Karnali River Expedition Nepal 2012 - Griffon Expeditions

Web: www.griffonexpeditions.com

Email: [email protected]

Karnali River Expedition Nepal 2012

Itinerary researched by: Chris Jones Trip code: ge_karnali_nov2012 Trip Duration: 15 days Trip Dates: Nov 14th – 28th Trip starts at: Kathmandu Trip Finishes at: Kathmandu Type of Tour: Full service river expedition Type of Accomodation In Kathmandu: n/a In Other Places: guesthouse in Surkhet, camping on the river and safari style tent in Bardia National Park.

Suggested Itinerary Note: All itineraries are designed to be flexible based on road and weather conditions and the unexpected surprises of

adventure travel in Asia. Day 01: (Nov 14th) Arrive Ktm – Relax. Pre-departure group meeting in the evening Day 02: (Nov 15th) Sightseeing and relaxing (while bus is driving west with our expedition gear) Day 03: (Nov 16th) Fly to Nepalgunj - meet bus and drive to Surkhet (3-5hrs driving) Day 04: (Nov 17th) Drive/trek (3-5hrs driving) to river - pack rafts and float 1 hr to campsite Day 05-11: (Nov 18th - 24th) Paddle Karnali Day 12: (Nov 25th) Meet bus at take-out, pack up and transfer to Bardia National Park - stay at tented camp. Day 13: (Nov 26th) Explore Bardia National Park (various activities available including Elephant safari, look for tigers etc) Stay at the resort Day 14: (Nov 27th) Transfer to Nepalgunj for flight back to Ktm. Day 15: (Nov 28th) Fly out or continue adventures in Nepal. Karnali River Information Difficulty in Nov: Class IV (V) Best Season: Nov-Dec, Mar-Apr From: Sauli (Alt. 560m) To: Chisapani (Alt. 195m) Distance: 180 kms River Days : 7 Days from Kathmandu: 2 Av. Gradient: 4m/km (20 ft/mile) Average volume in Nov: 300 cms (10500 cfs) One of the finest big volume rafting and kayaking trips in Nepal – spectacular, remote, jungle clad canyons, BIG white water and abundant wildlife in the Far West. The Karnali is Nepal's longest and largest river and with its tributaries it drains most of the Far West of Nepal – the ‘Wild West’ as many people call it. The area that it flows through is wild and relatively unpopulated with some of the most pristine jungle scenery in Nepal and abundant wildlife. In 1987 the Nepalese Ministry of Tourism asked an international team of whitewater experts to survey the Karnali and report on the potential for commercial rafting. They said in their report,: ‘ It is the unanimous view of this team that this is one of the finest rafting rivers in the world’. What else to say? The rapids on the top half of the river start fairly easy but as you come into the main canyon it becomes a roller coaster with rapids on every bend. The second half of the Karnali has little white water but makes up to it with incredible jungle, wilderness and wildlife. Kayaking Most of the comments on the Karnali as a rafting trip also apply to the kayaker – this has some of the best big white water rapids in Nepal and is an incredible river for the expert paddlers or the advanced intermediate who is happy on big water. Big rapid follows big rapid, with lots and lots of play potential



Price: US$1450.00 per person Includes:

• All trip preparation and planning by Chris Jones • Chris Jones and Pat O’Keefe trip leadership • All airport transfers in Kathmandu and transport to and from the river. • Sightseeing in Kathmandu if requested. • Domestic flights Kathmandu – Nepalgunj - Kathmandu • Local guesthouse accommodation in Surkhet. • All group rafting equipment – oar rigged gear boats and paddle rafts. • Kayak Rental for kayakers (from a small collection of kayaks) • Nepali guides and staff. • All meals from breakfast on Day 4 to breakfast on Day 14. • All basic group camping gear – please bring your own lightweight tent & expedition size

drybag if you have them. • Accommodation at Bardia National Park on day 12 • Elephant safari and guided jungle hike in Bardia NP.

Not Included:

• Any international travel • Visa costs, any airport departure taxes • Accomodation and meals in Kathmandu (we can help book accommodation for you in

Ktm if required) • Any meals or snacks in Nepalgunj and Surkhet • Personal kayaking equipment – Kayakers must bring your own paddle, spraydeck, hip

pads and everything else! • Bottled and alcoholic beverages of any kind (including bottled water! We boil and iodize

our drinking water on the river - Everyone will be expected to bring at least one bottle of local rum for rum punch!)

