West Nepal Karnali Expedition
November 25 - December 6, 2024
THE ULTIMATE CULTURAL EXPEDITION
THE ULTIMATE CULTURAL EXPEDITION
In 2018 we were the first to offer deep explorations of the western reaches of Nepal. With the onset of a global pandemic, traveling to the most remote corners of the Himalayan foothills became impossible, but now we’re ready to go back.
Unlike the frequently visited regions of Nepal, some receiving hundreds of thousands of tourists annually, virtually no outsiders travel to the far western districts of Nepal. The reason is simple enough, it’s difficult to get there. This is a land far beyond mapped roads, where the many diverse cultures live as they have for centuries. It’s a land of drums and dances, rituals and festivals, where food is cooked on fire and legends and lore are the rule of the land.
On this expedition, our Far Xplorer team will explore the most remote and authentic cultures in western Nepal. There are no hotels, restaurants, or typical travel services in this distant region so we must be self-sufficient, something we do very well.
Travelers on this outing will need to embrace the organic nature of true expedition travel. The roads we will traverse are rough and unmaintained. The villages we will visit offer none of the conveniences of popular tourists routes. This is an expedition to experience the most authentic communities in Nepal. If you ever wondered what it is like to be on assignment with National Geographic, this is about as close as it gets to that type of travel.
Are you ready to explore where no one else can? Are you ready for the westward expedition to the Karnali Province of Nepal?
Live the ADVENTURE
ROUTE OVERVIEW
After a full day exploring the ancient sites of Kathmandu, we hop on a quick 30-minute flight to Pokhara to meet our expedition team. For the next two days we venture deep into the west on the highest continuous roadway through the gorgeous valleys of the Sivalik foothills. Our destination is the province of Karnali, one of the least visited regions of Nepal. As we make our way back we take time to dive deep into the remote districts of Jajarkot, Rukum, Dhorpatan, and Gulmi. With each diversion from the main road we will visit ancient communities with rich and vibrant cultures. Each day you will enter villages that have likely never seen a foreign face. As we travel eastward, back to Pokhara, we will likely get views of the Great Himalayan range before our return flight to Kathmandu the last day.
The Maoist Guerilla Stronghold
In the mid 1990s Nepal was thrown into the grips of a fierce civil war. The Communist Maoist rebels, hoping to gain leverage over the rural peoples of the foothills, established remote strongholds in the rugged terrain of Western Nepal. Nearly 30 years later you can still find vestiges of Nepal’s troubled past in the far-flung villages of the Karnali Province. On this trip we will visit one of the most famous Maoist outposts, although now it is a peaceful and idyllic place to visit.
Questions?
Visit our Nepal Travel Planner to learn more about Nepal, how to get there, what to pack, and so much more.
As a professional expedition journalist, places like western Nepal were always the most fascinating, and challenging, to visit. With our industry-leading expedition team, we’re now able to access these places with our travel teams. It’s a rare chance to visit the most authentic corners of the Himalayas.
Christophe Noel, Founder
FOUR AMAZING EXPERIENCES IN ONE EXPEDITION
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KATHMANDU
It’s the ancient gateway to the Himalayas and profoundly exotic. Kathmandu is the starting point of every Far Xplorer journey and we get to experience it through the eyes of our award-winning cultural guide and Kathmandu native.
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CULTURES OF WEST NEPAL
Many of the most well-preserved cultures in Asia can be found in western Nepal. With our extensive ties to the village elders and community leaders, we’re able to experience these diverse and vibrant people.
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SIVALIK FOOTHILLS
Few people realize the most magical stratum of the Himalayas are the massive foothills at their base. With millions of terraces, thousands of quaint villages, and endless roads to explore, it is the foothills that our travelers remember most about Nepal.
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TRUE EXPEDITION TRAVEL
Rugged roads and limited travel resources require we travel as a proper expedition team. This is what our crew does best and we’re the only motorcycle and overland vehicle based company operating in the Himalayas.
