Sun Koshi River Rafting

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At a Glance
8 Days
Duration
Moderate
Trip Grade
Nepal
Country
1 - 10
Group Size
Dolalghat
Starts
Sept - Nov and Mar - May
Best Time
Overview

Sun Koshi means “River of gold"—perhaps named after the gold that is sometimes panned from the river gravels, or on the other hand, it refers to the orange color of the water in the monsoon when it is thick with alluvial sediment. In the world's top ten rivers for rafting, Sun Koshi flows from the Himalayas eastwards in Nepal through the great valley between the Mahabharat Range Mountains. It figures the watershed for most of eastern Nepal and assembles strength from tributaries draining from the highest mountains in the world. Then it appears onto the northern plains of India and joins with the Ganges River.

Sun Koshi Rafting trips begin from Dolalghat, a 3-hour drive from Kathmandu. Since the Banepa-Bardibas highway is now in operation, it is possible to arrange a trip from Dumjabesi, which ends at the great Hindu temple of Shiva at Baraha Chatra, near Dharan. The 235 km. of Sunkoshi River action can take either 7 or 9 days; it depends on the season and your desire. There is an orientation meeting with all members early in the evening before the trip, providing you with an opportunity to ask any further questions you may have and to meet your fellow rafters and also your guide and team. Sun Koshi, except for a few big rapids like Harkapur, has the general standard of the river getting progressively harder as you descend it, so there is time to loosen up and practice your skills on easy water before you reach the more interesting bigger and more challenging rapids on the lower.

Sun Koshi River Rafting/Kayaking offers you a chance to be pleasantly surprised and flattered by how much your skills improve by the end of the trip! Except for the new Highway being built alongside the top 40 km of the Sun Koshi, the vast majority of the river there are no roads or towns, just the occasional picturesque village and friendly shouts of “Namaste” from the bank This is un-spoilt, rural Nepal at its best. The trip is full of beautiful large white sandy beaches for camping, and the lower section of the river is heavily forested with troops of monkeys and an abundance of birdlife. The Sun Koshi Rafting offers varied & changing landscapes, from terraced farmland to steep gorges and then to subtropical jungles. Each night, we camp on large sandy river banks in close contact with village people and the rewarding sights of wildlife and nature. After days of rafting, you will be watching the moon rise with the sound of the river and the noise of wild animals, drinking, singing, dancing, and playing games by candlelight, making this river rafting tour an exclusive experience.

Nepal’s 3rd grade Sun Kosi River rafting/kayaking is an ideal trip for those who want to combine peaceful extents of stunning scenery, some great and challenging rapids, and the experience of a lengthy trip where lifelong friendships can often begin. The return journey of Sun Koshi River Rafting/Kayaking takes approximately 15 hours drive from Chatara to Kathmandu.  Alternatively, it is also possible to arrange a flight from Biratnagar (a 1-hour road journey from Chatara); the flight takes around 50 minutes to Kathmandu, and it’s an additional cost.  We “Nepal Mother House Treks” are glad to arrange your Kali Gandaki River Rafting / Kayaking for your unforgettable experience.

Day-to-day

Sun Koshi River Rafting Itinerary

At 7 am meet in Ktm. office - store baggage and finalize plans, a quick breakfast then we drive to Dolalghat i.e. put-in-point of Sun Koshi. The drive is spectacular with magnificent view of the Himalayan Ranges on a clear day. Upon arrival at sun kosi (Dolalghat), we unload gears, lunch will be served and a full safety briefing will be given by your expedition leader. The first and second days are easy paddling. The big rapid you will encounter on that day is a class 4+ rapid called "Rotten Cave". We will choose our beach campsite, where dinner will be served amidst the splendor of the star filled sky.

Day Highlights

Have breakfast, pack up the gear, and start rolling down the river. Today you will encounter a big class 4+ rapid called “Meat grinder". It is a fairly straight run down the center, avoiding holes left and right. A few meters below here the Tamba Kosi River joins the Sun Kosi on the left with a beach on the confluence. There is another beautiful Shiva temple overlooking the two rivers. We stay overnight in the camp here.

Day Highlights

Today a few kms below the confluence of the Likhu Khola is a short, class 3+ rapid. Pre-Anxiety soon followed by a long class 4 rapid High Anxiety, with a large hole on the left halfway down, and a series of holes at the bottom. Float a while and then camp.

Day Highlights

This day starts with several class 3+ rapids, then a quick stop for buying food and maybe beer. Then prepare for a big and interesting one Harkapur 2 and 3, the hardest rapids on the river, which should be carefully scouted. Camp at tented.

Day Highlights

Some km below Harkapur, Dudh Kosi River joins the Sun Kosi from the left. Below here the river widens into an arid area of gravel. You meet some small rapids and will teach you into another aptly named rapid called 'Jaws'.Camp at tented.

Day Highlights

Today is a hard day as you will be encounter most of the grade 4+ rapids - you are straight into a good exciting rapid "Rhino Rock" which is a grade 4+, followed by "Jungle Corridor", a kilometer of continuous white water. Waterfalls cascade on both sides of the river. One waterfall makes a great spot for a team shower. Camp at tented.

Day Highlights

Last few days are mainly wave trains, and if you are interested you can try kayaking where our experts will teach you the basic skills needed to maneuver the boats or learn the Eskimo roll. Camp at tented.

Day Highlights

The last stretch of river which brings you to the last class 4+ Big Dipper is a series of huge standing waves. A few kilometer later, big Arun and Tamur Rivers join together to form the Sapta Kosi. Then as you float along on the powerful current, the hills dramatically give way to totally flat Terai and the northern plains of India. This is the end of a classic and memorable river journey. We will finish our trip around 2 pm, pack the gear, and then drive back to Kathmandu around 4 pm from Chattra. This takes around 13/14 hours.

Day Highlights
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Included

Sun Koshi River Rafting Cost Details

Includes

  • Transport for the trip.
  • All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner).
  • Guide and safety crew.
  • All rafting equipment.
  • Your leader is carrying a basic first aid kit.
  • Accommodation in a twin-sharing tent for more than one day.

Excludes

  • Travel and equipment insurance.
  • Personal clothing and equipment.
  • Personal expenditure,
  • Optional trips. Charges incurred as a result of delays beyond our control.
  • Tips for the crew.
  • Group dinner after the trip.
Availability

Departure Dates

Except for the fixed departure date, we have every day departure according to your requirements.

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Good to Know

Essential Information

If you wish to stay longer, we can offer plenty of suggestions: mountain biking in the Kathmandu valley, wildlife Safari, Bungee Jump, Hotel Booking, an Everest view flight, a trip out to Bhaktapur or Patan, the Kathmandu valley's other historic cities, or a night at the Fort Hotel in Nagarkot for a bit of luxury and some worth able sunset and sunrise mountain panoramas. We help to arrange any of these excursions for you. Namaste and see you during your next trip to the Nepal Himalayas!