Tamur River Expedition

  • 131 kilometers.
  • 2 people at least.
  • Kathmandu/ Kathmandu
  • Class IV-V
  • October to December and March to May.
  • 13 Days

Tamur River Rafting Highlights

  • Experience an intense rafting experience on over 120 high-volume white water rapids of the Tamur River and relaxing kayaking.
  • Get a chance to explore the true Himalayan wilderness away from busy trails.
  • Trek through the dense subtropical forests, valleys, waterfalls, and gorges.
  • Camp on peaceful riverside beaches, enjoying campfires and gazing at starlit skies.
  • Take a glimpse at the local indigenous communities’ culture and lifestyle.

About Tamur River Expedition

The Tamur River Expedition is an exhilarating combination of adventure and natural beauty in the pristine wilderness of Nepal. Flowing with intense rapids amidst untouched nature, diverse wildlife, and stunning landscapes, the Tamur River truly lives up to its name as the “Jewel of the East.” The expedition is an unforgettable experience for rafting and kayaking enthusiasts, blending with challenging whitewater rapids and breathtaking scenery. It is also a perfect trekking and rafting trip.

Tamur River flows directly from Mount Kanchenjunga, the third-highest mountain in the world. It joins the Sun Koshi and Arun Rivers to form the largest river system in the country, the Sapta Koshi River. The Tamur River Expedition was first opened in 1990. Its intense and continuous rapids have captured the attention of many thrill-seekers, but still remain largely unexplored. The multi-day expedition is the perfect blend of rafting, kayaking, and four days of trekking through the diverse landscapes of Eastern Nepal. Be a part of an authentic travel experience and an unparalleled adrenaline surge with the Tamur River Expedition!

13 Days Tamur River Expedition Itinerary

Day 0: Arrival in Kathmandu

You begin your journey when you arrive in Kathmandu (1400 m), the capital of Nepal. Upon landing at the Tribhuvan International Airport, the Raft Trek Nepal team will greet you and transfer you to your hotel. After rest, you will have an evening orientation session with our team. If your flight arrives late, we will schedule the orientation for the next day.

Day 1: Journey to Basantapur

On this day, you will have breakfast and then either take a flight to Biratnagar (80 m) from Kathmandu or drive to Basantapur (2200 m). It takes around 45 minutes to fly to Biratnagar, from where we will take you to Basantapur by bus.

You must let our personnel know at the time of booking the expedition if you want to fly to Biratnagar. They will make the transportation arrangements accordingly for your arrival at the second biggest city of Nepal.

Day 2: Basantapur to Chauki

You will officially start your trek from this day onwards. After breakfast at Basantapur, you will slowly begin trekking through dense rhododendron groves. En route, you will pass traditional Limbu villages and picturesque terrace farms. You will mostly trek on off-the-beaten pathways. On clear days, you can even catch a glimpse of the Makalu and Kanchenjunga ranges. After 4 to 5 hours of trekking, you will reach Chauki (2680 m), a small village on top of a ridge. You will stay overnight at a local tea house.

Day 3: Trek to Gupha Pokhari

From Chauki, you will again trek on the off-beaten route of the Tamur River. The trail mainly consists of forest paths, ridgelines, and alpine meadows. You will pass through lush subtropical rhododendron forests and pass by several traditional Rai and Limbu villages. It takes around 5 hours to get to Gupha Pokhari (2900 m), a beautiful high-altitude lake. You can also catch stunning views of the majestic Mount Everest. Gupha Pokhari is a sacred lake for Hindu and Buddhist people. There are only a handful of lodges around the area, so you will camp out overnight.

Day 4: Gupha Pokhari to Gorja

After breakfast at your campsite at Gupha Pokhari (2900 m), you will start trekking deeper into the hills. You will gradually ascend, but it is mostly steep downhill hiking through subtropical forests. Similarly, you will traverse traditional villages and get an insight into their rural lifestyle. You can also catch a glimpse of distant Himalayan peaks as you move towards Gorja (2200 m). The small village of Gorja sits in a quiet area and offers a gorgeous view of the surrounding hills. You will again camp out for the night.

