Rafting and Kayaking in Bhutan, 2011
10.22.09
Hardly any other destination on earth can match the huge offer and variety of rafting and kayaking of Bhutan. Whatever you are looking for, short and easy rafting experiences for beginners or mad adventures for real freaks, you will find the right river for your desire in Bhutan. Besides one day trips Bhutanese rafting and kayaking agents also organize white water fascination in expedition style, combining several of the rivers/sections mentioned below!
“We are providing some very brief and useful information on rafting and Kayaking in Bhutan. We can always include this adventures in your trip and if you would like us to arrange one for you, kindly contact us by clicking on the link provided below.”
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Best Times:
Best times for River Rafting and Kayaking in Bhutan is March to April and November to December. River water levels in the months May to October will be high. During these times, many of the rivers mentioned here would not be feasible. Water levels in the winter months, January to February, will be low. This means that some of the rivers will no longer be feasible to run again.
All references to water levels are estimated and in cubic feet per second (CFS).
Safety:
Bhutanese Rafting and Kayaking Guides are well trained and will do everything to ensure that you will enjoy your adventures without taking risks. All the rivers and sections have been surveyed and described by the North Carolinian adventure agency “Need More Adventures”, who is still organizing rafting trips to Bhutan.
Rafting in Central Part of Bhutan(The Phu Chhu River):
Location: Paro Valley, Western Bhutan
From/To: Mitshi Zam – Satsam Chorten
Length: Approximately 10 km, 3 hours
Difficulty: Class III – IV
Flow: About 500 cfs Mar/Apr, Nov/Dec. High water will make this much more difficult and is not recommended.
Craft: Due to the very narrow and steep rapids Kayaks recommended only.
Description: From Mitshi Zam, at the footbridge, the river is small and shallow with several class III and IV rapids that are formed where the river constricts. When the dirt road leaves the river, near Drukgyel Dzong, the river drops into Foot Freezer Gorge, a continuous class IV boulder choke about one kilometer long. After the gorge, the river opens up into class II for the rest of the way to the footbridge Satsam Chorten.
Lower Paro Chhu:
Location: Paro Valley, Western Bhutan
From/To: South of Paro – Chuzom (confluence with the Thimphu Chhu)
Length: 7 km, 1 hour
Difficulty: Class II – III, with one V
Flow: Approximately 500 cfs.
Craft: Kayaks only as the river is too small for a raft to be enjoyable.
Description: The lower Paro Chhu river is a good stretch for beginner/intermediate kayakers, there are plenty of small, boulder rapids and wave trains. There is one class IV -V boulder choke, about 3 km from the put in, which can be run on the left and scouted from the right. After this, the river enters a short, scenic canyon with more class II – III rapids. Take out at the road bridge at Chuzom, or for the more experienced kayakers, head down the Wang Chhu.
Upper Pho Chhu
Location: Punakha Valley, Western/Central Bhutan
From/To: Wangthangka (a two-hour trek from the end of the road) – Samdingkha.
Length: Approximately 7 km, 2 hours with scouting Difficulty: Class III-IV
Flow: 2000 -3000 cfs Mar/Apr, Oct/Nov. High water in this section will make this run very difficult.
Craft: Kayaks and Rafts
Description: The upper Pho Chhu (Pho Chhu means “Male River”) is a great paddle through an open valley, and well worth the walking time. There are a few good class IV rapids at the top, full of big boulders and big water moves. There is a good put in, just above the footbridge at Wangthangkha. Immediately below the put in, the first class IV rapid can be scouted from the left. After this, go around the comer and under the footbridge and scout the next class IV from the left. From here, most of the rapids are boat scoutable as the river eases up a bit, and there are lots of big, bouncy class III rapids and a few boulder gardens. Take out at the footbridge at Samdinkha, or continue another 7 km down to Punakha.
Lower Pho Chhu:
Location: Punakha Valley, Western/Central Bhutan
From/To: Samdingkha – Punakha (directly below the Mo Chhu confluence)
Length: 7km, 1.5 hours
Difficulty: Class III with one IV at the bottom
Flow: 2000 -3000 cfs Mar/Apr, Oct/Nov. Should be runnable at high water.
Craft: Kayaks and Rafts
Description: The lower Pho Chhu (Pho Chhu means “Male River”) is much easier than the upper section, with plenty of class III and a good class IV finale. This is currently the most popular rafting tour, since it is not too difficult and a beautiful half-day raft trip. From Samdingkha, the river meanders through a wide-open valley, full of rice fields and farmhouses. About 4 kilometers down is Strainers Paradise, a class III boulder choke. From here, there are some nice wave trains until the grand finale. Right below Bhutan’s longest foot bridge is Wrathful Buddha, a class IV. Take out is right after the confluence with Mo Chhu, next to the impressive Punakha Dzong.
Mo Chhu – Tashitang Devil’s Gorge Section
Location: Punakha Valley, Western/Central Bhutan
From/To: Tashitang (end of the road, about 2-hour’s drive from Punakha) – Punkha Dzong (directly below the Pho Chhu confluence)
Length: 12 km, 5 -7 hours with scouting
Difficulty: Class V
Flow: 1000 cfs, Feb/Dec. Higher than medium flows will make this run dangerous. A high water run is not recommended.
Craft: Kayaks only, this is much too difficult and steep for a raft.
Description: The upper Mo Chhu (Mo Chhu means “Female River”) from Tashitang has lots of class V, with a gradient of about 300 feet per mile. There is a short stretch of flat water about six kilometers down, the end of which marks the start of the Devil’s Gorge, a step up from the whitewater above. There is little access to the road, so paddlers attempting this section of river should be ready to commit to the whole thing. For those, not wanting to bite off such a big chunk of hard whitewater, check out the alternative put in for the upper stretch, described below (Mo Chhu – Upper Run).
Mo Chhu – Upper Run
Location: Punakha Valley, Western/Central Bhutan
From/To: 14 km above Punakha – Sonam’s Put In
Length: 3 km, 1.5 hours with scouting
Difficulty: Class IV -V
Flow: 1500 – 2000 cfs, Mar/Apr, Nov/Dec
Craft: Kayaks only, too difficult for a raft.
Description: From this put in the gradient reduces slightly, although the rapids are still continuous class IV with several class Vs which may need scouting. At the put in, the first rapid, Whiplash, can be scouted from river left. After Whiplash, the river continues to drop away in horizon line after horizon line. After about two kilometers, there is a short piece of flat water, recognizable because it is the only flat water on this section. This marks the start of a long, two-part class V rapid called Paula Jones. About one kilometer of class IV remains after Paula Jones, and the section ends with Baba Raj, a class IV that can be scouted from the left. Take out here, or continue down- stream.
he 1960s and it enables the eastern part of the country to access and benefit from trade with the south as well as across the Indian border. There is little for travelers to see in this area but it is used as more of a convenient exit town.
