Kashmir is quite famous for a number of picturesque lakes and rivers. These water bodies of Kashmir not only serve as delight to the eyes, but are also a hub of a number of activity-oriented leisure sports. The less adventurous people go for the quiet Shikara boat rides on the Dal Lake and Nagin Lake of Srinagar. The Shikara rides offer peace and serenity as well as the option of sightseeing some of the beautiful places on the embankments. Other options include riding motorboats or going for water skiing.
If there are two important facets that define Sonmarg, they are vast leisure valleys and adrenaline rushing activities. The Indus River offers grade 4 rapids for whitewater rafting. Anyone from experienced rafters to first-timers can indulge in rafting.
Rafting On The River Indus
Between the end of June and late August, when water levels are high, Leh's most travel agents and travel operators organize rafting trips on the Indus river. This event is still in its infancy with floating downstream in a rugged and beautiful landscape. Experience Water Sport in Kashmir.
River Rafting in Ladakh
River rafting in Ladakh is difficult to find anywhere else in the world. It provides the best opportunity to enjoy and observe the natural beauty of the awesome landscapes with snow-covered mountain peaks, deep gorges, hillside villages, towering hilltop monasteries and glimpses of the unique wildlife. Ladakh provides an array of rafting options on the Indus and its main tributaries.
The best stretch for professionally guided runs in white water is on the Indus between Spituk and Nimu or Saspol, which rates 2 to 3 in the international river grading scale of 1 to 6. Upstream of Spituk, the Indus has the easiest stretch up to Karu, which is ideal for beginners training. In recent years, running the Indus has become a popular option and features on the itinerary of most travelers.
The most difficult but enthusing rafting option is available on the Zanskar River, along its daring course through a gorge in the Zanskar Mountains, between Padum and Nimu. This is fitted only for well-organized white-water expeditions, framed for about a week of rafting and camping in complete wilderness. It is necessary that the participants are trained rafters themselves while the arrangements are assigned to a reliable professional agency. Adequate arrangement for rescue operation is an important prerequisite for undertaking this white-water expedition.
Zanskar River
Zanskar River in Ladakh has on offer some of the most difficult, but exciting, rafting options. One of these stretches is the one between Padum and Nimu, through a gorge in the Zanskar Mountains. However, this trek will take upto a week.
However, what takes the cake is white water rafting in Kashmir Rivers. River rafting tourism was introduced quite recently in the Kashmir valley. The best season for River rafting in Kashmir is from August to September. The following rivers of the Kashmir valley are quite popular from the river rafting point of view:
- Lidder River
- Sindh River
- Drass River
- Suru River
- Indus River
- Zanskar River
- Chenab River
- Jhelum River