Himachal is an excellent destination for many adventure sports. River rafting is an extreme adventure sport where colorful inflatable rafts are used to cross the turbulent river waters. It’s a thrilling adventure and promises to give you and all your friends memories that will last for a lifetime.
Himachal is a beautiful North Indian state and is home for many scenic places that offer calmness and peace. The untamed rivers here are magical, and you need to feel the rush and enjoy it. Melting ice, snow-fed rivers, and lush green valleys are a fairy tale.
River rafting is the most popular sport of Himachal, and you need to experience it to understand the hype around it. This is a thrilling evergreen sport, and you will discover something new each time. The undulating river surface, the waves striking the rocks and entering all the crannies, splashes of water, and your excited screams make a beautiful symphony. The best places for river rafting in Himachal will guarantee that you will always take a part of Himalaya with yourself.
5 Best Places For River Rafting In Himachal Pradesh
Himachal is known for its beautiful valleys, icy mountains, and stunning pastors. Here’s a list of some of the best river rafting town spots in the magnificent state of Himachal.
- Manali
- Kullu
- Mcleod Ganj
- Auli
- Shimla
1. Manali
Manali is a town enveloped with serenity, magnificence, and calmness. It has picturesque snow-capped peaks on one side, and turbulent river waters on the other. Manali is an excellent destination for all river rafting enthusiasts. This place is an ideal choice for adventure on all budgets and will be your best vacation ever. Before choosing to go to Manali for river rafting, always make sure to check the grade of river rafting a camp offers. You will feel ecstasy, calm, and breathless all at once in the best river rafting in Manali. An excellent time to plan a Manali visit for river rafting should be between October to February when the weather is pleasant and bright.
Must Read: Romance In The Hills: 15 Best Honeymoon Destinations In Himachal Pradesh
2. Kullu
River rafting along the Beas river in Kullu is an unlimited fun experience. The clear waters of this river and its mild turbulence make this place a perfect destination for stream rafting. This is a great place to experience the panoramic view and culture of Kullu. Rafting season in Kullu begins in April and ends till June — just before there is an onset of monsoon. This place also offers grade 4 and grade 5 river rafting experience. This is a perfect adventure location for many thrillseekers who want to face the challenge against nature and emerge victoriously.
Suggested Read: 11 Luxurious Villas In Himachal Pradesh Which WIll Let You Enjoy Your Vacay!
3. Mcleod Ganj
Tourists love McLeod Ganj for its lush green scenic views and chilly river waters of Chamba. River rafting in Chamba is a dream. This town has a Tibetan influence, and you will find a lot of Tibetan monasteries and architecture as you progress forward in river rafting. Mcleodganj offers grade 2 and grade 3 river rafting, and this is an excellent idea for all newbies. The best time to go river rafting in McleodGanj is during September, October, and November.
Suggested Read: 8 Top Things To Do In Himachal Pradesh In May For The Perfect Getaway
4. Auli
River rafting in Auli on the Alaknanda river is a spiritual experience. The snow-capped mountains of Auli will leave you mesmerized. Alaknanda is the major tributary of Ganga and dissects Auli, and it’s a beautiful landscape. Auli has been a popular attraction for tourists from all over the world. River rafting in Auli is functional only for six months from October to March.
Suggested Read: 8 Places To Visit In Himachal Pradesh In July That Are A Must See This Monsoon Season!
5. Shimla
Shimla offers one of the most challenging river rafting in Himachal Pradesh. Rafting is the Sutlej river in Shimla isn’t for newbies and requires a lot of prior experience. The stretches of river pass near Tattapani, which has sulfur springs of Himachal. The spreads offered here are 9 km,12 km, and 20 km. The cost of river rafting in Shimla is about 500 -1000 INR per person.
Suggested Read: 8 Best Places To Visit In Himachal In June One Must Definitely Visit And Enjoy A Relaxing Vacay!
Best Time For River Rafting In Himachal Pradesh
Himachal and its serene beauty are best enjoyed during the summer months when it’s sunny, warm, and pleasant. The best time for river rafting in Himachal is from October to May. Monsoons are a risky period, and all major rafting companies do not function during the rains.
Suggested Read: Explore The Himalayas: 48 Best Places To Visit In Himachal Pradesh
Essential Tips For River Rafting In Himachal Pradesh
River rafting in Himachal is best enjoyed after keeping safety measures in mind. Safety and thrill should go hand in hand, and you always need to remember to take all precautions and prevent any mishaps. Here’s a list of essential tips for the best river rafting in Himachal Pradesh.