Day 5: Trek to Dovan and Prepare for Rafting

Today is the final trek day for the Tamur River Expedition. You will start trekking down the confluence of the Tamur River. The trail begins to descend steeply through subtropical forests. As you get closer to the river, the spectacular view of the Tamur Valley opens up. The elevation also drops, and you will cross a few suspension bridges. It takes around 4 to 5 hours to reach Dovan (660 m), the starting point of the Tamur River Expedition. After reaching Dovan, you will camp at the riverside and rest for the day.

Day 6: Dovan to Kabeli Khola

Finally, today is the day you will have your first rafting experience on the Tamur River. Before you get geared up to get into the water for the much anticipated rafting expedition, our professional guide will provide you with safety briefings. Similarly, they will also introduce you to class III and IV rapids that you will tackle during this rafting expedition. If you have any queries, feel free to ask your guide about them.

You will kick-start the adventure from Dovan (660 m) and get deeper into Eastern Nepal. You will have no time to warm up as the intense current of the Tamur provides immediate action. The rapids are a mix of Class III and Class IV. You will face rapids like House Rock, Pariah Dog, and Hodson’s Sandwich. Tamur flows through dense forests, cliffs, waterfalls, and occasionally past sandy beaches. The day’s thrilling rafting will conclude after reaching the beach near the Kabeli River. You will camp out at the beach and enjoy a campfire in the evening. You can share your experience while enjoying the warm fire and stargazing.

Day 7: Kabeli Khola to Hinuwa Khola

You will continue with your whitewater action from Kabeli River to Hinuwa Khola today. The currents are powerful, and they have Class IV and IV+ rapids. You will raft through big waves, steep drops, and narrow chutes. Similarly, the river goes right through the subtropical forests and cliffs. It is a thrilling ride through the pure wilderness of the eastern region. You will come across a few calm spots, but the rapids are mostly continuous as you head down to Hinuwa Khola. Tonight, you will camp out at the riverside beach of Hinuwa Khola. The peaceful atmosphere is a great way to unwind after an adventurous day.

Day 8: Hinuwa Khola to Limbu Khola

The Tamur Rafting Expedition takes a relaxing pace today but with no shortage of excitement. You will raft from Hinuwa Khola to Limbu Khola, clashing with Class II and III rapids. The rapids are still strong and fast, with sharp bends and steep drop sections. You may also encounter a few boulder obstacles as you flow through forests and gorges. Likewise, you will also pass by picturesque waterfalls, cliffs, and canyons. The adventure ends at the Limbu Khola, and you will camp at its sandy beaches for the third night.

Day 9: Limbu Khola to Mulghat

It is another relaxing rafting day, flowing from Limbu Khola to Mulghat (203). You will mostly paddle through minor rapids, but the waves are long, strong, and continuous. There are a few steep drops and swift channels along the way. You will flow down the subtropical forests, gradually shifting into open valleys as you head downward. Likewise, you will also start seeing some villages and suspension bridges as you get closer to Mulghat. The exciting day ends upon reaching Mulghat, where you will camp overnight.

Day 10: Mulghat to Tribeni

Today, you will raft down another challenging stretch of the Tamur River Expedition. The whitewater adventure will get intense today. There are calmer upstream sections, but some sections have strong rapids and riffles. You will have to clash with class IV+ rapids like Asgram, Hell Hole, and Bat Below. The waterway takes you through thin subtropical forests, the Terai foothills, villages, and terrace farms. You will flow down to the confluence of the Tamur, Arun, and Sun Koshi Rivers, known as Tribeni. It is the perfect place to end your exhilarating rafting day. You will camp at the sandy Tribeni beaches, enjoying the scenic views and serene atmosphere.

Day 11: Raft to Chatara and Return to Kathmandu

Tribeni to Chatara is the final river stretch for our Tamur River Expedition. The water becomes calmer and wider as you gradually float to the Sapta Koshi River. You will pass by small settlements and river islands as you gently float. As you wind down the river, you will also catch a glimpse of the local life, living by the banks. You will raft to Baraha temple and then to Chatara. You will pack your gear and change. The town of Chatara is a lively place with local markets and eateries.

