River expeditions in the Himalayas, rafting and kayaking
| country: | India |
| location: | Indian Himalayas, Ladakh |
| trip type: | A small group adventure |
| departures: | 2008: 21 Aug, 17 Oct |
| price: | From £616 - £1349 (8-12 days) excluding flights, based on 2 people travelling together. A discount will be offered to groups of 4 or more. |
| late availability: | Late availability available for August departure |
the amazing things you'll be doing
The Indian Himalayas is one of the best rafting destinations in the world.
Rafting in India takes you away from the beaten tourist trail. Often we are the only group on the river in a season, and this makes the experience of meeting with local people unique and special.
A wide variety of different rivers with different styles make it possible for India to fulfil all rafters needs. Trips vary from 8 to 12 days and it is possible to go rafting all year round.
Please see a selection of the trips we offer below.
Our river expeditions
The Grand Canyon of Asia, Zanskar River, Ladakh - class IV
From £1349
(12 days) ex flights, departing 21 Aug
This is a river trip with quality white-water, breathtaking scenery, all absorbed in the unique Buddhist culture of Ladakh. Traversing right through the lunar landscape of western Ladakh, one the most amazing places on the planet, visits to monasteries, palaces, markets and villages are all part of the trip, giving you a great understanding of the regions culture.
We begin with a scenic drive past 7000 m peaks and huge glaciers to get to the start of this remote river. The first two days on the river give an easy introduction to white-water and time to acclimatise while surrounded by scenery and the occasional gumpa (monastery) overlooking the river. As we approach the end of a wide valley with the massive Zanskar mountain range looming, a narrow canyon appears and we enter the Zanskar Gorge, the Grand Canyon of Asia. The Canyon walls are steep and over 1000 m high in places. Once we enter the gorge we are committed to reach the end and with large class IV rapids, and fast moving water.
Kali River, Uttarakhand - class III (IV)
From £616 (9 days) ex flights, departing 17 Oct
The Kali river is a great introduction to river running in India. It is a typical pool drop river, with relaxing calm scenic stretches followed by big exciting rapids with long wave trains. The river flows past terraced villages, waterfalls, white sandy beaches and dense tropical jungles. The river forms the border between India and Nepal it gives a good insight into the people from both countries. The area is rich in wildlife and the river is full of fish. The area is home to leopard, bear, elephant, monkey and over 500 species of bird.
The Kali is perfect for first-time rafters, grade III kayakers or those who want to try duckies (inflatable kayaks for first timers).
Tons River and trek, Uttarakhand - class IV
From £616 (8 days) ex flights, departing 17 May
This a prefect trip for those who want to enjoy river running and trekking. The itinerary is divided between 2 half day rafting trips, a 3 day self-contained raft expedition and two days trekking. The Tons has continuous style white-water with one rapid leading into the next. The rafting is often physically demanding due the nature of the river and we require kayakers to be competent on class IV white-water. Adrenaline pumping mornings on the river are followed by relaxed afternoons, to be spent relaxing under leafy alders, taking short walks into the forests and camping out near meadows of calf-high mint and marijuana.
Rafting in India takes you away from the beaten tourist trail. Often we are the only group on the river in a season, and this makes the experience of meeting with local people unique and special.
A wide variety of different rivers with different styles make it possible for India to fulfil all rafters needs. Trips vary from 8 to 12 days and it is possible to go rafting all year round.
Please see a selection of the trips we offer below.
Our river expeditions
The Grand Canyon of Asia, Zanskar River, Ladakh - class IV
From £1349
(12 days) ex flights, departing 21 Aug
This is a river trip with quality white-water, breathtaking scenery, all absorbed in the unique Buddhist culture of Ladakh. Traversing right through the lunar landscape of western Ladakh, one the most amazing places on the planet, visits to monasteries, palaces, markets and villages are all part of the trip, giving you a great understanding of the regions culture.
We begin with a scenic drive past 7000 m peaks and huge glaciers to get to the start of this remote river. The first two days on the river give an easy introduction to white-water and time to acclimatise while surrounded by scenery and the occasional gumpa (monastery) overlooking the river. As we approach the end of a wide valley with the massive Zanskar mountain range looming, a narrow canyon appears and we enter the Zanskar Gorge, the Grand Canyon of Asia. The Canyon walls are steep and over 1000 m high in places. Once we enter the gorge we are committed to reach the end and with large class IV rapids, and fast moving water.
