Upper Mo Chhu

The Upper Mo Chhu is a fun big water river in the Punakha Valley about an hour drive from the town of Punakha. There is a trail down to the river where you can hike down and put-in just below a big Class V+ rapid.

The first rapid is a long Class IV followed soon after by Kingping (V) which is commonly scouted and portaged on the left. The rapids come in quick succession all the way to the take-out bridge.

Trip Highlights

Mile 0: Hike 5 minutes down to the river at Sonam's put-in.

Hiking down to Sonam's Put-in on the Mo Chhu

Mile 0.1: The first rapid Nary (III+) will give you an introduction to what the rest of the run is like. You'll want to be conservative here since the Kingpin (V) begins almost immediately after.

Mile 0.2: Kingpin (V) has a big line down the middle and a sneak line down the left side. Scout and/or portage on the left.

Kayaking Kingpin (V) on the Upper Mo Chhu

Mile 0.3: The Wall (IV) is a sharp right turn with a big wall on the left.

Mile 0.8: Boof Sneak (IV+) has a nice boof on the far right that allows you to miss the big holes in the center.

Kayaking the far right boof line

Mile 2.5: S-Turn (IV) is a classic S-turn with a few big holes that need to be avoided. This rapid can be seen from the road on the drive up.

Mile 3.1: Khamsum Bridge Rapid (IV+) begins immediately after a bridge crosses the river. This rapid can be easily scouted on the left side. There is a small scout eddy on the right just before the rapid.

Rafting Khamsum Bridge Rapid in Bhutan

Below Khamsum Bridge Rapid is 3 Moles (II+) named after some big, beautiful rocks in the river. The last rapid is Phil's Turn (III) which has an optional ferry trick that can be done above the rock.

Mile 4: Take out at the trail to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten. This is the put-in for the Lower Mo Chhu.