Description:
The Kali Gandaki:
Rapids: Small Brother, Big Brother, Refund,
Rafting Nepal's ?World Classic" river is much more than simply a multiple day white water expedition. As you run through challenging rapids, the spectacular scenery of the Annapurna range combined with high gorges and native wildlife makes this river unique. In addition you have the opportunity to visit temples and villages. The Kali Gandaki is a three-day adventure of high excitement in a tranquil setting with something to interest everyone.
Named after the Hindu goddess, Kali, incarnation of Goddess Durga, this great holy river rises up in the Himalayas of Mustang, carving its way through the magnificent Dhauligiri and the majestic Annapurna later creating the deepest gorge of the world.
This previously five-day trip, which used to reach till Ranighat of Palpa has now been shortened to a three day one due to the damming on the lower portion of this river. Nevertheless, more... the combination of great whitewater, turbulent rapids, stupendous scenery, exclusive villages, pleasant sandy beaches and camps offering great views of mountains, bountiful of flora and fauna including the hotchpotch of fossils some found under water and some beneath the white sand.
Although the rapids of Kali Gandaki river are technical and continuous to keep the rafters busy paddling almost all day, this river is loved by both novice rafter and a veteran joyrider for the fantastic trip it offers. The opportunity of exploring the seldom-visited villages, beholding the beauty of lush green valleys, mysterious gorges, outrageous waterfalls and abundant wildlife including observing some Hindu rituals going on at the river side makes the trip of Kali Gandaki a brilliant experience for everyone.
Day 01 Beni Ghat - Naya Pool:
We leave Pokhara at seven in the morning, driving along the new Pokhara-Baglung road to the put-in-point near the village called Naya Pool, located 40kms away from Pokhara which takes approximately four hours to reach the put-in-point. The drive is stunning as we climb out of the Pokhara valley past mule caravans; we have spectacular views of the mountains. Upon reaching the put-in-point, the rafts are inflated and you will be given a full safety briefing, with instructions on rafting techniques for people preferring to raft with a paddle boat.
We then begin our three days of stimulating trip, where our first day greets us with a series of class II and III rapids. As we set off, you will be able to practice the commands and techniques you have just learned. Following the guides command and instructions to manoeuvre our raft through the tricky rapids, we all feel like experts before reaching our first day?s campsite.
Most of the day we pass through one of the world?s deepest gorges, with scenic rock formations and villages perched high overhead. We come across a variety of wildlife in this undisturbed area, particularly birds for instance Red Shank, Cormorants and Kingfishers.
Day 02 - Aribeni:
After breakfast, we leave the camp at around 9:30. Today you will go through more grade two and three rapids but less rapids after lunch than the previous day. The landscape changes with the valley becoming slightly wider in places. During the day we see an increase in villages and temples, most of the inhabitants of the area are either Brahamans or Magars. As the valley closes in again waterfalls cascade from their stalactite formations, we are entering the jungle corridor abundant of lush green vegetation. The campsite tonight is on a remote beach, leaving the noise of city life far behind.
Day 03 - Mirmi:
With the morning routine, well practised, we are soon on our way to some more exciting rapids including the largest rapid on the river, a break in the jungle and the holy village Seti Beni. The village has been named after the confluence of two rivers ? Seti and Beni that meets with Kali Gandaki. Kali Gandaki has left a huge boulder on the confluence. Confluence according to Hindu religion is a holy site; hence, the boulder has gained the place of an important shrine for the local villagers. Usually this place is crowded with locals offering pujas and performing their rituals that often play great spectators to watch us negotiating the rapids formed around this holy place. With the smaller rapids ahead, which we now cross so relaxingly with our three days of expertise tackling great rapids, we say goodbye to the gorge as the valley widens and the character of the river changes becoming a little tamer. The hills around us are less steep and we can watch farmers working their fields while the village children wave us on our way. After lunch, we end our three days of great expedition on Kali.
We pack off and drive back to Pokhara that follows a different route from the one taken on the first day, through steep hill country, farmland and Gurung Villages enjoying the spectacular views of the mountains and the Pokhara valley.
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