Sunkoshi River Rafting
Sunkoshi rafting starts from Baseri (dolalghat) and end at Chatara,
requiring 08 to 09 days. Baseri is 3 hours drive from Kathmandu to the
east. Among many advantages of a long river trip, one is a pleasant
diversity of things within a short span of time with a chance to see
250 different species of orchids and 400 species of birds available
around the basin. 4-5 graded Wild River in east Nepal. Challenging one.
Tour not recommended in the months February to April.
The warm water of Sun Koshi surges for 270 kms, there are dozens of
adrenaline pumping big rapids and miles of calm water to reflect on
this beautiful area with scenery. There is not any road and town
between starting and ending point. Sun Koshi means \"River of gold\" it
is named after the gold, that is found from the river gravel or
alternatively it refers to the orange color of the water in the monsoon
when it is thick with flood.
Facts of River
Starting point : Dolal Ghat ( 3 hours drive from KTM)
Ending Point : Chatara
River Grade : 3 to4
Rafting Days : 10 Days
River Distance : 170 Kms.
Itinerary
- Day 01: 3hrs drive to Dolalghat; rafting starting point and short rafting camp in Tarang Gaon
- Day 02: Tarang Gaon to Dumja village rafting
approximately 4 hours. The gathered villagers shall cheer you as you
drift away slowly gathering momentum, slowly leaving behind the
Langtang ranges. Sunkoshi is considered as a Holy river by the Nepalese
Hindus, the river flows into the Holy Ganges in India, soon we hit the
very technical rapid called Khuei Bhai rapid, strewn with rooks and
boulders, hence, considerable care is need. Camp for the night near the
Mahadev temple
- Day 03: Dumja village to Khunkot rafting
approximately 6 hours “Wet and Wild” immediately we are hitting the
rapids passing en route the fishing village of Kodari’s and the Chamera
Bhir were you could see hundreds of bats screaming and clinging to the
walls of the cliffs, some good fun filled rapids takes up to Khunkot
where we camp for the night.
- Day 04: Khurkot to Likhu Khola rafting
approximately 5 hours. Habitations dwindle, few Rai villages’ en route,
exciting rapids in the afternoon with good photo prospects.
- Day05: Likhu Khola to Harkapur village rafting
approximately 6 hours. Today, we pass through deep gorges punctuated
with exciting rapids unfolding pleasant floats in the afternoon troops
of Langur and Rhesus monkeys can be seen romping the riverbanks.
- Day 06: Harkapur village to Rai Ghat rafting
approximately 6 hours. Today is one of the most exciting and
challenging days of the expedition encountering some very demanding
rapids where you witness the skills of our guides, we pass through
‘Bridge rapids’ and ‘Krishna rapids’ stopping to carefully plan our
strategy through the next rapids. Mr. Mangal Gurung was the first
rafter to successfully take rafts in 1979 and he has the distinction of
being the 1st Nepali to raft the Sunkoshi, it was a no mean success,
hence, the rapid is named after him ‘MANGAL RAPID’. Floating past the
confluence of the Dudh Koshi, we hit the last rapid for the day,
‘Roller Coaster’ a hair rising rapid.
- Day 07: Rai Ghat to Bander Ghat rafting
approximately 6 hours. Hold tight, the ride is not over yet…as past the
point of Sap Su Khola is a rapid with the greatest drop Huge ‘holes’,
‘eddies’ and churning ‘stopper waves’ demands team work and hard paddle.
- Day 08: Bander Ghat to Bonjur Ghat rafting
approximately 6 hours. We take to the rapids again, busy all morning
earnestly thanking for the lunch break, emerging from the Mardheku
gorge the river spreads wide, less agitated after its confinement
between steep cliffs and gorges.
- Day 09: Bonjur Ghat to Barahchhatra rafting
approximately 6 hours. Today the whole stretch is a mixture of fun
filled rapids and calm undulating floats, you are somewhat relived, yet
sad that the trip is coming to an end, all good things ultimately does.
- Day 10: Short rafting reaches out points Chatara,
after lunch takes night bus to Kathmandu or drive to Biratnagar to take
a flight back to Kathmandu. After a while we join the turbid waters of
the Arun Koshi encountering our last rapids to the junction of the
Tamor Koshi. The river changes its course from west -east to northeast
through beautiful gorge floating to the white temple of Barahchhetra
set upon the east bank. This is a Hindu temple dedicated to 12
different Hindu Gods and Goddesses; we stop to pay a visit. Suddenly we
break through the Mahabharat and Rapcha ranges and spreading before us
is a completely flat horizon, slowly we drift to Chatara. After Chatara
we drive to Koshi Tappu or Chitwan National Park for an excellent
Safari or drive back to Kathmandu or drive to Biratnagar for your fly
back to Kathmandu
Price Include :
- All rafting equipment with guide
- meals while you are on river
- accommodation in two men tent
- all necessary fee
- round trip transportation by tourist bus/private vehicle
Price Exclude
- Airfare domestic / international flights
- Nepal entry visa fee, Visa issuance is easy at the arrival of Tribhuwan International Airport,
- Any kind of personal expenses
- Travel Insurance