Paddling the Sun Kosi

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The Sun Kosi is a brilliant river - at its best in medium to high flows with big bouncy grade III-IV rapids and lots of friendly holes and waves to surf.

Originating near Mount Shisha Pangma in Tibet, the ‘River of Gold’ runs eastward through Nepal draining most of the eastern portion of the Himalayas. From the put-in at Dolalghat to the take-out at Chatra in far-eastern Nepal, the warm water of the Sun Kosi surges, snakes and winds its way through 270km of some of Nepal's remotest countryside. As with any multiday trip it has it’s share of flat water, but at the right flow this river journey is an incredible combination of exhilarating whitewater, beautiful scenery and glorious evenings on white sandy beaches. It is truly breathtaking, and backed by its popularity is considered by many to be one of the world's 10 classic river journeys.

For rafters it is the chance to experience a true multiday river expedition, with evenings camped on white sandy beaches and days drifting down gently flowing water or crashing through big whitewater a journey like this is the ideal way to experience and explore Nepal.

For kayakers of all levels this is a brilliant river, at it’s best in medium to high flows. Big bouncy grade III-IV rapids with lots of big friendly holes and waves to surf. Because of it’s size, the less confident kayakers can miss the worst the river has to offer and advanced kayakers will play the whole river. And regardless of kayaking ability having a raft supported multi-day kayak trip on the Sun Kosi is something not to be missed.

5 / 5 Review by expert member Ben Mason

‘The Sun Kosi’

David Allardice, owner of New Zealand's Ultimate Descents, knows a good thing when he finds it. That's why the Sun Kosi, meaning "River of Gold," ... Read more »

4 / 5 Review by expert member Eugene Buchanan