15 Best Rafting Places In India You Must Visit
Rafting is becoming one of the popular water sports in India to keep your adventurers craving! River rafting in India is something adventurers want to try, allowing you to experience driving in unbridled waters and traversing dangerous rapids. It’s one of the perfect additions to your itinerary that can include your friends and family.
River Rafting in India gives you a thrilling experience to indulge in this adventurous water sport that reaches many rivers. Read on to learn about some of the best river rafting spots in India.
What is river rafting/white water rafting? :
River rafting or white river rafting is an adventurous water sport that uses a raft to navigate the waters. It first became popular in the mid-1970s, and as a casual sport it still remains trendy, especially during the holidays. There are different rapids of untamed water on this challenging expedition.
Rafting requires specific maneuvering techniques as the activity involves many challenges. Depending on the difficulty level, you can choose from many places in India that offer rafting. The different difficulty levels are:
- Level 1 – Basic level.
- Level 2 – Simple.
- Class III – Moderate.
- Level IV – Extremely challenging.
15 Best Rafting Spots in India:
Rafting is perfect if you’re planning an individual or group adventure, and it’s rapidly gaining popularity in India. We bring you the best rafting destinations in India; you can explore and enjoy this beautiful outdoor experience.
1. Barapol River in Coog:
If you thought the adventure and thrill of White River rafting was limited to northern India, you’d be sorely mistaken. Enjoy an extraordinary experience on the Barpole River in Coorg. It is one of the best and most famous rafting destinations in India. The Barapole River at Dakshina Kannada is located on the Deccan Plateau in the Western Ghats and has two reaches. There are six to seven rapids in the lower section and about five in the upper section. Depending on the water level, the rapids range in intensity from two to four. The months between July and September are ideal for white water rafting in this place.
- Coverage distance: About 150 kilometers.
- Difficulty Level: There are class IV to V rapids in the upper section and VI to VII rapids in the lower section.
- Best time for rafting: July to August.
2. Dandrikali River:
Dandeli River Rafting, while relatively new compared to the other attractions on this list, is undiminished in terms of fun and excitement. The Kali River flows fast along the Western Ghats and offers us an exciting and winding road. Amid a variety of flora and fauna, the river offers you an exhilarating downstream flow at more than 1,200 kilometers above sea level. It is considered to be one of the best white water rafting locations in South India.
- Coverage distance: 12 km.
- Difficulty Level: Secondary.
- Best time for rafting: November to June.
3. Wayanad Kabini River:
Kabini River is one of the best places to experience river rafting in South India. Excellent wildlife viewing and a fascinating river rafting experience are what you get on this trial. Suitable for beginners and experienced rafters alike, this trail inspires your taste for adventure. You can also opt for bamboo rafting on the Kabini River and share the beauty of Wayanad. Bamboo rafts can help you relax and experience the beauty around you.
- Difficulty Level: Class II-III.
- Best time for rafting: June to October.
4. Kundalika River, Maharashtra:
The Kundalika River flows into the Arabian Sea from the majestic Sahyadri hills. This is the only place in India that offers whitewater river rafting all year round and is one of the best weekend getaways in the region. Magnificent setting, lush greenery adds to the exhilarating river rafting experience.
Coverage distance: 16 km.
Difficulty Level: Class III-IV.
Best time for rafting: June to March.
5. Brahmaputra River, Arunachal Pradesh:
The Brahmaputra River in Arunachal Pradesh is considered one of the best river rafting locations in India, offering a thrilling river rafting experience. The river rafting starts at Tutin and ends at Passigat. The whole expedition takes almost a week and you can experience Arunachal Pradesh’s culture, traditions and way of life very intimately.
- Coverage distance: 180 km.
- Difficulty Level: challenging.
- Best time for rafting: September to June.
See also: most important river in india
6. Losis River, Arunachal Pradesh:
The Losis River flows over 200 kilometers in Arunachal Pradesh, and at its easternmost point, Kibitu, enters India through Tibet. While the river is a lesser-known rafting spot in Arunachal Pradesh, it offers the beauty of some of the densest jungles in the country, creating a unique place for itself. So the Loses River can be ideal for rafting and kayaking in the Northeast.
- Coverage distance: about 100 kilometers.
- Difficulty Level: Moderate to grade IV rapid.
- Best time for rafting: September to June.
7. Ladakh Indus River:
Travelers are sure to be amazed in the fascinating land of Ladakh. The Indus is the longest river in Asia. Rafting in the Indus is not only adventurous, it also allows you to admire beautiful snow-capped peaks, hillside villages, deep gorges and mountain top monasteries. There are many rafting spots along the Indus River in Ladakh such as Upshi to Kharu, Upshi to Nimo, Phey to Nimo. Rafting experience on the Indus River can be an adventure in breathtaking scenery.
- Coverage distance: 25 km.
- Difficulty Level: Class I rapids.
- Best time for rafting: Early November to late March.
