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    • Jammu Kashmir
    • Ladakh
    • Rafting
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    • ₹ 1350 - ₹ 79000

    Rafting in Ladakh TripsDone

    Rafting from Phey to Nimmo on the Indus river
    days 1
    Rafting from Phey to Nimmo on the Indus river Leh ,Ladakh
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    Rafting from Tsogsti to Nimmo on the Zanskar river
    days 1
    Rafting from Tsogsti to Nimmo on the Zanskar river Leh ,Ladakh
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    Rafting from Karu to Choglamsar on the Indus river
    days 1
    Rafting from Karu to Choglamsar on the Indus river Leh ,Ladakh
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    Zanskar Rafting Expedition
    days 12
    Zanskar Rafting Expedition Srinagar ,Jammu Kashmir
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    Rafting from Scorpoche to Nimmo on the Zanskar river
    days 1
    Rafting from Scorpoche to Nimmo on the Zanskar river Leh ,Ladakh
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    Rafting from Chilling to Nimmo on the Zanskar river
    days 1
    Rafting from Chilling to Nimmo on the Zanskar river Leh ,Ladakh
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    Rafting in Ladakh - Saspol to Khalsi
    days 1
    Rafting in Ladakh - Saspol to Khalsi Leh ,Ladakh
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    Rafting in Ladakh

    River rafting in Ladakh

    River rafting is one of the most popular and thrilling adventure sports in Ladakh. This exciting activity takes you over the wild Zanskar and Indus rivers, cutting through the magnificent landscape of Ladakh. And while battling the white frothy waves of these rivers, you are treated to some of the most unique and breathtaking views of the Himalayan mountains and the Ladakhi deserts.

    The experience of river rafting in Ladakh

    River rafting in Ladakh is a surefire way of inducing adrenaline into your veins as you rush over the freezing waters of the Zanskar and Indus rivers while battling massive rapids. There are some patches where you relax and take in the splendid scenery of the Ladakhi desert and towering walls of the gorges, and then there are some sections where you have to keep paddling, manoeuvring through the whitewater. Rest assured, every minute will be fun-filled where you will form many lifelong memories!

    There are two major rivers where you can choose to go rafting in Ladakh:

    Zanskar river rafting in Ladakh

    The Zanskar river route is spectacularly thrilling, offering challenging rapids that range from Grade II to Grade V rapids scattered all over the route. This route begins in Sarchu and ends at Nimmo. While rafting on the Zanskar river, you pass through ancient gorges with rock walls as high as 100 feet at some places and you also get to see the sprawling Ladakhi deserts along with the snow-capped peaks in the distance. You cross many quaint villages set on the banks of the river with the locals’ eyes following your raft as you flow past them. Here are the most popular Zanskar river rafting sections:

    Tsogsti to Nimmo:

    This is the easiest section of the Zanskar river rafting route that offers you a taste of the action but it is perfect for those wanting more of a relaxed experience. This route is great for absolute beginner rafters and first-timers. And even though the rapids might only be of Grade I+ on this, the views are still magnificent. This 5 km section takes around an hour to cover while offering a fun-filled and scenic experience.

    Scorpoche to Nimmo:

    This is a great moderate level section for beginners looking for thrills on big but manageable rapids. This route consists of rapids from Grade I to Grade II+, taking 2 hours to cover the 18 km route. On this route, the action is turned up a notch and the views are even more spectacular.

    Chilling to Nimmo:

    If you are an experienced rafter looking for a challenge, then the Chilling to Nimmo rafting route is the one for you. This route takes you right in the heart of intense action where you have to battle Grade IV+ rapids. This is also the longest route of around 28 km and takes around 4 hours to cover. The Chilling to Nimmo rafting section is only recommended for experienced rafters.

