rafting in India

A guide to Rafting in India. Here we explain the locations, facilitties and other details for rafting in India. A quick and simple guide that will be handy for your rafting expedition.

Rafting in India

India is one of the few countries that has rivers ranging from the most wild to the most mild. Add to it the mighty mountains, picturesque wilderness with rare flora and fauna and you get the rafting experience of a life time. With mighty rivers like the Ganges and Brahmaputra, that traverses the high mountain ranges of Himalayas, you cannot go wrong with your rafting location.

The rough and unexplored rivers of India provides one of the tough and challenging rafting experiences. This has resulted in an increase in the number of International rafters arriving in India.

India has witnessed a steady increase in rafters during past couple of years. The main factor contributing to this increase would better accessibility to remote rafting locations due to better infrastructures. The awareness for adventure sports has also increased recently thereby increasing the number of rafting operators and tour guides. The technological advances has made rafting more affordable to the upper middle class.

The economic liberalization of 1990s is also a major factor contributing to the increase in interest for rafting. The availability of better and modern equipments for rafting resulted that rafting became more secure. Better infrastructure resulted that India's unexplored rafting rivers are now better accessible for rafting. The affordability and safety of rafting resulted in an increased interest for rafting amongst Indian middle class.

River rafting according to State and Union territory of India

Jammu & Kashmir -
The river Indus and its tributaries

Himachal Pradesh -
Rivers Beas, Chenab, Satluj, Ravi provides excellent rafting opportunity.

Sikkim -
The Teesta and Rangit rivers,

Arunachal Pradesh -
River Brahmaputra, one of the greatest rivers in the world. And Arunachal pradesh provides you one of the less travelled paths.

River rafting in different rivers

Indus
Rivers
Beas
Chenab
Satluj
Ravi
Teesta
Rangit
Brahmaputra

A brief history of rafts and rafting starting from the ancient times.

Evolution of Rafts

Originally, rafts were used as a simple and reliable mode of transport. These simpler form of rafts would float over water and was used to transport men and material accross water.

During those initial days rafts were made using logs or planks that were tied together. When huge logs were tied together, it formed huge rafts that could carry heavy objects. These rafts were used to transport construction materials, agricultural items, cattles and other animals, and even human beings.

While the initial rafts were simple and were used mainly as a mode of water trasport, as time progressed, rafts began to evolve. Modern technologies were adopted for the construction of rafts. Influence of modern innovation is clearly visible not only in the construction but also in the maintainance of rafts. The modern day rafts are light in weight, rugged and easily portable.

Inflatable light weight boats are currently the most popular form of a raft. These rafts are made from lightweight and strong fabrics like vinyl, or rubberised materials. Air chambers created using the fabrics generate buoyancy for the raft to stay afloat.

The base fabric used to create a raft are usually made from polyester or nylon threads. The base fabric is then coated with materials like PVC, polyurethane etc to make them water resistant and strong.

The main types of rafts available currently are

- Symmetrical raft. Steered with a paddle at the stern.
- Asymmetrical raft that is rudder-controlled.
- Symmetrical raft with central helm (oars).

Evolution of Rafting

Rafting evolved from a means of transport to adventure sports. Commercial rafting started during the early 1900s. But rafting became popular among the common public during the 1980s. The popularity can be attributed to modern technnological advances that resulted in better safety and comfort.

These advancements made rafting accessible to even the not so adventurous people too. The late 1980s also saw the entry of more commercial private players into rafting arena.

History of rafting in India

India has a long tradition of rafting. The numerous rivers in India meant that rafts were one of the earliest mode of mass transport. The olden day Maharaja's of India had utilized the power of rivers for transporting their army and materials.

The economic liberalization of 1990s saw the mushrooming of new raft operators accross the length and breadth of India. With the Indian company's adapting latest rafting technologies, safety records also improved considerably. And competetion also meant that rafting became cheap in India. This meant that more affordable middle classes started to enjoy the sport of rafting in Indian rivers.