Location : Leh, Ladakh Region, Jammu & Kashmir
Best time for rafting : July to September
Starting Points : Upshi, Phey, Spituk, Nemu, Alchi etc along the Indus
Highest grade : Grade III

The Indus river which lends India its name also known as the 'Lion River', flows across the high altitude cold desert region of Ladakh in an almost straight line from the north west to the south east, passes through the Leh valley and flows into Pakistan.

The Indus, having originated hundreds of kilometers further east from near the Kailash mountain and the Mansarovar lake in Tibet, enters India in the region of Skardu in Baltistan. While water levels are high, between the end of June and late August, travel agents in Leh, the capital of Ladakh offers many fascinating rafting expeditions lasting one or three-four days in the river. The best time to raft this river is during July - September when daily trips are organised.

Indus river is one of the most scenic white water runs anywhere in the Himalayas. The view is breathtaking which takes one through the Canyons in the Ladakh and Zanskar ranges with various monasteries or gompas along the river bank.The icy cold and clear river have rapids generally of I and II grades and at some places, has grade III rapids.

The river offers most popular day trips from Phey to Nemu and also from Upshi to Khaltsey or from Upshi to Nemu. There are also runs from Spituk to Saspol or Spituk to the Indus Zanskar confluence at Nemu and from Nemu to the ancient temple complex at Alchi. Experienced rafters may also want to try the more challenging route between Alchi and Khalsey, which takes in the kilometre long series of rapids at Nurla. Easier runs include the run between Hemis (40km south of Leh) situated along a road crossing the Indus and Choglamsar, which is a three-hour trip that goes through quiet, calm waters, and passes through the riverside villages of Stakna, Shey and Thikse (25km south of Leh), before ending at Choglamsar, just short of Leh city.

Phey - Nemu route : The main attraction of the run, mostly with Grade II or III easy rapids is that it passes through astoundingly beautiful mountains, many of them with tiny villages and imposing old monasteries nestling among the valleys. The run starts at Phey and ends about 36 km from Leh, at Nemu.

Upshi - Khalsey route : The Upshi-Khalsey run is somewhat long, but not too difficult. Most of the river along this stretch consists of grade I and II rapids, although there are some grade III rapids too. The run starts at Upshi, which lies upriver from Leh, along the road which leads south to Manali. From Upshi, the river makes its way westwards to Khalsey, along the road to Kargil.

Spituk- Saspol : Spituk, just short of Leh and on the bank of the Indus, is the starting point for an easy and short trip downriver. The route goes up to the village of Saspol, near Alchi, and comprises a run of a few hours. A short and scenic run, the Spituk-Saspol route is relaxed enough to allow you to admire the beauty of the Indus Valley; beyond Saspol, however, the river starts getting a fraction wild, and is recommended only for experts.

Spituk - Karo : Upward of Spituk, the Indus has the easiest stretch up to Karu, ideal for basic training and for day-return 'scenic floating' for amateurs.

How to Get There
Air: Leh, the capital of Ladakh is connected by Indian Airlines and Jet Airways to Chandigarh, Delhi, Srinagar and Jammu.
Rail: The nearest railhead is Jammu (690 km), which is linked to the rest of the country by express trains.
Road: In summer months, Leh can be reached on a state highway, from Srinagar (432 kms) in two days but the road is not safe due to the unrest in the Kashmir valley. The curving mountainous road passes through Sonamarg, the Zojila pass (8,413 m) and the Drass valley (the coldest inhabited region in the world, after Siberia), culminating in a night's halt at Kargil (2750m). Leh is reached on the second day. Leh is also linked by road to Manali in Himachal Pradesh. Within Ladakh, buses ply between the main towns and villages, and vehicles can be hired in Leh to get to the more inaccessible areas.

Rafting Operators in Leh
Several agents around Fort Road in Leh offer white water rafting on the Indus, but all are acting as agents for Delhi based operators who bring the equipment up during the season. Tickets should be booked at least a day in advance, preferably through the operators themselves. Contact Tourist office at Leh for details. Rafts are available for hire here.