Himalaya » White Water Rafting Himalaya

WHITE WATER / RIVER RUNNING
Once only expedition kayakers braved the white water of the Himalaya, but in the last few years, a growing number of reputable commercial rafting operators have begun to run regular trips. There are several ex­cellent, self-contained, multi-day rafting trips spread across the Himalaya, but many require a bit of effort in getting to the put-in so they are probably best combined with a trekking or mountain biking trip in the same area.

COMMERCIAL RAFTING
The most popular location for whitewater rafting is the class IV section on the Ganges just north of Rishikesh, a seven hour drive from Delhi. Several high standard Indian companies have established com­fortable Raj-style tented camps here. Much of their business consists of running three-day weekends for the Delhi crowd you stay at the camp both nights but they can also arrange a one week raft­ing/kayaking trip down the Bhagarathi the major, and most holy, tributary of ie Ganges. This class III-IV river has over 100 rapids and is considered one of the best commercial raft trips in the Indian Himalaya. Highlights in­clude a negotiable three metre waterfall (unimaginatively called "The Fall") and the con­fluence with the other tributary of the Ganges at Devprayag, a fascinating pilgrimage site. Kay­aks are available for hire from the rafting companies. The best time to go is October to mid-De­cember and February to April.

Other easily accessible commercial rafting centres in­clude Manali in Himachal Pradesh for day trips on the class III - IV Beas River (sea­son: April-June) and Leh in Ladakh for one- to two-day big water trips on the frigid Indus river (season: July-September).