I Was Stressed, Burned Out, and Bored—Then Bhote Koshi Threw Me Off a Raft (In a Good Way)

Turns out, the cure for burnout might just be a Himalayan river and a helmet that barely fits.

Feeling Stuck

A few months ago, I was tired. Like really tired. Not just “need a nap” tired, but “what even is joy anymore?” tired. Work, emails, screens, repeat. I needed something different something that would shock me out of the loop.

That's when I found rafting in Nepal. More specifically, Bhote Koshi rafting. I had never done white-water rafting before. I didn’t even know what “Class IV rapids” meant. But something about it felt right.

Spoiler: it was more than right. It was wild, scary, and exactly what I needed.

What Is Bhote Koshi Rafting?

Bhote Koshi is one of the steepest rivers in Nepal. It’s fast, it’s loud, and it doesn’t care how stressed you are. It’s going to throw water (and maybe you) everywhere.

This river flows down from Tibet and crashes through narrow canyons and boulders like it’s late for something. According to Nepal Tourism Board, Bhote Koshi is one of the top white-water rafting spots in Asia, with Class III to V rapids, meaning it’s fun, fast, and not for total couch potatoes.

The First Splash

I showed up at the riverbank with zero experience and nerves on high alert. The guide handed me a paddle and a helmet that fit about as well as my high school jeans.

"Don't worry," he said, "you'll only fall out if you stop paddling." Cool.

Within minutes, we hit our first rapid. A giant wave smacked me in the face like it had beef with me. I screamed, laughed, and held on for dear life.

I was no longer thinking about work.

Why It Helped

That river didn’t just shake me physically, it shook something inside. When you're flying down rapids, you don’t have time to think about your inbox. You're 100% in the moment.

I felt present, alive, and even happy something I hadn’t felt in weeks.

Real Talk: Is It Safe?

Yes, and no. It’s safe with guides, helmets, and life jackets. But it’s still an adventure. There’s risk, and that’s kind of the point.

Bhote Koshi rafting isn’t a lazy river. It’s the kind of wild that wakes you up.

Why You Should Try It

• Just 3–4 hours from Kathmandu
• One or two-day trips available
• Suitable for beginners (if you're okay getting wet and slightly terrified)
• You’ll come back with great stories, sore arms, and a big smile
• Over 30,000 people raft in Nepal every year (Nepal Tourism Stats) and Bhote Koshi is one of the top rivers for thrill-seekers.

Final Thoughts

If you're tired of feeling tired, maybe it’s time to let a river shake things up. Bhote Koshi rafting didn’t fix my life. But it reminded me that I still like living it.

So yeah, I got thrown off a raft. And I’d do it again tomorrow.