• Travel Insurance: Must include heli-evac etc. • Inoculations, (check with your local travel clinic) • Expenses of a personal nature or any personal equipment. • Tips/Gratuities for local staff - plan on $5-10/day pooled and shared amongst the staff.

NOTE: We do our best to ensure we create the best travel experience possible based on your choice of route and standard of service however please be aware that the services available in Tibet are often less than you may expect in other countries. We try to follow our itineraries exactly but conditions often change based on road works, weather and politics. Bring an open-mind and be prepared for a real adventure!



HOW TO BOOK

Please make contact with Griffon Expeditions by email, to check that the trip you have selected is running and confirm dates & cost, etc. Please read the Booking Information listed below carefully. There are two forms to fill out but these are now online and very easy to do. When you are ready to book:

• Make your deposit of $US 500 per person using the banking details below. • If it is already within 40 days of trip departure, please pay the full trip cost. • You will receive (by email) a receipt and invoice for any outstanding balance. • Pay the balance in the same way at least 40 days prior to departure. • Email us a photocopy of your passport. (for you Tibet permit applications) • You will receive (by email) a receipt for this payment, plus a copy of the detailed itinerary

notes for the trek you have selected

PAYMENT METHODS

Before paying, please read terms and conditions outlined below. We ask that you follow the payment schedule outlined below unless prior arrangement has been made with us. When making payment, please make sure you include your trip code in the transaction details. (k&l_ebc09) Please notify us by email that you have made your payment. We will confirm your payment has been received as soon as possible. If you require alternative payment methods please contacts us for options. (You can visit our website and use paypal if you wish) Please make payment to: Griffon Expeditions Limited 2F 40 Wang Long Village Lamma Island, NT, Hong Kong SAR , China Account No. 809 505-696-838 Swift Code: HSBCHKHHHKH Branch Address: HSBC Causeway Bay Branch 1/F, Causeway Bay Plaza II 463-483 Lockhart Road, Causeway Bay Hong Kong



BOOKING TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Griffon Expeditions Limited has promulgated its terms and conditions for all its trips - trekking, mountaineering, hiking, rafting, wildlife safaris, mountain biking - and any other services operated by the company. Before completing the registration form and signing the Waiver & Acceptance of Risk form we ask you to please read these terms & conditions carefully. They set out your agreement and understanding with Griffon Expeditions and contain important information.

• At the time of booking and completing your form a non-refundable deposit of US$500 per person is payable. The balance of the trip is to be paid in full at least 40 days prior to departure. At least 2 weeks prior to departure, we require the booking form and a photocopy of your passport, so we can start processing all the necessary permits and logistics.

• Reservations can be accepted as late as 2 weeks (may be earlier if special permits are required) before departure but full payment must accompany the booking form. Early bookings are strongly advised.

YOUR EXPECTATIONS Griffon Expeditions operates trips in regions where standards of accommodation, transport, safety, hygiene, food, medical facilities and other infrastructure may be lower than those you normally expect. Please keep in mind that most of our destinations are in developing countries or remote wilderness. We ask you to do some background reading on your destination (beginning on our website) and country, and bear the above in mind when making your booking, Travelling with Griffon Expeditions requires a certain degree of flexibility, good humour, and an understanding that the itinerary, accommodation and modes of transport may be changed without notice, due to circumstances beyond Griffon Expeditionsʼ control. By signing the Booking Form you agree to Griffon Expeditions making such necessary changes without liability. TRIP COST & INCLUSIONS As Griffon Expeditions provides a wide range of tailor-made and customized travel services we ask that you carefully read your quote and inclusions to ensure you are clear on what is included in the quoted price. Unless otherwise noted, all rates for trips are quoted for a single person on a double occupancy basis. The rates quoted on our website are based on costs and exchange rates at the time of last site update. While we do our best to avoid price changes, Griffon Expeditions reserves the right to adjust prices at any time due to fluctuations in exchange rates and economy. To guarantee the price will not change after a booking is made, early payment is a good option. LIABILITY & GRIFFON EXPEDITIONSʼ RESPONSIBILITIES Griffon Expeditions, while undertaking tours, transportation, accommodation and other services only acts as an agent on the clear understanding that it shall not be, in any way, responsible or liable for any accident, damages, loss, delay, international flight cancellation/delays, or inconvenience caused in connection with the travel facilities arranged by the company its employees or agents. All bookings are accepted and executed with utmost care, yet no responsibility is undertaken for any change or deviation on account of factors beyond our control. Griffon Expeditions cannot be held responsible for any loss, damage or expense (including loss of money paid in advance) which you may incur as a consequence of the acts and omissions of



