Kali Sarda River Rafting Tour
The Sarda originates from the Greater Himalayas at Kalapaani (there is a long lingering dispute over territory with Nepal) at an altitude of 3600 m, in the Pithoragarh District of Uttarakhand, India, joins with the Gori Ganga at Jauljibi, which in turn joins the Saryu River at Pancheshwar. (The area around Pancheshwar is called 'Kali Kumaon'). Kalapaani is situated on the route of Kailash Manasarovar Yatra(Pilgrimage) tour and it is said that it was here that the Great Sage Vyasa meditated and spent his life, thus, giving the valley its name, the Vyasa valley. The river is named after the Goddess Kali whose temple is situated in Kalapaani near the Lipu-Lekh pass at the border between India and Tibet (China).
The Kali river forms the international border between India and Nepal in its upper reaches. A self-contained river journey down this river is one of the prime options in this part of the Himalaya. The river flows past terraced farms of Kumaoni and Nepali villages, fresh water streams, sandy beaches, thick tropical jungles, plantations as we travel downstream through the terai belt negotiating exciting white water. With the Mahseer making it an angler's delight, the lack of road access makes it a complete wilderness journey.
After the first few days of serene float past its confluence with the Saryu at Pancheshwar (also a famous fishing spot) with the occasional big rapid, the Kali makes its final descent to the plains in the last day on river, beginning with the mighty Chooka rapid. Flowing past the terai hills after densely forested hillsides, this trip is an outdoor wilderness experience in a league of its own.
The Kali Sarda river for most of its length demarcates the western boundary between India and Nepal and the expedition down this river provides some classic Grade IV rafting thrills.
The Sarda originates from the Greater Himalayas at Kalapaani (there is a long lingering dispute over territory with Nepal) at an altitude of 3600 m, in the Pithoragarh District of Uttarakhand, India, joins with the Gori Ganga at Jauljibi, which in turn joins the Saryu River at Pancheshwar. (The area around Pancheshwar is called 'Kali Kumaon'). Kalapaani is situated on the route of Kailash Manasarovar Yatra(Pilgrimage) tour and it is said that it was here that the Great Sage Vyasa meditated and spent his life, thus, giving the valley its name, the Vyasa valley. The river is named after the Goddess Kali whose temple is situated in Kalapaani near the Lipu-Lekh pass at the border between India and Tibet (China).
The Kali river forms the international border between India and Nepal in its upper reaches. A self-contained river journey down this river is one of the prime options in this part of the Himalaya. The river flows past terraced farms of Kumaoni and Nepali villages, fresh water streams, sandy beaches, thick tropical jungles, plantations as we travel downstream through the terai belt negotiating exciting white water. With the Mahseer making it an angler's delight, the lack of road access makes it a complete wilderness journey.
After the first few days of serene float past its confluence with the Saryu at Pancheshwar (also a famous fishing spot) with the occasional big rapid, the Kali makes its final descent to the plains in the last day on river, beginning with the mighty Chooka rapid. Flowing past the terai hills after densely forested hillsides, this trip is an outdoor wilderness experience in a league of its own.
The Kali Sarda river for most of its length demarcates the western boundary between India and Nepal and the expedition down this river provides some classic Grade IV rafting thrills.