- Educate yourself about Water rafting: River rafting is an exhausting and high-risk adventure sport. If you have never been to river rafting, you should educate yourself on the game. Learn your capabilities and choose a rafting grade according to your capacity. Know your physical limitations and if you can endure an upper-body strain for a few hours.
- Hold the paddle correctly: You must always hold the paddle correctly. Not keeping a paddle with a firm grip can cause severe accidents and injuries. You should use hand to keep the shaft at the base, and another hand should hold the T-grip to have a firm control at all times
- Know the Rivers: River waters behave differently throughout the years. Sumner months usually have calmer waters, while winter months have more significant turbulence and lower temperature. Understand the weather and water levels of the river you will be rafting in.
- Always wear your lifejacket and helmet: River rafting involves many jerks and turbulence along the journey, and it’s essential to wear a life jacket and helmet at all times. Always ask a professional to make sure that your jacket fits you perfectly, and all the buckles are closed snugly. This is your only protection gear, and you need to make sure everything is in place to avoid mishaps.
- Be ready for unexpected: River rafting is an unpredictable adventure sport, and you will never know what struck you. Always be confident in your abilities and be positive that everything will go naturally and will happen for the best.
Suggested Read: 16 Best Places To Visit In Palampur To Witness The Best Of Himachal’s Tea Capital
Cost Of River Rafting In Himachal Pradesh
The cost of river rafting in Himachal varies according to the grade, river spread, and time you chose. On average, it will cost you about 500-2000 per person. You can also avail discounts if you have a larger group.
How To Reach Himachal Pradesh
By air
There are several domestic airports in Himachal that connect it to major cities in India. Kullu-Manali, Shimla, and Dharamshala airports have a frequent flyer in rate from many cities of India.
By rail
Himachal has a rocky, hilly terrain, and Rails here are challenging to construct. The most prominent railway stations here are Una and Solan.
By road
This is the best way to reach Himachal. The smooth roads and a spectacular landscape make this a perfect place to plan a road trip. The roads are exceptionally well maintained even during monsoons and are safe to drive throughout the year. This is also the cheapest way to reach Himachal. Several buses from Haryana, Punjab, and Uttarakhand travel to Himachal daily.
Suggested Read: Top 21 Temples In Himachal Pradesh To Visit In This Heaven’s Abode
What To Pack For River Rafting In Himachal
River rafting in Himachal is an experience you need to be prepared for. Carrying the right things required will enhance your experience. Here’s a list of things you should pack for rafting in Himachal.
- Swimsuits
- Sweatshirts and Warmers
- Sunscreen
- Water and snacks
- Dry clothes
- Waterproof cases for your phone
- Waterproof camera
- Athletic shoes
- Hand towels
Further Read: Himachal Pradesh In March: A Guide For Those Visiting This Splendid Destination In Spring
Rafting is pure fun and adrenaline rush. Himachal is one of the most spectacular adventure locations. River rafting in Himachal Pradesh should be done by every tourist visiting the state. The melting ice caps, serene mountains, and chilly river waters are indeed a blessing on Earth. Himachal is God’s abode, and experiencing the thrill here is what you should do once in your life. What are you waiting for? Pack your bags today and find out the dark, adventurous side of you on your getaway in Himachal Pradesh.
Disclaimer: TravelTriangle claims no credit for images featured on our blog site unless otherwise noted. All visual content is copyrighted to its respectful owners. We try to link back to original sources whenever possible. If you own the rights to any of the images, and do not wish them to appear on TravelTriangle, please contact us and they will be promptly removed. We believe in providing proper attribution to the original author, artist or photographer.
Please Note: Any information published by TravelTriangle in any form of content is not intended to be a substitute for any kind of medical advice, and one must not take any action before consulting a professional medical expert of their own choice.
Frequently Asked Questions About River Rafting In Himachal Pradesh
What is the best time for river rafting in Himachal?
The best time to visit North India is from the middle of September to the end of April. Monsoons are a terrible time, and it’s not quiet and safe to go river rafting at this time.
Is rafting safe for children and the elderly?
Children above ten and elderly — all can participate in rafting in Himachal. They’re kept safe, and there are zero chances of them falling off the raft. In the case of the elderly is essential to get all the medications and make sure that they are not cardiac patients. A basic stretch of 5 km that is of grade 1 is the best choice for children and the elderly.
Can I go river rafting if I am overweight?
There is no set weight limit for river rafting, but since it’s a demanding adventure, some precautions have to be taken. A lot of strenuous physical activity is involved in river rafting; you need to avoid it if you can’t carry out the tasks.
How long will the trip take?
River rafting in Himachal usually takes about 3 hours per trip. This may vary according to the ongoing weather conditions and river status.
