River rafting in India has emerged as one of the most popular sports. Steering through the unbridled water and passing through parlous rapids, it is something only an adventurer at heart can realize and appreciate. The super-fast flow of the river, splash of the waters on your body and you aided with a life jacket on a raft, what better adventure can you wish for? You can choose from many places that offer river rafting in India, depending upon the difficulty levels which are graded as:Grade I- The basic level, Grade II- Easy, Grade III- Moderate, Grade IV- Extremely challenging.
There are numerous places for river rafting in India where you can enjoy the sport to your heart’s content. Each place is admired for its natural beauty and therefore rafting in one of them would be an experience worth having.
- River Ganga,Rishikesh
River Ganga in Rishikesh is one of the world’s best rafting destinations. Adventure enthusiast can enjoy river rafting down rapids ranging from grade 1 to grade 4. This almost 16 km stretch is rich with whirlpools and rapids. There are as many as 13 rapids. Return to Sender, Roller Coaster, Three Blind Mice, Double Trouble, Tee Off and Golf Course are some incredible names. While on these stretches, you can enjoy the serenity of mountains and splendour of the white sand beaches around.
- Teesta River, Sikkim And Darjeeling
The most famous river in Sikkim, Teesta, flows through Sikkim, Darjeeling and Kalimpong Hill Region. The unruly river Teesta offers the rafters a thrilling experience, with a series of rapids with varying intensity. The raging Rangit is a tributary of this river and has multi-dimensional Rapids, offering more challenging rapids to the rafters. Blessed with a string of rapids rated at Grade 1-4, it creates a true invigorating experience. Don’t forget that outstanding beauty of the landscape further graces the rafting experience in Teesta River in Sikkim.
- Brahmaputra River Rafting, Arunachal Pradesh
The Brahmaputra River, is mysterious and ferocious. River rafting in this river is done when the river finds its way in Arunachal Pradesh, down the Tibet region by cutting Greater Himalayas. River rafting here is rated at Level 4 -6. Brahmaputra River Rafting is for an exhilarating experience of a lifetime. The starting point of rafting is at Tuting and the end is situated in Pasighat. It takes approximately a week to cover the entire stretch. The rafting expedition makes one well aware of the life, culture, and tradition of Arunachal Pradesh.
- Beas River, Manali
Kullu is one of the most popular destinations for white water rafting in India. Sail on the stretches of river Beas, where rapids provide an exhilarating interlude to enthusiasts. This river has got 1-4 grade rapids. The views of the Pir Panjal Range along the way are spellbinding. The journey would take an hour and a half, but the memories will stay for a lifetime.
- Zanskar River, Ladakh
Re-defining the thrill of river rafting, Zanskar River Ladakh is an adventure like never before. The ice-cold river flows at a height of more than 12, 000 feet. The rapids are of Grade 3 and Grade 4. Rafting is held between Padum and Zimo regions. The whirling rapids and the icy cold water thrown in together with beautiful surroundings landscapes creates memorable experiences of white water rafting in India.
- Alaknanda River, Uttarakhand
The Alaknanda River in Uttarakhand is another challenging river rafting experience. This river, the second largest tributary of Ganga, originates from the Garhwal and flows through Chamoli and Rudraprayag. It offers a beautiful view of the many valleys of Uttarakhand. The rafting stretch is almost 25 km between the Chamoli and Rudraprayag. The river has over 75 to 80 grade 3 to 4+ rapids. Embark on the thrilling adventure. Embark on the thrilling adventure. Camping along the river adds to the fun.
- Dandeli, Karnataka
The countrysides of Karnataka are defined through numerous sights and beauties of nature, one of the most spectacular ones is Dandeli.Flowing through the altitude of 1549 feet in the mighty Western Ghats, rafting is enjoyed in the swift flow of River Kali. The river Kali in Dandeli makes for one of the best places for rafting for beginners and professionals. The rafting trail stretches for around 12 km, making it an exhilarating stretch which is ideal for both professionals and inexperienced rafters. You will have an option to choose between Long(12.5 km), Mid(5.5 km), Short(1.5 km) rafting.
- Kundalika River, Maharashtra
In western India, the Sahyadri river is perfect for white water rafting. Kundali enters Kolad where a dam is constructed that majorly controls the gradient and turbulence of the river. Kolad has become a popular spot for weekend getaways. Weather is throughout the year ideal for rafting in Kolad. Weather in the region is humid all through the year and holds not much of surprises for the visitors. When it comes to Kola rafting expedition, however, visitors mostly prefer monsoon season. Rafting in this region during monsoons is an amazing experience.
- Indus River at Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir
The enthralling land of Ladakh holds a lot of surprises for the travellers. Indulge in this thrilling recreational sport amidst the snow-capped peaks, hilltop monasteries, hillside villages and deep gorges all around. Indus is the longest river in Asia is stretched over 3,180 kilometres.Indus River offers a wonderful river rafting opportunity. Originating in Tibet, the river flows through the cold desert landscape of Ladakh and is extremely cold. The challenging rapids on the river range from grade 1-2 at some places, has grade 3-5 rapids.
- Barapole River, Coorg
South India has its own chunk of thrill! The Barapole River that crosses through Coorg is an ideal place for river rafting in India. This river of Dakshina Kannada is situated on the Deccan Plateau in the Western Ghats. The river has two sections- the regular upper section of the river has about five rapids while the lower section had 6 to 7 rapids. The intensity of the rapids varies from 2 to 4, depending upon the level of water.
