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Rafting in Karnali River-Rafting Cost and Itinerary

Karnali is a long and big river offering wilderness whitewater rafting experience. Karnali is the finest river for rafting in the world.You will be rafting through pristine jungles and nature sighting wildlife. Rafting in Karnali  is also possible to combine with Bardia National Park tour. The beautiful canyons and bio-diversity you see while rafting in Karnali river. The rafting ends in Bardia National Park is famous for Royal Bengal tiger sightings. If you want to do multi-days rafting tour in Nepal, Karnali is the best river for it. Please email us at missionecotreknepal@gmail.com and call or message on What Apps +977 9851023742 to know more about Karnali river rafting in Nepal. 

Trip Facts

Rafting Name: Karnali River Rafting

Rafting Duration:10 Days 

Rafting Difficulty: 4+

Rafting Season: All Seasons.

Rafting Distance: 180km

Rafting Cost: USD 700-USD 1100

Group Size: 4 Pax

Rafting Package: Standard

Mode of Transfer: Bus/Jeep/Car

Start/End of Trip: Dungeshwor /Chisapani

Karnali River Rafting.

  • Karnali Rafting
  • 10 Days Itinerary
  • Cost Details
  • FAQs

Karnali River Rating is an adventure river trip because of its strong rapids. Karnali River is a very clean whitewater. You can see many wild life as well as river dolphins during 10 days rafting in Karnali river. Karnali river rafting is possible after long trek to the starting point.  The magnificent forest scenery, spectacular rock formations, waterfalls, deserted White River beaches and rare wildlife and many local and migratory birds are the attraction of Karnali river rafting package.

Rafting in 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 bird life 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. Other trips similar to this you may be interested in are our Sun Kosi rafting trip or Tamor hiking and rafting adventure.

A true remote expedition. Filled with pristine jungle allowing the paddler good chances of viewing the abundant wildlife like deer, leopards, tiger, jackals, mongoose, monkeys and small brown bears. Although the river is remote, the bus ride and short trek to the start point is pleasant and extremely scenic making it a worth while all round trip. If your looking for an adventure then it’s got to be Karnali River Rafting. The take out of the Karnali is right by Bardiya National Park. Why not extend your stay for a few nights and go on safari as well. Rafters need no previous experience to rafting in Karnali River. Everybody is welcome to come and experience Nepal’s river life.

Day 01: Arrive in kathmandu
You’ll be met at the airport by your your guide 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.
Day 02: Kathmandu Tour
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.
Day 03: Kathmandu to Surkhet by flight and short river rafting.
After breakfast we board our flight to Surkhet, in the “Wild West” of Nepal. Our bus will meet us here and take us to the start of our river trip. By late afternoon, we’ll be rigged and ready to set off for the short trip downstream to our overnight camp.
Day 04: River to above jungle Ghat
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.
Day 05: Visit Jungle Ghat village, river to above the Jungle Corridor
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.
Day 06: The big day - God's house rapid and others.
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.
Day 07: Out of the Jungle Corridor
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.
Day 08: Steady float to confluence of the Bheri river
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.
Day 09: Half day to Chisopani, leave mid-afternoon
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.
Day 10: Nepalgunj to Kathmandu
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.
Day 11: Kathmandu Airport
After breakfast and any last minute shopping, we’ll transfer you to the airport for your flight back home.

Cost Includes

  • All meals during the rafting and trekking period.
  • All necessary rafting & trekking permit.
  • All ground transportation bus/van.
  • Guide, cook and other helper, their wages, meal, insurance etc.
  • All rafting, kitchen and camping equipment.

Cost Excludes

  • Cold drinks and alcoholic beverages during trip.
  • All hotel accommodation
  • Emergency evacuation Insurance.

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