Hold On and Let Go: What Bhote Koshi Taught Me About Fear, Fun, and Floating Through Life

I tried Bhotekoshi rafting for the first time last spring, and I still can’t stop thinking about it. Known as one of the fastest rivers in Nepal, the Bhote Koshi (or Bhotekoshi) is wild, cold, and full of surprises.

The river is only about 3 hours from Kathmandu, and it’s famous for its class III to class V rapids. That means it’s strong, bumpy, and very, very exciting. According to the Nepal Association of Rafting Agencies (NARA), over 20,000 people raft in Bhote Koshi every year. I now understand why.

My First Time Rafting

I was nervous before we started. I had never held a paddle before, and the safety briefing made me wonder what I had signed up for. “You might fall in,” our guide said with a smile. “Just remember to hold on or let go.”

I didn’t know what he meant. But I would learn quickly.

The First Rapid

As soon as we hit the first big rapid, water hit my face like a cold slap. I screamed. I laughed. I almost dropped my paddle. But I also felt something else: alive.

It was scary and fun at the same time. I realized I couldn’t control the river. I just had to trust the guide, trust the team, and go with the flow.

What I Learned

1. Fear is okay

I was scared, but I still did it. And that made me feel strong.

2. Teamwork matters

You can’t paddle through rapids alone. You need others, and they need you too.

3. Letting go feels good

At some point, I stopped trying to control every moment. I let go. And that’s when the fun really started.

The Best Part? I’d Do It Again.

If you’re thinking about trying Bhotekoshi rafting, do it. The river is fast and beautiful. The hills around it are green and quiet. And the ride? It's wild in the best way.

The trip I joined was just a 1-day rafting tour, but there are also 2-day options with camping near the river. The best time to go is October to May, when the water levels are just right.

Final Thoughts

Bhotekoshi rafting didn’t just give me an adventure it gave me a lesson. Sometimes, in life, you have to paddle hard. Sometimes, you have to let go and float.

So if you're stuck, tired, or just looking for something real maybe the river can teach you something too.