Rafting In Mo Chu River In Bhutan

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However, there are couples of rivers in Bhutan which are calm and are healthy for rafting activities. Manas river in southern belt of Zhemgang, Pho Chu (Male river) and Mo Chu (Female river) in Punakha district are some of such rivers that benefit experiencing river rafting of Bhutan.

I have always desired to try rafting. So just recently I went Punakha to have this experience of Punakha river rafting. It was really a fun ride through a calm and cold Mo Chu (Female) river. The cost of rafting in Punakha is likewise affordable.

Punakha Pho chu (male river) and Mo chu (female river)

Tourists are with the view that Pho chu (male river) is more violent and also consists of high degree rapids. They think that rafting in male river is for expert rafters or people who attempt take threats. They also think river rafting of Bhutan would be rather costly.

Likewise they think about Mo chu (female) as a calm, less deep, peaceful, tidy and quiet river. This system of designating respective human gender qualities in these 2 rivers is quite in the minds of numerous travelers.

But this is really not correct. Both rivers are comparable since they stream through geographically very same terrains. Each has similar degree of rapids. If we actually go into history, it was a flood from Mo chu (female river) that almost cleaned away whole Punakha dzong sometimes in mid 90s.

Nevertheless, Tourism Council of Bhutan (TCB) restricts kids and senior citizens rafting in Pho chu (male river). I was told this is only during peak rafting season in Bhutan i.e monsoon.

The Experience of River Rafting of Bhutan in Mo chu (female river)

There are few rafting provider. However I ended up with Xplore-Lotus Rafting. During introduction, I came to understand that guides who will be assisting all of us through rafting were trained and licensed at Nepal.

They were saying that rivers at Nepal are more violent and have higher degree rapids. The river (mo chu) where we will raft, inning accordance with them is a much more secure one for performing river rafting of Bhutan. It contains only 4th and 5th degree rapids.

The range is also rather brief, around 10–12Km. We need to drive around 30mins along Mo chu (female river) from Punakha Dzong to reach the raft introducing point.

Is it worth rafting at Punakha- loan paid and returns?

What is the rafting in Punakha price? Since there are many Bhutan rafting company who perform river rafting in Thimphu in addition to in Paro, rates are rather affordable. During peak seasons, it’s Nu.2,000–2,500 per individual and throughout off season, it is Nu.1,000–1,500.

My expectation must have been bit high. I discovered the river sluggish and less powerful. Furthermore, I was put in with 3 elderly Indians. All along I felt like a ‘one man army’ paddling to reach them ashore.

You can imagine me sweating and struggling with aching muscles and joint pains the following day. However, I enjoyed the attitude of the guides — they were attempting to keep us entertained the whole time as well as sung songs though their voices didn’t make great mix with river sound.

There was so much water fights, basically splashing water utilizing a paddle to individuals in other boat. Obviously, I enjoyed that. But I needed to bear the consequences of playing with cold winter season water.

However, occasionally we get to see flocks of winter migratory birds at river bank. And I was taught by the guide on ways to make noise with paddle and make them fly. Along the rafting path, we can also take pleasure in Punakha Bhutan sightseeing.

When the rafting range is practically to end, we get a wonderful view of stylish and majestic Punakha Dzong. And passing below a wooden Punakha suspension bridge, I felt like one of the casts in ‘Game of Throne’ rowing beneath the ‘Huge Statue of Braavos.’ It was fantastic minute.

How you can plan to make rafting at Punakha much better?

If you want rough and adventurous rafting at Punakha in either of Pho chu (male river) or Mo chu (female river), winter season won’t be a great time. Water volume is low and boats don’t move at a pleasurable speed.

The rafting team members likewise recommend us to come there for rafting throughout monsoon season (June-August). And if you don’t wish to become ‘one man army’ like me during rafting, be clever in choosing your boating partners.

Throughout the course of rafting, guides will begin water battle; a video game where you can use paddle to splash water to your challengers. However, if you are hypothermia or other cold associated illness client, inform them about your illness before-hand.

They allow bring of video cameras and other electronic devices with you for making videos and shooting Phunakha Dzong pictures. They supply you with water-proof bag to keep them. However, I didn’t find them water evidence. Particularly during water battle and crossing rapids, water enter the bag.

However, when your boat nears the destination, the view of marvelous Punakha Dzong is something you should not miss out on. It’s the finest point for shooting Punakha Dzong in your cams.

In conclusion, rafting at Punakha may not be as wild and rough as rafting in other geographically rough terrains like that of Nepal. Nevertheless, on positive note, it’s more secure and you’ll delight in the sluggish float over among the silent and tidy rivers of Bhutan.

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