    Indus river rafting in Ladakh

    Experience the thrill of rafting on one of the longest rivers in Asia that was once the cradle of the oldest civilization in the world. The Indus River originates from Tibet and crosses Ladakh to enter Pakistan. This route is another major route in Ladakh that is just as good as the Zanskar route. Though the experience of rafting on the Indus River slightly different with most of the river being easier to navigate and also quieter. But it is also famous for having one of Asia’s most difficult rafting routes. Here are the most popular Indus river rafting routes:/p>

    Phey to Nimmo:

    This is an easy to moderate grade route with rapids ranging from Grade II to Grade III. This section is perfect for beginners as well as experienced rafting looking for a thrilling rafting session on the Indus river. This 25 km route takes around 3 hours to cover and the route is mostly a mix of both low and high-grade rapids.

    Saspol to Khalsi:

    The Saspol to Khalsi rafting route on the Indus River is famous for being one of the most difficult rafting routes in Asia with the massive rapids ranging up to Grade V. This 30 km takes four hours to cover and is full of challenging rapids that require precise manoeuvring of rafts. On this route, you get to battle the infamous kilometre-long series of rapids at Nurla which will test your endurance and skills with every swell of the waves. This route should only be attempted by highly experienced rafters.

    Ladakh river rafting: Itinerary

    Make sure to read the inclusions and exclusions section of the package you are booking to know more about what will be provided to you.

    Rafting is a very safe adventure activity that involves very little risks. All rafting packages include high-quality equipment like helmets and life-jackets. You are also accompanied by experienced rafting instructors who are trained for any mishaps that might take place, along with support kayaks and rafts to help you if your raft capsizes.

    Additionally, there are routes of different levels from easy to challenging, so if you are a beginner rafter, then you can go for an easy or moderate rafting route. Only experienced rafters should book the challenging routes as they require precise manoeuvring over Grade IV to V rapids.

    There are some instances when the raft capsizes, in which case, you should be calm and follow the instructor’s commands. If you happen to fall off the raft, then do not panic, the instructor will help you get back on the raft. One of the most important things to remember while rafting is to always follow the instructor’s commands.

    Ladakh river rafting: Things to keep in mind

    There are some things that you need to keep in mind while rafting in Ladakh. To begin with, you need to wear unrestrictive clothing. When you wear a life jacket and helmet, make sure they have a snug but comfortable fit. Avoid wearing loose jewellery or expensive gadgets. Apart from that, always follow the instructor’s command, especially while entering a rapid. If you fall off the raft or the raft capsizes, stay calm and do not panic, the instructors are highly trained and they will retrieve you.

    Ladakh is also one of the best trekking destinations in India. Click here to know more about the treks in Ladakh.

    Rafting in Ladakh Summary

    • State: Ladakh
    • Nearest city: Leh
    • Total days: 1 day
    • Grade: Easy to challenging
    • Grade of rapids: Grade I to Grade V
    • Rafting distance: 5 to 30 km
    • Season: June to August
    • Avg temperature: 5 to 10 degrees Celsius

    Rafting in Ladakh Photos

    Best time to go/Weather

    Unlike other adventure activities in Ladakh that happen during the summer season, river rafting is best experienced during the monsoon season from June to August. During these months, the rivers of Zanskar and Indus flow in full glory, offering the most exciting rapids.

    There are various rafting start points on both the Zanskar and Indus rivers, but the rafting packages offer pick-up and drop-off to Leh. So, you have to reach Leh first. There are two ways to reach Leh, either by road or by flight. Flying to Leh is the most convenient and fastest option where you have to book your flight tickets to the Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport in Leh. Most major cities of India like Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Delhi, etc. are connected to this airport by regular flights.

    The other way of reaching Leh is by road which is an adventurous experience in itself. You get to cross high-altitude passes and dramatic scenery on the way. There are two routes to reach Leh, one from Srinagar and the other from Manali. You can either reach Leh by taking a bus or a taxi, or you can book the thrilling Leh motorbiking tour.

    The Srinagar-Leh route is 434 km and en route, you cross Sonmarg, Kargil and Zoji La pass, but the route is open only from May to October. The other route from Manali to Leh is 490 km long and you get to cross high altitude passes of Rohtang La, Baralacha La and Tanglang La, along with Gata Loops. This route is only open from May to September.