From Chatara, you will head back to Kathmandu by either roadway or airway. If you take a roadway, you will drive from Chatara to Itahari and then to Kathmandu. To fly back to the capital, you must drive for an hour to Biratnagar and then get on the flight.

Day 12: Rest and Explore Kathmandu

Today is reserved as a rest day in Kathmandu. After the exhilarating adventure, it is a well-deserved rest day. You can explore around the capital city and its tourist attractions. Similarly, you can explore the vibrant alleys of Thamel and shop for souvenirs. We will host a farewell dinner in a traditional Nepali restaurant in the evening. You can speak of your experience and provide feedback if you have any. After dinner, you can again explore and enjoy Kathmandu’s nightlife to your heart’s content. the last day, you will take a well-deserved break. Spend your day exploring cultural landmarks and the beauty of the capital. The day and your tour conclude with a farewell dinner at a traditional Nepali restaurant.

Day 13: Departure

It is time to say goodbye. Our representative will drop you off at the Tribhuvan International Airport. We hope you had a memorable time rafting down the roaring rapids of the Tamur River. For more epic adventures in Nepal, remember us at Raft Trek Nepal. Have a safe flight back home!

What’s Included in the Trip

  • Experienced rafting and kayaking guides
  • High-quality equipment for rafting and kayaking
  • All meals during the expedition
  • Accommodation in tents during the river journey
  • Local and private transport arrangements (minimum group of 6)
  • Required permits and entrance fees
  • First aid and safety equipment
  • Support staff and camping gear

What’s excluded from the trip

  • International and domestic airfare
  • Nepal visa fees and personal travel insurance (mandatory)
  • Personal expenses, including laundry and phone calls
  • Tips for guides and support staff
  • Meals and accommodation outside the expedition itinerary
  • Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks
  • Any other costs not listed in the inclusion section

Tamur River Expeditions Route

Our epic Tamur River Rafting and Kayaking Expedition begins with your arrival in Basantapur (2200 m). You can either fly or drive to Basantapur from Kathmandu (1400 m). From Basantapur, you will start your multi-day trek. For the first trek day, you will trek from Basantapur to Chauki (2680 m). The following day, you will trek from Chauki to Gupha Pokhari (2900 m). On the third day, you will trek to Gorja, followed by a trek to Dovan (660 m). During the trip, you will trek 4 to 5 hours for the initial four days from Basantapur to reach your destination.

Your rafting adventure begins from Dovan. You will battle the challenging whitewater rapids down to Kabeli Khola. It will give you a taste of the adventure that lies ahead. The next day, you will raft down to Hinwa Khola. As you float down the current, you will also witness the natural beauty and wilderness of the eastern region. The exhilarating river journey from Hinuwa Khola to Limbhu Khola is relatively relaxing. You will float down through minor rapids from Limbu Khola to Mulghat. However, the rapids will get challenging when you begin your raft from Mulghat to Tribeni.

Tribeni is the last challenging stretch for our Tamur River Expedition. From here, you will take a gentle raft tour to Barahi temple and then Chatara. The rafting and kayaking expedition ends here. You will then take a roadway or airway back to the capital city.

What Makes Tamur River Expeditions Differentiate?

The Tamur River Rafting and Kayaking Expedition is a unique opportunity to venture deep into the lesser-known territory of eastern Nepal. It combines trekking with the thrilling experience of a whitewater rafting trip. Only a few rivers can match the challenging rapids and pristine beauty of the Tamur River. With over 120 continuous rapids, the expedition is an exciting rafting experience, even for experienced rafters. The trek on the off-the-beaten trails also allows you to explore the diverse landscapes of Nepal.

You will be camping on white, sandy riverside beaches, which in itself is a unique experience to be part of. The Tamur River Rafting and Kayaking Expedition is less commercialized compared to other rafting destinations. Therefore, participants can enjoy a quiet journey and experience a real adrenaline-rushing adventure of whitewater in Nepal with the Tamur River Expedition.

Rafter Asked about Tamur River Expedition