The River of Gold – Sun Koshi
This is the longest river trip offered in Nepal, traversing 270 kms through the beautiful Mahabharat Range on its meandering way from the put-in point at Dolalghat to the take-out point at Chatara, far down on the Gangetic Plain. It is quite an experience to begin a river trip just 3 hours out of Kathmandu, barely 60 kms from the Tibet border, and end the trip looking down the hot, dusty gun barrel of the North Indian plain just a week later.
With in a short span or 9 days, you come in close contact with Nepal’s natural beauty, people, culture, wildlife and its rivers, its simply magic, an experience you shall be glad you took. En route to the Chatara you come across many ethnic groups, each unique and colorful as relatively more Rais, Limbus and Newar are seen in this area. In this trip you have 250 different species of orchids to look for. River chats, dippers, flycatcher, wall creepers, bulbuls, fork tales are a few of the almost 400 species of birds available around the basin.
Sunkoshi is an unpredictable river, it has its own moods, serene, calm and tranquil one moment, wile and turbulent the next, always changing, always challenging, the ultimate in the river adventure. So, Sun Koshi is famous in rafting circles, and with good reason.
The Sun Koshi starts off fairly relaxed with class II and small class III rapids to warm up during the first couple of days. Savvy guides will take this opportunity to get the teams to work with exquisite precision as on the third day, the rapids become more powerful and frequent with high water trips. One can be astonished at just how big a wave in the river can get. While the lower sections of large volume rivers are usually rather flat, the Sun Koshi reserves some of its biggest and best rapids for the last days. At the right flow, it is an incredible combination of powerful whitewater, stunning scenery, villages and truly quiet and introspective evenings along what many people consider to be one of the world’s ten classic river journeys.
Things to bring:
T-shirt, swim wear for on the river, warm clothing for the evenings, fleece or a pullover.
Sunscreen and lip protector, Sunglasses (with retaining device) and/or a cap
Towel and Toiletries (environmentally friendly is best), Personal medication
Flashlight, Footwear, Reading book, fishing hook if you do fishing.
Care of Environment
The care of environment is our prime concern responsibility to protect the wildness resources of Nepal for future generation. We practice and follow minimum impact polices on our every outdoor journey- by using gas or kerosene as a cooking fuel instead of local firewood. Moreover by disposing and cleaning both biodegradable and non-degradable properly from the campsite.
A Short Note:
This program is only for guidelines, so we can personalize this itinerary as per your requirements. For more information write us to:Explore Nepal
Day 01 – Dolalghat – Khalte Chayenpur: After three-hour drive from Kathmandu to Dolalghat expedition starting point on the Sun Koshi River. After the usual briefing and preparations, the trip is on. The river looks deceitfully peaceful and lazy and soon local villagers are encountered. Lunch stop is at a lovely sandy beach. One of the rapids encountered along the way on the first day is Kooyeh Bhir. There are villages and temples on the way until campsite is reached a few kilometers above rapid Meat Grinder. While some opt to help the crew to pitch up tents, others can spend time exploring the surroundings.
Day 02 – Khalte Chayenpur – Likhu Khola: Have breakfast and pack up gear and start rolling down the river lies the first Class III rapid, Meat Grinder. The path to choose is straight through the middle avoiding holes on either side. A few kilometers down and the confluence of the Tama Koshi or “River of Copper” and Sun Koshi are encountered. After a lunch stop, there is ample time to explore the landscape and see different ethnic groups along the river. The second camp is set up above the rapid Punch and Judy. The day ends with a dinner by campfire.
Day 03 – Likhu Khola – Harkapur: The valley here is always changing in terms of its width. At Bat Cave, the crew takes the rapid seriously. The size of the rapids on this river can surprise you. It is time to stop and scout and eventually decide on the most exciting route through. Here people of the ethnic group called Newars always wait to see the adventurers pass by. Floating down after lunch, the water splashes across the boat but the waves are no threat. Later, a nice stretch of sandy beach is chosen for the campsite. The monsoon floods deposit large amounts of white sand which seem ideally made for camping.
