Whitewater Kayaking in India holds a lot of potential in the Himalayan rivers. Whitewater kayaking is an elite sport cum lifestyle activity which unfortunately is not known to many people in India. India being a geographically supreme nation is teeming with some extraordinary rivers.
The Himalayas in the North/ North East are home to some of the mightiest, the most breathtaking rivers on Earth. Rivers in the south usually turn into white water kayaking havens around the monsoons. Kayaking in India unlike Rafting requires you to be well acquainted with the skill. You cannot just set foot in the boat and conquer rapids right away. A basic yet strong foundation is required to actually go out their full power and smash yourselves in the waves.
LEARNING THE SPORT
There are quite a few places for learning whitewater kayaking in India. Although as acclaimed by professionals the best river to learn at is Ganga. Rishikesh, situated along Ganga is cited as the perfect spot for you to get acquainted with the sport. It is accessible from the months of February – June and September – December which is also the maximum time for which a river is open for kayaking. Although you can always opt for courses at different destinations which shall be discussed further in this article.
If you are interested to learn to kayak and take up the thrilling sport of Whitewater Kayaking you may want to check out our whitewater kayaking course for beginners.
TOP DESTINATIONS FOR WHITEWATER KAYAKING IN INDIA
Ladakh – Rivers Indus & Zanskar
Rivers Zanskar and Indus are world’s highest whitewater kayaking sites. The landscape, the steep gorges, barren mountains and the bitter sweet winds make it the most challenging sites to kayak at. Gorges at Zanskar are a sight that you won’t get to see anywhere across the globe. The waters can be extremely cold and hence adequate gear is essential. Rapids will usually range from Class 3 to Class 4 +. Although it is one of the harder kayaking trips it is arguably the best among the lot. In Ladakh you can also find a couple of kayak schools.
The best possible season to kayak in Ladakh is from mid June – mid September.
Uttarakhand – Rivers Ganga, Kali Sharda, Bhagirathi, Alaknanda & Tons
Uttarakhand is a hot spot as far as Whitewater Kayaking is concerned. It has a plethora of rivers amidst some gorgeous valleys. The Indian capital for white water kayaking is Rishikesh. It is the mecca of whitewater kayaking in India. You will find the oldest and most experienced kayak schools/companies in this region. And of course it gives birth to India’s finest kayaking talents. As stated initially, Ganga is undoubtedly the best river to learn whitewater kayaking.
Once you gain a strong foothold in the world of kayaking, you can progress to more challenging rivers like Bhagirathi, Upper Alaknanda and Tons. To be honest Uttarakhand has something to offer for all levels of kayakers. Whether you’re a beginner or an extreme kayaker, you’ll find a river to satiate your thirst for adrenaline. Unlike many other kayaking destinations you can be a part of kayaking expeditions sold by companies in Uttarakhand. One of the best selling expedition is that of River Kali Sharda which happens to be the natural border of India and Nepal.
Season – February – June & mid September – December
Arunachal Pradesh – Rivers Siang, Kameng, Subansiri & Kamla
These two states in the North East India are a bliss for extreme kayakers. Arunachal Pradesh has river Brahmpaputra/Siang flowing through its heart. It is one the biggest volume rivers on our planet and mostly has Class 3 – Class 5 rapids. Waves are so lofty you literally can’t see what lies ahead or what is behind. A kayak looks minuscule in the humongous waves. The other rivers that are bound to lure the kayaking enthusiasts are Kameng, Subansiri & Kamla.
Season – December to January
Meghalaya – Rivers Kynshi, Umtrew and Kopili
Meghalaya is one of the most exotic places for kayaking in India. It is a paradise for extreme kayakers and free fall paddlers. With the majority of rivers being drop and pool kinds. Waterfalls are in abundance here. So if you love to launch down a waterfall or slide down gentle falls, you’re in for a treat. The three main kayaking destinations in Meghalaya are Kynshi, Kopili and Umtrew. Shillong is the base for kayaking all these rivers. Luckily there is now a white water village at Shillong. It is a perfect destination for seasoned paddlers as well as for newbies willing to learn. You can check out the facilities at the Shillong White Water Village here.
Season – Most of the year
Kerala & Karnataka – Rivers Malabar & Kali
Kerala arguably is home to some of the best monsoon rivers. The state hosts one of India’s biggest kayaking festivals – “Malabar River Festival.” Malabar is a Class 4 river and lures in many famous paddlers from all across the globe. At its peak in the monsoons, Malabar river is a super kayaking destination. Kali river located at Dandeli on the outskirts of Bangalore is a relatively new destination for white water kayaking in India. With lush green surroundings and relatively less extreme sections, river Kali is a dream destination for beginners and intermediate paddlers. Although seasoned paddlers would love kayaking amidst the surreal surroundings.
In order for you to be able to run these rivers in a kayak, you should know the basics first. For some rivers you will need to be a seasoned paddler. In some cases you would be able to run smaller sections.
To learn the sport of whitewater kayaking checkout our kayaking course for beginners.