River Rafting is a thrilling sport. The rapids and the adrenaline rush can be addictive. Remember the film “Into The Wild”, where McCandless travels down the Colorado on a kayak. India has some of its own kayaking and rafting destinations, which can beat some of the world’s best in their wonder and beauty.
Indian rivers cover some rough terrain in their journey. This is true not only for Himalayan rivers, but also the southern rivers. As they traverse their way to the sea, they form some amazing rapids and falls. These are places of opportunity for rafters.
Here are some ideal location for rafting.
Hrishikesh
This is a popular rafting site, tucked amidst the Garwal range of Himalayan mountains. You can cover different lengths of stretches from Brahmapuri to Hrishikesh(9 km), Shivpuri toHrishikesh(16 km) and Kaudiyala to Rishikesh (36 km). The difficulty level also caters to beginners to advanced.
Kameng, Arunachal Pradesh
Rafting on the Kameng river can unravel some of the mysteries of this land. The impulsive flow of this river is apt for a perfect rafting experience. It is more suitable for advanced rafter, and the best time to visit the place is early summer or late winter.
Bhagirathi, Uttarakhand
The turbulent waters in this river make it a challenging experience. But the tenuousness is worth the beautiful passage of this river between two mountain peaks, studded with some natural caves. It is one of the longest stretch for rafting in India.
Zanskar, Ladakh
Passing through more than 12,000 feet in freezing waters, Zanskar is not for the weak hearted. Rafting is held between Padum and Zimo regions, and ends where the river joins the Indus. The best time to visit is between June and August, as the river is frozen for the rest of the year. But the giant mountain walls on either side, isolated and away from habitation take you to another world on this trip.
Kundalika, Maharashtra
In southern India, Kundalika makes one of the best rafting experience. The stretch of 15 km amidst the Sahyadris is suitable for beginners as well. The best time to visit is during the monsoon, when the river is gushing with all its force.
Barapole, Karnataka
In the lush green region of Coorg, River Barapole has some excellent opportunities for various rafters, from beginners to advanced. The best time to visit is monsoon and post-monsoon.
Dandeli, Karnataka
The newest rafting site in India, flowing through more than 1500 feet in the mighty Western Ghats, Dandeli on river Kali is a must experience for those new to rafting. The passage through dense forest enhances the thrill here.
Rafting is an adventurous sport, and best undertaken with some expert guidance. So, plan your next trip to one of these destinations for a memorable experience.
