6N 7D Bhutan River Rafting Tour

Package Overview

The country which prides itself because of it’s Gross Happiness Index rightly has enough reasons to keep its citizens as well as the tourists happy. Featuring undulating topography, the little Himalayan nation is famous for its extremely high altitudes and precipitous mountains and pristine nature. With a number of rugged, untamed rivers meandering through its map, Bhutan offers the perfect destination for river rafting. Mo Chhu, Paro Chhu in Punakha, Sankosh River, Mangde Chhu, Wang Chhu, Puna Tsang Chhu and the Dangme Chhu are considered to be the best for rafting due to their easy access and safe course.

Day wise Itinerary

• Day 1 : Paro Arrival – Sightseeing Tour

  Sitting on a comfortable seat and look through the window, you then witness the stunning view of the Paro Valley, the Himalayas, and the green fields below. After immigration and customs formalities, check out from the departure lounge. Our representative will be waiting to warmly welcome you and pick you up to your hotel which is a traditional Bhutanese building with a beautiful garden and a tranquil atmosphere for you to let loose.
  
  After lunch, there will be an orientation on Bhutanese etiquette and a description of the tour itinerary by our guide.
  In the afternoon, head out to visit Ta Dzong, an ancient fortress which was structured in 1651 as a watchtower for the Runpung Dzong. Also, you will visit the National Museum inside the Dzong which converging a huge collection of art, ancient relics, and religious artifacts.
  Later, in the evening, it’s time to walk along the small Paro Main Street where you will encounter some typically Bhutanese shops and small lodges, and most importantly you will have your own hearty dinner here.
  Overnight at the hotel.

  • Themes River Rafting
• Day 2 : THIMPHU

  Today is your tour of the capital beginning with a visit to National Memorial Chorten, a stupa dedicated to world peace and prosperity; the National Institute of Zorig Chusum where students train in Bhutan’s 13 traditional arts and crafts; Folk Heritage Museum which gives an insight into Bhutan’s rapidly disappearing rural past.
  In the afternoon, you visit Changangkha Lhakhang, a fortress likes temple, perched on a ridge above Thimphu and the place from where the people in valley get their names from; Takin Preserve to see the Bhutan’s national animal which is associated with the country’s religious history and mythology; and Buddha point to see the 138.6 foot-high seated Shakyamuni Buddha statue. Buddha point offers a bird’s eye view of Thimphu valley.
  Then you visit Tashichho Dzong or “the fortress of the glorious religion” which houses offices of the central government and the throne room of His Majesty the King. It is also the summer residence of Je Khenpo or Chief Abbot.

  • Themes Museums, Sightseeing
• Day 3 : THIMPHU - PUNAKHA

  Today you drive to Punakha, Bhutan’s old capital. The first stop is Dochu La, a 3050 meters pass, from where you can see the eastern Himalayan range on a clear day.
  The pass is also home to the 108 Druk Wangyal Chortens or stupas built by the eldest Queen Mother. From Dochula, you descend a winding road through lush forests of oak, fir, spurs, and rhododendron to the fertile valley of Punakha.

  • Themes Sightseeing
• Day 4 : RAFTING IN PUNAKHA

  These water sports are done along the tributaries of the main rivers. On this trip, you have options of rafting along the Pho Chu (Male River) and Mo Chu (Female River), which join to form the Punatshangchhu River, further downstream. The Pho Chhu is famous among enthusiasts. Rivers course suitable for water sports. The Pho Chhu (Male River) is famous among enthusiasts. Rivers suitable for water sports.
  
  Option I: 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
  Season: Mar/Apr, Oct/Nov. High water in this section will make this run very difficult.
  Craft: Kayaks and Rafts.
  Description:
  The upper Pho Chhu is a great paddle through an open valley and worth the walking time to get there. 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, we 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 Samdingkha, or continue another 7 km down to Punakha.
  
  Option II: 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 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 footbridge is Wrathful Buddha, a class IV. Take out is right after the confluence with Mo Chhu, next to the impressive Punakha Dzong.
  
  Option III: Mo Chhu – Tashithang Devil’s Gorge Section
  Location: Punakha Valley, Western/Central Bhutan
  From/To: Tashitang (end of the road, about 2-hour’s drive from Punakha) – Punakha 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 from Tashithang 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).
  
  Option IV: 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 downstream.

  • Themes River Rafting
• Day 5 : PUNAKHA - PARO

  On the return journey, stop at Dochu La for lunch. On the way visit Semtokha Dzong the first Dzong built by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel in 1629. Spend the evening exploring Paro town.

  • Themes Sightseeing
• Day 6 : Taktsang (Hike To Tiger’s Nest)

  You will hike about 2 hours uphill to the Taktsang monastery, which clings to a huge granite cliff 900 meters above the valley floor. It is believed that the great saint Padmasambhava came here in the 8th century on a flying tigress and meditated in a cave. It is a pilgrimage site for every Bhutanese.
  In the afternoon, visit Drugyel Dzong, the fort that defended the Paro valley from invasions from the north in the early 17thcentury. On a clear day, you can see Mount Jhomolhari 7314 meters from here. You can either drive to Drugyel Dzong (14 kms) or cycle there following the highway.
  Later, visit the auspicious Kyichu Lhakhang, built in 659 A.D by the Tibetan king Songtsen Gempo. This is one of the 108 monasteries built across the Himalayan region by the Tibetan King to subdue the Demoness that lay across the Himalayan region. The rest of the monasteries lie in other neighboring countries.

  • Themes Sightseeing
• Day 7 : DEPART PARO

  Breakfast in the hotel, and then drive to the airport for flight to your onward destination.

  • Themes Sightseeing

Inclusions

• Minimum of 3 star rated accommodation
• All meals (excluding alcoholic beverages
• All internal transportation (excluding domestic flights if any)
• Airport pick-drop
• Professional English-Speaking guide and driver
• All road permits and entry fees
• Government fee, royalty and surcharges
• Adventure Equipment
• Camp Assistances
• All services and assistance before, during and after the trip

Exclusions

• Flight into Bhutan (Can be arranged with us)
• Hotel stay outside Bhutan
• Expenditure of personal nature
• Tips for the guide and driver
• Alcoholic drinks/Beverages- Travel insurance

Package Start From

• Paro, Bhutan, Asia

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

• Prior to your trip to Bhutan you need to wire transfer the full tour payment with Alpha & Omega Gateways specified as the ultimate beneficiary.
• After the wire transfer is completed, the receipt copy should be emailed to us as our reference for your tour confirmation.
• Please note that it takes minimum two to three working days for the payment to be deposited in our local Bank.

Terms & Conditions

This Tour is Offered by

• XXXXXX6770 View Contact
• XXXXXXXXXX@gmail.com View Mail ID

Intested in This Tour?

• Requests are send directly to the tour operator
• We recommend to reqest quotes from 3 operators (Learn why)