Packing exciting combinations through gentle passages and over foaming torrents, Himachal has emerged as a major focus for river-rafting or 'white-water' rafting as it is also called. The State hosted the India Rafting Cup in 2004 and in 2005. For a surge of adrenalin to gush through every vein and surge over every muscle, you can race over the river rapids in an inflatable rubber dingy. River rafting is available on the river Satluj at Tattapani, near Shimla, on the river Beas near Kullu, the river Ravi near Chamba and the river Chandra near Lahaul. Non-swimmers and novices can also experience this on some of the gentler rapids. The sport takes a break during the winter months and in portions of the monsoons.
While rafting the following items apparel are suggested to be carried along: pants, socks, bathing suit / trunks, outdoor / sports shoes, cap / hat, sun glasses, rubber slippers, camera, warm clothing and prescription medicines. For the raft, shorts, a tee shirt and floaters arc best. No jeans please.
Himachal Tourism sponsors courses in river-rafting and there are several operators in the private sector who offer this experience.
As other places in the world where river-rafting is offered, the State's rapids have been categorised as follows :
Category I : Easy moving water, small waves, no obstacles.
Category II : Moderate Difficulty, with clear passage.
Category III : Difficult, High irregular waves, narrow clear passage, reouires precise manoeuvring.
Category IV : Very Difficult long rapid, powerful irregular waves and hydraulics, require precise manoeuvring.
Category V: Extremely difficult, long violent, and highly congested rapid, for team of experts only.
Category VI: Unrunnable.
- Adventure & Sports in Himachal
- Golf
- Day Hikes
- Trekking
- Camping
- Heli Skiing
- Skiing
- Ice Skating
- Para Gliding
- Angling
- Still Water Sports
- River Rafting
- Mountain Cycling
- Vehicle Safaris
- Mountaineering & Rock Climbing
- Other Activities
- Eco-Tourism and Himachal
- Health and Fitness
- A Request
- Some Facts Regarding Travelling to Kinnaur, Lahaul and Spiti
- Important Distances
- Useful addresses and Websites
