Water Rafting

From our starting point at Sauli the river drops into imposing canyons filled with powerful, big volume white water. These canyons flow into scarcely populated areas of pristine jungle teeming with abundant bird and wildlife. Rapids like "Captivity", "Flip and Strip" and "Gods House" is separated by just enough easier water to regroup and prepare for the next big challenge.

Towards the end of the trip the river gradient begins to ease as the Karnali leaves the mountains and flows out into the Gangetic plains of the Terai. The jungle thickens as the river broadens, and the pristine beaches become bigger and more beautiful.

This is an ideal opportunity to go to Bardia National Park and the resort from Chisopani will collect you. This would include two nights in the park and full safari activities including elephant rides

DEPARTURE POINT : Kathmandu/Pokhara
RIVER START POINT : Sauli
RIVER FINISH POINT : Chisopani
TRAVEL TIME OUTWARD: 14 Hours
RIVER GRADES: III - IV +
RETURN TRAVEL TIME: 12 Hours
There will be a pre-departure meeting at the sales office in Kathmandu or Pokhara at 5pm the night before departure.

DAY 1:
We meet at the sales 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/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 lunch time (this all depends onavailability...be flexible). After lunch we walk all afternoon to the put-in point at Sauli. A great walk which highlights just how "out there" you really are. You pass local villages and spectacular scenery, then.......you hear the river!

DAY 3:
The river gives the team time to build and there is enough challenging rapids and water flow to allow 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. Don't forget to take in the bird life which is equally as abundant as the lush vegetation. 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 7-8:
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 9:
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 10:
We arrive back at Kathmandu/Pokhara, in the early morning of the eleventh day. What a journey !!!

KAYAKING :
This is a great river for intermediate to advanced Kayakers. Most rapids are pool-drop and there are surfing waves almost all the way down the river. Cross river rafting staff are the best kayakers and instructors in the Kingdom of Nepal, they are always willing to share their enthusiasm and expertise. We encourage kayakers to join any of our trips. You needn’t worry as our safety kayaker is always with the expedition