You'll wild camp on white sand beaches on the riverside. Your host will provide you with camping equipment, including toilet tents, shelters, mattresses, sleeping bags, tarps and tents, but if you'd rather bring your own gear, feel free! There's no electricity or wifi along the route, so solar charges are recommended to keep your camera batteries going. You can, however, get mobile signal for the majority of the trip.
Tents are allocated on a twin share basis but if you're travelling solo then your host if happy to provide you with your own solo tent on request.

Wild camping on the beach of the Sun Kosi river, Nepal

Sun Kosi River

You'll wild camp on white sand beaches on the riverside. Your host will provide you with camping equipment, including toilet tents, shelters, mattresses, sleeping bags, tarps and tents, but if you'd rather bring your own gear, feel free! There's no electricity or wifi along the route, so solar charges are recommended to keep your camera batteries going. You can, however, get mobile signal for the majority of the trip.

Tents are allocated on a twin share basis but if you're travelling solo then your host if happy to provide you with your own solo tent on request. 

If your trip is cancelled due to Covid choose from free date changes, account credit, or a full refund.

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Your money is safe. Every booking is fully financially protected.

Full Financial Protection

This trip is suitable for all abilities from beginner rafters to experienced kayakers.

Your raft guides are magicians with a gas stove and an open fires, so you'll be pleasantly surprised by the quality (and quantity) of the food. Expect cooked breakfasts, salads, pastas, Dal Bhat (the local speciality), steaks, lasagna, curries and more!

Food on the Sun Kosi River rafting trip

Rafting Expedition on the Sun Kosi River in Nepal 

You will be collected from your hotel in the Thamel district in Kathmandu on Day 1. Your host recommends staying at the International Guest House as they also include a free airport transfer.
On Day 8, it's a 15 hour overnight drive to reach Kathmandu on the morning of Day 9. However, you can take an optional flight and arrive back in Kathmandu around 7pm on Day 8. Please see Optional Extras for prices, and ask your host to book this for you. Note you will also need to book accommodation in Kathmandu.

Local, qualified, English-speaking guides

Guides

Accommodation

Meals

Transfers

Porterage

All your rafting and camping equipment

Equipment

Permits

Local, qualified, English-speaking guides

Leave Kathmandu and drive to Dolaghat, where you'll get straight into the water, beginning with some Grade 2 rapids, followed by a visit a local Hindu temple. Set up camp on the white sand of Butterfly Beach and spend the rest of the afternoon fishing, reading, playing football, doing yoga, or just relaxing. End the day with a meal cooked by your guides as you watch the stars come out overhead.

Rafting Expedition on the Sun Kosi river in Nepal

Playing football on the beach after rafting on the Sun Kosi River, Nepal

Butterfly Beach

Day 1

Time to tackle some bigger rapids, specifically No Exit (Grade 3) and Meatgrinder (Grade 4). You’ll also have the opportunity to try a few cliff jumps, explore some bat caves and look for tiger footprints. After making camp, your guide can give any kayaking beginners some basic lessons in case you want to try your hand at it over the coming days, then spend the rest of the evening relaxing and enjoying a world far from any light pollution.

No Exit (Grade 3) and Meatgrinder (Grade 4) Rapids on the Sun Kosi River, Nepal

Kayaking on the Sun Kosi River, Nepal

Cliff jumping, Sun Kosi river, Nepal

No Exit and the Meatgrinder

Day 2

Begin the day with the brilliantly named Anxiety series of rapids – Pre, Post and High, located just below the confluence of the Likhu Khola. Play in the warm water, enjoy the passing scenery and take to the kayaks, before setting up camp on the shoreline. You might even get the chance to play football with the locals. Take an evening walk in the jungle and then relax around the campfire as the sun goes down.

Kayaking on the Sun Kosi river, Nepal

Campfire after rafting on the Sun Kosi River, Nepal

The Anxiety Series

Day 3

Come face-to-face with the famous Hakapur rapid, the biggest on the whole journey. Depending on the season and water level, this rapid may or may not be runnable. If it is, be prepared to get wet and make sure you get your breath back in time for Hakapur II, which is often more exciting than the first. Camp at the confluence of the Sun Kosi and Dudh Kosi, which runs down from Everest, and meet a holy man who has lived in a cave here for the past five years and share some of his incredible stories.

Hakapur rapid, Sun Kosi River, Nepal

Kayaking the Sun Kosi river, Nepal

The big one/two

Day 4

Over three exciting days you’ll tackle 10km of non stop rapids, including Jaws I, II and III, Rhino Rock and the Jungle Corridor, ending with the aptly named and thoroughly notorious Rollercoaster - don't worry, it's completely safe and completely exhilarating. You'll also reach one the highlights of the entire trip - a wild and impressive waterfall under which you can take a well-deserved shower. Next up is the Big Dipper and Black Hole, the last big rapids on the river and a fitting finale to the Sun Kosi. See the landscape change as the jungle disappears making way for the flat Indian Plains and if you dare jump from a 30ft bridge into the river below. Just after the confluence of the Arun and Tamur rivers, you’ll stop at a serene Hindu temple and then paddle on to Chatra, where you’ll have a last dinner with your team before jumping on the bus or plane back to Kathmandu.

