Bhotekoshi and Balephi Rafting

Starting Point

Starting Point Jiro Kilo

Duration

Duration 2

Difficulty

Difficulty Class III/ Class III+

Activity

Activity White water rafting 

Max. altitude

Max. altitude 1350 m

Best Season

Best Season Spring and Autumn

Distance

Distance 22KM

Group Size

Group Size Minimum 1, Maximum 14

Ending Point

Ending Point Balephi

Bhotekoshi and Balephi Rafting Trip Highlights

  • Many adventure seekers head to the Bhotekoshi River for an exciting bungee jump and swing experience.
  • A calm pool for the Bhotekoshi River runs 46 km from the Lamosunga dam.
  • The name Bhotekoshi comes from a combination of two words: Bhote or Bhotiya, which refers to Tibetan, and Koshi, which refers to the river.
  • Bhotekoshi’s Tibetan name is Matsang Tsangpo.
  • Balephi is located at the gateway of Jalbire and Jugal Gaupalika.

Overview of Bhotekoshi and Balephi Rafting

Experience the fun of rafting on the Bhotekoshi and Balephi rivers on a 2-day trip with Nepal River Runner. The river offers a fun and lively adventure for those looking for a bit of excitement. Experienced and certified guides ensure a safe and enjoyable experience and provide all necessary equipment and safety precautions. The Lower Bhotekosi River features Class III rapids, while the Balephi River features a mix of Class III and Class III+ rapids.

Balephi is a town in the Sindhupalchok district of the Bagmati province of Nepal and the center of the Balephi municipality. A popular gateway to Balephi Gaupalika or the Balephi Rural Urban Area, it is known for its rich cultural heritage, friendly community, and natural beauty. Balephi offers a unique blend of natural beauty, cultural heritage, and hospitality.

Bhotekoshi and Balephi Rafting Itinerary

Day 1: Drive From Kathmandu to Sukute

We depart the Rafting Tour at 7 am from your hotel. Be sure to be in good standing before departure time. It takes about 1.5 hours to reach Jiro-Kilo from Kathmandu, with a 40-minute tea/coffee stop at Jiro-Kilo (charges apply). The trip will continue for another 1.5 hours to reach our campsite in Sukute. Once we reached Sukute, it took about 30 minutes to set up the gear for our rafting adventure. You will be asked to fill in your details and change into more comfortable and water-friendly clothing. We will then board a transport to our starting point in Andheri.

There will be a 20-minute rafting safety briefing before you begin. During the trip, we will go through places where you can swim or jump. Our tour guide will notify you when we reach these areas. Our journey will end at Sukute, our campsite. After lunch, we’ll wash up and spend time at the beach or swimming, if you like. At 5:00 pm, we will have tea, coffee, popcorn, and shrimp crackers, followed by the camp introduction. In the evening, light a campfire and serve BBQ (chicken). After that, guests can stay around the bonfire or sleep.

Day 2: Drive From Sukute to Balephi to Kathmandu

Tea and coffee will be served at 7 o’clock. Breakfast will be served at around 08:00 am and consists of bread, jam, honey, hard-boiled eggs, and chips. We are going to Balephi (our next rafting activity) at 10 am. The drive to our starting point in Jalbirey will take about 1.5 hours, and the route is entirely off-road, so everyone should be prepared for a bumpy ride. There will be 20 minutes of rafting safety instruction before we begin, after which we will board the raft and paddle. During the journey, you will witness peaceful rural villages, wild flora, and a glimpse of the mountains to the north.

Lunch will be prepared on-site, including fried pasta, bread, lemon salad, cheese, grilled chicken, seasonal fruit, Tang juice, and Tang green salad. After about an hour and a half, we will continue our journey downstream. After rowing for about an hour, we will arrive at our campsite. We will rest on the raft and wash up with tea and coffee served. Then, we will pack for the return trip to Kathmandu, which will take about 3 hours. Our journey will end in your accommodation, where we started.

What is the necessary gear for the Bhotekoshi and Balepani Rafting Trip?

  • Shorts / ½ pant
  • Sport Sandals
  • Shirts that will dry quickly
  • Swim suit
  • Warm layers (fleece, trousers)
  • Towel
  • Toiletries
  • Sunscreen
  • Sunglasses
  • Camera and batteries/chargers
  • Water Bottles
  • Flashlight
  • A little cash

What's Included

  • Professional English speaking licensed guides highly trained and safety certified to international standards in Whitewater River Guiding, Swift Water Rescue, and Wilderness First Aid
  • Professionally trained and certified safety kayakers.
  • Quality rafting and kayaking equipment, including boats, kayaks, helmets, paddles, PFDs, dry bags and Pelican boxes.
  • Treated drinking water
  • Two-way transportation
  • River permits.
  • Industry standard first aid kits
  • Team photos (photos videos by our team)
  • Included meals
    • Day 1 = Lunch & Dinner
    • Day 2 = Breakfast, Lunch

Types of food provided:

Throughout our expedition, we provide treated stream water for drinking. We employ crews with great culinary ability and provide breakfast, lunch and dinner during the expedition in a buffet style. So, yes you have the freedom to choose what you like. If you have special dietary needs, please let us know about it at the time of booking, so that we can arrange accordingly.

Sample menu for the trip

  • Breakfast: Tea, Coffee, White chocolate, Muesli and Cornflakes, Yogurt. Eggs, Toast, Hashed potatoes, Pancakes, Porridge etc.
  • Lunch : Bread, Cheese, Salami, Tuna, Sardines, Baked beans, Salads, Fresh fruits and Biscuits
  • Dinner: Pasta, French fries, Curries, Steamed or Fried vegetables. We may provide Nepali Dal, Bhat in rotation for longer trips.

