Karnali River Rafting

The KARNALI has more tributaries feeding it than any other river in Nepal thus making it the largest river for commercial rafting. It is situated in the most remote western region in Nepal. Often called the “Wild West”. Few foreigners every venture here and it has little development. This is more than just a rafting trip, it is an expedition. It takes careful logistical planning to tackle it safely and in a fun way. This river is rated Grade 4 to 5 but it starts off with some 3s to warm up before hitting the big ones. The Karnali has huge volume of water restricted by canyon walls. The water gushes down these canyons in a series of wild rapids. It is so intense that it can only be tackled at low and medium water. If you want to run it at high water then you are on your own!

If you dare, the rewards are big!  The banks of the river are lined with coniferous forest and along the lower reaches pristine Rudyard Kipling style jungle that has all but disappeared from most regions of the Himalayas.  River runners have reported sightings of much wildlife including the elusive and mysterious Raute people, a seldom seen nomadic tribe of whom little is known about and less has been written.  Some of the top kayakers in the business were quoted as saying “unanimously this is one of the finest rafting rivers in the world!”