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White Water Sports in Bhutan.
Bhutan is emerging as a much sought after
destination for white water sports. It is surprising
that though every valley in Bhutan has a river
running through it, Bhutanese took to white water
sports very late.
Realizing the importance of these sports as a
tourism product, Tourism Board of Bhutan started
taking interest in their development. With the
support of the government, kayaking and rafting have
picked up and are attracting a number of adventure
sport lovers to Bhutan.
The rivers in Bhutan are generally very steep and
powerful and road access is limited, so only
relatively short sections of the main rivers are
suitable for Kayaking and Rafting. On other hand
Bhutan offers a unique destination for the
recreational Kayaker with incredible rivers that are
both challenging and some of the beautiful in the
world.
River Pho chu is the most popular river for water
sports. It is easily accessible by the road and has
a couple of class III rapids with name like HORSE
PLAY, STRAINERS PARADISE and the WRATHFUL BUDDHA.
"THE BEST SEASON FOR WATER
SPORTS IN BHUTAN IS AUTUMN AND SPRING (March, April,
May, October & November)."
Rivers Suitable for
Water Sports.
|
LOCATION |
RIVER |
SECTION |
DISTANCE |
DIFFICULTY |
SPORTS |
| Paro |
Paa Chu |
Mistsi Zamfoot Freezer Gorge section |
10 Km |
III and IV |
Kayaking recommended only |
|
Paro |
Paa Chu |
Lower Paa Chu |
7km |
III with one class V |
Kayaking only |
|
ChhudZom |
Upper run Wangchu |
Chudzom to Tamchu |
4km |
Class IV and V |
Kayaking only |
|
Tamchu |
Lower Wangchu |
Tam Chu |
4 km |
Class III |
Rafting and Kayaking |
|
Punakha |
Pho Chu |
Upper Pho Chu |
7km |
III and IV Class |
Rafting and Kayaking |
|
Punakha |
Pho Chu |
Lower Pho Chu |
7km |
III with one IV class |
Rafting and Kayaking |
|
Punakha |
Moo Chu |
Upper Moo Chu |
3km |
Class IV and V |
Kayaking |
|
Punakha |
Moo Chu |
Sonam’s Put in |
5km |
Class III and IV |
Kayaking and Rafting |
|
Punakha |
Moo Chu |
Lower Moo Chu |
6km |
Class I and II |
Kayaking and Rafting |
|
Wangdi |
Dang Chu |
Upper Dangchu |
3km |
Class IV and V |
Kayaking |
|
Wangdi |
Dang Chu |
Middle Dangchu |
5km |
Class IV with III |
Rafting |
| |
|
|
|
Class V scout |
(Strong and experience team) and kayaking. |
|
Wangdi |
Dang Chu |
Lower Dangchu |
5km |
Class III |
Rafting and Kayaking |
|
Trongsa |
Mangde Chu |
Ema Datsi Canyon |
7km |
Class III and IV at and Extreme caution |
Kayaking but rafting possible with medium
flow strong team |
|
Bumthang |
Tangchu |
Misitang Tang |
10km |
Class III and IV including one of the only
class piece of flat water in the world |
Kayaking only, portage is not an option |
|
Bumthang |
Chamkhar Chu |
Thankbi |
5km |
Class II and III |
Rafting and Kayaking |
|
Lhuntshi |
Kuri Chu |
Upper run |
14km |
Class IV and V |
Kayaking only |
|
Lhuntsi |
Kuri Chu |
Middle run |
20km |
Class IV with a couple of class V |
Kayaking only |
|
Lhuntsi |
Kuri Chu |
Lower run |
10km |
Class III |
Rafting and Kayaking |
Rafting Tariff are as
followed:
Costing for rafting on the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu
River is US$ 85 person. The minimum group size is 5
person is US$400. We provide helmets, wet suit,
spray jacket and life vest.
Options.
1. Rafting only US $85 or equivalents to Nu.
2. Rafting
Lunch on the river
Tea and snacks at the take out US $ 100 or
equivalents to Nu
3. Rafting
Overnight camp.
Tea on the arrival, dinner, campfire
Camp: Tent and mattress are provided.
Breakfast next day Lunch on the river
Tea at the take out. US $ 130or equivalents to Nu.
Season:
February
March
April
May October
November
December
Pho-Chhu => Start Samdingkha- 2hrs Class II
and III. Ends below the confluence
Mo Chhu => Start from suspension bridge –
1hrs Class II, End below the confluence.
If you are interested with
Water sports in Bhutan, please
contact us. |
