Babai River Golden Mahseer Angling Expedition - 20 Days
| Trip code | BRGME-20D |
| Package name | Babai River Golden Mahseer Angling Expedition - 20 Days |
| Duration | 20 |
| Max. elevation | 1400 m |
| Level | Easy |
| Transportation | Private Jeep and Domestic round air transfer |
| Accomodation | |
| Starts at | Kathmandu |
| Ends at | Kathmandu |
| Trip route | <p>Kathmandu → Nepalgunj → Thakurdwara, Bardia National Park → Babai Chepang (Ratna Highway Side) → Upper Babai Fishing → Upper Babai Fishing → Raft-Assisted Drift Fishing → Remote Upper Babai Section → Remote Upper Babai Section → Upper-Middle Babai Fishing → Upper-Middle Babai Fishing → Middle Babai → Middle Babai → Lower Middle Babai → Lower Middle Babai → Lower Babai → Babai Valley (Early Section) → Babai Valley (Middle Section) → Babai Valley (Final Section) → Babai Valley → Thakurdwara, Bardia National Park → Bardia National Park Safari → Nepalgunj → Kathmandu / Departure</p> |
| Cost | USD 5,299 per person |
Highlights
- 16 Full Days of Raft-Assisted Angling: Drift through exclusive, strictly monitored beats of the Babai River with a dedicated raft crew.
- Target Prized Apex Species: Face off against legendary Golden Mahseer (historically recorded up to 15+ kg in these waters) and deep-pool monster Goonch Catfish.
- True Wilderness Camping: Spend 16 nights on remote, sandy riverbanks inside a protected national park, fully disconnected from the grid.
- Bardia National Park Safari: Embark on private 4x4 jeep safaris to track Bengal tigers, gharial crocodiles, and wild elephants.
- Tharu Cultural Immersion: Experience traditional hospitality, village walks, and vibrant stick-dance cultural performances by the indigenous Tharu community.
- End-to-End Premium Logistics: Includes domestic flights, private rugged 4x4 transports, park entry fees, and all specialized angling permits.
Overview
The Babai River Golden Mahseer Angling Expedition – 20 Days is an elite, highly restricted angling itinerary designed for hardcore sport fishermen who wish to challenge the "Tiger of the Ganges"—the legendary Himalayan Golden Mahseer (Tor putitora). Flowing through the strictly protected, untamed core of Bardia National Park in Western Nepal, the Babai River offers an unmatched world-class freshwater fishery.
Because the Babai Valley was closed to outsiders for decades and remains tightly regulated by the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC), its waters hold massive, untouched populations of Golden Mahseer, ferocious Goonch Catfish (Bagarius yarrelli), and native Snow Trout (Schizothorax species).
This raft-assisted, drift-fishing expedition moves systematically from the fast-flowing upper reaches near Chepang, down through deep, emerald-green canyon pools, and into the wide alluvial floodplains of the lower Babai Valley. Accompanied by expert river guides and a fully equipped camping crew, you will spend your days stalking spooky fish in crystal-clear waters and your nights camped on pristine, starry river beaches. The expedition concludes with an exclusive deep-jungle safari in Bardia National Park, offering unmatched opportunities to witness wild Bengal tigers, greater one-horned rhinoceroses, and wild Asiatic elephants in their natural habitat.
Trip Preparation
Trip Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrival in Kathmandu
Airport pick-up, check into a tourist-level hotel, and enjoy a comprehensive pre-trip briefing with your lead angling guide over a welcome dinner.
Day 2 : Kathmandu $\rightarrow$ Nepalgunj $\rightarrow$ Thakurdwara, Bardia National Park
Take an early morning 50-minute scenic flight to the lowland city of Nepalgunj. Board a private Jeep for a 2-hour drive through countryside landscapes to Thakurdwara, the gateway to Bardia. Check into the wildlife resort, sort through fishing gear, and check permits. Spend the afternoon on a guided Tharu village walk.
