The longest and largest river of the country, this big volume river is the lifeline of western Nepal. The river meanders through thick forests and sleepy hamlets, and a part of the trip is total isolation without a soul in sight. The steep gradient in some places provides some of the most challenging rapids in the world. The seven-day trip can be combined with a trip to Royal Bardiya National Park.

The far west of Nepal is one of the most isolated and least explored areas of the Himalayas. Only recently opened to foreigners, this region offers some tremendous challenges and rewards. The Karnali, Nepal's mightiest river, descends through the Himalayas in a series of magnificent gorges and pristine forest.

It rises high in Tibet near Mount Kailash, the four-sided mountain which is holy to Buddhists and Hindus as the centre of the universe and the source of four mighty rivers - the Sutlej, the Brahmaputra, the Indus and the Karnali.

Emerging onto the Terai the river flows through the Royal Bardia Wildlife Park continues across the Northern Plains of India to the Bay of Bengal. In traditional Nepalese fashion, dozen of porters carry all our equipment for two days as we trek along narrow trails to "Great Loop" of the Karnali.

Loading all food and gear into our rafts, we venture onto the rivers to challenge some of the world's best whitewater. A "thrill a minute roller coaster ride" takes us through a spectacular sun drenched land of steep wooded canyons, deserted beaches, and small villages.

Langur monkeys study our progress from the verdant forest and Himalayan tahrs, black bears, deer, jackals, and elusive leopards are still abundant. Gharial and mugger crocodiles bask in the final canyon. The Karnali is also renowned as one of Nepal's premier fishing rivers with masheer, a form of fresh water perch, and giant catfish. This expedition combines trekking in a seldom visited part of the Himalaya and exceptional rafting through tropical jungle, and the option of a wildlife safari in the Royal Bardia National Park. This is a classic big volume river at all flows. If you are looking for a long wilderness expedition this is the best journey for you.