8. Pisces, Kuru and Manali:
Kullu & Manali is one of the quintessential getaways for Indian families and couples. Pisces River offers an exhilarating, idyllic and scenic river rafting experience, starting at Pirdi and ending at Jhuri. The Pisces River remains one of the most popular whitewater rafting locations in India, with rapids ranging from one to four.
- Coverage distance: 14 km.
- Difficulty Level: Levels one to four.
- Best time for rafting: June to July.
9. Spiti River, Himachal Pradesh:
Rafting along the winding Spiti River in Himachal Pradesh is ideal if you are looking for a thrilling and fun rafting experience. It gives you a glimpse of the wonders of Himachal Pradesh from local villages, snow-covered glaciers, foliage.You can expect to spend at least six days in the river, starting in the Tutin area and ending in Sumdo, covering the Pasighat area
- Coverage distance: 180 km.
- Difficulty Level: ease.
- Best time for rafting: not applicable.
10. The Bajrathi River in Uttarakhand:
Bhagirathi River offers another challenging river rafting experience in Uttarakhand. The rafters are exposed to a number of important rapids such as Elephant Rock, Slipways, Sharp S, and through the confluence of turbulent and turbulent streams. In addition, the rafters provide access to two of the best rapids of the Ganges, the Wall and Daniel for a dip. Rafting across the Bhagirathi River offers exquisite views, the channel takes you through two parallel mountains and rushing streams.
- Coverage distance: 150 km.
- Difficulty Level: challenging.
- Best time for rafting: April to June.
See also: Historical & Heritage Tours in India
11. Zanskar River, Ladakh:
Ladakh’s Zanska River freezes over most of the year. But rafting in the icy waters of the Zanskar River is truly exhilarating. Covering some of Ladakh’s pristine, isolated terrains, the river is located in the Padum and Zimo regions and promises to provide an unforgettable and unique rafting experience. The river is characterized by rafting in summer and wading on the river in winter.
- Coverage distance:120 km.
- Difficulty Level: Class III-IV rapids.
- Best time for rafting: May to October.
12. Araknanda River, Uttarakhand:
The Arakananda River in Uttarakhand is the second largest tributary of the Ganges, flowing through Chamorli and Rudra Payag, and originating from the Ghawar River. It offers you beautiful views of the Uttarakhand valley and a challenging river rafting experience. The rafters need to survive Class IV and V rapids, which are tricky indeed. However, by the end of the river rafting experience, you will not only have a great thrill, but also a lot of knowledge and experience.
- Coverage distance: 25 km.
- Difficulty Level: Difficult and challenging.
- Best time for rafting: October to April.
13. Ton River, Uttarakhand:
Considered one of the challenging white water rafting spots in India, the Ton River is a tributary of the Yamuna River. As the river meanders through remote areas, you can observe the core traditions and culture of Uttarakhand. If you’re adventurous, you must try rafting on the sparkling waters of the Tons River.
- Coverage distance: 10 km.
- Difficulty Level: Class III and IV rapids.
- Best time for rafting: not applicable.
14. Sikkim Testa River:
One of Sikkim’s famous rivers is the Teesta River that flows through Kalimpong, Darjeeling and Sikkim Mountains. The wild Teesta River has a series of rapids of varying intensities that provide a thrilling experience for the rafters. It provides more challenging rapids to the rafters, hence the name Rangit as a tribute. The beautiful scenery around Teesta, the rocky terrain nearby, magnifies the glory of the river and energizes your rafting experience.
- Coverage distance: 309 km.
- Difficulty Level: challenging.
- Best time for rafting: December to June.
15. Carmon River, Tawang:
The Kamon River in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh is the perfect white water rafting spot due to its scenic beauty. The thrill of the river increases with each kilometer for a unique and exhilarating experience. The impulsive river never lets the thrill end, and the location looks perfect. So, if you’re someone who seeks never-ending pleasure, this is where you need to choose.
- Coverage distance: 25 km.
- Difficulty Level: Class IV rapids.
- Best time for rafting: April to early June.
The Indian river rafting spots mentioned in this article will provide travelers and adventurers with an exciting and unforgettable experience. So, check out the list of rafting spots in India, are you all covered? If not, it’s time to start planning an adventure. Don’t forget to let us know if this article was helpful.
See also: The most beautiful places in India to visit before you die
FAQ:
1. What safety tips should I pay attention to when rafting?
answer: Here are some tips you need to keep in mind when doing rafting:
- Choose a professional and licensed rafting procedure.
- Wear a life jacket at all times.
- Get comfortable.
- Make sure to wear appropriate and comfortable clothing.
- Learn proper swimming technique.
- Know the order.
- Make sure to hold the paddle properly.
2. Is rafting a thrilling experience?
answer: Navigating and manoeuvring a raft in rapids or rapids is a key goal of river rafting, an exciting experience for many. Strong currents make the experience even more captivating.
3. How dangerous is water rafting?
answer: Despite some precautions taken during water rafting, the odds of being injured on a rafting trip are approximately 1:558; the fatality rate is 1:100,000.