Karnali River

It rises in the southern slopes of the Himalayas in Tibet, in the glaciers of Mapchachungo, at an altitude of about 3962 metres (13,000 ft) above sea level. The river flows south through one of the most remote and least explored areas of Nepal as the Karnali River. The 202 km Seti River drains the western part of the catchment and joins the Karnali River in Doti District north of Dundras hill. Another tributary the 264 km long Bheri rises in the western part ofDhaulagiri Himalaya and drains the eastern part of the catchment, meeting the Karnali near Kuineghat in Surkhet.

The Karnali river is the longest river in Nepal, 507 Km in length, forms several gorges with its swift currents. A 202 Km long, Seti River, its feeder stream, drains the western part of the catchment, and joins the Karnali River in Doti north of Dundras hill. Another feeder stream, 264 Km long Bheri river, drains the eastern part of the Catchment and meets the Karnali River near Kuineghat in Surkhet.

It makes a spectacular gorge near Chisapani which contains diverse kinds of trans -Himalayan and sub-Himalayan fish species.

The bottom of the Karnali River is mostly boulder-strewn at its upper reaches and sandy at its lower reaches and the river water is clean except in rainy season. Its depth ranges from 3-10 m but in deep gorges varies from 50 m-100m. Karnali fans divides into two main channels, first Geruwa on the left and Kauralia on the right near downstream Chisapani.

 

Fact File:

Country:

Nepal

Area:

Karnali River

Total Duration:

10 days

Grade:

Strenuous

Min Grp Size:

06

Season:

March-May; September-December

    River Grade:

III to IV+ 

    River Distance:

180 Km. (Approximately)

    Water Volume:

300 cms

    River Start Point:

Dhungeshower

    River Finish Point:

Chisopani

 

Itinerary

Day 01:
We meet at the office at 7am (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 in the evening. You are able to have a sleep here.

Day 02:
After breakfast we continue our drive to Karnali put in point at Dungeshwar (5 hrs). This section of the drive offers yet unspoiled scenery of charming villages and farms. We will do short rafting trip after lunch to set up first night's camp by the bank of Karnali.

Day 03:
The river gives the team, time to build. There are good rapids and water flow those allow learning errors. We still manage to get at least one great class IV rapid in. We camp and get excited about tomorrow. 

Day 04:
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 05:More of the same including the notorious GOD’S HOUSE rapid. Don't forget to take in the bird life which is equally as abundant as the lush vegetation. Camp and relax. 

Day 06:
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 07:
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 08-09:
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 and 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 lunch time 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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