Overview

The Bhote Koshi river is very popular among rafting enthusiasts. It is the steepest and fast current river rafted in Nepal. it is the best short whitewater rafting trip. The river is usually rafted in two days, starting with the lower section on the first day from lamusangu bazar or Khadichaur to Chere village local name and the upper section on the next day from Baseri village known as 95 Km. The rapids at the lower section measure an overall of grade 3 to 4 while the upper section measure an incredible grade up to the 5.

Lamusangu bazar or Khadichaur, the trip starting point of the first day of rafting is just three hours of scenic white-water rafting & tent camping then second day drive to upper section of Bhotekoshi from Baseri village up to Lamusangu bazar. The best season for rafting is Spring & Autumn.

The word Bhote refers to its origin at the Bhot (Nepali word for Tibet). Koshi is the name of the rivers that make up Sapta Koshi (meaning group of seven rivers), The river originating in the Himalayas. "Bhote" roughly translates as river from Tibet so there are quite a lot of rivers with this name in Nepal. This Bhote Koshi is the main branch of the Sun Koshi. The river is followed by the Araniko highway so access and scouting are relatively easy it goes to the border of Tibet and Nepal. The upper valley above Barabise town is impressively narrow with steep hill sides shooting up over 2000m from the river. And there are some dramatic and scenic gorges down at river level. Just to drive up the Araniko highway and look at the river is like reading an erotic novel it quickens the blood and excited the mind.

Technically, the upper Bhote Koshi ends just before Lamusangu town: The lower Bhote Koshi rafting put in point lamusangu toen or Khadichaur village end rafting at Chere Village.

Short Itinerary

We organize a pre-departure meeting the night before to answer questions and meet the team.

Day 01: We take a trip to 95 km. east from Kathmandu is the starting point Lomosangu- Dam of the trip. This is a spectacular drive through villages and if weather permits, you will have fantastic mountain views i.e. Ganesh Himal, Langtang etc, we raft the first 10 km of the MOST exciting stretch of the river and then return to the start to play again the same stretch the next day rather than continue with only half a day paddling to the end. Drives back to our camp.

Day 02: After breakfast a quick pack up and set out (approx. 9 to 10 a.m.) run white water hit again a class 3 rapid starting from upper section. You have the second chance to show how your raft team can work well together in challenging rapids. We have lunch on the river and continue the action until the take out point Dolalghat Bazaar about 2 to 3 p.m. and bus back to Kathmandu. Our trip is over here.

Note:Rafting itinerary can be changed as per different situation.

Cost Includes

• Airport pickup and drop
• Hotel in Kathmandu as your requirements.
• Rafting equipments.
• An experienced licensed holder Rafting Guide.
• Transportation to start point and end point.
• Medical kit box
• All government tax
• All guided sightseeing tour in Kathmandu and entry fees if needed,
• All necessary transportation while sightseeing.

Cost Excludes

• Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu
• Your travel insurance
• International flight and departure tax
• Any expense of personal nature
• Nepal entry visa fee
• Any kinds of Bar bills.

Equipment List

• Bathing Suit
• T-shirt long & short
• Good running/walking boots
• A pair of woolen socks
• Sun block and lip balm
• Pairs of long trousers and pullovers (depends rafting days)
• A pair of cotton underwear
• a fleece jacket
• Flashlight with spare batteries & bulbs
• A couple handkerchiefs
• Pocket knife
• Sunglasses
• Eye Glass Straps (if needed)
• Old Sneakers, neoprene booties, or river shoes
• Waterproof Camera
• Energy Bar for the river
• Water or Gatorade
• Sleeping bag
• Small Dry Bag
• Zip Lock Baggies
• Hand towel
• Plastic Bag(s)
• Change of Clothes (for the drive back)
• Snack and drink
• Hard shell water bottle
• Personal medical kit and things for personal use etc.

Essential Infos

Why go rafting in Nepal ?

The rivers of Nepal take you away from the busy trekking routes and penetrate the heart of rural, roadless, unspoilt Nepal. Nepal is now the premier destination in the world for multi-day raft trips. Here's some of the reasons and some sample paragraphs and headings from the main rafting chapter in White Water Nepal:

• Rafting offers an attractive alternative to trekking, something to note if you don't enjoy walking. It also complements trekking, in that you see the country from a different viewpoint.
• Rafting 'leaves no footprints', has minimal ecological effect, and causes little disruption to the social patterns of local life.
• Rafting gives you the unique and enjoyable experience of river travel and if you wish, the exhilaration of running white water.

There can be few better ways of viewing wildlife, than from a boat.

White water or flat water ?

Rafting has this image of crashing through horrendous rapids and monstrous waves and, yes, at times of high flow, in the monsoon, this may be justified. But, at most flows there are many class 3 and class 4 rivers of moderate difficulty and also many rivers of class 1 and 2 where you can float along admiring the scenery and running a few very small rapids. Rafting in Nepal is a superb experience in it's own right - the thrill of running white water rapids is the cream on the cake for those who enjoy it!

Most people are naturally a little bit apprehensive if they haven't been on white water before, but after the first rapid are 'hooked' - as long as people are physically fit and not scared of water they can safely go on water of class 1 to class 3. Remember that we grade a river on the hardest sections - most rivers have days of easier water and long stretches in between the rapids in which to relax. For more difficult and exciting class 4 rivers people should be active, confident in water and preferably have some previous rafting experience.

Rafting Grades

Grade I - Flat water, (little current)
These types of rivers are flat and slow moving. A river with a 1 grade listed will have some flat spots. A completely 1 graded river will be totally flat. This kind of river is good for sightseeing and relaxing.

Grade II - Bubbling current (small rapid)
A grade II river has a swifter current and some small rapids

Grade III - Technical & Exciting (needs trained guide)
In a Grade III river, the rapids are becoming more serious and technical. Grade III and above can only be rafted with trained guides. This is a fun river with lots of excitement

Grade IV - Seriously big rapids
This is where the adrenaline gets going; grade IV River has a fast moving current with many big drops and rapids. This kind of river is action packed and needs technical paddling.

Grade V - The hair-raising limit!
This is a serious river not for the faint hearted, with a torrent like current and huge rapids this is the ultimate in white water adventures.