Bhote Koshi River is located about 70 km east of Kathmandu, which is snow-fed from the melting Himalaya ranges. Bhote Koshi River rafting is one of the seven most popular white-water rafting rivers in Nepal. The origins of this roaring wall of white water gives the river it’s name; Bhote meaning coming from Tibet and Koshi meaning river, Bhote Koshi, the river that hails from Tibet. The path of this river is the steepest in Nepal creating a virtual year-round torrent that provides some of the most exciting rafting in the world. It also serves the Bote Koshi Project, a hydroelectricity project that provides up to 45 MW electricity.
The Last Resort, one of the world's deepest gorge bungee jumps, is based in this river's gorge. The river is very popular among rafting enthusiasts. It is the steepest river rafted in Nepal. The river is usually rafted in two days, starting with the lower section on the first day and the upper section on the next day. The rapids at the lower section measure an overall of grade 4 while the upper section measures an incredible grade 5 to grade 6.
The Bhote Koshi is one of the recently opened rivers & represents the forefront of river rafting, which is just three hours far from Kathmandu. It is the steepest river rafted in Nepal technical & totally committing with a gradient of 80 feet per mile.
Additional Facts:
Grade: III-VI
Rapids: Gerbil in the plumbing, Frog in a blender, Exlax, The Great Wall, Liquid bliss, Dazed & Confused
Water Volume: 90 cumecs (Depend upon the Season)
River Distance: 20 Kms.
Day 1
Our trip meets at 06:00 (always make a point of checking this as it can change depending on the time of year) at our office in Thamel. Because all the restaurants are closed at that time, bring a cinnamon roll, some fruit or a large bottle of sap for breakfast. Once we have everyone collected we have short walk to our bus. The bus ride takes us out of Kathmandu Valley and through rice fields and ancient town of Dhulikhel. On a clear day the entire Himalayan Range is clearly visible from the summit. From here the road drops, 1,100 meters to the village of Dolalghat on the banks of the Indrawati River. Our put in point is just below the Dam on the Upper SunKosi, 40 Kms south of the Tibetan Border. Once we arrive at the put in we have our lunch and rest for some time (we will serve lunch before the start of the rafting or after a couple of hours of rafting downstream, depending on the time). Then we unload all the gear and prepare for the Rafting cum Training Day.
Due to our concern of safety, as well as to fulfill the demands of our valued clients; have decided to have a new approach with our Rafting Services. The Bhote Kosi is not the River to take lightly. We will teach and give instructions on the First Day of our Bhote Kosi trip, so that the rafters could have more fun and understanding of rafting skills with more satisfying experience. We consider that the rafters have to have experience of the Class 4+ rafting before they do the upper stretch of Bhote Kosi.
The rafting cum training starts after all the safety briefings. This is the day in which you learn about River Currents, Eddies, Whirlpool, Hydraulic Hole, Rapids; as well as Self-rescue, Flip drill, Whitewater Floating Position and more. Overnight at river bank.
Day 2
In the morning everyone packs their gear and comes to breakfast where a huge pot of cowboy is waiting. Coffee not only wakes up, it also insulates us from the fear of being a sentient beings early in the morning, when the vastness of the world and the smallness of our place on it is so clearly seen.
Personal gears are loaded onto the bus, which will drive to the take-out to meet us. Before starting there is another paddling session to refresh everyone’s memory and scrape away last night fog. It’s all action today and we will have 4 to 5 hours (depends on the water level) on the river, pure whitewater all the way downstream. After a series of class 3 rapids we drop into the first class 4 drop, affectionately known as Gerbil In The Plumbing. From Gerbil there is a stretch of class 3 whitewater and then we come to crux of the day, which is a long, technical rapid called Frog in a Blender (guess who’s the frog). The guides often scout this one, as with changing water levels the ride can become well interesting. (If the water level allows us to run this rapid….) Don’t worry though; your trustworthy and stalwart safety kayaker is waiting for you at the bottom, providing of course that he isn’t still cartwheeling in one of the several hydraulic to be found along the way.
