Chencho Dema

Punakha— As the calm waters of the Punatshangchhu shimmer under the moonlight, tourists enjoy a unique experience—night and evening river rafting. This adventure combines excitement and serenity, showcasing Punakha’s beauty under a starlit sky.

My Bhutan, currently the only authorised travel agent in the country, has been granted exclusive rights to conduct night rafting. The Punakha Dzongkhag Administration, in collaboration with MyBhutan, a travel agent, has launched night rafting in 2024.

Launched in August, the activity offers two options: after-dark rafting and the evening river experience.

Tourists can now explore the beauty of Punakha at night with a new adventure—night and evening river rafting on the Punatshangchhu. The experience blends excitement with tranquility, offering a fresh way to appreciate the region’s charm under the stars.

Yeshi Dorji, Assistant Economic Development and Marketing Officer, said that the introduction of night rafting aims to expand Punakha’s tourism options and to attract more tourists to the country.

He emphasised that the safety measures are the top priority during night rafting while also being aware of the river ecosystem.

The rafts are equipped with adequate lights for visibility and are fitted with OAR frames.

Each raft carries handheld communication devices, and guests are required to wear personal flotation devices (PFDs) with safety lights that automatically turn on when they get wet.

“An advance raft is deployed ahead of the guest rafts for safety, and only certified rafters with at least one year of experience in evening and night rafting are employed,” Yeshi Dorji said.

The rafts used at night are built with covered wooden frames for added safety.

Night rafting is only available during seasons when water currents are stable, as strong monsoon flows make the activity unsafe in summer.

The introduction of night rafting aims to expand Punakha’s tourism options.

Yeshi Dorji said: “Tourists usually visit Punakha on day trips, but with this new experience, they may decide to stay longer, which will increase overnight stays and generate more revenue for the local economic development.”

A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between MyBhutan and the Punakha Dzongkhag to enable, enhance and improve the night rafting since the activity is still in nascent stage.

After five years, other qualified travel agents will be allowed to conduct the activity, provided they meet strict criteria, including holding a licence for at least a decade.

Currently, in its developmental phase, night rafting could be extended to other rafting locations across Bhutan if successful. However, it is important to balance the tourist experience with environmental conservation, as night rafting may cause more disruption to the ecosystem than daytime rafting.

“Night rafting is more expensive due to the extra safety measures and inputs required. We also work to minimise ecological disturbances,” said Yeshi Dorji.

As Punakha leads the way with this unique adventure, it is set to attract more tourists while offering an unforgettable combination of nature, serenity, and thrill.

Day rafting is available on both the Mochhu and Phochhu rivers for locals and tourists alike.

In addition to Mochhu and Phochhu, other popular rafting locations include Amochhu in Chhukha, Pachhu in Paro, and Drangmechhu in Zhemgang.

Currently, there are six rafting operators in Punakha and one each in Paro, Zhemgang, and Chhukha.

On the Mochhu, the rafting route runs from the Yoebisa bridge to Changyul, a few minutes drive from the Punakha Dzong. Before September 2018, it was allowed till Phochu-Mochu confluence, located below the Dzong. However, the route was shortened to avoid reaching the dzong, as it lies within the core area of the Punakha Dzong Management Plan.

Tourists, both regional and international, pay Nu 10,000 per rafting trip.

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