River Rafting in India - Best Places & Basic Guide- Ngtraveller

With water flowing around you, water mists that envelop you and your mind and body signaling the wild ride in untamed waters through the rapids; Just looking at this is sure to get your adrenaline pumping. River rafting has become one of the most popular adventure sports and is now included in almost every itinerary with friends and family. With a plethora of rivers within easy reach, India has become a hot spot for rafting. (It is often considered one of the best places to enjoy this adventure sport!).

You can choose from many places that offer river rafting in India, depending on the difficulty levels categorized as follows: Class I- Basic, Class II- Easy, Class III- Moderate, Class IV- Extremely difficult
Promising an unforgettable experience for all adventurers and travelers, this sport is a must for everyone. The adrenaline rush and the beating of your heart will make you addicted to boat rides on the river.

River Ganga at Rishikesh

Undoubtedly one of the most exciting whitewater rafting spots in India, Rishikesh has become synonymous with this exciting adventure sport. Located in the Garhwal Himalaya in Uttarakhand, Rishikesh offers rafting on the mighty and exotic Ganges River in 4 sections. Brahmapuri Extension to Rishikesh (9 km), Shivpuri Extension to Rishikesh (16 km), Marine Drive to Rishikesh Extension (24 km) and Kaudiyala Extension to Rishikesh (36 km). In between these stretches, you will experience a rapid regression from first grade to fourth grade. There are about 13 tracks, some of them have unusual names, like - The Wall (located between the Kaudiyala extension and Marine Drive and is the most difficult of all), Roller Coaster (located between Marine Drive and the Rishikesh extension). Other lovely tracks include Three Blind Rats, Back to Sender, Golf Course, and Double Trouble. While on these stretches, you can enjoy the serenity of the mountains and the splendor of the surrounding white sand beaches. The best time of year to enjoy rafting on the Rishikesh River is from June to September.

Difficulty level: Grade 1 - Grade 4
Distance: 9km - 36km

Teesta River at Sikkim and Darjeeling

Sikkim's most famous river, Teesta, runs through Sikkim, Darjeeling, and the Kalimpong Hill district. The runaway river Teesta offers rafters an exciting experience, with a series of rapids of varying intensity. The Raging Rangit is a tributary of this river and has multi-dimensional rapids, providing more challenging slopes for the rafters. Kayaking in Testa is limited to the months of October to April (winter months). What makes this experience so refreshing is the beautiful scenery that surrounds Teesta. The rocky terrain nearby amplified the glory of the river. You can also try your hand at stand up paddle boarding and stand up paddle boarding here.

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Difficulty level: Grade 1 - Grade 4
Distance: 11km - 37km

Barapole River at Coorg

The adventure and excitement of rafting is not limited to North India. River Barpole, in Coorg, offers excellent rafting experiences. This Dakshina Kannada River is located on the Deccan Plateau in the Western Ghats. The river consists of two sections: the normal upper section of the river contains approximately five rapids, while the lower section has 6 to 7 rapids. The severity of the slopes varies from 2 to 4, depending on the water level. Some of the unusual quirky names given to these tracks include: Morning Coffee, Big Bang, The Ramba Samba, The Wicked Witch, Milky Churn, and Grasshopper. The rafting season starts from the monsoon months and lasts until some time after the monsoons (July to September).

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Difficulty level: Grade 2 - Grade 7
Distance: 8 km

Yamuna River - Uttarakhand

Rafting on the Yamuna River offers an exciting experience for both amateurs and expert rafters. It has two sections: one from Nainbagh to Juddo and the other from Yamuna Bridge to Juddo. The Nainbagh - Juddo section offers up to 3 slopes and is the most preferred among the rafters. Although the Ganges remains the most popular rafting option in the country, many have discovered the wonders of rafting in Yamuna in recent years. The best time to go kayaking is from mid-September to mid-June.

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Difficulty level: Grade 1 - Grade 3
Distance: 9 km

Spiti River - Himachal Pradesh

Rafting along the meandering Spiti River, located in Himachal Pradesh, is a very interesting experience, as you can spend up to 6 days in the water! The landscape offers glimpses of local villages, foliage, and snow-capped glaciers. The kayak starts in the Tuting area, covers Pasighat and the end point is Sumdo. Covers a total of 180 km. The best time to visit is in July and August.

Difficulty level: up to 4th grade
Distance: 180 km