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Bhote Koshi River Rafting

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  • Jyatha, Thamel, Kathmandu, Nepal

Overview

Bhote Koshi river rafting provide the closet Grade IV to V whitewater rafting experience on an extremely powerful rapid and whirlpool. The Bhote Kosi is the steepest river rafted in Nepal. With a gradient of 15m per kilometre, it is a full eight times as steep as the Sun Kosi, which it feeds further downstream. The river carves a steep and direct drop at the top that gradually eases to more placid streams and the calmer pools with a 46-km run at the Lamosunga dam. The rapids here are class I4-5 at high flow, and 3 at lower levels. The Bhote Kosi is used for both rafting and kayaking. The river is steep and continuous with one rapid leading into another. It takes you about 3 hours driving from Kathmandu by private vehicle to the start point at Bhote Koshi River. It’s an exciting and tough river but makes for the best 1 to 3 days rafting.


Trip highlights

  • Extreme whitewater rafting
  • Wild, rushing Bhotekoshi river from the steep landscape
  • Adventurous rafting experience at the steepest white water river of Bhotekoshi
  • Scenic drive along the Araniko highway with the beautiful sight of river, hills and villages
  • Enjoy natural rafting rapids
  • Nearest rafting destination from Kathmandu

Detailed Itinerary

Itinerary : 1 day Rafting Trip

In the morning our rafting staff and guides will pick you up at the place you are staying in Kathmandu. So the drive leads, passing Kathmandu Valley, heading east on the old Kathmandu and Lhasa / Tibet Highway, also known as Nepal and Tibet / China Friendship Highway.

The drive takes you to Dhulikhel's scenic town, famous for its stunning sunrise over the Himalayan peaks of Ganesh-Langtang and Manaslu, to the Gaurishankar mountain range.

Soon drive heads to low, warm farm areas with interesting villages and busy towns to reach at starting point of Rafting at Balephi.

On arrival at the Rafting point by the side of the old main highway, our river guides and raft captain will receive you. Then after a short walk to the beach, you can notice our rafting crew busy preparing or inflating the raft for the exciting rafting on Bhote Koshi River.

Before getting into a raft, the briefing will be held as waterproof for day rafting; wear shorts and a proof gear head. The briefing from Captain regarding Rafting, safety procedure, and River currents and rapids are important.

Lunch is prepared by the bank of the River or further downstream, served on a large plastic tarp.

After getting ready, wearing life jackets and helmets, time to keep your materials safe; your valuable things, such as money purses, cameras, and sunscreen, will be safe in Water-Proof Barrel or container. Also, what you need for the Rafting for the day is put in that same barrel.

As Captain of the boat starts rafting by dividing the group for seating to balance the raft.

Once in the Raft, holding the paddle and seating settled, Captain will be on the back of the boat with its oar or steering paddle. Once in the River, you will have a brief instruction on paddling. Then you can enjoy your in Bhotekoshi river.

Float downstream through several exciting rapids, over bouncy waves, and enjoyable rapid from I to IV grade rapid with huge curly waves.

The rafting will end after successfully going through all rapids, holes, and drops and enjoying the thrill. The Raftingl is on the bank of the River in the nice small town of Dhulikhel. Over there, Bhote Koshi joins with Melamche River to make wide and big Sun-Koshi (River of Gold where one can continue with rafting expeditions for a week)

At Dolalghat, our transport will be at your disposal with your nice warm, dry clothes. And then drive back to Kathmandu after an exciting thrill on Bhote Koshi River Rafting.

Itinerary : 3 days Rafting Trip

Day 01: Drive to Khadichaur & Raft to Dolalghat

We drive from Kathmandu to Khadichaur. After delicious lunch at Khadichaur, all the important details concerning the trip are thoroughly briefed out prior to rafting. Thereafter, fully equipped with appropriate gear we venture into rafting journey piloted by expert river guide. Paddling along the rhythm of simmering river amid the picturesque landscape, exquisite wilderness and panorama of majestic hills, we head towards Dolalghat. This trip offers a relaxing float evening with abundant beautiful scenery and wildlife to view and photograph along the way. On reaching Dolalghat, we witness terraced fields and traditional Nepali houses perched on the hillsides and slopes. This glorious adventure concludes for the day with camping at a superb site in Dolalghat.

Day 02: Raft up to Kolpa

Maneuvering away from Dolalghat, we position the raft securely along rollicking whitewater towards Kolpa. Absolute thrills run through us as challenging rapids splash against our face rejuvenating our adventure spirit. After hours of rafting amid spectacular landscape and mystical wilderness, we punctuate the trip as we near Kolpa and camp nearby riverside.

Day 03: Raft up to Dumja

We depart from Kolpa as we continue navigating several fun splashy rapids. Along the trip more spectacular vistas open up as the narrow canyons give way to unusual rock formations. After we have our abundant share of exhilarating rafting experience, we may indulge in off-river time to explore wilderness and ethno cultural life. Finally, we wrap up the trip and head to Kathmandu.

  • Trip facts

  • Rafting Duration : 9 days
  • Rafting Distance: 15 to 16 km
  • Grade : Easy/Beginners
  • Put in Point : Balephi / Khadichaur
  • Put out Point : Baseri / Dumja
  • Water Volume: September to December - Approx.100 - 50 cumecs / January to May - Approx. 40 cumecs / June to August - Approx 180 cumecs
  • Max Altitude : 1350 m
  • Best Time: Throughout the year

Cost Includes

  • All land transportation by private vehicle
  • Rafting permit
  • Meals
  • Rafting equipments
  • Guide and other supporters
  • Safety Kayak

Cost Excludes

  • Personal nature expenses
  • Hard drinks, beverages, etc.
  • Travel insurance
  • Tips


Extension Tours

Paragliding
Jungle Safari
Pokhara Tour
Rafting

Necessary Information

1. Rafting Guide

We have a team of highly experienced English speaking rafting guides professionally trained and thoroughly versed in topography and nature of river. They have absolute expertise on white water rafting, swift water rescue and emergency wilderness first aid.

