Sun Koshi
means “River of gold “- perhaps named after
the gold that is sometimes panned from the river gravels,
or alternatively it refers to the orange colour of
the water in the monsoon when it is thick with alluvial
silt. The Sun Koshi flows from the Himalaya to eastwards
in Nepal through the great valley between the mahabharat
Lekh Mountains. It forms the watershed for most of
eastern Nepal and gathering strength from tributaries
draining the highest mountains in the world it emerges
onto the northern plains of India where it joins the
Ganges.
Rafting
trips start right here from Dolalghat. Since the
Banepa-Bardibas highway is now in operation, it
is possible to arrange a trip from Dumjabesi. One
of the nice things about the Sun Koshi is that,
with the exception of a few big rapids like Harkapur
the general standard of the river gets progressively
harder as you descend it so there is time to loosen
up and practice your skills on easy water before
you reach the more interesting bigger and more challenging
rapids lower down the river. You will be pleasantly
surprised and flattered by how much your skills
improve by the end of the trip!
For the
vast majority of the river there are no roads or
towns, just the occasional picturesque village and
friendly shouts of “Namaste” from the
bank this is un-spoilt , rural Nepal at its best.
All along the river are beautiful large white sandy
beaches for camping, and the lower section of the
river is heavily forested with troops of monkeys
and an abundance of birdlife.
