Rafting the Bhote Kosi River in Nepal

We just returned last night from a 2 day white water rafting trip on Nepal's steepest river, the Bhote Kosi. Our starting point on the river was only 16km from the Tibetan border and 3 hours (by bus) North West of Kathmandu. The first day was good fun learning the skills we needed and paddling a 3 hour stretch of river with mostly class 3 rapids and small flat sections of water between white water sections. We had a great group of people in our group (Brit's, Canadians, Germans and Nepali's) and the food they served up on the riverside was lovely. The Nepali run rafting company was very professional and keen to make sure we were absolutely comfortable and having a great time. Their property where we stayed over-night was an absolute surprise and treat! Located in the mountains along side the Bhote Kosi river, it was like a paradise retreat. The rhododendron and bougainvillea floral bushes were out in full bloom and lined the slated pathways throughout the property. The buildings had beautiful thatched roofs and reminded us more of a luxury resort you might see in Fiji or Hawaii! We slept in a 'Safari' tent right next to the river, which was a large canvas, semi- permanent tent that was all set-up for us and even had beds and blankets! I should mention they were the best beds we've slept in yet on our trip!


The second day of rafting started right with a bang on a section of very exciting rapids. We bravely took the two front seats on the raft and were subsequently completely soaked by waves of water within seconds of being on the river!!! We kept hitting rapids after rapids all morning and our rafting guide expertly navigated us through the Class 3 + 4 rapids safely, while providing the maximum adrenaline. We were bounced around in the river, had waves of water dumped on us, fell down small shoots and drops and loved every second of it, even the bits where we were sure we would flip the raft, but didn't!! We even surfed a massive river wave going upstream!!! All very exciting! In the small sections of calmer water, we had time to take in the scenery we were passing through. The landscape along the river generally had steep hills going up on both sides, with various types of deciduous and palm trees. The land was often terraced for growing various crops and we could see people laboriously working away as we floated by. We are now in the driest time of year here, right before the monsoons which come in June, so there were only a few waterfalls, but those we saw, were lovely nonetheless. We floated past numerous small villages which had homes precariously built on stilts along the riverside banks. Many children were playing in the calmer pools in the river just horsing around carefree with their friends and also staring at us in wonder. The children would wave and cheer us along, saying simply 'Namaste' or 'Hello' or in Nepali shouting words of encouragement like ' Good Luck' or our personal favourite ' Quirry' which is Nepali for 'wild adventure people'. After a long, sunny, exciting day of rafting, we headed back along the steep and scenic, winding road back to Kathmandu and met up with our friends back at our guest house for a lovely, well earned meal.

New photos located in the Nepal link above.

Namaste! steff and justin