The Wild West - Karnali

Nepal's most challenging and exhilarating white-water kayaking experience


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Karnali Kayaking Expedition

Embrace an adrenaline-pumping adventure on the Karnali River, one of Nepal's most challenging white-water experiences! Navigate fast-flowing rapids and conquer the mighty Karnali - perfect for thrill-seeking rafters.  Combine your rafting expedition with kayaking, fishing, or trekking Nepal's remote regions for an even more immersive adventure.  Paddle through pristine forests teeming with wildlife, encounter the Tharu people's unique culture, and camp under the stars on the Karnali's banks. As Nepal's longest and largest river, the Karnali promises an unforgettable rafting experience, whether you choose the upper (Humla Karnali) section or opt for a combined adventure encompassing both upper and lower Karnali. Get ready to create lasting memories on this epic Karnali River rafting journey!

SEASON 

OCT - NOV / MARCH - APRIL

   DIFFICULTY  

  3 0UT 5 / MODERATE 

 

GROUP SIZE

6 - 14 PERSONS

DURATION

11 Days

Duration : 11 Days


Daily Activity : 5 - 6 hours

Starting From


$1,650

Dates Available


Oct 1st - Nov 30th


March 1st - April 30th

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Karnali River: Adrenaline Rush Awaits

Calling all thrill-seekers! The Karnali River beckons, offering one of Nepal's most challenging and exhilarating white-water rafting experiences. Get ready for an unforgettable journey:


Karnali Rafting: Navigate fast-flowing rapids and experience the pure joy of conquering the mighty Karnali. This is an adventure for experienced rafters seeking a true test of their skills.

Karnali River Expeditions: Beyond the Rapids: Combine your rafting adventure with kayaking, fishing, jungle safaris, or trekking in Nepal's remote regions.

Untamed Beauty: A Feast for the Senses: Raft through pristine forests, encountering diverse wildlife and vegetation. Immerse yourself in the breathtaking landscapes of Nepal's wild regions.

Cultural Encounters: Gain a glimpse into the unique way of life of the Tharu people residing along the Karnali Riverbanks.

Camping Adventures: Experience the thrill of camping under the stars on the banks of the Karnali River, adding another layer of adventure to your trip.

Karnali: Nepal's Kayaking & Rafting  Gem:

Longest & Largest: The Karnali is Nepal's crown jewel, offering an unmatched rafting experience on its long and powerful waters.

Unforgettable Memories: Carve unforgettable memories as you conquer the rapids and explore the wonders surrounding the Karnali River.

Upper vs. Lower Karnali:

Humla Karnali: Originating from the holy Mount Kailash, the upper Karnali offers a unique rafting experience.

Combined Karnali Rafting: For the ultimate adventure, consider a combined trip encompassing both the upper and lower sections of the Karnali.

Itinerary

  • Day 1 Kathmandu

    We will pick you up at the International airport in Kathmandu and check in the hotel in the touristic area of Kathmandu.

    Briefing about the trip, and shopping for personal necessary items.

    Go out for dinner and a few beers.

  • Day 2 Nepalgung

    A morning flight to Nepalgung and we jump on a private vehicle driving through terai towards the hills of Nepal. After 5/6 hours of drive we will reach the starting point. Today we float for an hour or so and find a stunning campsite by the river. You will learn about setting up the camp and do's and dont's of camping during the trip.

  • Day 3 River

    Slowly but surely, we will be entering the remotness of Nepal and at the same time the waves and rapids starts to get bigger and bigger. Today we will be tackeling few good rapids.

  • Day 5 River

    Today we float for few hours and take a moment to enjoy the remotness of Karnali. Also a chance to do what you want: read, relax, play volleyball, Frisbee, master the art of sand sculpture or learn Nepalese card games. We may also take advantage of this day to hike to small villages nearby, or take part on a kayak workshop offered by our safety kayakers. The schedule will be up to you!

  • Day 4 River

    This day will be full of big rapids and tackle some of the iconic rapids such as JailHouse rock, Juicer, god house etc.

  • Day 5 River

    Another day of Big rapids and we go through the most remote part of the entire expedition.

  • Day 6 Laid Back

    From today we start to ease in and have more time to enjoy the scenery. This could also be an opportunity to try out whitewater kayaks or simply sit on a raft and go with the flow.

  • Day 7 Seti Karnali

    We try our best to reach the Seti Karnali conflunce to spend the night. Today will be some waves here and there, scenic river side jungle and Karnali remoteness at its best.

  • Day 8 Float Day

    Here on we will be floating all the way to the end. Ofcourse we will be woken up by big waves here and there and waving good by to villagers and kids by the river banks along the way.

  • Day 9 Kathmandu

    We will finish our trip at Chisapani and drive to the airport and fly back to Kathmandu.