After frog things settle down for about twenty feet, and then it’s back into the soup with a long series of class 3+/4- drops, which lead us into a nifty, little rapid called Carnal Knowledge of a Deviant Nature (named for the compromising position often attained after running the last drop). This gem of a rapid starts out of a long series of boulder slaloming and hole riding, and ends with the entire river rebounding off two rocks before spilling over a two meter ledge into a big soft pool.
The remaining ten kilometers of river is a non-stop series of class 3 and 4 drops terminating into short pools with the next drop just a few feet away. The river flows through a beautiful narrow canyon with lush green vegetation and waterfalls coming in from the steep stone walls. At the bottom of this stretch is a rapid called ExLax (cause people go all over the place). Just before we hit the village of Barhabise we take a break for lunch to refuel and continue our descent through the center of town and onto a short flat stretch. While most people equate flat stretches with a lessening of intensity, our raft guides know better. The reason the river is flatter here is because a side stream has deposited a huge amount of rock into the river channel, essentially making a dam, which backs the river up for a kilometer. Upon reaching the dam, the entire gradient of the last kilometer fulminates into fifty meters of incredibly steep and technical rapid, respectfully known as The Great Wall. Guides tend to smoke a lot of cigarettes in the quite stretch above The Great Wall…. The Great Wall’s one redeeming feature is that there is a pool at the bottom, because right after the pool is an incredible rapid called Liquid Bliss, which leads directly into a rapid called My God, What To Do? This is one of the most fun stretches on the river, made doubly fun by the fact that The Great Wall is behind us and lunch is ahead of us. Depending on the time we stop to have lunch after My God, What To Do?, or push on and have lunch at the takeout. Either way the trip ends with a bang on a long series of drops known as Dazed And Confused. Without a doubt this is some of the finest whitewater rafting to be had anywhere.
At the takeout, the rafts are carried up and dried in a garden surrounding the Dam Keepers house at Lamosangu. From here it’s a three hours bus ride back to KTM, usually arriving around 19:00 Hrs. The 3-hour ride allows some time to rest our bodies before we reach the capital. After collecting valuables, and having a shower or some more rest, we often gather for dinner and drinks at a favorite restaurant in Thamel, to recount the trip highlights.
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Departure dates and the itinerary arrangements can be tailored to your requirement, so please contact us for your queries regarding your Bhote Koshi River Rafting departure date.
1. Transportation from / to Kathmandu by bus as per itinerary.
2. Continental & Nepalese meals during the rafting period, thrice a day.
3. All International standard Necessary rafting equipment as high quality self-bailing rafts, lifejackets, helmets, plastic paddles, wetsuits (only during the winter) on certain rivers, dry bag for gear, camera barrels and all safety and medical equipment.
4. Well-trained and highly experienced rafting guides, cooks, and other helper staff.
5. Tented accommodation in beautiful river beach with camp fire .
6. Safety Kayak & First aid kit box.
7. Food, accommodation, insurance for all staff and their transportation.
8. Sleeping bag
9. All necessary fees, Government/Local taxes, all national park and conservation area fees.
10. Camping & Cooking equipment (tents, mattress & kitchen gear).
1. Any type of personal expenditure such as phone, laundry, Mineral water, cold drinks and alcoholic beverages during the whole trip.
2. Food & accommodation cost in case of any natural calamity caused by weather
3. Rescue & insurance such as travel, cancellation, accident, health, emergency evacuation and loss, theft of or damage to baggage and personal effects. You are advised to insure for it.
4. Things of personal use.
5. Member insurance.
6. Tips, Gratuities and expenditure
Is it safe with you?
We take the safety of its clients very seriously. All our guides are licensed, with many years of experience on the rivers of Nepal and other European countries. All are trained in CPR, First Aid and advanced river rescue techniques. Prior to going on the water, our guides will give you a complete safety talk and demonstration of how to deal with any situation that might occur whilst on the river, please listen carefully and act accordingly.
Do I need previous experience?
No, but you should be ready to spend a few hours to a full day participating in an outdoor activity. .
What should I pack, and what should I wear on the river?
You can wear - quick-drying shorts or long trousers, cotton t-shirt, old athletic shoes (more foot protection than sandals or flip-flops), hat with a brim, sunglasses and warm clothes for the evening.