Day 04 – Harkapur – Rasuwa Ghat: Today, a number of small to medium sized rapids are encountered. A few kilometers below the confluence of the Likhu Khola a long Class IV rapid named Likhu Rapid is encountered. Soon after lunch the ride takes one across interesting rock formations on the walls. The white water gets more exciting and the day ends at a campsite near a small village called Harkapur. For a change it is possible to visit a local tea shop and even shop for wares. Camp there.
Day 05 – Rasuwa Ghat – Jungle Corridor: Some kilometer below Harkapur, Sun Khosi meets Dudh Kosi, there the river widens into an arid area of gravel, the river valley broadens to almost 2 kilometers across. In the afternoon run, a number of small rapids are crossed on the way. The next stop is near Rasuwa Khola and we camp there.
Day 06 – Jungle Corridor – Big Dipper: A hard day with full of thrills as there are many rapids to face. Starting with small rapids, they get progressively bigger and longer. One of these is Jaws, a challenge with a huge hole at certain levels. Even the smaller ones are fun and the afternoon is full of them until Rhino Rock, a Class III rapid is encountered. This lies just above the next bridge and heralds the beginning of the “Jungle Corridor”. It is then time to halt for the night and set up camp.
Day 07 – Big Dipper – Tribeni Dovan: The gorge forces the water to flow through a narrow opening which is thickly forested. Along the way are a succession of rapids such as Cooper Chin and Black Hole, etc. Today there is an opportunity to shower under some waterfalls, an invigorating experience. As the gorge is maneuvered, rapidly changing scenery unfolds. Camp for the night is set up near a waterfall that drops down from a height of four hundred feet. This site is a few kilometers from the last major rapid, the Big Dipper.
Day 08 – Tribeni Dovan – Chatara: Today, everyone is looking forward to the Big Dipper. This rapid is a series of standing waves with holes that can create quite a bit of trouble. This must be inspected carefully and the right strategy adopted to tackle it. Soon the waters ease out and the afternoon float is enjoyable. There are many spectacles today; watching cremations, logging of bamboos or people being ferried across in dugouts. This region has a strong presence of the Rais and Limbus who are collectively known as Kirants, descendants of ancient rulers of Kathmandu valley. The confluence of the three main rivers of eastern Nepal: Arun, Tamur and Sun Koshi is a good camping spot. The river then becomes part of the Sapta Koshi (the Seven Koshis).
Day 09 – Chatara – Kathmandu: The last day on the river starts with a visit to the popular Hindu temple at Barah Chhetra below Tribenighat, which is the meeting place of the three rivers. Full moon here in January brings thousands of Hindus who come to worship at the temple. The pilgrims arrive to celebrate Lord Vishnu’s victory over a legendary Demon. After lunch on the beach, the fabulous Sun Koshi river trip ends at Chatara and the drive back begins with fond memories of the nine-day journey through gorges and challenging rapids. About 2 pm we leave for Kathmandu.
Trip Cost Includes
Free airport – hotel – airport pick and drop off.
All ground transportation and experienced adventure guide with safety assistant.
Meals, Western and continental food (breakfast, lunch, dinner) during your rafting trip.
River Permit, Camping Gear, Safety Kayak, First aid kid box
Necessary equipment as high quality self-bailing rafts, lifejackets, helmets, plastic paddles, wetsuits (only during the winter) on certain rivers, dry bag for gear, camera barrels and all safety and medical equipment
Necessary Staffs (Guide, Helpers, Cook etc)
Tented accommodation in beautiful river beach with camp fire.
Food, accommodation, insurance for all staff and their transportation
Expedition elements include professional guides and leadership
Trip Cost Excludes
All bar bills, beverages such as mineral water, coke fanta etc.
Hotel accommodations and meals at if you stay anywhere at the hotel during whole trip
Emergency evacuation, internet, phone calls, things of personal use.
Your insurance, tips and gratitude for your guide and assistants.
Trip Duration | 9 Days |
Grade | Streneous |
Grouip size | Min 4 Pax |
Best Season | September – May |
Accommodation | Camping |
Transportation | Tourist Bus, Car or Van |
Departure Point | Kathmandu |
River Start Point | Dolalghat |
River End Point | Chatara |
River Distance | 272 Km |
Outward Travel Time | 4 Hours |
River Grade | IV |
Trip Cost | US $ 390 |
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