Explore Rafting and kayaking
- When to go
- Information, books and maps
- Rafting operators and agents
- Costs and red tape
- Equipment
- Safety and responsibility
- The Trisuli
- The Upper Kali Gandaki
- The Seti
- The Upper Seti
- The Bhote Koshi
- Upper Sun Koshi (Lower Bhote Koshi)
- The Marsyangdi
- The Sun Koshi
- The Karnali
- The Tamur
- The Bheri
- The Lower Kali Gandaki
The Bhote Koshi, which runs alongside the Arniko Highway to the Tibetan border northeast of Kathmandu, is probably the steepest and hardest commercial rafting river in Nepal (Class 4+). In low water it’s like a pinball machine (and you’re the ball); in medium flows it’s more like being flushed down the U-bend of a toilet. A few companies specialize in this deviant experience, offering it as a one- or two-day trip out of Kathmandu (it’s only a three-hour drive) using road support, empty rafts and safety kayakers. At higher flows in late October and November most companies run the Upper Sun Koshi on the first day as a warm-up and the Bhote Koshi on the second day. If you have previous rafting experience or are just looking for an adrenaline rush, then this is the one for you. It’s a cold river, so if you are running it in the winter months between December and late February then look for a company that provides wetsuits and paddle jackets. An enticing option is a two-day trip, staying the night at one of the comfortable riverside resort camps.
Note that a dam is under construction near the Tibet border; when it’s complete, which may be in the lifetime of this guide, it’s likely to kill off rafting on the Bhote Koshi.
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The Bhote Koshi resorts
The Bhote Koshi resorts
In the last few years, several companies have bought land on the banks of the Bhote Koshi and Upper Sun Koshi and built fixed safari-style riverside camps, with luxuriant gardens, flush toilets, showers, hammocks, restaurants and bar areas. Only two to three hours’ drive from Kathmandu, each of these mini-resorts offers its own mix of activities: all offer rafting, but there is also canyoning, kayaking, trekking, rock climbing, bungee jumping and mountain biking available. They also regularly host adventure events such as mountain-bike races and the Nepal International Kayak Rodeo (held annually in Nov). If you just want to stay and hang out at the camp, then typical daily rates are around $50–60 for food, accommodation and transport to and from Kathmandu. Many overseas rafting and kayak groups now go straight from the Kathmandu airport to one of these riverside resorts.
