Kali Gandaki River rafting is one of Nepal's best wilderness rafting experiences and takes you to stunningly beautiful western Nepal.
The Kali Gandaki River, named after the ferocious goddess Kali, is one of the most significant rivers in Nepal. This river originates at the highland Tibetan plateaus of the Mustang. It flows down the Himalayas, making the world's deepest gorge, the Kali Gandaki Gorge.
The Kali Gandaki Gorge divides two gigantic glaciated peaks, the Dhaulagiri and Annapurna, above 8,000 m. The Kali Gandaki River is also considered one of Nepal's holiest rivers, as described in the Holy Book.
Kali Gandaki River rafting is the perfect blend of exhilarating rapids, majestic beauty, and a unique culture. The river offers challenging rapids for those in grades 4+, some named ‘Small Brother,’ ‘Refund,' and ‘Big Brother.’
The starting point for Kaligandaki River rafting is in Beni. You drive for approximately four hours to reach Beni from Pokhara.
This trip starts rafting from Beni for almost 72 km along the river, which will take three days to complete. The take-out point for Kali Gandaki River rafting is in the Mirmire. Along with the adventurous rafting trip, you will enjoy the scenic beauty of the steep-walled gorge and the spectacular mountain view.
At the end of each day's exhausting trip, you will spend the night at the fantastic sandy beach in the camp.
Rafting on the Kali Gandaki River typically begins from Pokhara. For travelers coming from Kathmandu, the drive to the starting point at Maldhunga, Kushma (Parbat) takes approximately 8–9 hours.
As per the Kali Gandaki River rafting itinerary, we will drive from Pokhara to Maldhunga. Before getting on the raft, our experienced guides will set up all the necessary gear and give you a clear safety briefing along with instructions for the journey. For the first night, we’ll stay at a peaceful sandy riverbank along the Modi Khola, where you’ll enjoy freshly prepared meals by our team and relax around a warm campfire beneath the open sky.
We head downstream after having a cool breakfast. The adventure is made more thrilling by the several Class III and IV rapids we encounter along the route, including the well-known Good Morning Rapid. Before we reach Purti Ghat, our campsite for the day, you will be surrounded by breathtaking Himalayan views, tumbling waterfalls, and lovely natural scenery as we raft.
Along with terraced hills that represent traditional way of life, you will also travel ancient ruins of Magar and Brahmin settlements. Under the serene moonlight, Purti Ghat provides a serene and picturesque environment where you may relax, enjoy the surroundings, and think back on the day's journey.
We continue rafting today in the direction of Setibeni, passing through a number of mild rapids. You will see unique black stones called Shaligram as we float through this area. These stones are sacred by Hindus and thought to symbolise Lord Vishnu. After that, we continue downstream until we get to Mirmi, our takeout location. We then board the bus back to Pokhara, a picturesque journey that takes around five hours.
