Sun Koshi
Grade 4-5; 8 -10 days
he Sunkosi 'River of Gold' has been rated as one of the top
ten rafting trips in the world. It is also in the list of must do while in Nepal. The
river rises near Shisha Pangma in Tibet and runs eastwards, draining the highest mountain
of the world before emerging on the plains of India, where it join the Ganges. Our journey
takes us 270km through experience. The first two days are relatively easy and allow time
to train you as a team before the bigger rapids arrive. The rapids have acquired names
like Meat Grinder, High Anxiety, Jaws and Big Dipper from previous experience on
expeditions. Say no more! There are calmer stretches between in warm water and camp on
white sandy beaches. This river is a Big volume HIGH adrenaline expedition.
Itineary
Pre-departure meeting at the sales office in Kathmandu at 6 PM the night before to clear any question over rum and coke
| Day 1 | Morning at 7 am meet at Makalu sales office- store baggage and finalize plans a quick breakfast then we drive to Dolalghat the Put- in - Point of Sunkoshi. The drive is beautiful in clear weather you will have a magnificent view of the Himalayan Ranges. Upon arrival at Dolalghat we unload the gear lunch will be serve and a full safety briefing will be given by your trip leader. The first and second days are easy paddling. The big one you will encounter today is a class 4+ rapid 'Rotten Cave.' We will choose our beach campsite. Where dinner will be served amidst the splendor of the star - filled sky. |
| Day 2 | Have breakfast pack up the gear and start rolling down the river. Today you will encounter a big class 4+ rapid "Meat Grinder" it is fairly straight run down the center avoiding holes left and right. A few matters below here the Tamba Koshi joins the Sun Koshi on the left with a beach on the confluence. There is another beautiful Shiva temple over looking the two rivers. We camp here. |
| Day 3 | Today a few kms below the confluence of the Likhu Khola is a short class 3+ rapid " pre-Anxiety" soon following by a long class 4 rapid " High-Anxiety" with large hole on the left halfway down and a series of holes at the bottom. Float a while and then camp. |
| Day 4 | This day starts with several class 3+ rapids then a quick stop for buying food and maybe beer. Then prepare for a big and interesting one. " Hakapur 2 and 3 the hardest rapid on the river which should be carefully scouted. Camp. |
| Day 5 | Some kms below Hakapur. Dudh Koshi joins the Sunkoshi from the left. Below here the river widens into an arid area of gravel. You meet some small rapids and then you are into another aptly named rapid " Jaws". Camp. |
| Day 6 | Today is a hard day as you will encounter most of the class 4+ rapids you are straight into " Rhino Rock" which is a class 4+ following by " Jungle Corridor" a kilometer of continuous white water. Waterfalls cascade on both sides of the river. One waterfall makes a great spot for a team shower. Camp. |
| Day 7 | The last few days are mainly wave trains. On the flatter stretches if interested, you can try kayaking and our guides will teach you the basic skills needed to maneuver the boats or learn the Eskimo roll. Camp. |
| Day 8 | The last stretch of river which brings you to the last class 4+ " Big Dipper" is a series of huge standing waves, A few kms later Big Arun and Tamur joins together to form the Sapta Kosi. Then you float along on the powerful current, the hills dramatically give way to totally flat Terai and the northern plains of India. This is the end of a classic and memorable river journey. We will finish out trio around 2 PM pack the gear and the drive north to Kathmandu around 4 PM from Chatara. This takes around 13/14 hours. |
For the 9th and 10th day expedition, you follow the same route as above and start and finish as above. There are extra days to allow rests in between the trip, when there is high volume of water and the current is too big. These days are also for recreation such as walk, volleyball etc. The 10th day gives an extra day to raft on smooth river in the south.
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