Whitewater Raft Northern India
Adventures on the Satluj River in Himachal Pradash State
The Satluj River in Northern India churns with Class III and higher rapids and attracts whitewater enthusiasts from around the world.
India is world renowned for many things, but whitewater rafting is not on the top of the list. The churning waters of the Satluj River may change that.
The Satluj is one of three significant rivers in the Northern India state of Himachal Pradesh. The other two are the better known Indus and Brahamaputra. The Satluj is a trans-Himalayan river that drops from the Tibetan plateau to the west, bringing thousands of gallons of mineral-rich water thundering through canyons and cliffs.
Much of the river is Class III rapids, which require a combination of navigation skills and precision paddling to negotiate the rocks and boulders. Some rapids are Class IV, which requires that and more brute strength to outrun the water.
Last spring, the Satluj was the site of an international whitewater rafting race, including Team Russia, which is the reigning world whitewater champion, and Team Chezch Republic, the European title-holder. The Indian Army Team, the best team in India, represented the home country, along with the Jammu and Kashmir Rafting Association Team and a team from Kashmir University. Team Russia retained its titlle, by the way.
Aquaterra Adventures operates regular week-long whitewater rafting trips to this exotic and adrenalin-charged river. No, you won't be racing, just enjoying the scenery and the spray of water in your face. There is whitewater rafting, as well, on the Beas River near Kullu and the Ravi River near Chamba.
Another rafting company is managed by Shaukat Sikand, regarded as the grandfatheer of Indian rafting. He has 22 first descents to his credit -- that is the rafting equivalent of first ascents in mountain climbing. His Markhor Adventures is named after a rare mountain goat known for its tenacity.
In addition to river rafting, Hamachal Pradesh offers picture-perfect landscaped of terraced green fields bordered by rugged mountains, and nomadic tribes which may or may not understand the adventure of whitewater rafting, but certainly do understand the tourism dollars it brings.
The capital city of Hamachal Pradesh state is Shimla, which one was the headquarters of the British Raj. For more information about thecamping, para-gliding, trekking and hot air ballooning in the area, contact the tourist board, here. For information about India, contact the India Government Tourist Office, here.
Also golf. The Naldhera Golf Course was designed in 1905 by the British Viceroy Lord Curzon. Within the course is a shrine to the serpent deity Nag Devta, and golfers sometimes have to make way for worshippers.
