The Karnali River Rafting in Nepal

Trip Highlights

Set is the less explored Western Nepal. the Karnali River has some of the biggest and best rapids in Nepal. Couple this in with an amazing journey to the river through the remote and friendly villages around Surkhet, make this a great trip.

You'll spend your days running fantastic whitewater, exploring hidden waterfalls and villages and your evenings (and layover day) relaxing on expansive sandy beaches in the midst of jungle clad hillsides. On the lower reaches we often see some spectacular birdlife and wildlife.

The Karnali feels like a "real journey" and despite not being as well known as the Sun Kosi, the river delivers excellent culture, rapids and a wonderful Nepali experience.

Price Details

Price

From: GBP1395 per person (11 Days)

Price Includes

• Transfers to and from Kathmandu Airport to the hotel. If you provide us with your arrival details we will be happy to meet you at the airport. We request that you are there the day before your rafting trip departs
• Accomodation
• An Domestic flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgang (return)
• All meals from breakfast on Day Three to lunch on Day Ten. Breakfast on Days 2 and 11 included.
• All rafting equipment, including paddle, buoyancy aids, helmets and spray jackets.
• Tented accommodation whilst on the river.
• All camping equipment (sleeping bags excluded).
• Qualified and experienced guides.
• All necessary permits and licenses.

Price Excludes

• Flights, visas, departure taxes, travel insurance, inoculations, sleeping, bags, video or dvd of your trip, alcohol, personal items or gratuities. You will also need to budget for meals in town which are not included in the price and any extra accommodation outside what is provided.

Departure Dates

Saturday 1 May 2010 - Tuesday 11 May 2010 : 11 days : GBP £1395 : Euro €1595 : USD $2295

Saturday 9 October 2010 - Tuesday 19 October 2010 : 11 days : GBP £1395 : Euro €1595 : USD $2295

Itinerary

Day 1
You'll be met at the airport by your Water By Nature Trip Leader who will take you into Thamel to your hotel, where you can take the chance to catch up on sleep or go and explore this fascinating town.

Included: No meals

Day 2
Breakfast can be taken on the roof of your hotel with a stunning view of the Himalaya. The day is yours to explore this incredible city. Whether you decide to visit some of the fascinating temples and stupas, take in an early morning trip to the monkey temple or check out the Sadhus in Pashupatinath, do some retail therapy, or just sit on the roof of one of the many restaurants, Kathmandu will put a big smile on your face. Your trip leader will give you all a pre-departure chat and pass out some of your equipment for the trip.

Included: Breakfast

Day 3
After breakfast we board our flight to Nepalgang, in the "Wild West" of Nepal. Our bus will meet us here and take us through the fascinating town of Surkhet to the start of our short hike into the river. By late afternoon, we'll be rigged and ready to set off for the short trip downstream to our overnight camp.

Included: All meals

Day 4
Today we see a gradual introduction of whitewater as we take to the river for about 4 hours. We pause for lunch at a beautiful waterfall, giving us the chance for some fabulous photo opportunities. After lunch we get to try out our teamwork on some fun rapids before we run our first major rapid of the trip, “Sweetness And Light” which leads us in to our evening campsite.

Included: All meals

Day 5
After breakfast, we have a fantastic day of whitewater to look forward to, starting with “Shake Rattle and Roll” and “Humans For Lunch”! En route, we stop at Jungleghat, a fairly major village en route to Tibet for a timely cup of “Chi”. About 10 minutes downstream from the village are the rapids “Jailhouse Rock” and “Inversion.” Shortly after, we relax for lunch, and float down to our camp at Scorpion Beach, where we enter a beautifully forested canyon with cascading waterfalls.

Included: All meals

Day 6
LAYOVER day! Your biggest decision today may well be whether to have a game of beach volleyball, read your favourite book, learn to kayak or whether to walk up to a local village.

