Bhutan White Water

Now Streaming with PBS Passport

Join Steve Backshall in the foothills of the Himalaya, where he plans to kayak the last unrun river in Bhutan, which runs through the country’s steepest gorge. Before his attempt, Steve seeks blessing from a local Buddhist monastery.

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Featured Video

A Buddhist Tradition

Steve partakes in a Buddhist tradition and toasts the spirits of the river before beginning his expedition in Bhutan.

Clip 49s

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A Buddhist Tradition

49s

Steve partakes in a Buddhist tradition and toasts the spirits of the river before beginning his expedition in Bhutan.

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Fighting the Rapids

1m 53s

Fighting some of the most intense rapids yet, the team comes across a large drop during their journey. James Bebbington an

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Kayaking Cameraman

4m 51s

Expedition cameraman James Covington runs the Chamkachu River and tries to get into all the places that other cameras can’

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Scoping Out the Route

2m 59s

Steve is joined by whitewater kayakers Darren Clarkson-King, Sal Montgomery, James Bebbington and Chencho Drukpa, to help

Preview

Episode 6 Preview | Bhutan – White Water

30s

Join Steve Backshall in the foothills of the Himalaya, where he plans to kayak the last unrun river in Bhutan, which runs

Digital Extra

How an Adventure Kayaker Explores New Places

Adventure kayaker Sal Montgomery is tasked with checking out the conditions of the river.

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Behind the Scenes: the White Water Expedition

Steve Backshall overlooking the river rapids.

Steve in front of the rapids. | Credit: Graham MacFarlane/True to Nature Ltd.

Steve and Aldo dressed in traditional clothes. | Credit: Graham MacFarlane/True to Nature Ltd.

Chamkar Chuu landscape | Credit: Graham MacFarlane/True to Nature Ltd.

Steve Backshall kayaking through a rapid on a river.

Steve kayaking through rapids. | Credit: James Bebbington/True to Nature Ltd.

Aldo, Steve and Sal dressed in traditional clothes from Bhutan.

Aldo, Steve and Sal dressed in traditional clothes. | Credit: Graham MacFarlane/True to Nature Ltd.

Steve Backshall looking at a statue of Buddha.

Steve looking up at Buddha Dordenma. | Credit: James Bebbington/True to Nature Ltd.

Steve Backshall and Aldo Kane sitting in the back of a pickup truck.

Steve and Aldo on the back of pickup truck. | Credit: Graham MacFarlane/True to Nature Ltd.

Steve Backshall and Sal Montgomery overlooking a river.

Steve and Sal on the river. | Credit: Graham MacFarlane/True to Nature Ltd.

EXPLORE MORE EXPEDITIONS

Oman - Desert Canyon

Follow Steve Backshall into an Arabian desert canyon that no human has ever explored.

Greenland - Frozen Frontier

Join Steve Backshall on his mission to explore the Arctic during its most volatile time of year.

Suriname – Lost World

Travel to the Guiana Shield, where Steve Backshall searches for new wildlife and natural wonders.

Mexico - Flooded Caves

Dive into a network of unexplored caves under the Yucatan Peninsula.

Borneo - Dark Shadow

Follow Steve Backshall into a Bornean cave system that’s accessed by dropping down a sinkhole.

Mexico - Maya Underworld

Return to Mexico with Steve Backshall as he discovers Mayan secrets within subterranean caves.

Greenland - Ice Mountain

Climb alongside Steve Backshall as he attempts to summit an unclimbed mountain in Greenland.

Suriname - Ghost River

Ride along as Steve Backshall kayaks a Surinamese river that’s so remote, it doesn’t have a name.

Oman - Desert Fortress

Visit Oman’s Dhofar Mountains, where Steve Backshall encounters one of Earth’s rarest animals.