There are so many things to do in Kashmir but nothing more challenging than rafting in the white waters of the many rivers that cut through the Kashmir. The two most famous rivers where you can go for this extreme sport is River Indus and Zanskar river. River Lidder also has few stretches that are good enough to keep you enthralled. The rivers run trough few of the most mesmerizing landscapes, giving you the opportunity to explore those wonders of nature, which are other wise unreachable through land routes. Few stretches are long enough that they take days to complete. And in between, you will stay in camps setup under the snow-capped mountains and hilltop monasteries, just by the sides of these roaring rivers. Though there are rafting options in Kashmir region but they don’t compare up to rafting in Ladakh region, especially in Zanskar. In other adventure sports, you get training sessions before you indulge in the real thing, but rafting is something where there can be no trial runs. All you get are few precaution tips and safety presentation. Here only the real thing prepares you for the real thrill.

White River Rafting destinations in Kashmir

The best place in Kashmir where you can indulge in River Rafting is in River Lidder near Pahalgam. The river hosts the two different stretches, which are quite suitable for river rafting. They are great for rafting but they cannot be called treacherous as the slopes are not that steep, and this attribute of the river is idle location for the tourist . One can go for a daylong excursion to the river. You can also take up white water canoeing in rivers like Sindh and Drass and Suru and in the many high altitude lakes like Gangabal, Kaunsarnag and Vishensar. Its worth the time and money that you will spend on it.

White water Rafting destinations in Ladakh

This is the place where you will be face to face with and the roaring and  thrashing beast, the Zanskar river. The Zanskar is graded as a class IV, extremely rough river. But the first look of the river will be deceiving and the thought that the said difficulty of the river seems exaggerated will definitely cross your mind. The rafting trip will be few days long and the first two days might not feel that adventurous.But hold on, the real test begins after two days of rapids. The next few days you will be hitting fast rapids in the deep gorges and reveal it yourself why this rated so high. Apart from Zanskar River, Indus River also is a great option for thrilling white water rafting. The best time for rafting in Kashmir is during summer time( May-September)when the rivers are full of water. In winters many rivers and lakes get frozen. Even in summers the water is freezing cold. Rafting is an extremely challenging sport so do not ignore the precautionary measures and warning signs that your tour guide tells you to look out for. Make sure that there are adequate rescue measures before you embark on this adventurous thrilling sport.

Pahalgam

The lush greenery and rocky terrain form an excellent spot for river rafting in Pahalgam. People love to participate in the annual competitions that challenge the rafting skills of participants. The river Lidder offers a great number of turns with challenging highs and lows, the participants are advised to be equipped with the proper gear.

The place has garnered a high rating on the international rafting rating system. With ratings going to levels 4-5, it is indeed considered to be a tough one. To sum it up, white water rafting in Kashmir is best experienced in Pahalgam. A lot of people from around the globe have tested their skills on the river Lidder. Their experiences speak volumes of the thrills that come equipped with a tour like this one.

Sonamarg

Speaking of tough rivers to conquer, the river Sindh offers similar challenges like Lidder. Its harsh terrain, coupled with rapid turns, creates an experience like no other. Sindh is considered to be a dangerous river for its fast flow and white water characteristics. The rocky surface also makes it really hard to point the raft in a particular direction. Sonamarg has a plethora of challenges that can amp up your experience of river rafting in Kashmir. Make sure you go prepared and carry all the essentials with you on the trip.

Kargil

Zanskar is the site in the valleys of Kashmir that houses river rafting in Kargil. It’s said that this location offers an experience similar to the renowned river rafting of Colorado, USA. While gliding down during the activity, you’re going to witness the true beauty of Kashmir depicted by an array of monasteries, snow-clad mountain peaks, and deep gorges. This can be opted by rafters of all expertise levels, given that safety protocols are followed ardently.

Tips For River Rafting In Kashmir

Safety should be a primary concern for rafting in Kashmir. Rafting is a physically demanding sport, and it’s essential to be on the top of your health and take all necessary measures to safeguard yourself.

n             Never remove the life jacket.

n             Wear comfortable clothes and sports shoes.

n             Always listen to your guide.

Always keep your hands on the T-grip.

n             Keep yourself hydrated.