Tamur River
Trip Highlights
Trekking in the Himalaya with views of Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga and Makalu
The best combination trip on offer – trekking & rafting in one!
120 rapids in 130 km!
Amazing Himalayan views in remote Nepal
A true Nepali expedition
Tamur River Rafting is one of Nepal’s newest rivers open for rafting and kayaking commercially. It certainly lives up to its name, “The Jewel in the East”. This sparkling river hails its waters from the mighty Mount Kanchenjunga, the third highest peak in the world, which straddles Nepal’s border in the east. The river itself is accessed by trekking on one if the most beautiful trails in Nepal boasting views of Everest, Makalu and Kanchenjunga, simply breathtaking. Once you reach the river you are then treated to rapids, rapids and more rapids! In its 131 raft-able kilometer length, there are some 120 rapids, which sure as hell means you are going to be in for the ride of your life, with the non stop whitewater of this river.
The unspoiled and barely inhabited environments of this river make for an unforgettable trip. Probably the best combination trip in Nepal : magnificent white water, a beautiful unspoiled valley, combined with one of the most scenic treks in Nepal. This expedition is perfect for people wanting an adrenaline fueled adventure.
Rafting
We require that you have some previous rafting experience due to the river Grade. If you do not, you can join us on a day trip on the Trisuli before going on the Tamur rafting expedition.
Kayaking
This is the perfect river more advanced kayakers as the river containing continuous class 4 rapids, class 4 + drops. The first day is the most intense with pretty much non stop Class 4/4+ rapids with little warm up before you start.
Please note if you are kayaking with us and want to bring your own kayak, then please feel free to do so, but if you are joining a trip with us we do NOT charge for kayak hire!! Click here to choose your boat.
Trip Details
CLASS: III+ / V
DURATION: 11 days (9 if traveling by by flight rather than bus)
DEPARTURE: GRG Office, Thamel, Kathmandu
FROM: From: Basantapur
To: Chatara. Optional flight back to Kathmandu or 15+ hour bus journey
VOLUME: Volume in November : 400cms (1400 cfs)
BEST SEASON: Sept-Nov or end of April – June
PRICE: From $1370 USD / £1000 GBP per person
Day 1
The first day of this epic Tamur River Rafting and Kayaking expedition. You have two options to get to the river depending on your budget.
Option 1 – Catch the bus with the guides and gear and travel approximately 20 hours to the start point. 0r…
Option 2 – Wait a day and catch a 45 minute flight to Biratnagar first thing the following morning where the gear bus will collect you.
Day 5-10
This river boasts non-stop whitewater, and one of the most remote expeditions on the planet. Whether your in a raft or kayak we guarantee this is the trip of a life time. And there’s no warm up – your straight into to BIG continuous Grade IV rapids!
You will want to have a reasonable level of fitness and confidence to take on this river in a kayak.
And it doesn’t stop there, things are pretty much continuous for the first 20km! It is the 6th biggest rivers in Nepal and you will certainly see why. Get ready for your heart to be pumping. In total we run will 120 Grade III/IV rapids in 130km of water – Epic!
We’ll camp on white sandy beaches and have driftwood camp fires most nights whilst watching the most spectacular sunsets. Your guides will make you different food each night, you won’t go hungry! (Any dietary requirements just let us know and we will make it happen) On clear nights it is even possible to see the Milky Way.
River days, with no internet, no roads, nothing…simply bliss.
The first 2 days and the final day are described as some of the best whitewater in the world, and we couldn’t agree more. The middle section of the river is more chilled and flattens out a big. A chance for beginner kayakers to have a go if they like.
The second last day, is in our opinion, the best day of the whole trip. We’ll encounter 50 rapids in this day alone with the highlights being Ashram, Bas Below and Double F**k!! Tonight we will camp at the confluence with the Sun Kosi river. Often we will meet a Sun Kosi group here who have been on a seperate expedition and have a little celebration party. There’s a great little village here (where we can stock up on beer if necessary!)
On the final river day, where we paddle the Sun Kosi river, it is a gentle float to the end. We can stop at a local Hindu temple,Baraha Chhetra, and get a quick blessing before we end this special trip. Back in the raft for an hours float to the take out.
