Destination Guides > Guide to River Running in India

River Running With Classic Jpurneys

Water sports in India are certainly not limited to the coastal areas and the islands. Most of the high action takes place in the boisterous, swift Himalayan Rivers, where avid river runners go to satisfy their craving for white waters. However, the experience of river running on any of the Himalayan Rivers goes beyond the mere physical and can be a very profound one indeed. Multi-day trips provide for night halts in tented camps along the ancient river valleys, that are the perfect setting to renew your body and soul.

The Himalayan Rivers are unique in the world. They originate from the eternal melting snows that give the Himalayas their name, “The abode of the snows” and flow through extraordinarily steep gradients. The fiery Bhagirathi, India’s most sacred river, rises from Gaumukh at an elevation of 12,500 ft. It tumbles down to Rishikesh, barely 200 km away, after falling for more than 10,000 ft. The steep gradient results in the river unleashing a tremendous amount of energy as it cascades down the Himalayan gorges and valleys, in its journey to the vast plains below. An increasing number of river runners have been discovering the rush of riding the fury of India’s Himalayan white waters, in recent years.

Tented base camps in the foothills are ideal for relaxation, through yoga and meditation in serene surroundings, on pristine white sand beaches, or bird watching or hiking in thick forests of Sal trees that abound in a variety of bird and animal life. Or by exploring a choice of challenging activities designed to bring you in communion with an environment, which is as old as Time itself. .

Discover the myths and legends of the river retold every evening around your campfire and then watch them come alive as you visit two of its sacred cities - Haridwar and Rishikesh. Witness the Ganga’s descent from the Himalayas and observe hermits and pilgrims performing religious ceremonies on its banks. Visit famous yoga centers and ashrams, participate in the evening Aarti on the Ghats by lighting a leaf boat lamp to float down the river and send your prayers heavenwards.

River running has been a late entrant in the water sports arena. But surprisingly, it is also the most organised and developed water sport in the country. The term river running encompasses rafting, canoeing and kayaking. Rafting is done on inflatable rafts made of special material, which is very light and strong. It can accommodate more people than canoes and kayaks. Graduating into the smaller vessels requires advanced skill level. Compared to the rafts, the kayaks and canoes are smaller, and hence easier to manoeuver. We operate river trips throughout the Indian Himalayas - from the Zanskar and Indus rivers in Ladakh, to the Brahmaputra and Lohit rivers in Arunachal Pradesh

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