The Sunkoshi is known in Nepal as the River of gold and is the longest river trip in Nepal traversing 270 km in length through the beautiful Mahabharata range. And begins after 3 hours’ drive from Kathmandu and is 60 km from the Tibet border. It is considered as the ideal river for long rafting as it meanders its way through the lovely and picturesque Mahabharata range of mountains. This all-encompassing trip takes you from the mountains near the Tibet border to the hot dusty Indian plains. This river begins its journey slowly allow the rafter to gain a feel for its ways before progressing through fantastic scenery and quite fine village as its intensity picks up and boast some of the biggest waves seen on raft able rivers. This trip is listed as one of the world’s top ten classic river journeys.
Day 01: Head for Rafting starting point
The day starts at 7. 30 as you drive to the put-in point at Dolalghat or Nepal Tar. Throughout the drive you are treated to wonderful views of the ancient city of Bhaktapur and magnificent view of the Himalayan ranges. Upon arrival at Dolalghat or Nepal tar you help unload the gear before lunch will be served and the expedition leader will give a full safety briefing. Then you hit the water with the first major rapid “MEATGRINDER”class 4-it’s a fairly straight run down the centre, avoiding holes left and right. A few meters below here the Tama Koshi River joins in the Sunkoshi from the left. Followed by a few km below the confluence of the Likhu Khola a short, class 3 rapid “pre- Anxiety” and this is followed by along class 4 rapid “High Anxiety with a large hole on the left halfway down and a series at the bottom. Float a while and camp at Khurkot.
Day 02: First full day on the river
The day begins with breakfast before hitting the river and several classes 4+ and 5 rapids in preparation for some harder ones later. The most interesting being Harkapur 2 and 3 which should always be carefully scouted first because it’s classed as one the top ten rapids of the world.
Day 03: Second day rafting
The day starts early in order to reach a few KM`s below Harkapur where the Dudh Koshi River joins in the Sunkoshi from the left. Here the river valley widens into an arid area of the gravel and rocks. Giving you the chance to raft exciting rapids followed by “Jaws”-quite a long rapid with a large rock on the bottom right that forms a huge hole at certain levels
Day 04: 4+rapids all day
Today you will hit mostly 4+ rapids you go straight into good the exciting rapid “rhino Rock “followed by “Jungle Corridor” a kilometre of continuous white water. Then at the end of this long length of rapids it gets a little easier before stopping for the evening.
Day 05, 06 & 07: Experience Rafting in Nepal
The last few days are known as wave trains giving you chance to enjoy the river. In these days you can try to upset the raft (giving you chance to experience river rescue) go kayaking and swimming. With the last day of our expedition, brings you to the last major rapid class 4+ “Big Dipper a series of huge standing waves, an exciting climax. A few km farther down and the Arun river emerges from the left with the Tamur River immediately after from the right to become the Sapta Koshi (Seven rivers). From here you float on the current under the new suspension bridge that swoops high over the river before entering dramatically the totally flat Terai and the northern plains of India, this is the end of a classic and memorable river journey. You finish the trip at Chatara; pack the gear and then drive back to Kathmandu, Royal Chit wan National Park or Pokhara.