OVERVIEW MAP OF THE BLUE NILE (ABAY or GREAT ABAY)

Click on the BLUE NILE: Expedition Info webpage to see more info about upcoming expeditions and the river.
The river is generally class III or IV max [with the exception of Tissisat Falls (P) and the Northern Gorge which has several class Vs].
On general trips, we can have passenger exchanges at any bridge. Private Outfitting Service groups can start and end at any point.
Raft trips in 2018 will continue down to the Yarenga Bridge since there are delays at completing GERD (but we will have an outboard motor).
Raft trips in 2019 will end at Sirba due to initial filling of the reservoir for GERD and flooding of the Lower Gorge.
"We want to protect the remaining free-flowing Grand Canyon of the Nile but also know what is being lost with GERD!"

Click on the Blue Nile webpage to see more info about upcoming expeditions or on the www.SierraRios.org page to see all expeditions offered.

section km days class rapids scenery hikes cultural note
Gilgel Abay 200 ~5 IV-V +++++ ++++ ++ ++++ section from source to Lake Tana
Lake Tana 50 ~2 0 + ++ ++ ++++ monasteries on the islands of the lake
------------ -- -- ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
TisAbay section 40 ~2 IV(V) +++++ ++ + ++ exiting Lake Tana but often little water now
Northern Gorge 50 ~5 V +++++ +++++ +++ ++ very difficult; class Vs at Gauntlet, BlackWall, BadSeeds
Gorgeous Gorge 130 ~4 III ++ +++++ +++++ +++ incredible scenery and side canyons
Inner Canyon 111 ~3 II-III ++ +++ +++ +++ nice scenery; more wildlife
Black Gorge 195 ~6 III-IV ++++ ++++ ++ + fun rapids; hotter; remote with wildlife; crocs
Western Cataracts 267 ~6 II-III +++ +++ +++ +++++ Gumuz native tribes; remote with wildlife; crocs
Lower Gorge 179 ~4 II-III ++ ++ + ++++ hot; some rapids; soon to be flooded by GERD
Sudan 756 10+ I-II + + + +++ Roseries Dam; then flat open & hot to Khartoum
-------------------------- -- --- --- --- --- --- --- --------------------------
TOTAL 1978 ~45 - - - - - for entire Blue Nile descent source-to-Khartoum
TOTAL nice rafting 916 ~30 - - - - - full Grand Canyon Nile descent