River Rafting, India Vacation and River Rafting, India Luxury Adventure Package

For many of us, last year's river rafting course at Shivpuri was an eye-opener. Besides learning key skills of river rafting, we also learned about different river rafting options in India. During the course, it dawned upon us that India has some of the best river rafting options in the world.
Essentials
River rafting in some areas may require special permits from the government. Areas close to India's international borders, such as Nubra, Sikkim, Lahaul and Spiti may be off-limits to foreigners without a valid permit. Before venturing out with your oar and your life jacket, make sure you've got all the necessary permits which are needed. Permits can usually be obtained fairly easily from District Commissioners, District Magistrates or other senior officials. Enquire at the Ministry of Home Affairs in New Delhi to figure out whether you need a permit, and who can give it to you.


White Water Rafting Tips
Be a competent swimmer, with the ability to handle yourself underwater. Always wear a life jacket and a solid, correctly-fitted helmet. Do not boat out of control, your skills should be sufficient to stop or reach shore before reaching danger. Whitewater rivers contain many hazards which are not always easily recognized, such as:

High Water
The river's speed and power increase tremendously as the flow increases, raising the difficulty of most rapids. Rescue becomes progressively harder as the water rises, adding to the danger.

Cold
Cold drains your strength and robs you of the ability to make sound decisions on matters affecting your survival. Dress appropriately for bad weather or sudden immersion in the water.

Strainers
Brush, fallen trees, bridge pilings, undercut rocks or anything else which allows river current to sweep through can pin boats and boaters against the obstacle. Water pressure on anything trapped this way can be overwhelming. Rescue is often extremely difficult. Pinning may occur in fast current, with little or not whitewater to warn of the danger.

Famous Water River Rafting Destinations
Zanskar River
The most difficult and exciting white water rafting option is on the Zanskar River, along its spectacular course through the gorge in the Zanskar mountains, between Padum and Nimo regions. This river course is suitable only for well-organized white-water expeditions, prepared for several days for river running and camping in the absolute wilds of Zanskar region.

Ladakh
The most popular rafting sites include Ladakh in Jammu & Kashmir, the Garhwal Himalayas in Uttaranchal, the Beas River of Himachal Pradesh and Teesta River in Sikkim. The rafting trip can be started off from the options available on the Indus River and its major tributaries. The best stretch for professionally guided runs in white water is on the Indus between Spituk and Saspol. Beyond Saspol, the river becomes difficult and running it requires technically skilled participants and careful organization.
The Ganges
Ganges River has always remains a mystery for explorers and full of surprises for the rafters. Ganga near Rishikesh in Uttaranchal is a popular spot for white water rafting. The whitewater river rafting stretch of the Ganges is from Kaudiyala to Rishikesh where the river has 12 major rapids over 36-kms long, most of which are easily negotiable and some require our expertise.
Himachal Pradesh
Himachal Pradesh's snow-fed rivers offer tremendous opportunities for the challenging sport of rafting. The rivers Chandrabhaga in Lahaul, the Satluj near Shimla, the Ravi near Chamba and the Beas near Kullu offer immense white water rafting possibilities. There are tremendous river running expedition opportunities between Shamshi and Aut on the Beas. The 20-km stretch has exciting and extreme white water rapids.
Brahmaputra River
The mighty Brahmaputra cascading down the heights of immense beauty across Tibet into the north-eastern state of Arunachal Pradesh is an exciting experience for the rafters. Though inaccessible, the region is the ultimate destination a rafter can look for.