rapids and around 3 hours paddling to lunch. The afternoon is a mixed bag of straightforward rapids, some fast and flat water, and then catching the current drift to the journey's end.

    Accommodation: Wild Camp 4, Karnali River
    Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

    DAY 8

    Fast and Drift

    A morning of easy Grade 1–2 rapids and around 3 hours paddling to lunch. The afternoon is a mixed bag of straightforward rapids, some fast and flat water, and then catching the current drift to the journey's end.

    Accommodation: Wild Camp 4, Karnali River
    Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

    DAY
    9

    Karnali Rafting to Chisapani/Drive to Nepalgunj

    After a leisurely breakfast, it's a gentle drift and paddle for a couple of hours to Chisapani, and as you approach, the towering suspension bridge that crosses the Mahendra Highway comes into view. Here the private transport will be awaiting and once everything is packed away, after lunch you'll be driven to Nepalgunj (around 3–4 hours) Alternatively, you could add a visit to Bardia National Park, which is only 90 minutes away. Here in the far west of Nepal, Kathmandu is a very, very long way away, and after coming so far, it perhaps makes sense to make the most of the opportunity and to spend an extra day or more on safari in Nepal's largest and wildest National Park, reputedly the best place in Nepal to see tigers.

    Accommodation: Basic Hotel, Nepalgunj
    Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

    DAY 9

    Karnali Rafting to Chisapani/Drive to Nepalgunj

    After a leisurely breakfast, it's a gentle drift and paddle for a couple of hours to Chisapani, and as you approach, the towering suspension bridge that crosses the Mahendra Highway comes into view. Here the private transport will be awaiting and once everything is packed away, after lunch you'll be driven to Nepalgunj (around 3–4 hours) Alternatively, you could add a visit to Bardia National Park, which is only 90 minutes away. Here in the far west of Nepal, Kathmandu is a very, very long way away, and after coming so far, it perhaps makes sense to make the most of the opportunity and to spend an extra day or more on safari in Nepal's largest and wildest National Park, reputedly the best place in Nepal to see tigers.

    Accommodation: Basic Hotel, Nepalgunj
    Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

    DAY
    10

    Fly to Kathmandu

    It takes around 90 minutes for the private transfer to the tiny airport at Nepalgunj. What seemed like forever at the start of your journey is over before you know it. Arriving at Kathmandu Airport, a private vehicle will take you to your hotel in Kathmandu. The remainder of your day is free to enjoy Kathmandu at your leisure.

    Accommodation: KGH Hotel, Kathmandu
    Included Meals: Breakfast

    DAY 10

    Fly to Kathmandu

    It takes around 90 minutes for the private transfer to the tiny airport at Nepalgunj. What seemed like forever at the start of your journey is over before you know it. Arriving at Kathmandu Airport, a private vehicle will take you to your hotel in Kathmandu. The remainder of your day is free to enjoy Kathmandu at your leisure.

    Accommodation: KGH Hotel, Kathmandu
    Included Meals: Breakfast

    DAY
    11

    Depart Nepal

    A private transfer will take you to the airport for your return international flight.

    Included Meals: Breakfast

    Of course, there's no reason to depart today; your Nepal holiday can be readily tailor-made.

    DAY 11

    Depart Nepal

    A private transfer will take you to the airport for your return international flight.

    Included Meals: Breakfast

    Of course, there's no reason to depart today; your Nepal holiday can be readily tailor-made.

    IMPORTANT

    This is an EXAMPLE ITINERARY and can be customised for you accordingly.

    Please consider whether you want your customisable, private trip itinerary to also include CONTINGENCY.

    See our ABOUT CONTINGENCY Information

    Please CONTACT US to discuss CONTINGENCY and ADDITIONAL ACCLIMATISATION, as well as other CUSTOMISATION POSSIBILITES for your PRIVATE CUSTOM TREK

Price Guide

Price based on a private party of 4 persons, twin share rooms, low season.
  • $ US 1575

IMPORTANT INFO ABOUT OUR PRICE GUIDES

What's included

The price shown is for guideline purposes only. The price is inclusive of all accommodation described in the detailed itinerary, all airport and land transfers, private overland travel, internal flights as indicated in the itinerary, meals as indicated in the itinerary, main baggage transfers, rafting crew, safety kayaker/s and all rafting equipment, camp cook, all camping equipment (except sleeping bags), permits & fees & a Snow Cat Travel Rafting Guide. All guides are english-speaking, professionals and fully licensed

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