others. Griffon Expeditions reserves the right to modify any arrangements required by and made on behalf of clients and to cancel the same without prior notice due to unforeseen circumstances. Griffon Expeditions Limited will not accept responsibility or liability for any passenger who contravenes any law or regulation of any country visited within the confines of the trip. Any independent arrangements that you make are entirely at your own risk. WAIVERS/ACCEPTANCE OF RISK Adventure travel does have inherent risk. It is the clientʼs responsibility to ensure you understand the risks that are present on the trip that you choose. All clients are asked to read, understand and sign a waiver and acceptance of risk form. If you have questions about the activities on the trip that you are booking please email us for clarification. Please go online at www.griffonexpeditions.com and read and submit your waiver/acceptance of risk form. You will be asked to sign a hardcopy on arrival at your destination. FORCE MAJEURE 'Force Majeure' means any event which Griffon Expeditions could not, even with all due care, foresee or avoid. Force Majeure covers events such as war or the threat of war, riot, civil strife, terrorist activity, industrial disputes, disease, industrial or nuclear disaster, adverse weather conditions, fire and any other similar events which are beyond our control. In the case of Force Majeure, Griffon Expeditions will not accept liability, and reserves the right to change and cancel trips at our discretion. CANCELLATION COSTS INCURRED BY CLIENT Cancellation by the participant: More than 40 days before departure Full refund less deposit 25-40 days before departure Refund of 50% of total trip cost 15-24 days before departure Refund of 25% of total trip cost Within 14 days of departure No refund Note: Airfare cancellations fees are decided by the airline and Griffon Expeditions will also charge a service fee.



• No refunds will be made for any unused services, accommodation etc once the trip has

started. • If a client decides to leave a trip before its completion, no refund will be given for the

unused portion of the trip. • If a client wishes to extend the duration of a trip after the trip has started, this may be

possible but payment will need to be made prior to this taking place. • If a client prefers to stay in alternative accommodation to that listed in the itinerary, this

could be possible but it would have to be negotiated when the booking and final payment is made.

• During the trip clients are required to stay at the hotel or lodge (or camping accommodation) chosen by Griffon Expeditions or their agent. If a client wishes to stay elsewhere, they will have to bear the cost of accommodation and food in the alternative lodge/hotel themselves.

ITINERARY ALTERATION AND TRIP CANCELLATION On occasion, unforeseen circumstances may cause Griffon Expeditions to alter trip itineraries or even cancel a trip. Weather, road conditions, and other unexpected events often change our itineraries. In the event of Griffon Expeditions cancelling a trip as a result of a Force Majeure, or any other reason, clients will be offered alternative arrangements. If you agree to the alternative, and the price of the alternative booking is less than the original booking, we will refund the difference. If you do not accept alternative arrangements, we will refund all payments (less transaction fees, service fees and any cancellation fees dictated by airlines or other service providers). However Griffon Expeditions will not be liable for any additional costs incurred by you. TRAVEL INSURANCE Insurance is compulsory on all Griffon Expeditions trips. It is your responsibility to make sure you purchase adequate coverage for your planned destination and activities planned during your trip. Participants without adequate insurance cover will be asked to arrange cover immediately before commencing their holiday – this can be very difficult and expensive to arrange locally. Your policy must cover accidents, medical expenses, and emergency evacuation including helicopter rescue (where available), air ambulance, and personal liability. Griffon Expeditions also recommends your insurance policy covers cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. You are required to carry proof of insurance with you, and to produce it if requested by Griffon Expeditionsʼ employees or agents acting on Griffonʼs behalf. Please check your policy carefully before leaving home and familiarize yourself with the procedures that you may need to follow in the unlikely event that you need to make a claim. Tibet has no helicopter rescue service and Bhutan is very difficult to arrange. Nepal has excellent helicopter rescues companies – In the event of emergency evacuation, you are liable for the helicopter operating companyʼs direct costs, which can amount to thousands of U.S. dollars. Passengers requiring emergency evacuation will be billed for the cost and required to pay prior to departing Kathmandu or the relevant point of exit. Most Helicopter companies will not fly unless payment is guaranteed through your insurance company For our climbing and mountaineering trips, you must be covered for mountaineering activities (use of ropes and ice axe, etc). For our whitewater rafting and/or kayaking trips you must also be covered for these activities. Please note that most standard travel insurance policies DO NOT cover you for mountaineering activities. Griffon Expeditions reserves the right to refuse participation in a trip if you cannot provide proof of insurance (even if you are already in the country).



