Sun
Koshi river is a river of Gold. It is one of the top ten rivers
of the world for white water rafting. It is one of the most enjoyable
river in the world. Sun Koshi is a watershed for most of Eastern
Nepal and flows through valleys in Mahabharat range. The river flows
towards east through Mahabharat range. The river gains strength
from many glaciers fed tributaries on its way. This is a large volume
river where most of the major rapids are formed by Monsoon debris
brought in by side streams, and loose rock fall. Hence these rapids
change from year to year.
The lower section of the river is a large volume river and is usually
flat. The surroundings are heavily forested. The trip provides opportunity
to look for 250 different species of orchids and River chats, dippers,
flycatcher, tibias, wall creepers, bulbuls, fork tales, ibis bills
are a few of the almost 400 species of birds available around the
basin. There is a famous Hindu Pilgrimage known as Barah Chhetra
near Tribenighat.
The rafting
put-in point is Dolalghat, a three hours drive from kathmandu, and
put-out point is at Chatara. Chatara is well connected by high ways.
The estimated distance between these two points are 272 Km. Everyday
5 hours paddling on the river except first & last day make 7
days on the river. There are no roads and towns between put-in and
put-out points. There are only picturesque villages, friendly people
and a few places to stock up on beers and cigarettes. All along
the river are beautiful white sandy beaches for camping.
Sun Koshi starts
off fairly relaxed, with small class two rapids & small class
three rapids to warm up on during the 1st couple of days. The rapids
of grade 5 are countered in later days.
Itinerary
Day
01
Drive
to Dolalghat; Lunch; warm up exercise, rafting, and stay in a camp
in Kuhebhir; Grade: 2 - 3
Day 02
After breakfast
rafting, lunch in between, and stay in a camp in Nabalpur; Grade:
3 - 4
Day 03
After breakfast
rafting, lunch in between, and stay in a camp in Raighat; Grade: 3
- 4
Day 04
After breakfast
rafting, lunch in between, and stay in a camp in Rashuwaghat; Grade:
5
Day 05
After breakfast
rafting, lunch in between, and stay in a camp in Ranitar; Grade: 5
Day 06
After breakfast
rafting, lunch in between, and stay in a camp in Tribeni; Grade:4
- 5
Day
07
After breakfast
rafting till put out point at Chatara; Grade: 2; Lunch, Evening: Drive
to Kathmandu or any other destination like Chitwan, Pokhara, etc.
Day 08
Arrive Kathmandu
at morning, hotel transfer and rest
Remark
1. Grade: 4+
2. Put
in point: Dolalghat
3. Put out point: Chatara
Date
of fixed departure from Kathmandu for Autumn 2008: to be published