| Duration: | 3 Day(s) - 2 Night(s) |
| Tour Category: | River Rafting |
Named after the Hindu goddess of destruction, Kali, the river rises in Mustang on the northern side of the Himalayan range. As it tumbles down between the majestic Dhaulagiri and the Annapurna ranges, it creates one of the world's deepest river canyons.
The recent damming of the lower portion of this river has left us with one of Nepal's premier medium-length river journeys that combines great whitewater with some of the most beautiful scenery in Nepal, seldom-visited villages, truly quiet and introspective evenings, abundant wildlife, sandy beaches, and outrageously beautiful waterfalls.
The rapids on the Kali Gandaki are much more technical and continuous and thus keep paddlers busy all day. Both experienced and novice rafters love this. Nowhere else is it possible to find such diversity on a 3-day raft trip.
Nice drops, sparkling chutes, and turbulent rapids provide class III to IV+ runs during the fall and spring seasons. This ancient trading route from Tibet takes you through the deepest river gorge in the world. Watch out for the Dhaulagiri and Annapurna mountain ranges (a popular trekking route) and have your camera ready!
TRIP FACTS:
Departure: Pokhara
Duration: 03 Days
Rafting Distance: 72 Kms
Rafting start point: Near Beni
Rafting finish point: Mirmere
Outward travel time: 4 Hours
River grade: III - IV
Return travel time: 5 Hours
Best Season: Oct-Nov/ May- Mar
Note: Clients should need to be in Pokhara for this trip.
DETAIL ITINERARY
DAY 01: POKHARA DRIVE TO BENI 3-4 HRS & 2-3 HRS RAFTING:
At around 7/8 am, we drive for around 3-4 hrs to the put-in point near Beni. Throughout this drive, we have stunning views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri peaks as well as the sacred Machapuchare. Upon arrival, we unload all the equipment, and you will receive a full safety briefing.
After having lunch, the guide will take you to the river starting point, ready to begin your exciting 3-day raft trip.
First day we begin with some class III rapids, this is a warm up for the team, after 10/15 minutes you will be encountering 2 big class 4 rapids, i.e., ‘Small Brother’ and ‘Big Brother’.
Your guide will be making you work hard at doing exercises to work as a team, maneuvering the raft efficiently. After scouting the rapid, the safety kayaks will go first, then the raft. Soon after encountering these two big rapids, we will reach the Modi Khola confluence, where we will choose the beach for the evening campsite. We unload the rafts and one raft team prepares dinner and rum punch whilst the others play or relax and take in the scenery.
DAY 02: RIVER RAFTING
Once the rafts are packed, we start down the river for a day mixed with adrenaline, calm, and spectacular scenery, including views of Annapurna I and Himachuli. We will tackle many class III sections and the challenging class IV, named REFUND. This section of the river is abundant with vines, wildlife, and lush vegetation hanging from the cliff faces. Our campsite is below the village of Purti Ghat.
DAY 03: RIVER RAFTING & DRIVE BACK TO POKHARA
Soon after being back on the water, we reach the holy village of Seti Beni. The river has deposited a house-sized boulder in the confluence with a smaller tributary. Since confluence is considered a holy place in the Hindu religion, this boulder has become an important shrine to the local river people.
There is usually a great audience to watch and listen to the spectacle as each team negotiates the rapid that has formed around this holy place. Not long after this, it is time for the journey to end. Our bus will be waiting for us. We load up the gear and prepare for the bus journey back to Pokhara.
