Mo Chhu
Also known as: Mother River, Mo Chu, Lower Mo Chhu
Punakha Dzong (1637 fortress), rice paddies, forested canyon, Khamsum Chorten
Is there water?
Whether there is a river here on your dates, and what kind of water it is.
Snowmelt and monsoon fed; higher and pushier Jun-Aug
Most of year; avoid peak monsoon high water Jun-Aug. Confirm.
Spring (Mar-May) and autumn (Sep-Nov)
Cold glacier-fed water; splashwear/wetsuit advisable
Monsoon flooding Jun-Sep; flash rises possible. Confirm.
Grade & who can come
A river changes grade with its level. These grades describe a normal flow - in flood the same run is harder, and often a different run entirely. Check the gauge before you commit.
Class I-II (II+ at hardest)
Rafting; kayaking
Multi-raft groups; kayak add-ons; optional extension to town of Khuru
Beginner and family friendly; first-timers, no experience required
The run
Trixie's Revenge (II+) below put-in; Coffee Pot (II+) just past Punakha Dzong
Boily water at Trixie's Revenge; otherwise clean Class I-II
Lower Mo Chhu (Khamsum Chorten to Punakha Dzong)
Most popular rafting section in Bhutan; moderate traffic in season
Access & shuttle
Bhutan Sustainable Development Fee applies to visitors; rafting via licensed operators. Confirm.
Permits and operators change - confirm before booking.
30-min hike through rice paddies to put-in; take-out sandy beach river right below dzong
Short road shuttle from Punakha; arranged by operators
Hotels/lodges in Punakha; day run, no river camps
Operator-supplied rafts, PFDs, helmets; mobile coverage near Punakha
Punakha; Thimphu; Paro
Hazards & exits
Cold water; monsoon high flows; Bhutan travel requires booked tour
Valley road access; hospital in Punakha/Thimphu
Licensed guide/outfitter required; independent boating restricted. Confirm.
This profile is desk research, compiled from public sources - not a first-hand river run report. Coordinates are approximate.