Nepal earthquake forces postponement of ‘The Great Karnali Quest 2023’

7 November 2023

The recent devastating earthquake in Nepal that occurred on 3 November has unfortunately forced the postponement of the Great Karnali Quest 2023. The IRF family is extremely saddened by the news of this horrible tragedy, and our heartfelt condolences are extended to the Nepalese people who have lost their homes and loved ones. Please see the message (below) from the event organisers.

Respected Sir/Madam,

We hope this message finds you well. We regret to inform you that, due to the recent devastating earthquake that struck the Karnali region of Western Nepal on November 3rd, 2023, The Great Karnali Quest 2023 is being postponed.

The earthquake has left a trail of destruction, impacting lives in Jajarkot, Rukum, and the surrounding areas. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those affected, and we stand in solidarity with the resilient communities of Karnali during this challenging time.

The Great Karnali Quest, an extraordinary 248-kilometer sacred river corridor raft race, was jointly conceived by the Nepal Association of Rafting Agencies (NARA), Nepal River Conservation Trust (NRCT), and Karnali Basin Conservation Fund (KBCF). This event, previously scheduled for November 23rd to 28th, 2023, is supported by the Ministry of Culture, Tourism & Civil Aviation (MoCTCA), Government of Karnali, Sudurpaschim and Lumbini Province, and Nepal Tourism Board. Its purpose is to celebrate the natural beauty and cultural heritage of the Karnali region while promoting sustainable tourism, supporting local communities, and offering participants a unique adventure that will leave a lasting impact.

The safety and well-being of our participants, volunteers, and the local community remain our top priorities. Therefore, we have identified a suitable alternative date for The Great Karnali Quest: March 8th to 13th, 2024. Regrettably, the current situation does not allow us to proceed with the event as initially planned.

We extend our sincere apologies to the Nepal Government, Provincial Governments, local authorities, Diplomatic Missions, Nepal Tourism Board, volunteers, organizers, participants and all those associated with the event. We understand the time, effort, and dedication each one has put into preparing for this event, and we deeply regret any inconvenience this change may cause.

Your understanding, compassion, and unwavering support mean the world to us. Together, we will navigate through this challenging situation and emerge stronger.

We thank you for your steadfast commitment to The Great Karnali Quest. Please mark your calendars for the revised date, as we are determined to return with even better preparations.

News Links:

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-67317442