Upper Pho Chhu

The Upper Pho Chhu is a fun Class IV run in the Punakha Valley. It's a bit of a drive up to the put-in at Wolathang but well worth it.

Just downstream of put-in is a large Class V rapid that can be scouted and portaged on the right. Below here are many wonderful Class IV rapids.

Trip Highlights

Mile 0: Put-in at the village of Wolathang.

Put-in for the Upper Pho Chhu

Mile 0.1: Jigme's Gho (V) is a big Class V with a sneak route down the right at some flows. You can scout and/or portage on the right. Just after you put-in go right of a big pyramid rock to eddy out on the right to scout.

Portaging the first rapid on the Upper Pho Chhu

Mile 0.2: Hand of Buddha (IV) is one of the more difficult rapids on this run. The next few miles are back to back Class III rapids.

One of the fun big water Class III rapids on the Upper Pho Chhu

Mile 3.7 (approximated): Small Thinley (IV) is a long, tricky rapid with a wall on the left at the bottom.

Big water fun on the Upper Pho Chhu

Mile 4.1: Take-out at Samdinkha or continue down the Lower Pho Chhu to the Punakha Dzong.