  • Day 10 Kathmandu

    For those who are ready for the last activity of the trip, we head to monkey temple and witness the morning sun lighting up the Kathmandu city. Later, we will have enough time to go shopping to take back home. 

  • Day 11 Farewell

    Wrapping it up, today, we will drop you to airport and bid farewell with promises to catch back again in future for more adventure together.

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Essential Infos

Cost Includes

Private vehicles

Domestic flight to and from Nepalgung

Hotels and Camping

International certified guides

Professional kayak guide/safety kayakers

Cook/Helper

Gear raft support

Dry bags and pelican boxes to keep your personal items dry and safe on the river

All the meals and treated drinking water

Tents

River permits

First aid kits

Lunch and Dinner whilst staying in Kathmandu and Pokhara. 

Entry fee while cultural visit in Kathmandu. 

International flights to Nepal. 

Bottled drinks (mineral water, any cold drinks, and alcoholic drinks) whilst on river. 

Your travel insurance.

Expenses of personal nature such as tips for guide, porter and driver, bar bill etc

Nepal visa fee is currently USD$ 50 (Or, £30) for 30 days.

Any additional activities not in the itinerary. 

Nepal's 4+ rapids on a kayak demands both physical prowess and technical expertise. Paddling against fast currents and maneuvering rapids requires excellent upper body strength, core stability, and strong cardiovascular endurance. Swimming confidently is a must in case of a capsize. On the skill side, prior whitewater kayaking experience, especially on Class 3 rapids, is crucial. Swiftwater rescue techniques like self-rescue and buddy rescue are essential for safety. We assess your skills, provide instruction, navigate the river's challenges, and prioritize your safety. Before embarking on this adventure, consult a doctor to ensure you're physically fit for the demands and prioritize safety by ensuring you meet these requirements.

This payment policy outlines how to secure your spot and settle your balance for our adventure services.


Booking Confirmation: To ensure a smooth booking experience, we require full payment upfront to confirm your reservation for any of our adventures. The deposit amount varies depending on the specific trip and will be clearly stated during the booking process.


Payment Method: We currently only accept deposits and full balances via bank transfer. Details for our bank account will be provided upon booking confirmation.


Trip Confirmation: The full amount for your chosen adventure is due at the time of booking. Once we receive your bank transfer, your reservation will be confirmed.


Deposit Policy: Since we require full payment upfront, there's no separate deposit policy.


Trip Cancellation: In case you need to cancel your trip, please notify us as soon as possible in writing (email). Cancellation fees will apply based on the following schedule: 

o More than 90 days before departure: after deducting 10% cancelation charge your deposit will be refunded. 

o Between 15 and 60 days before departure: 30% cancelation fees will be applied.

o Less than 14 days before departure: No refund

Unforeseen Circumstances: We reserve the right to cancel or modify your trip due to unforeseen circumstances beyond our control (e.g., weather conditions, political unrest). In such cases, we will do our best to offer alternative arrangements or provide a full or partial refund depending on the situation. 

Please Note:

• Prices listed on our website are quoted in USD and are subject to change without prior notice.

If you have any questions regarding our payment policy or booking process, please don't hesitate to contact us at +977 981 8182067 or [email protected]


We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance to protect yourself from any unanticipated circumstances that may impact your trip.

Description Title

1. What is White Water Rafting?

White Water Rafting is an adventure sport where you cruise down and navigate a river aboard an inflatable rubber raft. White Water refers to rivers that have a lot of rapids, so White Water Rafting means running across rough rivers like these.


2. What about safety during the rafting trip?

Since White Water Rafting is considered an extreme sport, there are many safety issues related to this sport. We understand this and make sure that our clients’ safety is our prime concern. Besides, our guides have participated in various Rescue and First Aid trainings allowing us to take care of adventure seekers who choose to participate in this extreme sport.


3. Do I need insurance for this trip?

We recommend that our clients have proper medical insurance before choosing to raft with us. This allows us to make necessary arrangements in case of emergencies.


4. What equipment do I need for the trip and what equipment do you provide?

What we provide: Rafts, life-jackets, helmets, oars, other accessories, First Aid Kit (tapes, bandages, general drugs etc).

What you need to bring: Clothing and footwear, toiletries, cameras, batteries and other personal items.


5. What is the best season for White Water Rafting in Nepal?

September to early December and March to early June are commercial rafting months in Nepal. The more adventurous and experienced, however, choose to run the rivers from early September to early October and May to June when there is high flow in the river stream.


6. How are the White Water Rivers in Nepal classified?

The rivers of Nepal are graded on a Class 1 to 6 international scale:

Class I Easy

Class II Medium

Class III Difficult

Class IV Very Difficult

Class V Extremely Difficult

Class VI Unrunnable


7. How do I book a trip with you?

You can book a trip with us using the booking form in our website or if you’re already in Nepal you can come visit us in our office.

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