Included: All meals

Day 7
After we have been suitably rested and refueled we head down river to take on the biggest whitewater of the journey. “Godshouse” is our first rapid for the day and GREAT fun! We continue downstream to enjoy the towering waves of “Juicer” and “Flip ’n Strip” before we stop for lunch. After our lunchtime siesta, the rapids keep on coming thick and fast, in the form of “Snapshot”, “Freight Train” and the “Red Rock Canyon” before we hit some calmer water further downstream.

Included: All meals

Day 8
The whitewater action of the previous few days gives rise to some calmer water and the chance to really relax and bask in the warmth of the sun, take in the ever changing scenery and try your hand at kayaking.

Included: All meals

Day 9
Another day where we gently float along at river speed while fishermen show off their catch and summon us to come and buy as we drift on past. They are as puzzled by our presence there as we are of their ways. Dug out canoes ferry passengers across the river and young children swim out to our raft with the prospect of “hitch hiking” further down stream. Tonight is the last evening on the river and one to treasure as you lie under the stars being lulled to sleep by the endless sound of moving water.

Included: All meals

Day 10
We have a floating breakfast as we watch the sun rise over the hills. Chisopani marks the end of the rafting journey. We drive back to Nepalganj for our return flight to Kathmandu. You'll be transferred to your hotel where you can grab a shower before we go out for our post trip meal.

Included: Breakfast and lunch

Day 11
After breakfast and any last minute shopping, we'll transfer you to the airport for your flight back home.

Included: Breakfast

Other Info

Accommodation Details

Accommodation the two nights before and the night after the river trip in a tourist hotel. This will
be on a share twin basis with somebody else on the trip.

What you should bring:
We find most of our clients have in their posession already what is needed for a river journey. We have broken down here the items into what you'll need on the river and in camp. An equipment list of what you will require for your adventure will be sent to you prior to your departure.

River Fashion:
* A pair of Chacos or similar sandals. Trainers are also okay.
* A pair of River shorts or swimming costume.
* Long sleeved business shirt to wear under your life jacket in hot destinations.
* A baseball cap for under the helmet to keep sun off.
* Wide brimmed sunhat.
* Sunglasses.
* Chums for fastening your sunglasses to your head.
* Nalgene or similar water bottle.
* Carabiner for fastening water bottle to your boat.
* Thermal Top for cooler destinations. Medium weight - Heavyweight Capilene or polypropylene is the best.
* Waterproof sunscreen and lip balm SPF15 minimum.

For evenings and around camp
* Lightweight long trousers.
* Lightweight Long Sleeved shirt.
* Fleece jacket.
* Ladies should bring a long skirt or sarong to cover your legs whilst in the company of locals.
* Underwear.
* Glasses or Contact lenses. Disposable lenses are ideal.
* Toiletries. Toothbrush, toothpaste, biodegradable soap and shampoo.
* Forget the cosmetics and hair dryer! But we do suggest moisturizer.
* Hand wipes
* A 3-season sleeping bag.
* Travel Pillow.
* Small pack towel.
* Headlamp or head torch and spare batteries.
* Shoes or boots for wearing around camp and on hikes.
* Insect Repellent.
* Any medication you may be taking.

Optional Items:
* Your favourite book or a journal for recording your river memories.
* Sketchpad.
* Photographic or video equipment. On most expeditions we provide a waterproof pelicase for these items. We recommend a cleaning kit as sand gets everywhere. Bring a spare memory card or plenty of film. Also bring spare batteries for your camera.
* Waterproof disposable for the "action" on the raft shots.
* Swiss Army Knife or Leatherman.
* An extra bag to bring back a wooden hippo, a carpet, Thanka or anything else you may purchase on your holiday.
* An iPod or other music preferences. We have speakers.

Personal Spending:
* The only money that you need to bring is for meals in town, souvenirs, DVD, personal items and the beer kitty for the raft trip if you drink. Please remember that many of the countries we visit do offer Credit Card and ATM facilities and for a small charge you can withdraw cash either from your account or Credit Card for convenience.
* If you wish to pass on a gratuity to your guide we leave this entirely up to you.
* Basically, we advise you to keep things as light as possible, without skimping on the necessities. It is great to bring back a load of goodies for everybody back at home.

You do NOT need to bring:
* Tents, sleeping mats