Day 3 : Thakurdwara $\rightarrow$ Babai Chepang (Ratna Highway Side0
Drive 2 hours to Chepang Ghat, the launching point on the Babai River. Meet your elite river crew, rig your rods, launch the rafts, and run a short drift to your first riverside camp. Enjoy an afternoon scouting session.
Day 4 : Upper Babai Fishing
Full-day fishing in the upper reaches of the Babai River.
Day 5 : Upper Babai Fishing
Explore productive pools, rapids, and runs targeting Golden Mahseer.
Day 6 : Raft-Assisted Drift Fishing
Begin raft-supported drift fishing through remote river sections.
Day 7 : Remote Upper Babai Section
Fish remote wilderness waters with excellent Mahseer habitat.
Day 8 : Remote Upper Babai Section
Continue fishing and exploring pristine stretches of the river.
Day 9 : Upper-Middle Babai Fishing
Full-day fishing in the upper-middle section.
Day 10 : Upper-Middle Babai Fishing
Continue targeting Mahseer in productive holding areas.
Day 11 : Middle Babai
Fishing through the middle reaches of the Babai River.
Day 12 : Middle Babai
Another full day of fishing and river exploration.
Day 13 : Lower Middle Babai
Fish deeper pools and current seams.
Day 14 : Lower Middle Babai
Continue downstream through prime Mahseer water.
Day 15 : Lower Babai
Target large Himalayan Golden Mahseer in the lower reaches.
Day 16 : Babai Valley (Early Section)
Fishing through the spectacular Babai Valley.
Day 17 : Babai Valley (Middle Section)
Continue fishing through scenic canyon and valley sections.
Day 18 : Babai Valley (Final Section)
Final full day of fishing before completing the river expedition.
Day 19 : Babai Valley → Thakurdwara, Bardia National Park
Complete the expedition and transfer to Thakurdwara. Check into the resort, relax, and enjoy a traditional Tharu cultural performance. Overnight at the resort.
Day 20 : Bardia National Park Safari → Nepalgunj → Kathmandu / Departure
Early morning jungle safari in Bardia National Park with opportunities to see Bengal tiger, one-horned rhinoceros, wild elephants, gharial crocodiles, and diverse birdlife. Return to the resort for lunch. After lunch, drive to Nepalgunj and take the flight to Kathmandu for international departure or onward travel.
Inclusions
What is included?
- All airport/hotel/river transfers via private, air-conditioned 4x4 Jeeps.
- Round-trip domestic flight tickets (Kathmandu – Nepalgunj – Kathmandu) including fuel surcharges.
- 2 Nights of tourist-level accommodation in Kathmandu (Bed & Breakfast).
- 2 Nights of premium resort accommodation in Thakurdwara, Bardia (Full Board).
- 15 Nights of high-quality wilderness riverside camping (tents, thick mattresses, dining tents, toilet tents).
- All meals (B/L/D) during the river expedition, prepared fresh by a camp chef.
- Strictly required DNPWC National Park entry permits, Babai Valley special access permits, and angling licenses.
- Inflatable river rafts, safety gear, life jackets, and dry bags.
- Services of an expert, government-licensed angling guide and certified river rescue kayaker.
- Private Jeep safari activities inside Bardia National Park with senior naturalists.
What isn't included?
- International airfare to and from Nepal
- Nepal visa fee
- Travel insurance and emergency evacuation costs
- Personal fishing equipment, rods, reels, lures, and accessories
- Personal clothing and personal gear
- Meals in Kathmandu unless mentioned in the itinerary
- Alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, bottled drinks, and snacks
- Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone calls, internet, and tips
- Extra hotel nights caused by early arrival, late departure, or flight delays
- Additional activities not mentioned in the itinerary
- Any expenses caused by weather, road conditions, natural events, strikes, or other circumstances beyond company control
- Tips for guides, drivers, rafting crew, and support staff
Complimentary
- High-quality waterproof duffel bag for use during the river drift.
- Expedition T-shirt and souvenir river map.
- Farewell dinner in an authentic Nepali restaurant in Kathmandu.