Karnali River Rafting with Kayaking

Overview

Karnali River is one of the most remote and unspoiled rivers in Nepal, flowing through pristine landscapes and offering some of the best whitewater rafting and kayaking experiences in the world. The river originates from Mount Kailash in Tibet and flows through Nepal’s remote Karnali zone before joining the Ganges River in India.
Mountain Gaze Treks is one of the leading adventure tour operators in Nepal, offering a range of adventure activities including rafting, kayaking, trekking, and mountain climbing. The company has been organizing Karnali rafting and kayaking trips for over a decade, providing travelers with an unforgettable adventure experience in Nepal’s wild and rugged terrain.
The Karnali River offers a variety of rapids ranging from Class II to Class V, making it suitable for both experienced and novice rafters and kayakers. The river flows through pristine wilderness, passing through narrow gorges, steep canyons, and verdant forests, providing an adrenaline-pumping ride for those who seek adventure.
The Karnali rafting and kayaking trips organized by Mountain Gaze Treks are designed to provide an all-encompassing experience of Nepal’s natural beauty and cultural heritage. The trips typically start from Kathmandu, where participants are picked up from their hotel and driven to the starting point of the rafting trip in Surkhet.
The first day of the trip involves a scenic drive through Nepal’s countryside to Surkhet, where the rafting expedition begins. The participants are given a thorough safety briefing and instructions on paddling techniques before embarking on the river journey. The first few days of the trip involve navigating through Class III and Class IV rapids, with occasional stops at riverbanks for camping and exploring the surrounding wilderness.
The trip also provides a unique opportunity to experience the local culture of Nepal’s Karnali region. The participants get to visit traditional villages, interact with the locals, and learn about their way of life. The region is home to some of Nepal’s ethnic communities, including Thakuri, Chhetri, Brahmin, and Magar, each with its unique customs and traditions.
As the trip progresses, the rapids become more challenging, and the participants get to experience the thrill of navigating through Class V rapids such as ‘God’s House,’ ‘Jail House,’ and ‘Sweetness and Light.’ The expert guides provided by Mountain Gaze Treks are highly experienced and skilled, ensuring the safety of the participants throughout the journey.
The final days of the trip involve kayaking through some of the most challenging rapids of the Karnali River, providing a thrilling and unforgettable experience for the participants. The trip ends in Chisapani, where participants are driven back to Kathmandu, concluding their unforgettable journey through Nepal’s Karnali River.
In conclusion, the Karnali rafting and kayaking trip organized by Mountain Gaze Treks is an exhilarating and unforgettable adventure experience that combines the thrills of whitewater rafting and kayaking with the cultural and natural beauty of Nepal’s Karnali region. The trip is suitable for both experienced and novice rafters and kayakers and provides a unique opportunity to explore Nepal’s remote and unspoiled landscapes. With the expert guidance of Mountain Gaze Treks, participants can rest assured that their safety is paramount, allowing them to focus on enjoying the adventure of a lifetime.

* An alternative to this rafting and kayaking is to camp at Bardiya National Park and get a chance to visit the famous National Park and its famous wildlife creatures including The Royal Bengal Tiger and its other majestic creatures.  

Here is a list of some of the major rapids on the Karnali River, along with their class and difficulty:

• Jail House: Class III+
• Elbow Room: Class III+
• God’s House: Class IV
• Sweetness and Light: Class IV+
• Flip and Strip: Class V
• God’s Toilet Bowl: Class V
• Gerbil In The Plumbing: Class IV+
• Juicer: Class IV
• Freight Train: Class IV+
• Sweetness and Light: Class IV
• Terminator: Class V
• Tee Off: Class IV+
• Coffee Pot: Class IV
• Frog in the Blender: Class IV+
• Black Magic: Class IV+

Some of the famous rapids you will witness in your adventure are as follows:

Sweetness & Light: Generally we get this type of rapid on day 2 of rafting. You will get some two large waves where in high waves you have to run down to the center of the rapid whereas in low waves you have to turn to right side of the waves.

Elbow Room:Elbow Room Rapid is a Class IV+ rapid located on the Karnali River in western Nepal. It is one of the most challenging rapids on the river and is a popular spot for experienced rafters seeking an adrenaline rush.

Jail House: It is the beginning of the section called George.  It is a striking rapid which contains a large hole on the right side of the river. You have to keep paddling solid to miss the hole. 

 Juicer : Initially when you enter the George section at God’s House you will be exposed to white water. It is a magnificent part of white water which will make your journey memorable.

God’s House: After you start going down with the flow of the stream  you willl reach God’s House rapid is one of the most exciting rapids of the adventure. It is a rapid consisting of high flows where the hole becomes a wave.

Flip and Strip: It sounds frightening rapid but it’s quite safe and adventurous and offers you scary waves throughout the journey and makes it more exciting.

Freight Train: After a long journey from the George section it will lead you to a very vast rapid which will bring us out from it.

Note that the river conditions and rapids can vary depending on the season and the water level. It is important to go with a reputable and experienced rafting company and to be prepared for the challenging conditions of this remote and wild river.

Accommodation during Karnali River Rafting

Camping is a common type of accommodation during a Karnali River rafting trip, especially for multi-day trips that cover several sections of the river. We set up temporary tented camps along the riverbank, providing guests with a unique and immersive wilderness experience.

The camps are typically set up in scenic locations with easy access to the river, and they provide basic but comfortable accommodations. Most camps have large tents with cots or sleeping mats, and shared facilities like bathrooms and showers.When camping on a rafting trip, it’s important to pack appropriately and bring essential items like a sleeping bag, pillow, and warm clothing for the evenings. Many tour operators will provide a packing list and may offer rental equipment for an additional fee.

Overall, camping on a Karnali River rafting trip can be a fun and memorable experience, allowing you to immerse yourself in the stunning natural surroundings and connect with your fellow rafters in a unique way.