3 Day Karamea River Expedition
| Departure Time | On Demand |
| Minimum Age | 15 yrs |
| River Class (grade) | 4-5 |
| Trip Duration | 3 days |
| Group Size | 6 or more people |
| Season | Oct-Apr |
| Price | $2200 per person |
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Truly one of the great New Zealand wilderness adventures
Karamea River Expedition – A True Wild Journey
Remote. Rugged. Legendary.
Welcome to the Karamea, one of New Zealand's last great rafting frontiers. This 3-day expedition is the real deal—deep in the heart of Kahurangi National Park, where few people venture and the rapids are as wild as the landscape.
You'll access the river by either a stunning helicopter flight or an optional two-day wilderness hike—either way, the journey in is as epic as the river itself.
Expedition Rafting at Its Best
This trip is suited for paddlers with a sense of adventure and good fitness. It's challenging, remote, and deeply rewarding. With expert guides, jaw-dropping landscapes, and some of the best whitewater in Aotearoa—this is a bucket list trip like no other.
From technical boulder gardens to the legendary 800m Roaring Lion Rapid, this expedition tests your limits while rewarding you with some pristine wilderness scenery.
Features
- Helicopter flight: Fly from the finish point to the starting point of the rafting section
- Roaring Lion Rapid: 800m gauntlet of Class 5 drops and house-sized boulders
- Riverside camping: Tent out next to the river,
- Earthquake Lakes: Tranquil pools formed by 1929 Murchison Earthquake
- Technical Boulder Gardens: Grade 3-4 challenges in pristine alpine setting
- Granite Gorge Finale: Steep rollercoaster through towering walls
Complete Wilderness Package
- Helicopter flight into remote wilderness
- All rafting and safety equipment
- Camping gear (tents, sleeping mats)
- All meals, snacks, and hot drinks for 3 days
- Dry bags for personal gear and sleeping equipment
- Expert guides and safety support
Let's get remote. Let's get wet. Let's get into it. Book early to secure your place on this legendary New Zealand adventure.
Helicopter Access
Helicopter transport into pristine wilderness
Kahurangi Wilderness
Deep in National Park where few venture - pristine alpine forests and earthquake lakes
Grade 4-5 Rapids
Technical whitewater challenges
Wilderness Camping
Tenting, camp fire, delicious food
3-Day Wilderness Journey
Day 1
Into the Wilderness
Begin where the Karamea River is just a whisper, high in remote headwaters. Helicopter flight or wilderness hike access. River winds through alpine forest and earthquake-carved valleys past tranquil lakes formed by 1929 Murchison Earthquake. Technical boulder garden rapids (Grade 3-4) surrounded by towering terrain. Camp near famous Roaring Lion Rapid with roaring water and stars overhead.
Day 2
The Crux - Roaring Lion
Gear up for expedition's most intense section - Roaring Lion Rapid, an 800m gauntlet of Class 5 drops, chutes, and house-sized boulders. Teamwork, precision, and trust are everything. Each raft takes turns while crew assists from shore with safety lines and support. Heart of the expedition where legends are made. Well-earned cruise to next campsite after conquering the Lion.
Day 3
Granite Gorge & Grand Finale
Enter Karamea Gorge where river narrows between towering granite walls. Unleash full volume in rollercoaster of steep, chaotic rapids. Rafts buck and twist through tight drops and foaming waves until river relents. Current slows, gorge opens, drift toward take-out. Finish with cold drink in Karamea, swapping stories from unforgettable trip.
Legendary Wilderness Adventure
Conquering the legendary 800m Roaring Lion Rapid
Epic helicopter access into untouched wilderness
