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Group Size1
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GeographyForest/Plain/River
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DifficultyEasy
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Max Altitude1350m
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AccommodationHotel/ Guesthouse/ Lodge
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TransportationHotel/ Guesthouse/ Lodge
Background
Karnali Rafting is a popular adventure activity in Nepal that takes place on the KarnALI RIVER.The Karnali River with its elegant Class III to nerve-wracking Class V rapids, offers a classic expedition with its big volume white water garlanded with fishing and exploring the remotest and the most pristine region of Nepal. It has so much diversity and entertainment to offer that it has been termed by explorers as the 11-day Wild West Classic. Since it is a long raft trip, the first half gives the thrill and feeling of wild adventure with extreme and continuous bouncy rapids followed by nice, calm and relaxing float into the exquisite and immaculate wilderness in the second half.
Karnali, Nepal’s longest and largest river, springs from the base of Mt. Kailash and flows into Nepal, on the way, making an ultimate descent forming several rapids ranging from Class 3 to Class 5. One highlight of this journey is a 7 km turbulent ride through the gorge offering rapids at every twist and turn. Seasonal snowmelts and storms can cause the water level to swell drastically, making the river even more challenging. Before reaching our put-in point, we will be exploring the Tharu culture and their mouth-watering dishes.
Once we hit the water, we see no signs of modern life for the next five days. Days will get as challenging and demanding as possible, yet so rewarding with spells of calmness and anarchy in the river, occasional rest in the river bank, fishing, and wildlife sightings. Explorers have encountered the elusive Royal Bengal tiger along with the monkeys (Rhesus and Langur), leopards, bears, deer, crocodiles, and Gharial in the region. Dolphin excursion, crocodile watching, and fishing in the calmer portions of the river is another highlight of the trip. Karnali offers some of the finest fish habitat in Nepal; giant catfish and Golden Mahseer are the notable ones.
Safety measures are of profound concern to our team as we believe every outdoor trip needs to be a happy and a safe one. Our team members are trained in various courses- SRT (Swift Water Rescue Technician), Wilderness First Aid , and CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) to name a few.
Amble Himalaya guarantees an adventurous rafting experience with the utmost safety precautions. Come join us and the others in a bid to explore the Wild West.
Trip Highlights
- Challenging rapids: The KarnALI River is known for its fast-moving currents and large waves, which provide a thrilling rafting experience for adventure seekers.
- Stunning scenery: The river flows through a beautiful and remote valley, providing a glimpse of the pristine wilderness of Nepal
- Cultural heritage: The KarnALI River region is home to many ethnic communities, and a rafting trip provides an opportunity to learn about their culture and way of life.
- Professional guidance: Rafting trips are usually led by experienced and certified guides who provide safety instructions and help navigate the rapids.
- Fun and adventure: Rafting is a fun and exciting activity that allows you to enjoy the beauty of nature while challenging yourself physically and mentally.
- Great for groups: Rafting trips are a great way to bond with friends and family and make new friends.
Short Itinerary
Day 01: Drive to Surkhet via Butwal and overnight camping
Day 02: Drive from Surkhet to Kareleghat, camp at the river bank
Day 03: Rafting from Kareleghat and overnight camping
Day 04: Rafting day and camping on the beach
Day 05: Rafting day, camping on the beach near the confluence of the Seti River
Day 06: Rafting day, camping on the beach after passing Bijura village
Day 07: Rafting to Chisapani, end of the trip, drive back to Kathmandu by private bus
Karnali Rafting Itinerary
On the first day, you will get to gaze in the beautiful mountains, rivers, and terraced farms as you travel along the meandering roads. It's a warm and dry journey from Narayanghat to the flatlands of western Nepal's city of Butwal. You will travel on through acres of green and lushness, generally straight, to the Wild West. After a frantic and exhausting travel across the terrain, take pleasure in the temperate climate of the Inner Terai valley, Surkhet. Overnight stay in a camp
Difficult and bumpy drive through picturesque villages brings us to Dhungeshwor, our put in point. All the hotness and humidity will be forgotten of as you can’t help but be mesmerized by the sound of the monster.