HEALTH & MEDICAL CONDITIONS Anyone who is in good health and mentally prepared can take part in most of our treks and expeditions. However, some treks and expeditions are more strenuous and entail many days at higher altitude or undertaking strenuous activities. Please read the trip notes carefully and pay heed to the trip gradings. If you are not sure of your ability or suitability for any trip, please contact us by email and we will help you to assess your suitability for the trip you wish to undertake. It is your responsibility to advise Griffon Expeditions of any pre-existing medical conditions and health concerns that may increase the risk of you requiring medical attention whilst on your trip. Space is provided on the booking form to do this. In some cases, Griffon Expeditions may request you provide medical clearance from your doctor before accepting your booking. You are also advised to visit your Doctor (and Dentist) before travelling and to adhere to current vaccination recommendations for the destinations you will be visiting. COMPLAINTS For all our destinations and locations we provide emergency contact phone numbers. If you have any problems during your trip or enroute to your destination we expect you to bring the problem to the attention of your trip leader, guide or emergency contact immediately. If you have any problems that cannot be dealt with immediately with your tour leader, guide or emergency contact, or you are not satisfied with the response, please notify us by email as soon as practicably possible or within 10 days of the completion of your trip. We will do our absolute best to resolve the problem.



ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Travel Documents: Before traveling, please ensure that you have a current passport that is valid for at least six months after your scheduled return home. Also check that your airline tickets are in exactly the same name as your passport. Some countries may require you to hold a return air ticket, or have sufficient funds to purchase such a ticket. Visas: Australians, Americans, British, Canadians and European Countries currently require a visa for China. For all other nationalities please confirm your visa requirements with your travel agent. If you plan to enter Tibet from mainland China you must get your visa in advance before arriving in China. If you plan to enter Tibet from Nepal you cannot use a Chinese tourist visa issued in your home country. Griffon Expeditions Ltd must facilitate a special group visa for you in Kathmandu. Please discuss this with us before booking. It is your responsibility to ensure you have all required visas for your trip. Rules and regulations governing the issuance of visas are constantly changing, and vary for different nationalities so check the visa requirements with your travel agent or relevant consular authority well before traveling. Vaccinations: Please consult your doctor or nearest vaccination centre to see if any of the listed vaccinations are required. This list is by no means complete and only your doctor or vaccination centre can provide you with the latest up-to-date information as to which ones you require. Typhoid Polio (oral vaccine) Tetanus Gamma Globulin or Havrix (against Hepatitis A) Hepatitis B Smallpox Meningococcal Meningitis Rabies Japanese Encephalitis Malaria There is currently little risk of contracting malaria in Nepal, Sikkim, Ladakh, Tibet or Bhutan, although there is still some incidence of the disease in the low-lying regions of Nepal. Chitwan National Park is one of these areas, as are some parts of India. Be aware that your first line of defence should be avoiding being bitten in the first place. Most malaria-carrying mosquitoes bite from dusk until dawn. We suggest you wear light colored long-sleeved clothing and apply repellent liberally. Doctors may also advise malaria prevention for certain parts of India and Thailand if you visit these countries before or after your trip to Nepal. Some anti-malarial medications can incur side effects. Please note that Doxycyclin can lead to increased sensitivity to sunlight especially if taken for more than a couple of weeks. We discourage the use of Larium, especially at higher altitudes (above 3,000 metres/10,000 feet). Please consult your doctor for further information. We are not aware of any incidence of malaria in the Kathmandu valley or in any of the areas in Nepal in which we trek.



About this information: It is important that you read these notes in conjunction with the detailed trip-specific pre- departure information. This information is supplied to you at the time of booking and contains extensive information about subjects such as climate, clothing, gear, medical and visa matters, currencies, and other information about the countries visited. The information provided here is given in good faith and has been compiled with all reasonable care. However, things change and some of the information may become out of date. Please keep this in mind when you read it and check with us if you are unsure about anything. The document was correct at the time of printing, but you can check online for the most up to date version. If you have any queries, please contact Griffon Expeditions. We are here to help you! Thanks Chris Jones Griffon Expeditions