Best Places to Go River Rafting in India

The thrill of adventure sports can be a great way to spice up your upcoming vacation. One of the best adventure sports experiences which you can enjoy is river rafting in India. It is a lesser-known fact but India has some amazing river rafting locations where you can enjoy an action-packed holiday. Let us take a deep dive into some of the best river rafting places in India.

Things to know about River Rafting

Before you check out spots for one of the most exciting adventure activities in India, it is useful to know a bit more about river rafting.

River rafting is one of the most popular water sports in India. River rafting is an exciting water sport where you navigate down the course of an untamed river on a raft. This thrilling experience involves crossing rapids and avoiding obstacles on your path.

Sounds thrilling and a bit dangerous right? Do not worry, river rafting in India is graded according to a variety of difficulties. The difficulty level of river rafting in India is set keeping in mind the skill level required for river rafters and the difficulty of charting through the river. The difficulty level is graded in five levels:

• Grade I - Beginner skill level. Smooth water with minimal current.
• Grade II - Basic paddling skills required. Small rapids with some amount of current. Rough water with rocks can be expected.
• Grade III - Experienced paddling skills required. Rafting requires some technicality since there are small drops on the course.
• Grade IV - Requires whitewater rafting experience. Big rapids and medium waves on the course. Rocks and considerable drops are also part of the course.
• Grade V - Requires advanced rafting experience. The course is hazardous due to large waves and drops. There are large rocks and heavy currents on the course too.
• Grade VI- Only for very experienced rafters. The nature of the river is unpredictable, making it extremely difficult to navigate.

Also Read: 5 Adventure Activities in India for People of All Age Groups

Here are some of the Top River Rafting Places in India

1. Ladakh (River Indus) - Grade I & III rapids

If you are looking to experience river rafting in India for the first time as a beginner, then Ladakh is the place to go. Rafting in Ladakh is a beautiful experience as the river is steady in the area and you can enjoy the serene surroundings. The rafting season in Ladakh extends across the months of July through September. There are several rafting routes across River Indus in Ladakh like ‘Phey to Zanskar’, ‘Phey to Nimo’ and ‘Upshi to Kharu’, among others. Ladakh is one of the most beautiful places in India which includes scenic mountain passes and mystic monasteries. 

2. Coorg (River Barapole)- Grade III to Grade IV rapids

Coorg is a favoured destination for river rafting in India by experienced rafters. There are two stretches in the river where rafting is done. The upper side is comparatively easier to raft through while the lower portion is a dangerous rafting route. Coorg is a place with an amazing forest cover and a breathtaking view of the Western Ghats.

Book your holiday with Club Mahindra to enjoy a stay at beautiful resorts in Coorg. Coorg is also famous for amazing local coffee, scenic drives and exciting treks.

Also Read: Adventure Activities that Make Holidays in the Hills Fun and Exciting

3. Uttarakhand - Grade III to Grade IV

Yet another lovely location for river rafting in India is located in Uttarakhand. The river rafting course down the Bhagirathi River is an exhilarating experience that also includes a few challenging rapids in between. Rishikesh is the first place that comes to mind when river rafting in India is mentioned. You get to raft down River Ganga with a scenic view of the Himalayan mountain range. There are around 13 rapids in the Garhwal region in Rishikesh where river rafting happens. These rapids are ranked according to difficulty grades. Some of the most popular rapids include The Three Blind Mice, Return to Sender, and Roller Coaster.

You can also enjoy the majestic view from the Himalayan ranges by planning a stay at resorts in Rishikesh. The best time to visit this place for river rafting is during the months of October to May. Stay at the best resorts in Uttarakhand when you holiday with Club Mahindra. 

4. Himachal Pradesh - Grade II to Grade IV rapids

Himachal Pradesh is a very popular hill destination. It makes for an even more exciting visit as it is also one of the best river rafting places in India. The entire rafting experience in Spiti also involves an exhilarating trek to the point from where you start rafting. You make your way through quaint villages and meander down the moderately tricky river course. Then there is the popular river rafting place in Himachal as Beas River in Manali. The experience isn’t like anywhere else. Enjoy a peaceful time in Himachal Pradesh at some of the best resorts in Himachal Pradesh when you Club Mahindra. 

5. Maharashtra (Kundalika River) Grade II to Grade III rapids

Kundalika river amidst the Sahyadri ranges in Maharashtra is an amazing spot if you are an amateur river rafter. The rafting course is short and easy to navigate. You will have to make your way to Kolad which is the rafting point. You can travel here any time of the year, and monsoons are the best time to raft here. Club Mahindra can help you book resorts in Maharashtra anytime you want to go for your adventure-filled vacation.  

Also Read: 5 Best Adventure Activities to do in India

With over 100 resorts in India connected to Club Mahindra, you can be sure that you will find some of the best accommodations anywhere you go for your holiday. Club Mahindra offers choicest resorts at popular river rafting spots in India.