We will take out at Chatra around 1pm, and head to our local hotel for a traditional Dal Bhat and a celebration! We will then transfer you back to Biratnagar airport for a quick 45 minute flight back. You will reach Kathmandu around 7pm this evening.
For those taking the bus, we will head to our friends hotel for a quick Dal Bhat lunch, pack the bus and be on the road at 4pm,
Day 11
If you decided to catch the bus rather than the flight back, you will reach Thamel, Kathmandu around 9am in the morning depending on road conditions and traffic having traveled all night. Just in time for a well earned shower and cooked breakfast!
Come meet the crew tonight in the famous Tom and Jerries bar fora few beers and games of pool, and a celebration, of the expedition we have just completed.
Day 2
Today the clients that opted to fly will catch the first flight from Kathmandu to Biratnagar which takes 45 minutes (so much quicker than the 20 hour bus journey!). Biratnagar is one of the main towns in the far East of Nepal.
Once you reach the airport, our gear bus will be waiting outside ready to drive to Dobhan. Here we will be greeted by a local family at their tea house which is where we will stay and have the evenings meal.
The local people are a mix of castes and tribes and very interesting to get to know. Nepali’s are renowned for being the most friendly people on the planet, and during this trip you will discover why.
Depending on the season, we may be lucky enough to sample the local Thumba. A fermented millet beer that really touches the spot!
The teahouse we will stay at will prepare your evening meal. We will stop for meals, but it’s a good idea to have a few extra snacks in the bus with you as shops get less and less as we head into more remote areas.
Day 3-4
Today we begin our trek from Basantapur. Days are long and the trail can be difficult in places, this is a real expedition remember! You will be responsible to carry your day pack, but our main bags that are not necessary for the trek will have gone on to meet us at the river. So remember to pack in preparation for this.
This trail has been and is still being developed so what used to be the first day of the trek, we now get a jeep through, as no one like walking a long a dusty jeep trail. This has shortened the trek slightly, but the remaining days by far make up for this.
You can expect to get a taste of the real Nepal and some spectacular Himalayan mountain views including Mount Everest and Kanchanjunga. The highlight of the trail is the stunning lake at Gofa Pokhari. With the highest pass we cross being 3000m above sea level.
There is not a huge amount of tourism in this area. The trekking trails are only really used by locals getting from A to B. So we are always greeted by friendly faces excited to see newcomers and interested in our adventures. But that also means that accommodation and facilities are quite basic and whilst we will try to make you as comfortable as possible things may not up to the standards that you are used to.
For the plant lovers out there, walking through the Rhododendron forests, the national plant of Nepal is really something special. This whitewater rafting trip on the Tamur, certainly offers more than just whitewater.
On our last night of the trek, we will camp at the put in of the mighty Tamur river. And the GRG crew will rustle you up a feast. Now you’ll see what all the fuss about our food on TripAdvisor is really about!
Trip Includes
Not Included
All staff, including highly qualified & licensed Guides and professional Safety Kayakers all fluent in English and holding up to date First Aid.
All camping equipment including toilet tents, shelters, air matresses, sleeping bags, tarps, personal tents etc. No additional charge for sleeping bag hire.
All meals and water whilst on the river. Tea, coffee, hot chocolate and juice will also be provided. Read our FAQ to see what tasty treats we will serve you.
Transportation to and from the river by bus. Optional flight to and from Kathmandu.
All equipment, including PFD’s, helmets, dry tops, throw bags, dry bags, pelican boxes, wetsuits, paddles, etc all at international standards and regularly checked.
If you are kayaking, the cost also includes kayak hire.
Porters.
River permits.
Gear Raft support.
Extensive medical kit.
Trip photos *make sure you bring a USB stick along with you.
Unrelated travel, visas, insurance, travel documents etc…
Items of a personal nature (toiletries, personal medication, clothing, camers…)
Personal insurance.
Alcohol and additional snacks.
Travel insurance. To travel with GRG’s you are required to have adequate insurance for the activity you are participating in, we have the necessary insurance for our crew but you must have your own seperate policy)
Optional tips for guides.