    For rafting in Ladakh, you only need to wear basic clothes like a quick-dry t-shirt and shorts/pants along with sandals. Do not wear anything restrictive along with expensive jewellery, waters, etc. The tour operator will provide you with a life jacket and helmet.

    For easy to moderate rafting routes, high levels of fitness is not required. Beginners with basic fitness levels can easily go on this rafting trips in Ladakh. But the challenging rafting routes do require high levels of fitness and endurance along with prior experience of rafting as you have to make precise manoeuvres and battle massive rapids for longer periods of time.

    But you do require good health and reasonable physical conditions for rafting. Those with serious ailments like heart, muscular or heart disorders along with expecting mothers should consult their doctors before booking the Ladakh rafting trip.

    Camping in Ladakh is not a strenuous activity and can be done by anyone, so no preparation or fitness is required. Although, do be wary of altitude sickness when you arrive in Ladakh. Make sure you follow through the acclimatization process before heading to the high-altitude campsites like the one at Pangong Lake.

    Rafting in Ladakh - Frequently Asked Questions

    Ladakh is a high-altitude desert, so you need to acclimatize as soon as you arrive in Leh. To acclimatize properly, you need at least one or two days where you rest and don’t exert your body too much. While acclimatizing, it is recommended that you go on short walks around your hotel and spend the rest of the day resting in your room. To ensure proper acclimatization, you should arrive in Leh a few days prior to your rafting trip.

    It is crucial that you follow acclimatization properly as altitude sickness shouldn’t be underestimated. If taken lightly, altitude sickness can have adverse health effects and can even be fatal. You can also use Diamox for acclimatizing but do consult your doctor before this the tablet.

    There are different levels of rapids, varying in size. Smaller rapids are easier to navigate and can be conquered by beginners. But the big rapids are harder to navigate. This difficulty only increases as the size does. To make understanding of these rapids easier, they are classified into 6 grades. It also helps people decide which rafting routes they should book; if they are a beginner rafter then they should go for lower grades and the experienced rafter should go for higher grades.

    Starting with Grade I, the smallest of the rapids that consist of minimal rough areas, and no manoeuvring is required to tackle these. Grade II rapids have some rough areas and small waves, but still, very less manoeuvring is required to cross these. Grade III rapids are somewhat challenging that require some paddling to cross as they have bigger waves and drops but this grade is not dangerous at all. Grade I to III can be managed by beginner rafters as long as they follow the instructor’s instructions.

    Then, there are bigger grade rapids like Grade IV rapid which consist of sharp drops and big waves, and there may be rocks too. These rapids require sharp manoeuvers to cross. Followed by Grade IV are the Grade V rapids which require extreme precision and high fitness levels to tackle as these rapids consist of deep drops, big waves and rocks. These grades should only be attempted by experienced rafters.

    The last, Grade VI is the most difficult type of rapid to cross which usually is avoided by all the operators. These grades of rapids impose a high risk to life and equipment.

    Rafting in Ladakh is a safe adventure that involves very little risk. The safety is further ensured by high-quality rafting equipment provided by the operator including helmets and lifejackets. Additionally, you are always accompanied by certified rafting instructors who hold safety to the highest standards. They are also trained to tackle any kind of mishap. There are also support kayaks or rafts accompanying you in case your raft capsizes or you fall off.

    There are also different grades of rafting routes in Ladakh with the easy ones being very safe and the challenging ones involving some risk. Hence, if you are a beginner rafter, then you should only go for an easy or moderate level route. The challenging routes are best suited for experienced rafters.

    No, you do not need any kind of rafting equipment for rafting in Ladakh. The tour operator will provide all the equipment including rafts, helmets, lifejackets, etc. All you have to do is arrive at the rafting point with basic clothes. If you opt for hotel pick-up and drop-off in Leh, then the operator will take care of the transport.

    Ladakh rafting packages include all the rafting equipment like rafts, paddles, lifejackets, helmets, etc. along with services of experienced rafting instructors. The packages also include lunch after the rafting session along with hotel pick-up and drop-off in Leh. Remember to read the inclusions section of the rafting trip in Ladakh you’re booking to know more about the package inclusions and exclusions.