Whitewater Rafting & Riverside Camping
6 days · from US$1920 per person — all-inclusive: guide, transport, accommodation, meals, visa and SDF.
Combine culture with splashes of adrenaline. Raft down the Mo Chhu and Po Chhu rivers in Punakha and camp on the white sandy riverbanks.
Highlights: Rafting Punakha · Riverside Camping · Dzong Views from River · Bonfire Nights
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival
Arrive in Paro, drive to Thimphu (1 hour). Check into hotel. Afternoon city sightseeing - Buddha Dordenma, National Memorial Chorten, Tashichho Dzong. Evening trip briefing covering rafting safety, what to expect, and itinerary. Overnight: Thimphu
Day 2: Thimphu to Punakha
Morning drive to Punakha (3 hours) via Dochula Pass. Stop for Himalayan views and the 108 chortens. Arrive in warm, subtropical Punakha valley. Visit magnificent Punakha Dzong and traditional suspension bridge. Afternoon rafting orientation - safety briefing, equipment fitting, paddle techniques practice on land. Overnight: Punakha
Day 3: Rafting Mo Chhu
Morning drive upriver. Begin rafting the Mo Chhu (Mother River) with professional rafting guides. The Mo Chhu offers Class II-III rapids - exciting but suitable for beginners. Paddle past pristine forests, traditional villages, and farmland. The highlight: rafting past the magnificent Punakha Dzong from the water. See the fortress from this unique river perspective - the way ancient traders viewed it. Camp on white sandy riverbank. Your camping crew sets up comfortable tents, prepares delicious meals. Evening around the campfire under stars. Rafting: 3-4 hours, approximately 15km Overnight: Ri
Day 4: Po Chhu Rapids
Continue rafting the Po Chhu (Father River), which has slightly faster water and bigger rapids than Mo Chhu. More technical paddling required but still accessible to beginners with good instruction. Navigate through wave trains and holes. Get splashed and laughing! The warm Punakha weather makes getting wet enjoyable. Float through narrow gorges where cliffs rise on both sides. Watch for birds including Kingfishers, Cormorants, and Egrets fishing along the banks. Camp at another pristine riverside location. Evening bonfire, traditional songs, and Bhutanese stories from your guides. Rafting: 3-
Day 5: Final Rapids & Chimi Lhakhang
Morning: Final rafting section with some of the trip's best rapids. Navigate the technical sections with your now-practiced skills. Reach the take-out point by midday. Say goodbye to your rafting guides and river crew. Afternoon hike through rice paddies to Chimi Lhakhang fertility temple. Learn about the Divine Madman and the temple's unique traditions. Late afternoon, drive over the scenic Dochula Pass to Thimphu (approximately 3 hours) - positioning you an easy morning's transfer from the airport. Your first hot shower in days feels incredible! Optional evening hot stone bath to soothe rive
Day 6: Departure
After breakfast, enjoy a relaxed morning in Thimphu - a last stroll along Norzin Lam or a quick visit to the weekend market if your flight allows. Scenic drive to Paro International Airport (about 1 hour 15 minutes) with plenty of buffer for departure formalities. You've experienced Bhutan's rivers from a perspective few visitors see - paddling past dzongs, camping on pristine beaches, and navigating exciting rapids. A perfect blend of adventure and culture! Tashi Delek!