Appealing plant life, bewitching animal life, clear sky, clean water bodies, charming mountains and the holy seat of Buddhism, Ladakh has everything. Also tenderly known as ‘Little Tibet’ and ‘The Last Shangri-La’ beside several other monikers, Ladakh indeed is heavenly. Audacious tourists, thus, have a wide range of activities to soak themselves in. Biking, trekking, peak climbing, safaris and monastery tours are some of the popular activities that people here indulge in.
But sports in clear cool water have its own charm. There are so many options available to the tourists. There are three major rivers where one can go for the water sports. Indus river in Leh, Shyok river in Nubra and Zanskar river in Zanskar. Though it would take some time to develop further, but even now it can’t be termed as being in the nascent stage. Whitewater rafting is another big feature of the water-sport scene here and enthusiastic people can indulge in this sport without any fret. It is very enjoyable sport and easily the one that is gaining popularity with sports fanatics that come in Ladakh. Though there are other places in India where people can go for having adventures and experiencing the thrill of water-games, yet Ladakh offer the best experience and hence, is the most popular.
There are three most popular river routes to consider for water sports: Saspol – Khatsey: A very good river route considering that it offers a beautiful sight of a large number of rapids that are bound to leave one fascinated. But a word of caution here: this route requires the people who have deep knowledge of water sports, so amateurs should avoid this route at all costs. Pay – Saspol: Ladakh, is indeed an enjoyable experience for everyone. Even the ones that have little or no idea of this recreational challenging outdoor activity in water can indulge while on the adventure tour in Ladakh and this route is ideal for the beginners. The pay is around 8 km south of Leh and the current ends at Saspol.
The view, again, is enchanting. Chorus – Spituk: Rapids can scare the wits out of anyone, but don’t worry as Kharu – Spituk route is perfectly calm. The chorus is 45 km southeast of Leh. The view of tiny houses and the calmness of nature is certainly a delightful sight when seen from the lens of a mute spectator. Adventure tour in Ladakh is a great test of perseverance and valor. Especially, in the context of Whitewater water sports, one must remember that this is an extremely strenuous sport and is usually undertaken in day light.
Of course, Ladakh has a cooler clime yet spending so much time in water can be a little tiresome hence, it is usually advised that people who undertake it must be agile and fit. It is better to keep yourself safe rather than ending up in the closing of the tour. But all in all, the Ladakh river rafting tour is not just a test and but also a balm for the five senses. Soaking your skins in the rivers while admiring the nature’s beauty that is present all around creates a Zen-like experience and makes Ladakh a must-visit tourist destination.