Bhotekoshi and Balephi Rafting

  • 22 km
  • Kathmandu/ Kathmandu
  • II-III+
  • March-May, October- November
  • 2 days

Why You'll Love the Bhotekoshi and Balephi Rafting

  • A short trip close to the Kathmandu valley and packed with adrenaline-pumping adventure.
  • Raft on one of Nepal’s steepest rafting rivers, the Bhote Koshi, and the lesser-known but adventurous Balephi River.
  • Clash head-on with powerful Class II and III+ whitewater rapids and rocky boulders.
  • Get spectacular views of the Himalayan and hilly foothills, picturesque villages, and terrace farms.
  • Camp out in a quality tent overnight on a sandy Sukute Holiday Beach Resort.
Bhotekoshi Rafting

Bhotekoshi and Balephi Rafting Overview

Experience the best rafting adventure in Nepal with Bhote Koshi and Balephi rafting. Enjoy a two-day adventure with Raft Trek Nepal, accompanied by experienced and certified rafting guides, ensuring safety and excitement through the Class III and III+ rapids. The trip offers adrenaline-filled whitewater rafting with scenic views of Nepal’s charming countryside.

This trip combines one of Nepal’s most popular rafting destinations, the Bhote Koshi River rafting, with the hidden rafting gem, the Balephi River. It is a perfect venture for those who are tight on schedule but want to experience exhilarating adventure. The Bhote Koshi River originates from the Tibetan plateau and is famous for its intense and steepest river white water rafting. Meanwhile, the Balephi River is part of the larger Koshi River system with challenging rapids. Combine them both and you get one of the most heart-pounding whitewater Nepal rafting expeditions.

On this trip, you will visit exciting destinations such as Sukute, Bhote Koshi, Jalbirey, Khadichaur, and Balephi. These locations offer excitement and serene beauty, energizing you to the fullest. With our experienced and certified guides and the fantastic team at Raft Trek Nepal, we ensure proper hospitality and safety. Whether you are a first-time rafter testing the waters or an experienced one with a thirst for epic thrills, the Bhote Koshi and Balephi Rafting trip is a perfect venture for you!

Bhotekoshi Rafting

Detailed Itinerary of Bhotekoshi and Balephi Rafting

DAY 1 : Departing from Kathmandu and Rafting the Bhotekoshi River

We will depart from your hotel at 7 AM sharp and drive to Sukute. It is a scenic three-hour drive along the Arniko Highway. We will drive to our campsite at the Sukute Holiday Beach Resort. Upon arrival, the resort will welcome you with drinks. You will have a short break to enjoy your drinks and rest. Then, we will hop on our vehicle again and drive to our rafting start point.

Khadichaur is the starting point of our rafting. It is about a 25-minute drive from Sukute. We will equip you with safety gear (PFDs, helmets, paddles) and provide a rafting safety briefing. The briefing takes around 20 minutes, and then we will hop on the raft and begin our adventure. We will raft through challenging Class III and III+ whitewater rapids. Similarly, we will pass through narrow canyons and rich vegetation during the intense and thrilling rafting. The current will carry us to Sukute, and we will disembark at the Sukute Holiday Beach Resort, our stop for the night.

After the adrenaline-filled rafting down the Bhote Koshi River, you will have lunch at the resort. The lunch menu will include sandwiches, green salad, tuna salad, mayo salad, Tang juice, and mineral water. Then, you will have free time to relax, swim, or explore the resort area. At 5 PM, we will crack an evening campfire. You can enjoy tea, coffee, popcorn, and shrimp crackers while relaxing by the fire. Similarly, you can also share your experience with others.

A traditional Nepali Dal Bhat will be served for dinner, with both vegetarian and non-vegetarian (chicken) options. The meal will include rice, lentil soup (dal), vegetables, and meat for non-veg guests. You will sleep in quality tents at the resort’s campsite overnight. You can enjoy stargazing while enjoying the sound of the river in the background.

DAY 2 : Rafting at Balephi River and Return to Kathmandu

It is another exciting rafting day. Your morning tea and coffee will be served at 7 AM, and you will have breakfast at 8 AM. For breakfast, you will have bread, jam, honey, hard-boiled eggs, and chips. We will depart Sukute Holiday Beach Resort at 10 AM and head towards Balephi for our second rafting phase. It takes a 1.5-hour drive on an off-road to reach Jalbirey, the starting point of our rafting.

