| KARNALI (LOWER): ( Best
season: November/December, March/April).
Karnali ( Lower) river starts from Sauli (560m) and flows to Chisapani (195m) covering distance of 180 kms. The river is approachable from Kathmandu to Surkhet by flight via Nepaljung or by vehicle and from Surkhet to raft start-in point. The river days would be from 5 to 7. The difficulty in class is 4 - to (5). The Karnali one of finest big volume rafting and kayaking trips in Nepal, and definitely the best combination trip: for trekking, white water rafting and wilderness - a World Classic!. Spectacular jungle-clad canyons, BIG white water and abundant wildlife - We recommend this as one of the ultimate trips for adventurous rafters and kayakers seeking excitement and wilderness. The Karnali is Nepal's longest and largest river and with its tribuatries, it drains most of the Far West of Nepal - the "Wild West" as many people call it. This bottom section of the river definitely lives up to that name - the area that it flows through is wild and unpolluted with some of the most pristine jungle scenery in Nepal, and abundant wildlife. The rapids are also pretty wild, with the river building to its climax in these lower canyons. Shortly after the sharp bend in the river 'the elbow' by the Lohore river, the valley narrows into a series of canyons, the river speeds up, and there are big rapids, one leading into another, almost continuously down to the Seti River. From the 'Elbow' down to the Seti the gradient is 3.0% (15 ft a mile), but after here, the gradient eases, as the river winds through some magnificent upspoilt scenery, eventually emerging onto the plains and flowing through the Royal Bardiya Wildlife Reserve to join the Ganges. In terms of volume, the rivers is comparable to the Sun Kosi, but the Karnali is more constrained by its Canyon walls; giving bigger, more continuous and serious rapids. This constrained nature of the river means that any increase in volume has a more pronounced effect on the difficulty of the rapids and this makes it a river that is best run at low flows - November through to April. Highest extreme instantaneous discharge measured at Chisapani was an incredible 21,700 cumecs (760,000 cfs). Rafting in Karnali (lower): The rapids on the top half of the run start fairly easily, but then as you come into the main Canyon it becomes a 'thrill-a minute roller-coaster' with rapids on every bend. It is unlikely that you will need to portage or line more than one or two rapids, but this is just as well because some sections are so continuous that portaging is not an option - this is a trip for expert rafters and considering the wilderness nature of the terrain, it should not be under-estimated. If you are booking with a commercial company then you should thoroughly check out their experience on the river. The second half of the Karnali has little white water and to some people this is a real anti-climax; to others this is more than made up by incredible jungle, wilderness and wildlife - also some bigger fish! Chisapani is usual point to finish a trip - Chisapani means cold water, and this is a warning that the Karnali is a bit cooler than the Sun Kosi or Trisuli, and some thermal/shell clothing would be a good idea. KARNALI RIVER RAFTING (LOWER) ITINERARY.
Fly to Nepalgunj. Upon arrival meet raft crew and transfer to Surkhet which takes for about 6 hours by Bus.(Birendra Nagar) One can travel by Bus from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj (12 hrs drive) or direct to Surkhet ( 18 hrs drive, 585 kms ). Overnight at Surkhet best available Lodge/Hotel. After breakfast, Drive for about 4 hrs to Kalian and 2 hrs trek to Karleghat ( rafting starting point). Rafting 4 hours to 6 hours white water. First inquiry rapid is Hilliards. Raft about 5 hours of class 4/5 rapids, through jungleghat. Name of the rapid are Sweetness and Light, Pony, Jailhouse. Full of continuous white water Rafting and rapids are Rafters trap, and strop, Jucier Freight Train to be hited. The Roller Coaster continues. Rapids Near Seti confluence. Flow Down the Jungle area. Khar Khola confluence rapid. Wildlife views while rafting Pillars stream, Pathare Dhunga. Hit to Rapid. Last thrill rafting end at Chisapani, Pick up and transfer to Nepalgunj Airport to board Kathmandu flight or drive to Kathmandu (18 hrs drive). RIVER DETAILS: Package Duration: 9 Days. Travel 2 Days. River Days 7 Days. River Grade 4/5 Class. Rafting Starting Point Karleghat. Rafting Ending Point Chisapani. River Distance Approx. 180 Kms.Kayaking Karnali has some of the best big water rapids in Nepal. The only disadvantage to the kayaker is that these are all condensed into the first few days and not nicely spread out for more play days. This is an incredible river for the expert paddler or the advanced intermediate who is happy on big water. Big rapid follows big rapid, with lots and lots of play potential, great surfing and some well defined eddies for such a big river - just super fun. There is some superb playing - better with light boats, but on the other hand this is such a magnificent wilderness trip that it is better experienced as a small tight group. The smaller group, the more you will be awed by immensity of the jungle, this great river and your own insignificance - especially so in the dark of night, surrounded by strange rustlings, howls and roars from the all-surrounding jungle. Probably the main advantage to having rafting support is to take longer over the canyon section, splitting it over several more days; giving more play time and more time to relish the magnificent scenery. However, the remoteness and difficulty makes raft support relatively expensive and this will persuade many people to go self-supported. It's also a good length so you don't have to carry too much food - most kayak groups will probably take about 4 days. SUNKOSI RIVER | KALI GANDAKI (UPPER) | TRISULI RIVER |