Karnali River

Karnali river rafting is one of the greatest rafting and Kayaking trip to far western Nepal offers spectacular remote Jungle clad canyons and abundant wildlife. Karnali River is the longest and largest in Nepal and with its’ tributaries. River rises from Tibet’s holy Mount Kailash and Kanziroba Himal glacier. We take lovely 2 days trek from Surkhet through lowland sal forest to Sauli, northern border of Bardia National Park. This 7 days Karnali rafting crosses waterfalls, canyons and wild forest.  River rapids are wild, with the river building to its climax in the over section sharp bend ‘The Elbow’ by the Lohore Khola. The valley narrows into a series of canyons, river speeds up and bigger rapids encounters one ofter another. 

 Seiti river from the 'Elbow' down to the Seti the gradient is 3m/km (15ft a mile), but after here, the gradient eases, as the river winds through some magnificent un-spoilt scenery, eventually emerging onto the plains and flowing through the Royal Bardia National Park to join the Ganges. Finally leaving you close to Bardia National Park, where you can combine your rafting adventure with a safari trip and maybe spot some of the parks one-horned rhinos and elusive tigers or you can either drive back or fly back to Kathmandu. 

Day to day itinerary 

Day 1 : We travel to the far west and arrive in Surkhet very late/early hours of the next morning, You are able to have a sleep here.

Day 2 : After breakfast, we will take a truck as far as the road goes until about lunch time [this all depends on availability be flexible]. After lunch we walk all afternoon to the put-in point at Sauli. A great walk which high lights just how "out there" you really are. You pass local villages and spectacular scenery, and then you hit the river.

Day 3 : After having heavy breakfast at 8:00 a.m. we get ready for wild ride. This section of the River is terribly wild. Continues rapid makes rafter forget to breathe. Lunch will be served en-route and camping at 03:00 p.m. in First Inquiry.

Day 4 : This is the type of day that people imagine when they think of Himalayan water. It is big and continuous. We enter into the Jungle Corridor. This is a narrowing jungle clad gorge and it is all ours. The team building is put into full practice and when your guide shouts "all forward " he really means it. Enjoy the ride all day and camp in this sensational setting at God-house.

Day 5 : More of the same including the notorious GOD'S house rapid. Camp at the Seti Dovan and relax.

Day 6 : It isn't over yet! Keep paddling hard! You really are experiencing the best of the west on yet another day of great action and breath taking scenery and camping at Jamuna village

Day 7 : This is a holiday after all so we have programmed a rest day so you can take time to enjoy your surroundings and relax on a great sandy beach.

Day 8 - 9 : We see the rapids dying off as we come out of the gorge. We pass the confluence with the Seti River where the river broadens. Today, the next day and a half are a chance to enjoy your journey admiring the country and villages you pass. You will have seen the safety kayakers in action and will no doubt be inspired, so ask the guides for some supervised instruction, or take over the raft and learn about the river. You see there is more to a rafting expedition than just rafting.

Day 10 : This is the final day of river. We end this trip in the early afternoon at Chisopani Bridge & lunch is served there. You will catch night bus at about 1530hrs to get back to Kathmandu or you can enjoy in Bardia National Park, which is famous for bird watching.

Departure Dates for Karnali River