You will gear up, and then, we will get on the raft and begin paddling. The current is slightly calmer than the Bhote Koshi River, but we will still paddle through Class III+ rapids. Along the way, we will catch sight of rural villages and wild landscapes.

We will get off at a local spot near the Balephi River and stop for lunch. The menu will include fried pasta, bread, lemon salad, cheese, grilled chicken, seasonal fruit, Tang juice, and green salad. After lunch, we will resume rafting and eventually arrive back at the campsite at Sukute. You will have time to wash up and enjoy tea or coffee. Then, we will pack and drive back to Kathmandu. The action-packed rafting trip will conclude upon arriving at your accommodation.

What is Included

  • Professional English-speaking, licensed guides
  • Certified safety kayakers
  • Quality rafting gear: boats, helmets, paddles, PFDs
  • Two-way transportation
  • Meals: Lunch, dinner, and breakfast
  • River permits
  • First aid kits
  • Team photos and videos

What is not included

  • Visas, flights, and other taxes
  • Personal items: toiletries, clothing, camera, etc.
  • Alcohol and other packaged food
  • Insurance policy: paddlers need their own insurance; we only provide insurance for our crew
  • Tips for guides

What To Bring

  • Shorts or ½ pants
  • Sport sandals
  • Quick-drying shirts
  • Swimwear
  • Warm layers (fleece, trousers)
  • Towel and toiletries
  • Sunscreen
  • Sunglasses
  • Camera
  • Water bottles
  • Some cash

Bhote Koshi And Balephi Rafting Adventure

The Bhote Koshi and Balephi rafting is truly an ultimate adventure that is suitable for anyone looking for an intense outdoor activity. It is just a two-day trip close to the capital city, Kathmandu. The Bhote Koshi River is famous among seasoned rafters for its challenging rapids with narrow channels and powerful drops. It is perfect for quenching your thirst for an adrenaline rush. On the other hand, the moderate rapids of Balephi offer a calmer and more playful rafting experience. It is the best river for a short rafting trip. You will navigate through narrow canyons while enjoying the scenic views. Similarly, you will also get to enjoy views of spectacular Himalayan, lush forests, and picturesque villages with terrace fields. The trip also includes an overnight stay in a tent, enjoying a campfire and the serene atmosphere.

What To Expect During The Bhote Koshi And Balephi Rafting?

Thrilling whitewater rapids

Prepare to paddle through fast-moving and intense currents with steep drops at the Bhote Koshi River. You will come across Class III+ rapids. Likewise, you will raft through moderate but powerful rapids like “The Wall” and “Roller Coaster” in the Balephi River. While overcoming these thrilling whitewater rapids, you will also navigate narrow canyons and rocky boulders. So, expect an exhilarating rafting experience during the Bhote Koshi and Balephi Rafting trip.

Spectacular scenery

As you paddle through intense and fast-paced rapids, you will also enjoy spectacular scenery. Both the Bhote Koshi and Balephi Rivers flow through rural landscapes, lush forests, waterfalls, and cliffs. Similarly, you will also pass by small villages, terrace farms, and green valleys. You may also catch a glimpse of the Himalayas at a distance. Therefore, you will witness the beautiful green hillsides and the natural beauty of rural Nepal as you raft down Bhote Koshi and Balephi Rivers.

Fun and memorable experience

With the Bhote Koshi and Balephi Rafting trip, expect an amazing and memorable experience. If you are taking the trip with your family or friends, you will have an amazing opportunity to bond and create lifelong memories. Likewise, if you are taking it with other fellow adventurers, you may get a chance to create new friendships. While bouncing and paddling through the rapids, you will be filled with a continuous adrenaline rush and action-packed fun. The experience will stay with you for a long time, even after the completion of the two-day trip.

Cultural insights

The Bhote Koshi and Balephi Rafting is not just about adventure and scenery, but it also offers cultural insights. You will pass by several traditional villages and terrace farms. You may also see locals fishing on the riverbanks or working on the farms. Similarly, you may come across stupas, temples, or stone carvings along the riverbanks. The river has spiritual significance in Nepalese culture, so you also witness locals performing rituals at the riverbanks. So, expect to get a glimpse of the local lifestyle and culture during the rafting trip.

Frequently Asked Questions About Bhotekoshi And Balephi Rafting