Kali River, Uttarakhand - class III (IV)
From £616 (9 days) ex flights, departing 17 Oct
The Kali river is a great introduction to river running in India. It is a typical pool drop river, with relaxing calm scenic stretches followed by big exciting rapids with long wave trains. The river flows past terraced villages, waterfalls, white sandy beaches and dense tropical jungles. The river forms the border between India and Nepal it gives a good insight into the people from both countries. The area is rich in wildlife and the river is full of fish. The area is home to leopard, bear, elephant, monkey and over 500 species of bird.
The Kali is perfect for first-time rafters, grade III kayakers or those who want to try duckies (inflatable kayaks for first timers).
Tons River and trek, Uttarakhand - class IV
From £616 (8 days) ex flights, departing 17 May
This a prefect trip for those who want to enjoy river running and trekking. The itinerary is divided between 2 half day rafting trips, a 3 day self-contained raft expedition and two days trekking. The Tons has continuous style white-water with one rapid leading into the next. The rafting is often physically demanding due the nature of the river and we require kayakers to be competent on class IV white-water. Adrenaline pumping mornings on the river are followed by relaxed afternoons, to be spent relaxing under leafy alders, taking short walks into the forests and camping out near meadows of calf-high mint and marijuana.
small group adventure holiday
Typically you will be sharing your experiences with between 4-20 like minded travellers (depending on the trip, operator and how many others are booked on the trip) and you'll have a group leader with you. Whether you are travelling alone or with friends its good value, and a great way to meet new people! While itineraries are pre-planned there is some flexibility and you'll have plenty of privacy. This trip will appeal to travellers of all ages who enjoy meeting new people as well as seeing new places.how this holiday makes a difference
 Descending a river by raft or kayak is one of the most unique ways to view the world. Often we are the only group down the river in a given season. The reception from local people on the riverbanks is always exceptional. Indians generally have a healthy fear of white-water and show a huge interest towards any water born craft. Stopping off in remote villages always entails many cups of chai and endless questions translated by your guide, making it a truly authentic experience. When we stop like this, we always try to buy local produce and learn about any problems the villagers may have. We have a strong environmental policy, carrying all non-biodegradable produce off this trip with us and disposing of it in a responsible manner. We bury all organic matter deep in the ground, and this breaks it down over a short period of time. We use eco-friendly toilets or pit toilets on this trip. This is essentially a pit dug in the ground where all waste is covered with a mixture of soil and lime, and no water is used. Furthermore, we source almost all of our drinking and cooking water from fresh water springs. If this is not possible, water from the river is filtered. We have teamed up with an environmental organisation, Climate Care, that funds sustainable energy and forest restoration projects in India and all over the world. Climate Care facilitates us to offset or neutralise the harmful CO2 emissions caused by your flight. We offset your emissions on your internal flights, and we encourage you to offset the emissions on your international flights to India. We sponsor Clean Himalaya, a recycling and waste management project, dedicated to maintaining the sanctity and beauty of the Ganges and Himalayas. Kali Rivers: We train local people in cooking, guiding, English conversation and First Aid. For instance, we have a special relationship with Malakundi village on the banks of the Ganges River. We employ three guides (Rana, Jay Singh and Gappu), two cooks (Safpal and Ramish), one driver (Camel), and three porters (Beam Singh, Bethal and Neggi Ji) all from Malakundi Village. Their understanding of the country’s flora, fauna, local culture and the many dialects ensure you get a true insight into the Indian way of life. Employing people in villages like Malakundi has enabled them to install complex irrigation systems for farming and solar panels to power lighting. We take our clients to the local primary school where they can donate books, paper and toys. We also arrange for the school to be painted by our school groups. We encourage our clients to learn about the local culture and to share their culture with the villagers and local people they meet on this trip. Tons River: We employ three men from the nearby Tons valley. Kaanha Singh is our regular safety kayaker on all major rafting and kayaking expeditions. Johnny, only 18 and recently married, is an enthusiastic porter and is contemplating the idea of training as raft and trekking guide. And last but not least, Pa Thach is one our finest cooks. Employing these three allows them to support their families at the Tons. It also given them the opportunity to learn new skills such as kayaking, rafting, English conversation and First Aid. Zanskar River: Ladakh is now the only true remaining Buddhist mountain culture in the world. Travelling in Ladakh is an amazing experience as it is dotted with monasteries, usually towering impressively over the surrounding landscape. While in Leh, you have the opportunity to visit the Shey, Thikse and Hemis monasteries. At the monasteries, you can meet monks from the age of six to sixty and learn about their way of live and religion. It is the highest honour to be selected to become a monk and some boys leave their homes as young as four years old. We use locally run hotels in Kargil and Leh. We have a number of family run hotels we use in these towns. We try to rotate our business equally among them all. These hotels are full of character and the staff are extremely friendly and helpful. Staying is places like these ensures that money goes directly into the local economy. |
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