Nepal's longest river, the Karnali springs from the base of Mt. Kalish 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 Sauli 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. 

ITINERARY

DAY 1: We meet at the sales office at 7 am [Pokhara or Kathmandu] 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 lunchtime [this all depends on availability is 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, 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 IV 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. Camp 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.

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 kayaks 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.

DAY 11: We arrive back at Kathmandu/Pokhara, in the early morning of the eleventh day. What a journey!                          

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