Toiletries, mosquito repellent and sun-cream, torch or flashlight (for incidentals when in transit to and from the river), towel etc
What type of boat will I be in? Will I be expected to paddle?
We offer an entire fleet of choices for your whitewater rafting experience. (Not all boat options are available on all rivers). You are the engine on a paddle raft: everybody paddles while the guide shouts instructions. In an oar raft, your guide pilots the raft with long oars as you relax and enjoy the ride. You help your guide in an oar raft-paddle assist combination, which is used mainly on maximum intensity Class IV-V whitewater. It's just you and the water in an inflatable kayak, which is a fun option in low- to mid-intensity rapids on many of the rivers we run (1 or 2 paddlers).
Do I have to know how to swim?
On most trips, you do not need to know how to swim, Swimming is not necessary; you will be wearing a life jacket. All rafters must wear our Coast Guard approved Personal Flotation Devices (aka PFDs or life jackets). Should you fall out of your boat, the PFD is designed to float you face up in the water. Before you get into your boat, however, our guides will give a detailed safety talk and show you how to properly “swim” a rapid. Please be advised our U.S. Coast Guard approved PFDs are rated to accommodate persons no heavier than 260 pounds and with a chest size no larger than 52 inches. We are experienced at accommodating people of all ages and abilities.
Can I bring my camera or video camera?
Of course! Our bags are waterproof to further protect your camera you may wish to place it in a zip-loc plastic bag, or special waterproof camera case. We also recommend padding it with a small towel or clothing. Sand can be a problem-so cleans your camera every night with tissue, a brush and lens paper. We also strongly recommend you take out a rider on your homeowner's policy to cover your camera-especially if it's fine equipment. If you are planning to bring a digital camera make sure to carry additional memory cards, batteries, and any other extras you will need. Disposable waterproof cameras are also a fun option.
Should I tip my guide?
Guests often ask whether gratuities are appropriate, and in what amount. If you feel your guides have provided a very special trip for you, a gratuity may be left with the trip leader and will be shared among the crew. Entirely discretionary, anything between "Thank you" and 10% of trip cost is a general tipping guideline. If you plan to tip, remember to bring a personal check or cash - ATMs are not available except in cities like Kathmandu/Pokhara!
What about the privy?
While the idea of a river trip is appealing to most people, many are inhibited or reluctant because of modesty or uncertainty. Perhaps a few facts will relieve (pardon the pun) your concerns. For multi-day rafting trips like, we use what is called a "porta-potty" system that is set up each afternoon at camp in a secluded location that assures privacy. It is essentially a toilet without plumbing and is available from the time you pull into camp each afternoon until you leave the morning.
How's the food?
The meals we serve on our rafting trips are hearty and sumptuous, complete with fresh fruits and vegetables throughout your entire journey. Our menus feature great camp cooking in a wilderness atmosphere. Wake up to pancakes, omelets, or eggs cooked to order, complemented by tuna Fish, Meat, juice, and plenty of fresh-brewed coffee, tea . Satiate your appetite at lunch with a delicious spread of cold cuts and cheese on assorted breads, hummus and veggies in soft pitas, or tasty taco salad wraps. At the dinner table, our guides' cooking skills truly shine. You may snack on hors d'oeuvres while waiting for vegetable or non Vegetable food. Expect to eat as well - or better - than you do at home, without having to do any of the work.
Can you accommodate my special dietary needs?
We are happy to accommodate vegetarian or vegan preferences, food allergies and other special dietary considerations if you tell us of your needs ahead of time.
Do I need travel insurance?
Although every effort is made to provide a safe trip for all, we strongly recommend that you protect yourself, your belongings, and your vacation through the purchase of a short-term traveler’s policy. A trip cancellation policy covers your non-refundable payments in most cases, should you have to cancel your trip due to illness or injury even at the last minute. Trip participants should realize that in the event of illness or injury on a river trip, evacuation can be prolonged, difficult and expensive. Personal belongings and cameras are carried entirely at the owner’s risk, and we accept no responsibility for lost, damaged, delayed or stolen property.
These are the questions we are often asked and we hope that you will find the answers useful. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any further queries.
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+977-9751090836