Modeled after the finely appointed camps used to climb the highest Himalayan summits, our mobile base camp allows us to go - anywhere. Don’t let the word camp fool you, our roving compound includes private sleeping tents, flushing toilets, hot showers, and multi-course meals served in a dedicated dining tent by our staff of cooks and porters. They are the best in the business and ensure you want for nothing while underway.
The Far Xplorer Base Camp
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Riders on this trip will need good off-road riding skills and confidence in variable conditions which include loose surfaces, steep slopes, and all the fun conditions of a Nepali road.
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To ensure maximum enjoyment, riders should have good fitness to make long days in tough conditions more enjoyable. Please be prepared for challenging days with physical activities required.
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Riders must be 18 years of age, hold a valid motorcycle license, and ideally you should obtain an international drivers license, which is very cheap and easy to obtain online.
And again - prior off-road riding experience and confidence in mixed terrain is a must. -
We call our trips “expeditions” for a reason. Tours are scripted things with predictability part of the plan. Not every aspect of this type of expedition can be planned with any specificity. This is true expedition travel.
I can understand why Far Xplorer is the only company able to access the remote places in Nepal. Their professionalism and connection to the people of Nepal is simply amazing. We didn’t see another western traveler for the entire two weeks during our trip.
— John, USA Jajarkot Expedition 2019
Itinerary at a Glance
This trip is really going to be hard to top. The Far Explore team is so experienced, knowledgeable and friendly you feel at ease from the moment you arrive. Their passion and respect for Nepal shows through in every aspect of the tour. A truly one of a kind adventure. It was an incredible experience and as I reflect on it one of the best trips I've ever been on. You may see me again!
— Ross, B. Canada Jungle to Himalaya 2022
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We spend this first day resting from long travels and visiting the sites of Kathmandu with our award-winning cultural guide
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After a quick flight to Pokhara we meet our team and embark on our first 3-hour ride to Camp One with commanding views of the Himalayas.
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Our destination is a bit of an unknown on this day as it depends largely on road conditions and our pace of travel. We anticipate an arrival in the Rukum district by midday.
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Another day of unscripted travel delivers us to our far point in the province of Karnali. We should be able to camp along the shores of Nepal’s last wild river.
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If our plans go well we will camp at our favorite spot high in the western foothills. This location is a Far Xplorer Secret.
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We will return to a village we know well, but have not visited since 2019. It will be a day of colorful dances, and culture explorations in a place no outsiders ever get to see.
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This has potential to be our most challenging day as we ascend a 10,000 foot hill to access the valley beyond. Our goal is a village known to few and one of the most beautiful in the west.
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Our explorations take us high into the peaks to 12,000 feet before returning to our mountain camp in Kalopani.
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Taking advantage of good roadways in Rukum, we cover ground with enough tempo to access remote tracks leading into a region once reserved as hunting grounds for the Kings of Nepal.
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A 5-hour ride gets us to our hotel in Pokhara with ample time to enjoy Nepal’s resort city and relax from exciting travels.
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A quick 30-min flight with birdseye views of the Himalayas gets us back in Kathmandu by mid afternoon to catch more sights or hit the shops.
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Although it’s departure day, most flights leave Kathmandu in the evening allowing for more time to explore the city one last time.
How is the ride and how do I grab a spot?
To secure your spot, submit your booking information by clicking the button below. You will receive confirmation within 24 hours. A deposit of $1,000 secures your reservation. We can accommodate payment installments, with final payment due in late August.
SPACE IS LIMITED TO 9 RIDERS! DON’T WAIT!
Turn your daydreams into epic Himalayan realities.
Let’s talk adventure
Still have questions? Want to customize your trip? Drop us a line and our expedition leader and co-founder, Christophe Noel, will get in touch with you in a matter of hours. christophe@farxplorer.com
Ready to book your trip? Click the link below to complete your online booking form. We will confirm your spot within 24 hours and get you on the road to big adventure!