Best Places For White Water Rafting In India

If you love riding motorcycles, then most likely you have an itch for adventure as well. Now, while motorcycling by itself is an adventurous activity, quite a few amongst us are always on the lookout for a dopamine discharge from means other than two-wheels as well. From ziplining, to skydiving and bungee jumping, adventure sports are getting popular in India, and provide the much needed shot of adrenaline when we want to break out of our everyday routine. One such adventurous activity that appeals to a wide majority of adventure junkies is river rafting. Now, if you are wondering what the term ‘white water’ means, it refers to the colour the river water takes when it gathers speed and rushes through narrow sections and turns all frothy and bubbly. Getting aboard a raft and navigating it through obstacles at a high speed, with the rubber raft bouncing and yawing in all directions allows for a really thrilling experience.. Let’s see what exactly it is that white water rafting entails and the places in India where this adventure sport is best enjoyed.

What is white water rafting?
As the name suggests, white water rafting is the sport of rafting on the white waters. Is it that simple? Of course, it isn’t. For it wouldn’t be thrilling and adventurous if it were that simple. White water rafting is an adventure sport where you ride a raft downstream at great speeds. Like most sports, white water rafting was not a sport when it was first attempted. In 1940, Clyde Smith invented the rubber raft and took it down the river rapids of the Snake River. He was successful in navigating the waters that no other boat could. The rubber raft was later used as a means of transport and for crossing daunting rivers. It was only in 1972 that the Olympics introduced it as a sport.

So why is it called “White Water” rafting? Not all rivers are white, right? Well, there are several aspects that make the water rush and turn white, and hence the sport gets the name. Here are some characteristics related to rivers that made them suitable for white water rafting.

• Gradients, or slopes: Rafting can be done downstream, gradients, or slopes in the flow of the river make the water run at high speeds, turning it white.
• Constriction: Think of this as a water cannon. How the water shoots out of a water gun or cannon when you apply some pressure and make it go through a narrow opening. Similarly, the force and speed of the water in a river is also increased when it is forced through a narrow space.
• Obstruction: The flow of the river is not as smooth they have many obstructions. There are stones, underwater cliffs and boulders that disrupt the flow of water, causing change in the speed at which the river is flowing.
• Water volume: The amount of water that flows through a particular area also contributes to the high speed of the water.

All the above aspects cause the water to be white. Besides this, white water also gets class ratings depending on its speed through the rafting section and the difficulty of crossing them. The waters are rated from Class I to Class VI where Class I is the easiest and most recommended for beginners and Class VI is the most extreme and recommended only for experts.

Though the sport was born in the Snake River, you do not need to travel there to get a taste of white-water rafting. India is home to some of the best places to enjoy this sport and we have listed the best ones here for you to pick based on your convenience.

Ganga, Rishikesh
This is the top-rated destination for white water rafting in India. Nestled in the Garhwal Himalayas, Rishikesh marks the start for a great adventure trip through the waters of the holy Ganga. You will have an option to embark on four different rafting stretches from Rishikesh and they are rated from Class I to Class IV. The stretch from Brahmapuri to Rishikesh is the shortest at 9 km, while the Shivpuri to Rishikesh stretch is 16 km long. The Marine Drive to Rishikesh stretch is the second longest at 24 km and is home to The Roller Coaster, which is one of the Class IV rapids. The longest stretch is the one between Kaudiyala and Rishikesh at 36 km and houses one of the most difficult Class IV rapids, namely, The Wall. Depending on your expertise you can choose to raft on any of these stretches.

Zanskar, Ladakh
For a motorcyclist and adventurer, it would be difficult to find a more thrilling combo than riding a motorcycle to Ladakh, followed by a rafting expedition in Zanskar. The Zanskar river is home to Class III and Class IV rapids. This one’s not for the beginners but it had to make the list for the level of thrill and adventure it offers. Icy cold waters and the snaky river flowing between the mountains make up for an adrenaline rush you might have not experienced before. Also, we don’t need to tell you how beautiful the surrounding landscape will be. Overall, the Zanskar rafting experience will be one memory you will never forget along with the numerous stories you will come back with to tell your family and friends.

Teesta, Sikkim
This is one destination where the beginners can experience your first rafting outing. The Teesta River consists of Class I to Class III rapids. The rafting expedition starts from Melli at Gangtok and makes way along the Teesta River to the point where the Teesta marries the Rangit River and forms some of the best rapids that you could experience at the beginner level. Besides soaking yourself in the cold waters, you will also be able to soak in the beautiful landscapes of Sikkim.

Brahmaputra, Arunachal Pradesh
This is one of the longest rafting stretches in the country. The 180 km long stretch passes through some of the most challenging rapids ranging from Class III to Class V. The week-long expedition challenges you every day and adds another layer of adventure by allowing you to camp every night in the lap of mother nature. The Zebra Rock, Roaring Rikor, Moying Madness, and Tooth Fairy are some of the most challenging rapids that you can experience on this expedition. The unpredictable waters and the high-speed rapids make for an exciting and memorable adventure.

Kundalika, Maharashtra
The Kundalika river in Maharashtra has a section suitable for white water rafting in Kolad. The gradient and the turbulence of the river is controlled by a dam that has been constructed on the river. The rapids here range from Class I to Class III which makes them perfect for someone who is trying rafting for the first time. Kolad is also a quick ride away from Mumbai and Pune, making up for an ideal adventure weekend. Monsoon is when you will have the most fun, taking on the Kundalika river while also taking in the lush green surroundings of Kolad.
So next time you plan a motorcycle ride and are feeling extra adventurous, make sure to add these destinations to your itinerary.