River rafting in Ladakh is difficult to find anywhere else in the world. It provides the best opportunity to enjoy and observe the natural beauty of the awesome landscapes with snow-covered mountain peaks, deep gorges, hillside villages, towering hilltop monasteries and glimpses of the unique wildlife. Ladakh provides an array of rafting options on the Indus and its main tributaries.
The best stretch for professionally guided runs in white water is on the Indus between Spituk and Nimu or Saspol, which rates 2 to 3 in the international river grading scale of 1 to 6. Upstream of Spituk, the Indus has the easiest stretch up to Karu, which is ideal for beginners training. In recent years, running the Indus has become a popular option and features on the itinerary of most travelers.
The most difficult but enthusing rafting option is available on the Zanskar River, along its daring course through a gorge in the Zanskar Mountains, between Padum and Nimu. This is fitted only for well-organised white-water expeditions, framed for about a week of rafting and camping in complete wilderness. It is necessary that the participants are trained rafters themselves while the arrangements are assigned to a reliable professional agency. Adequate arrangement for rescue operation is an important prerequisite for undertaking this white-water expedition.