After a comprehensive guidance on safety and a drill on paddling, we finally hit the water. The river starts easy as we get accustomed to our fellow raft members. During the afternoon, the descent becomes steeper and more exciting as we hit our very first rapids--Cotton Pony, Sweetness and Light--leading us to our evening campsite.
We start our day with the rapids Shake Rattle and Roll and Humans for Lunch. We stop at Jungleghat, a major city en route to Tibet, for a lovely cup of tea and lunch. Shortly after leaving the village, we run into the rapids Jail House and Inversion. Thereafter, we float down to Scorpion Beach to our camp. The camp is a forested canyon with waterfalls.
Today we take on the biggest whitewater of our trip. God house is undoubtedly the biggest and the meanest rapid of the trip. Running through the narrowest gorge on the river, this Class V rapid serves up a large wave before we hustle to the right to miss an enormous hole big enough to consume a bus. Thereafter, we continue downstream to the towering waves of Juicer, Flip and Strip, Snapshot, Freight Train, and the Red Rock Canyon. Finally, we reach our camping site near the gorgeous confluence of the Seti River--Seti Dovan.
Rafting continues with excitement but with less steep flows and rapids as we reach to the calmer section which gives us time to relax and sunbathe, all the while admiring the pristine landscapes in the form of gorges and pristine jungles. Spotting wildlife adds to the fun. We pass by Bijura village before reaching our pleasant beach camp.
The river has broadened to a great extent as we gently float along at river speed. Racing with other rafts can be an entertaining sports in the process. A lot of fishermen and kayakers can be spotted as we float to Chisapani where a private bus will be waiting for us. On our way to Kathmandu, we will drive through the protected area of Bardia National Park.
Karnali Rafting Price & Dates
Start Date | Finish Date | Availability | Price |
Karnali Rafting Included
- Transportation to and from the starting point of the rafting trip
- All necessary rafting equipment, such as life jackets, helmets, and paddles
- Professional guides and safety instruction
- Meals and accommodation during the camp stay
- Permits and fees for the river and national park
- First aid kit
Karnali Rafting Excluded
- Personal expenses like souvenirs, drinks, tips etc
- Insurance
- Personal gear
- Any other expenses not mentioned in the inclusion list
Karnali Rafting FAQ's
Rafting is an adventure sport, so it has its risks, but we take various majors to mitigate those risks for you to enjoy the adrenaline rush without the fear of being injured. We brief you about the dos and don'ts before you start rafting. We provide you with a life jacket and helmet to avoid serious injuries. Our team members are on their toe to rescue you in case you fall or get seriously injured. There is no fun without a little uncertainty.
Yes, absolutely. We have previously catered to non-swimmers, and we encourage people who want to overcome their fear of water to take part in one of our rafting sessions and come out stronger than ever.
All of our river guides have undergone training and are certified under the provisions of Government of Nepal. They are highly experienced, and they know the river.
We do not run our rafting packages in contaminated water. While the color might look muddy, depending on the season, the fast-flowing river cleans itself; hence you needn't worry about getting allergies and falling sick.
You needn't have any specific skill to partake in rafting. A short training is given at location before each rafting session. You just need to pay attention and follow the rules.
You just need basic fitness to be able to raft. However, you need to be prepared to propel, steer, and recover your raft, so you might need some physical strength.
There are a maximum of 7-8 people in a raft to avoid crowding and to maintain balance of the raft.
Pack light. Wear comfortable clothes for rafting. Bring a pair of slippers and a set of clothes to change after the water adventure.
We have a professional photographer to document the thrilling adventure through pictures and videos. You can purchase the photo later in the day. But, it is up to you if you want to bring your own camera. The company will not be liable to any damage.
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Group Size1
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GeographyForest/Plain/River
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DifficultyEasy
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Max Altitude1350m
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AccommodationHotel/ Guesthouse/ Lodge
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TransportationHotel/ Guesthouse/ Lodge