What's Not Included

  • Personal items like toiletries, clothing, camera etc.
  • Alcohol and other packed food.
  • Insurance policy: paddlers need to have their own insurance since we only provide insurance to our crew.
  • Tips for guides – we pay our guides and porters fairly but if you want you can tip them personally.

Travellers Reviews

Vojta Weiss

We had great time with the team of Nepal river runner. We thought they would take us to some easy gping water but it was not the case. We really went for awesome white water. Totally recommendable!
Vojta Weiss

Vojta Weiss

Vojta Weiss

We had great time with the team of Nepal river runner. We thought they would take us to some easy gping water but it was not the case. We really went for awesome white water. Totally recommendable!
Vojta Weiss

Vojta Weiss

Suman Parajuli

Rafting was fun

Suman Parajuli

Suman Parajuli

Rafting was fun

Suman Parajuli

Shirish Tuladhar

Great customer service and after sales support.

Shirish Tuladhar

Shirish Tuladhar

Great customer service and after sales support.

Shirish Tuladhar

Why Choose Bhotekoshi with Balepani?

Bhotekoshi and Balepani can be marked as an adventure to remember forever. Many adventurers choose this trip not because they want to go to another natural location for a short family trip, but because they want to combine adventure while on it. We are discussing the best of both worlds when discussing the Bhotekoshi and Balephi trips. The following are some of the primary reasons why you need to go on the Bhotekoshi trip combined with Balepani:

  • Rafting and Kayaking: When you’re in either of the locations, you can enjoy rafting and kayaking opportunities. The rivers are perfect for these adventures. Even if you have not gone on an adventure like this before, these activities will be worth your time and just as safe.
  • Explore white rivers in Nepal: Travelers will have the opportunity to explore the white rivers in Nepal. You can explore deeply during our rafting trip. Even if you’re not looking to raft or kayak in either of the rivers, you can enjoy the serenity and uniqueness of the rivers from afar.
  • Peaceful time in nature: Though these locations are not necessarily far from Kathmandu, you can have a peaceful time in nature in either place. In nature, you will also find a clarity of mind away from the hustle and bustle of city life.
  • Trip to Kathmandu: When you’re in either of the locations, you can still enjoy a tour of Kathmandu, as both rivers are close to the city. Travelers can visit the capital city’s significant UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
  • Visit to Kapileshwar Mahadev: Kapileshwar Mahadev is a temple which is one among the many Balephi village attractions. When you go to the river, you can stop by the temple and seek blessings from the Hindu god Lord Shiva.
  • Camping opportunity: You can also camp overnight after you complete your rafting adventure. Spending a whole day in either of the rivers allows you to enjoy as much time as you want around nature while setting a campfire in peace with your friends and family.

Which Rafting Destination is Better, Bhotekoshi or Trishuli?

There may not be a better choice between Bhotekoshi and Trishuli for multiple reasons. Bhotekoshi is a Class III-III+ rapid. This makes it a better option for rafting among adrenaline junkies than the comparatively tamer Trishuli River. If you’re a beginner and unsure about going to a remote location for a journey as thrilling as rafting on a fast-flowing river, Trishuli might be a better choice. Likewise, you can easily combine the Bhotekoshi white water rafting with the Balephi trip, while doing the same with the Trishuli trip is inconvenient.

Travelers looking to get easier access to either of the rivers from Kathmandu may prefer Trishuli because it is closer. Anyone traveling with family, including their kids and members from an older demographic, can simply opt for a trip to the Trishuli River. Younger, more fun, and adrenaline-seeking travelers can go for the steep Bhotekoshi River flow. You do not need to reconsider going to either of the rivers, as the Trishuli River may be easier for rafting and kayaking, but Bhotekoshi is also moderately tricky.

FAQs for Bhotekoshi and Balephi Rafting

Which is the fastest river in Nepal?

The fastest river in Nepal is Bhotekoshi, the upper course of the Sunkoshi River. Since it is the fastest-flowing river in the country, it has become the most popular destination among adventure lovers worldwide. The river has also helped promote rafting and kayaking activities in Nepal.

Is Balephi inside Kathmandu Valley? 

Since Balephi is very close to Kathmandu Valley, this may be a common question among adventurers. The answer is no. Balephi is 45 miles away from the valley. But, you can still consider this destination to be one that is closest to Kathmandu for white river rafting and other adventurous activities like kayaking.

Can beginner-level adventurers go to the Bhotekoshi River for rafting?

Yes, you can go rafting on the Bhotekoshi River, even as a beginner. However, you must take along a helpful guide with experience guiding beginner-level explorers. It would be best to contact a dependable tour operator for this. You will for sure get an experienced guide when you opt for the tour package.

What is the best time for the Bhotekoshi and Balephi trip?

The best time to go on the Bhotekoshi and Balephi trip is in autumn from October to November. If you want to travel during the springtime, you can visit between March and May. These are the times when the sky is clear, the weather is pleasant, and there are no constraints during travel.

Can I fish during the Balephi River trip?

Yes, you can go fishing when you’re on a Balephi river trip. This experience is going to be sort of an adventure in itself. Even beginners and children can engage in this rather interactive activity. Travelers may hire fishing equipment or may seek help from fellow locals or their tour operator as to where they can find reliable gear.

This package can be booked from our booking page in any day you like.