The Karnali Expedition
Some of the world's finest big-volume whitewater in Nepal's "Wild West"
The
far west of Nepal is one of the most isolated and least explored
areas of the Himalayas. Only recently opened to foreigners, this
region offers some tremendous challenges and rewards.
The Karnali, Nepal’s mightiest river, descends through the Himalayas in a series of magnificent gorges and pristine forest. It rises high in Tibet near Mount Kailash, the four-sided mountain which is holy to Buddhists and Hindus as the centre of the universe and the source of four mighty rivers – the Sutlej, the Brahmaputra, the Indus and the Karnali. Emerging onto the Terai the river flows through the Royal Bardiya National Park and continues across the Northern Plains of India to the Bay of Bengal.
In traditional Nepalese fashion, dozen of porters carry all our equipment for two days as we trek along narrow trails to "Great Loop" of the Karnali. Loading all food and gear into our rafts, we venture onto the river to challenge some of the world’s best whitewater. A "thrill-a-minute-roller-coaster-ride" takes us through a spectacular sun-drenched land of steep wooded canyons, deserted beaches, and small villages.
Langur monkeys study our progress from the verdant forest and Himalayan tahrs, black bears, deer, jackals, and elusive leopards are still abundant. Gharial and mugger crocodiles bask in the final canyon. The Karnali is also renowned as one of Nepal’s premier fishing rivers with masheer, a form of fresh water perch, and giant catfish.
This expedition combines trekking in a seldom visited part of the Himalaya and exceptional rafting through tropical jungle, with the option of a wildlife safari in the Royal Bardia National Park. This is a classic big volume river at all flows. If you are looking for a long wilderness expedition this is the best journey for you.
Trip
Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive Kathmandu.
Days 2-3 Drive to Surkhet and organize porter loads
(Camp).
Days 4-5 Trek to the "Great Loop" of the Karnali and start
rafting (Camp).
Days 6-11 Rafting and exploring the Karnali (Camp).
Days 12-13 Take out at Chisopani; drive to Nepalganj;
fly to Kathmandu.
Day 14 At leisure in Kathmandu.
Day 15 Depart for onward destination.
Options & Extensions
Hotel
Selection
Flight
Kathmandu - Nepalganj
Mountain
Flight to Everest
Royal Bardiya National
Park safari tour (3 days, Trek / River - KTM)
Pokhara extension (3 days,
KTM - KTM)
Lhasa Overland fly-in
drive-out Tibet tour (8 days, KTM - KTM)
trip overview
15 days in Nepal
river highlights
group size
dates & prices