Waterfall on the Sun Kosi river, Nepal

Rafting guides on the Sun Kosi river, Nepal

Dramatic rapids, spectacular scenery

Days 5, 6 & 7

Your last day on the water. After the confluence of the Arun and Tamur rivers you will stop at a Holy Hindu temple,Baraha Chhetra to view the sights and get a blessing.
After this you get to relax and enjoy the last few hours floating to point where you leave the river at Chatra. It's time for a cold beer and celebration for the expedition of completing the expedition, before either jumping on the bus for a 15 hour drive back to Kathmandu.
Or if you want to pay for a flight, you will arrive back in Kathmandu around 7pm.

Rafting on the Sun Kosi river, Nepal

The final paddle

Day 8

If you took the bus, you should arrive back in Kathmandu early this morning, ready for onward travel or some more time in this incredible country. If you took the plane you will have arrived the previous evening.

Kathmandu

Day 9

Leave Kathmandu and drive to Dolaghat, where you'll get straight into the water, beginning with some Grade 2 rapids, followed by a visit a local Hindu temple. Set up camp on the white sand of Butterfly Beach and spend the rest of the afternoon fishing, reading, playing football, doing yoga, or just relaxing. End the day with a meal cooked by your guides as you watch the stars come out overhead.


Time to tackle some bigger rapids, specifically No Exit (Grade 3) and Meatgrinder (Grade 4). You’ll also have the opportunity to try a few cliff jumps, explore some bat caves and look for tiger footprints. After making camp, your guide can give any kayaking beginners some basic lessons in case you want to try your hand at it over the coming days, then spend the rest of the evening relaxing and enjoying a world far from any light pollution.


Begin the day with the brilliantly named Anxiety series of rapids – Pre, Post and High, located just below the confluence of the Likhu Khola. Play in the warm water, enjoy the passing scenery and take to the kayaks, before setting up camp on the shoreline. You might even get the chance to play football with the locals. Take an evening walk in the jungle and then relax around the campfire as the sun goes down.


Come face-to-face with the famous Hakapur rapid, the biggest on the whole journey. Depending on the season and water level, this rapid may or may not be runnable. If it is, be prepared to get wet and make sure you get your breath back in time for Hakapur II, which is often more exciting than the first. Camp at the confluence of the Sun Kosi and Dudh Kosi, which runs down from Everest, and meet a holy man who has lived in a cave here for the past five years and share some of his incredible stories.

Over three exciting days you’ll tackle 10km of non stop rapids, including Jaws I, II and III, Rhino Rock and the Jungle Corridor, ending with the aptly named and thoroughly notorious Rollercoaster - don't worry, it's completely safe and completely exhilarating. You'll also reach one the highlights of the entire trip - a wild and impressive waterfall under which you can take a well-deserved shower. Next up is the Big Dipper and Black Hole, the last big rapids on the river and a fitting finale to the Sun Kosi. See the landscape change as the jungle disappears making way for the flat Indian Plains and if you dare jump from a 30ft bridge into the river below. Just after the confluence of the Arun and Tamur rivers, you’ll stop at a serene Hindu temple and then paddle on to Chatra, where you’ll have a last dinner with your team before jumping on the bus or plane back to Kathmandu.


Your last day on the water. After the confluence of the Arun and Tamur rivers you will stop at a Holy Hindu temple,Baraha Chhetra to view the sights and get a blessing.

After this you get to relax and enjoy the last few hours floating to point where you leave the river at Chatra. It's time for a cold beer and celebration for the expedition of completing the expedition, before either jumping on the bus for a 15 hour drive back to Kathmandu. 

Or if you want to pay for a flight, you will arrive back in Kathmandu around 7pm. 

If you took the bus, you should arrive back in Kathmandu early this morning, ready for onward travel or some more time in this incredible country. If you took the plane you will have arrived the previous evening.


United States Dollar

Optional flights Biratnagar to Kathmandu 

Flight at end from Biratnagar to Kathmandu to avoid bus journey.

Hotel in Kathmandu - Double / Twin Room

Hotel in Kathmandu - Single Room

Raft one of National Geographic's top ten river journeys, from the mountains to the jungle

Trailblazer Price - 4 spots left at 5% off

Trailblazer Price - 2 spots left at 5% off

Trailblazer Price - 3 spots left at 5% off

Take a thrilling, 270km journey from the lush hills near the Tibetan border, through the jungle, to the confluence of the Ganges

Visit remote Hindu temples and white sandy beaches and see beautiful scenery and amazing wildlife on this classic rafting expedition

Be part of an expedition that supports the local community and has helped to rebuild homes following the devastating 2015 earthquake

Take a thrilling, 270km journey from the lush hills near the Tibetan border, through the jungle, to the confluence of the Ganges

Visit remote Hindu temples and white sandy beaches and see beautiful scenery and amazing wildlife on this classic rafting expedition

Be part of an expedition that supports the local community and has helped to rebuild homes following the devastating 2015 earthquake

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Rafting Expedition on the Sun Kosi River in Nepal

Rafting Expedition on the Sun Kosi River in Nepal

DURATION

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DIFFICULTY

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Rafting Expedition on the Sun Kosi River in Nepal

Rafting Expedition on the Sun Kosi River in Nepal

DURATION

LOCATION

ANNUAL LEAVE

SEASON

GROUP SIZE

MEETING POINT

ACCOMMODATION

DIFFICULTY

Similar Trips

EXPERT LOCALGUIDES

YOUR MONEYIS SAFE

TOTALFLEXIBILITY

A COMPANY YOU CANACTUALLY TRUST

EXPERT LOCAL
GUIDES

YOUR MONEY
IS SAFE

TOTAL
FLEXIBILITY

A COMPANY YOU CAN
ACTUALLY TRUST