River Rafting
White
Water Rafting in Himachal Pradesh
Rivers Rafting is the most loved water adventure sport, worldwide. Also
refered as White Water rafting, river rafting has gained immense
popularity in last few years in Himachal Pradesh. The melting snow on
Himalayas during summers, fill the rivers with water and also provide
them the enough speed to take up rafting challenges. Himachal Pradesh’s
snow-fed rivers pose the toughest of the challenges to the rafters. The
magic behind rafting is the extreme and never-ending thrill in the
untamed rivers. The upper Himalaya rivers are among the best in the
world for river rafting sports, with many staircase rapids that
challenge the body and spirit of the rafter. The river cuts against the
rocky banks, crashes into rocks, crevices and gets broken into white
water rapids, foaming, swirling, and falling in a thunderous din.
Rafting Venues
The rivers in Himachal Pradesh have the best of rafting challenges,
going downhill. The speed and thrill of these rivers can excite any
adventure lover to take up rafting. River-rafting or white-water
rafting, as it is also called - is swiftly making Himachal Pradesh a
focus for the sport. The rivers Chandrabhaga in Lahaul, the Satluj near
Shimla, the Ravi near Chamba and the Beas near Kullu offer immense
whitewater rafting possibilities. On beas, between Shamshi and Aut, many
rafting expeditions also takes place. The 20-km stretch has exciting and
extreme white water rapids. The rubber dinghy, rafting boats, are
available on rent. The rafting races are now also being held on the
Sutlej near Shimla, on the Beas near Kullu, the Ravi near Chamba and the
Chandra in Lahaul. Possibilities are also being explored on the river
Spiti. Non swimmers and novices can also experience this on some of the
gentler rapids. The sport takes a break during winter and in portions of
the monsoons.
Important Tips
Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation, HPTDC, offers
equipments, dinghy, equipment, lifejackets, helmets and an expert guide
to the visitors. More things to pack include a good sunscreen, dark
glasses, shorts, T-shirts, suitable shoes, a windproof jacket, a light
sweater, towels, and a flashlight, and not to forget, a camera and first
aid kit. Foriegners have to take necessary permits before entering on
rivers, which cross international borders.
