KARNALI
RIVER
Nepal's longest river, the Karnali springs from the base of
Mt. Kailash in Tibet, the center of the universe for both
Buddhist and Hindu religions. Flowing south into Nepal it
forms the major drainage system of the western districts.
The Karnali is one of the finest BIG volume river trips in
the world, a classic expedition into Nepal's remote, "wild
west." The starting point is Syauli where the river drops
into imposing canyons filled with powerful big volume white
water. These canyons flow into the scarcely populated areas
of pristine jungle teeming with abundant bird and wildlife.
Towards the end of the trip, the river gradient begins to
ease as the Karnali leaves the mountains and flows into the
Gangetic plains on the Terai. The jungle thickens as the river
broadens, and the pristine beaches become bigger and even
more beautiful.
 Summary
Departure point: Kathmandu
River start point: Syauli
River finish point: Chisapani
ITINERARY
We will meet at 6 PM in our Kathmandu-office, the day before
for a pre-departure meeting to give a briefing and clear any
questions. This will give you time for any last minute preparations.
DAY 1: We meet at the office
or we pick you up at your hotel in Kathmandu at 7 am with
your bags ready to go. This is a long bus journey, so be prepared
with water etc. We travel to the far west and arrive in Surkhet
very late/early hours of the 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 Syauli.
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: The river gives the
team time to build and there is enough challenging rapids
and water flow for learning errors. We still manage to get
at least one great class 4 rapid in. We camp and get excited
about tomorrow.
DAY 4: This is the type
of day that people imagine when they think of Himalayan water.
It is BIG and it is 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.
DAY 5: More of the same
including the notorious GOD'S house rapid.
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.
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: We come to the end
of our journey at about lunchtime where our bus will be waiting
to collect us. Those who have booked to go to Bardia National
Park [highly recommended] will be collected from here as well.
Or one can proceed to their own onward journey.
DAY 11: We arrive back at
Kathmandu in the early morning of the eleventh day.
|
