If
adventure is your love and you are looking for some highly enthralling water
sports, then river rafting in Himachal Pradesh comes as an excellent option
for you. River Rafting, also known as White Water Rafting has gained high
popularity in last few years in Himachal Pradesh and you can enjoy to the
maximum extent in the rivers of the state.
During summer season, the melting snow on Himalayas fill the Himachal
rivers with enough water and also provide them high speed that is suitable
for taking up the river rafting expedition. Besides, the snow-fed rivers of
Himachal Pradesh also offer easy to tough challenges to the river rafting
enthusiasts.
The tough and exciting rafting routes of Himachal rivers will challenge
your mind, body and spirit. In addition, with the water cascading at great
speed and sometimes even splashing at your face and body, you reach at the
peak of fun and thrill. At the same time, the picturesque sights enroute
will provide you an above the world experience, which you will remember for
lifelong.
River Rafting Scope in Himachal Pradesh
Himachal has four major rivers namely Beas, Ravi, Chenab and Satluj, which
offer plenty of opportunities for you to enjoy the water sport of river
rafting. All these four rivers flow in the north-west direction almost
parallel to each another and meander through the Kullu, Lahaul-Spiti,
Kangra, Chamba, Pangi and Sutlej valleys.
The Beas river rises from Rohtang Pass and flows through the Kully valley,
while the Ravi river originates from Raigarh Glacier and flows down through
the Chamba Valley. The Satluj river enters India near Shipki la and further
it is joined by the Spiti river at Khab and flows through Kinnaur and Shimla
hills. The Chenab (Chandrabhaga) river owes its origin to its two
tributaries - Chandra and Bhaga and flows its way through the Chenab or
Pangi Valley towards Jammu and Kashmir.
River Rafting in River
Beas (Manali) : Of the four major Himachal rivers, the Beas river, right
from Manali till Jhiri, close to Bajaura in Kullu district, has become
favourite among the river rafting lovers. You can enjoy rafting on the
rapids of river Beas, especially between Shamsi and Aut. On this 20 kms
stretch, you get exciting river rafting opportunities the memories of which
will linger long in your mind. Beas river is also a popular venue for
several river rafting competitions of Himachal Pradesh organized during the
rafting season.
Essential
Gear and Training Facilities
All the essential equipments and training courses on river rafting are
offered by Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation Limited (HPTDC).
Rafting courses are quiet easy, expert trainers are there to teach you and
you will learn the basics of rafting within a few hours.
HPTDC provides you necessary equipments like rubber dinghy, helmets and
jackets. Apart from these, there are some essential items that you have to
carry on your own such as a bag, a sunscreen lotion, T-shirts, swimsuit,
nylon shorts, dark glasses, tennis shoes or sandals, a hat, a light sweater,
a windproof jacket, towels, a torch, a flashlight, first aid kit with some
basic medicines.
Don’t forget to carry a camera or cam-corder as you will surely come
across several beautiful sceneries during your rafting expedition. An
experienced guide of HPTDC will also accompany you for your benefit and
safety during the trip.
Guidelines for River Rafting
The first important thing that you should know about river rafting in
Himachal Pradesh is the season in which the adventure sport can be enjoyed.
Summers, spring and autumn are the best time to go on a rafting expedition
in Himachal Pradesh. During winter season and for a shorter during monsoons,
river rafting in Himachal Pradesh is stopped for safety purpose.
Always carry rafting gear according to various seasons. During summers, you
need to carry simple gears while during spring and autumn, the rafting trips
require additional clothing. You have to dress in layers so that you can
easily add or remove articles, as per your need.
