Karnali Province, the sixth of the seven federal provinces of Nepal with ten districts, the least populous province, covers an area of 27,984 km2, which makes it the largest of all provinces. Bordered by Tibetan Region of Chine to the north, Gandaki Province to the east, Sudurpaschim Province to the west, and Province No. 5 to the south, the province’s capital is Birendranagar – the largest city of Karnali Province.

Karnali Province receives its name from the famous Karnali River – the longest river in Nepal. Home to famous mountains – Kubi Gangri, Changla, and Kanjiroba, the province is one of the recently popular destinations for wanderers and trekkers. Having the largest lake in Nepal – Rara Lake, the province is famous for Shey Phoksundo National Park – the largest national park in Nepal.

The star attraction of the province is the color changing lake – Shey Phoksundo Lake, which adapts its color with a change in weather. Tourists are also attracted by the alluring Karnali Bridge, an asymmetric and single-towered, and second-longest bridge of its kind in Nepal.

Sinja Valley, Simikot, Kagbeni, and entire Dolpo regions are some popular touristic destinations that are equally significant in terms of diverse culture, the lifestyle of indigenous people, landscape, and history.

Karnali Province holds a distinguished history, as explained by the archaeological sites discovered in Jumla, Dailekh, and Surkhet. It describes how Karnali was part of the old Khasa Kingdom of the 11th century with Sinja as its capital. This province had been the part of the Sanghiya Basie Rajya – 22 principality confederacies before the unification of modern Nepal.

Karnali Province provides all sorts of tastes to tourists looking for the ultimate trip. You can reach to Karnali Province from Kathmandu via bus or flight. Regular buses and other transports are running every day. The flight to Surkhet Airport from Kathmandu is perfect for getting entrance to the province. If you plan to visit trekking regions, you can fly to Dolpa from Nepalgunj Airport and Nepalgunj Airport via Tribhuvan Airport in Kathmandu.

GETTING AROUND IN PROVINCE6

Bordered by Tibetan Region of Chine to the north, Gandaki Province to the east, Sudurpaschim Province to the west, and Province No. 5 to the south, Karnali Province is the largest province of Nepal that welcomes thousands of tourists each day on peak seasons.

International tourists enter Nepal via Tribhuvan International Airport – TIA, located in Kathmandu – the capital of Nepal. Karnali Province is accessible via capital either through roadways or airways. Birendranagar, the capital city of Karnali Province, lies in Surkhet District. Surkhet Airport – sometimes referred to as Birendranagar Airport, is 2 km from Birendranagar. One can fly from TIA to Birendranagar to enter the province.

For trekkers, whose sole intention is to visit only trekking destinations like Dolpo Region, Shey Phoksundo Lake, Rara Lake, etc. the fastest way to reach is from TIA to Nepalgunj Airport, and then to Dolpa Airport at Juphal. Alternatively, bus and other vehicle services are available from every major city of Nepal.

Birendranagar, located at a distance of 583 km from Kathmandu, can be reached through local buses and other vehicles from every point of Nepal, as the roads are average for all kinds of vehicles. The province is safe with excellent accommodation facilities and restaurants of different types of demands of tourists. Walk Through Himalayas recommends you to take a local guide along with you for a better traveling experience.