2. Team Formation

We operate Nepal rafting trips for private team of your friends and family so you can enjoy your private trip without having to deal and confront with others people with different interests and attitude. Normally, we put 6-8 people including rafting guide in a raft.

3. Transportation to / from put-in / put-out point

We have a fleet of mostly Japanese made Toyota vehicles of all types and sizes, from small two-seater luxury cars to large capacity luxury tourist coaches. 4WD Land cruisers are used in difficult and muddy road trips. Size and type of vehicle depend on size of your group. We use two-seater car for 1-2 persons, micro luxury 6-seater van for 3-5 persons, 10-seater van for 6-9 persons and tourist coach or coaster for group size above 10 persons. Our drivers are specially trained to serve in the hospitability industry. The vehicles are checked carefully before assigning to your service.

4. Best month for rafting and kayaking

Best time for rafting is from March to May and from September to November. Temperature can get colder in January and February ranging from 7° to 20° C. For rest of the month, temperature remains minimum 18° to maximum 30° C.

5. Classification of Rivers

Maintaining the highest standard of safety and service, river trips have been classified in accordance to status of water flow, rapids & remoteness.

CLASS I: Easy. Small rapids, fast moving water with riffles and small waves, few obstructions, minimal risk to swimmers and possibility of self-rescue.

CLASS II: Novice. Gentle straightforward rapids with wide and clear channels and slight manoeuvring required.

CLASS III: Moderate. Exciting rapids with irregular waves and hazards, strong eddies and current and skilled manoeuvring required.

CLASS IV: Very difficult. Raging rapids, powerful manoeuvring required and turbulent water flow.

CLASS V: Extremely difficult. Long and very violent rapids with several hazards, unavoidable waves and holes or steep, congested chutes with complex demanding routes, high degree of danger to swimmers, expertise and reliable high quality equipments required for safe passage.

CLASS VI: Unrunnable. Extremely difficult rapids, high chances of death and destruction of equipments and very slim chances of rescue.

6. Name of Rivers Class
  • Trishuli: II+ to IV
  • Karnali: III to V
  • Seti: III
  • Bheri: III+
  • Arun: IV
  • Sunkoshi: IV+
  • Tamor: IV to IV+
  • Kali Gandaki: IV to V
  • Marshyangdi: IV+ to V
  • Bhotekoshi: V
  • Tamakoshi: V TO V+
7. Duration of rafting

Generally, rafting hours is 4-5 hours a day. In case, rafting trip is extended for more than a day, the rafting hours will automatically be more. Durations and rafting highlights are mentioned in all our detailed itineraries. Relevant tips/information will be briefed to you before you embark on any of our trips.

8. A typical day on the river

We usually start our day after thorough briefings on the safety measures by river guide. Generally, we raft for 4-5 hours a day. Around mid day after we have our share of glorious rafting experience with the challenging rapids, we stop for lunch at sandy beach. In a multiday trip, we set up a camp by riverside. Once we arrive at camping site, we can wander around nearby locality or simply relax basking in the splendor of nature. Camping overnight by riverside gives us time and opportunity to share our views, feeling and experiences under an open sky of sparking stars.

9. Meals & drinking water during rafting

For a river trip exceeding more than a day, breakfast, dinner and lunch will be served at a campsite including tea, coffee and snacks. A team of cook and kitchen staff prepare healthy and nutritious meals under strict hygienic procedure. Boiled and treated water shall be supplied to you before you board the raft.

10. Clothing & equipment

You are required to bring some shirts, T-shirts, socks, hat, suntan lotion, sunglasses with string, river shoes or flip-flop, flashlight, personal medication, couple of shorts and pants for the evening and morning, a sweeter or a jacket. Company provides raft (number of raft depends on size of group), safety devices, sleeping bags, mattress tents & kitchenettes.

11. Safety

We, Raj Bala Treks & Expedition always regard safety of rafters as utmost priority. Prior to venturing into a rafting trip, rafters are thoroughly briefed about the safety measures and rafting guidelines.

A rafting trip is piloted by a river guide professionally trained in emergency wilderness first aid and swift-water rescue. Rafters venture into a river trip with safety jackets, flotation devices, helmets and river-friendly clothes. We use high quality inflatable rubber raft capable of giving extraordinary performance, agility, stability and maneuverability. Our rafts can swift through the wildest and strongest of waves and guarantee hundred percent safety.

12. Meals & accommodation in Kathmandu

We have specially negotiated rates of a range of hotels. We can offer the best deal to suit your budget and preference. If you book your hotel with us in Kathmandu, breakfast is usually included in our package cost. In Kathmandu plenty of best and quality restaurants serve Nepali, oriental and continental dishes. We are able to recommend good one depending on your taste preference. A good continental lunch or dinner at a good restaurant approximately costs USD 10-15.

13. Meeting/airport transfers

In all our packaged trips featured in this site, airport pick up and drop are included. You have to mention your flight detail (Airlines name and arrival time in Kathmandu) while booking any trip with us. One of our tour officers and driver meet and greet you at airport; escort you to your hotel and brief you about your further activities in detail, collect your flight tickets for reconfirmation and deliver back them later. After your trip is over you will be transferred back to the airport in time to catch your flight back home.