Sunkoshi - The Gold Hunt
8-10 days, Grade 4-5

The sheer volume and intensity of the rapids as well as the cultural experience makes the Sun Kosi one of the ten classic rafting rivers in the world. With 270 km's of large volume rapids and huge sandy beaches, the Sun Kosi is similar in nature to the Grand Canyon in Colorado. The rapids naturally progress as the Sun Kosi winds its way through the beautiful Mahabharata Range, collecting tributaries from the highest mountains in the world, ranging across eastern Nepal. It is an excellent choice for someone doing a first river trip in Nepal. The river winds past Hindu temples, villages and jungles, emerging from the hills at Chatara to see the vast Gangetic plain stretching endlessly ahead in a moment where legend stirs your soul. Is It For Me? This is a true wilderness expedition. Suitable for both novice experienced rafters, this river builds in intensity gradually allowing you to hone your skills as you go.

Itinerary 08 days

Day 01: Drive from Kathmandu to Dolaghat and rafting to Dovantar and camp here.
Day 02: Rafting to Tribeni and camp here.
Day 03: Rafting to Likhu village and camp here.
Day 04: Rafting to Rai Ghat and camp here.
Day 05: Rafting to Ranitar and camp here.
Day 06: Rafting to Barhachhetra and camp here.
Day 07: Rafting to Tribeni and camp here.
Day 08: Rafting to Chatar and then drive or fly back to Kathmandu. 

Itinerary 09 days

Day 01: Drive from Kathmandu to Dolaghat and raft to Taramg Gaon, Timal Bensi Camp.
Day 02: Raft Timal Bensi to Roshi Khola near Dunja Village.
Day 03: Raft from Dunja Village to the village of Khurkot
Day 04: Raft from Khurkot to Oxbox Section beach.
Day 05: Raft from Oxbox Section to the confluence of Dudh Koshi.
Day 06: Raft from the junction of Dudh Koshi to Rasuwa Khola.
Day 07: Raft to broad beach bordered by a 400 ft high waterfall or Kampu Ghat.
Day 08: Raft to Tribenighat, where the Arun and Tamur join the Sun Kosi.
Day 09: Raft to Chatara, end of the rafting. Drive or fly back to Kathmandu.  

Itinerary 03:

Day 01: Early morning drive to Balephi (65 Km), Start rafting from Balephi & Raft up to Dolalghat. Early in the morning you drive through 65 km route for 3 hours to get to Balephi, our raft put in point. After arriving at Balephi, lunch is served. Prior to rafting all the concerned details are thoroughly briefed out and then equipped with appropriate gear you venture into rafting journey piloted by expert river guide. Paddling along the rhythm of river amid the picturesque landscape, exquisite wilderness and panorama of majestic hills, we head towards Dolalghat. On reaching Dolalghat, you witness terraced fields and traditional Nepali houses perched on the hillsides and slopes. This glorious adventure concludes for the day with camping at a superb site in Dolalghat.

Day 02: Raft from Dolalghat to Pucharghat.You continue rafting against thrashing rapids. By the time this exhilarating river ride meanders against class IV ‘No exit’ and ‘Meatgrinder’ rapids towards Pucharghat, it becomes much easier to control the fast-paced whitewater run. Pristine Tamang villages zoom out into picture. Eventually, after hours of succumbing to unparalled rafting challenges you camp at Pucharghat.

Day 03: Raft from Pucharghat to Dhani Ghat. As the rafting trip advances further, you get more familiarized with the topology of Sun Kosi river. Besides rendezvous with exhilarating scenic rapids, breathtaking scenery and ethno-cultural heritages are the other attractive prospects that make your journey so very enriching, memorable and satisfying. You also enter the confluence of the Likhu Khola. Finally, you camp at Dhani Ghat.

Day 04: Raft from Dhani Ghat to Harkapur. The river trip meets a series of whitewater rapids with various intensities at regular intervals. You encounter amazing boulder-strewn whitewater bonanza! On rafting towards Harkapur, you struggle against class III rapids. The trip gets more challenging and threatening as torrential rapids transforms into V class rapids. Expertise of river guide coupled with extreme precaution and safety measures play key roles at this point. After fun-filled adventurous rafting trip, you camp at Harkapur.

Day 05: Drive from Harkapur to Raighat. Rafting past Harkapur has us encounter with IV class rapids as you enter the confluence of the Dudhkoshi River. Amidst the exotic eco-system and natural vistas, the river widens below the Dudhkoshi and flow through a broad valley after mellowing down. In comparison to Sun Kosi, Dudhkoshi is much colder. After having maneuvered through awesome rapids like Rapid Punch, Juddy, High anxiety, Motorcycle, Harkapur 1, Harkapur 2 and Harkapur 3, you eventually reach Raighat where we set a camp.

Day 06: Rest day. You set aside this day for complete mental and physical rest. After proper rest, you can explore the areas around the campsite. You can even have beauty of nature evidenced in our picturesque snapshots. Viewing the most blissful sight of mesmerizing Mt. Everest is another visual treat sprawled before us.

Day 07: Raft from Raighat to Raswaghat. Fighting against rapids like Jaws and Dead Man’s Eddy, you raft past a suspension bridge and a huge eddy. Your heart palpitates with adventure spirit as you paddle ahead for more challenging whitewater rafting. Exotic wilderness and nature remain our witnesses all through this thrilling river trip. Your river guide provides you informative tidbits from time and again. You conclude the trip of the day by lastly camping at Raswaghat.

 Day 08: Raft from Raswaghat to Riverghat. Making your way through wild verdant vegetation, rock-strewn cliff and house-sized boulders, you bounce and splash against the untamed river. Further ahead, you encounter continuous white water with rapids like Rhino Rocks and Jungle Corridor. You will be treated with awesome view of exotic wilderness, pristine hamlets and picturesque landscape. As you reach near Riverghat, you look out for a suitable campsite.

Day 09: Raft from Riverghat to Ranitar. As the untamed river cuts against the rocky banks, crash into rocks and crevices breaking into foaming white water rapids, you position the raft securely abiding the instructions of your river guide. Enjoying the stunning scenery, you white water raft through narrow canyons and furious rapids like Chamereghat and Darsandhungat. After arriving at Ranitar, you put a halt to the trip for the day and camp at a fantastic location.

Day 10: Chatara, Pick up and Drive to Biratnagar. Departing from Ranitar, you paddle along imperial rapid, Big dipper. Soon after discovering enchanting waterfalls and paradisiacal side canyons, you enter Tribeni Ghat, the confluence of river Arun, Tamur and beginning of the Sapta Kosi river. Holding onto the cherishing memories of the trip, you bid farewell to our rafting journey after arriving at Chatara. There is a Barahi temple lying in the vicinity of Chatara. You can visit this temple to pay your homage to lord Vishnu. Thereafter, you drive to Biratnagar.

Best time to Raft : There are two rafting seasons. The best season is September following the monsoon and extending through October, November and sometimes early December. The second season follows the spring thaw from March to May, the best water being in April/ May. Combine the Marshyangdi or the Kali Gandaki with any of our treks in the Annapurna Region If you are short of time we can arrange an airfare back from Pokhara to Kathmandu (or vice- versa). Keen to see a tiger? Add on a jungle safari to Royal Chitwan or Bardia National Park.