The Bhote Koshi is a beautiful steep mountain river that is only a few hours drive from Kathmandu and offers two days of intense and challenging activity.
The River
“Bhote” roughly translates as the ‘river from Tibet’ and in Nepal, there are quite a lot of rivers with this name. This particular river is the main branch of the Sun Koshi River and it has been descended by kayakers who start from Kodari, near the Tibetan border. The Arniko Highway follows the river from Kathmandu to Lhasa, so access and routing are relatively easy. The upper valley above Barabise is impressively narrow with steep hill sides shooting up over 200m from the river, and there are dramatic and scenic gorges down at the river level. Just to drive up the highway and to get the opportunity to look at the river is like reading an erotic novel- it quickens the blood and excites the mind!
Technically, the Bhote Koshi ends just after Barabise, where the Sun Koshi joins as a stream from the left. However, we have taken our description down to the dam at Lamosangu, as this is the usual run. There is a new hydro scheme near Kodari and proposals for other schemes are in the pipeline. If implemented, these schemes will divert the river.
Rafting
The Bhote Koshi is probably the most exciting short rafting trip in Nepal and has been described in various ways as follows:
“Like a pin-ball machine and you are the ball.”
“Like being flushed down an open air toilet.”
This isn’t a raft trip that is suitable for everyone. However, if you love fun, challenge, intense physical activity, and non-stop action then this could be you. This trip makes for a great climax for any teams who have just finished a longer multi-day raft trip and want to continue the adrenaline high that the whitewater induces.
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Day
to Day Itinerary |
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| Day 01 | We start our journey from Kathmandu by a private bus and go towards the Tibetan border. We take a short tea stop at Dolalghat and continue on for two hours until we reach the put-in point for an early lunch. Then the guides will brief you on the safety aspects of the trip and its time to see what you are made of! We jump straight into grade 4 rapids like Gerbil in the Plumbing and Frog in a Blender. By afternoon you will be wide eyed and exhilarated. To finish the day off we have Carnal Knowledge of a Deviant Nature-a huge rock slalom with a 2 meter drop into a hole and a pool! where your mates sit laughing. We exit and the bus drives us back up stream to our campsite. |
| Day 02 | Wake up to the sound of the roaring river and a choice of a hot/cold breakfast. Today, we thrill and spill our way down numerous drops and eddies, bump around boulders, occasionally getting stuck on them. Then we enter a narrow canyon and on to the Midnight Special, a gun barrel of a rapid which slams you up against a wall. Next we have the Great Wall, Liquid Bliss and the long, hard class 4 plus rapid-Jhon Holmes. |
| Fact Box |
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Group Size
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01
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2 - 3
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4 - 5
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6 - 7
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8 - 9
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10 - 11
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12 + Above
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Price in US$
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1160.00
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1030.00
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910.00
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830.00
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770.00
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715.00
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670.00
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Price in Pound £
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650.00
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577.00
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509.00
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465.00
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432.00
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400.00
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375.00
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Price in Euro €
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968.00
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860.00
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758.00
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692.00
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644.00
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596.00
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560.00
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What to Bring:
- Sleeping Bag
- Foam Sleeping mattress
- Personal toiletries, sun block lotion
- Light woolen sweater for camp wear
- Extra pair of shorts
- Trousers/shirts
- Flashlight or headlamps
- Open sandals (Tevas)
- Cash for drinks and snacks on the way
What’s Included:
- All meals during the rafting period
- Rafting permit, transportation by tourist or local bus depending upon the mode of transportation available at the put-in and take-out point of rafting, kitchen and camping equipments, experienced Captain.
- Cook and other staffs, group leader will be free if there are more than ten pax.
What’s Not Included:
- Mineral water, cold drinks and alcoholic beverages during the whole trip.
- Emergency evacuation, expenses of a personal nature, and member insurance.
