There is plenty of fun to be had on this beautiful & scenic river, easy access and just a few hours of drive from Kathmandu.

This is the upper part of the famous Sun Kosi river. Just upstream of Khadichour is a dam and hydro power station with a scattering of tea houses while, further downstream at Dolalghat is a popular starting point for multi-day self-support trips. About half way down this section, the river becomes considerably easier at Sukute, the local town and so we have split this description into two.

Ultimate Descents Nepal has own base call Sunkosi Beach Camp which is a convenient and pleasant access point. All of this valley is surprisingly scenic with well-wooded sides and a wide blue river winding between white beaches. The valley is followed by the Arniko highway from Kathmandu to Khasa. The road traffic at this point is not too overbearing or intrusive. Note that the beaches near to the road, on the river right, are used for gravel extraction over the winter months so a trip in the spring can be less pleasant.

This section is often commercially rafted as a warm up day before a Bhote Kosi trip and many outfitters will call this section the Lower Bhote Kosi. It’s at its best in medium water flow and it’s a blast of a trip in post-monsoon run-off. A low water level is too rocky so most companies ignore it.

Best put-in is on the left bank below the road bridge at Khadichour. A small gorge shortly after Kadichour adds scenic variety and whitewater interest, as the bank, close in you may wish to scout from river left to avoid an upset on the big rapids. There are then several class 3 rapids down to Balephi, where it is worth a stop to look at the temple and Stupa on the left bank. A particular hazard that we notice were a few ‘shark tooth’ type rocks in the middle of wave trains at the bottom of rapids- so don’t just gaily bounce down the centre line.

The Balephi River adds a useful amount of water to the river and makes for some slightly bigger, friendly and bouncy class 3 rapids down to Sukute Beach.