2 . Chandra – Himachal Pradesh , India
The region of Lahaul is set in some of the most spectacular scenery the Himalayas has to offer . With its more famous neighbour to the north , the Tsarap Chu River and Zanskar Gorge in Ladakh , Lahaul has one of India ’ s whitewater gems – The Chandra . We base ourselves out of Manali , Himachal Pradesh , a hillside town developed by the British during the Raj and set in some outstanding mountain scenery . The people of the Kullu Valley are Hindus and follow their old rituals and devti ’ s ( local gods ) with many festivals throughout the year , with the most important one of Dusshera happening in the Autumn . It is where all the villages bring down their gods from the mountains to the city of Kullu for around two weeks of celebrations and worship .
To get to the Chandra River , it is a six-hour jeep ride over the notorious Rohtang Pass , where the road winds in and out over the 4000m pass before heading steeply down to the Lahaul Valley . It is the scene of many an old school Bollywood Film and even some sketchy North American lorry drivers ! Though as of late 2020 , there is a tunnel that you can use if you do not want to drive over the pass .
The put-in of Chhatru is around 3,500m , and the river starts with a bang ! Long pushy rapids at altitude make it hard work . Throughout the five-day kayaking expedition , the Chandra has some fantastic whitewater . The scenery in the valley is outstanding with hanging glaciers , big waterfalls and the odd village along the river banks . The take-out is at the confluence of the Bhaga , where the river now becomes the Chenab and heads through a deep gorge into Jammu and Kashmir and onto Pakistan !
Of the top 10 rivers I have kayaked , the Chandra is the one I have only kayaked once ! However , it made a massive impact on me , and I am longing to go back and kayak it again !
3 . Sanna Tirol , Austria
Austria is well known for its mountains , culture and especially its skiing . With some of the worlds best and prestigious ski resorts , it is not just the backdrop that makes these resorts so famous but the snow that regularly falls . St . Anton am Arlberg is renowned for all of this as it receives some of the most snow in the Alps and has the terrain to match . So with so much snow and ice up in the mountains , it gives Austria huge whitewater kayaking potential from Spring right through to Autumn .
The Sanna is an Alpine classic ; it is the shortest river in the Alps , but over its 7km journey , it provides some quality technical whitewater with longer rapids . Because of its gradient , you get a pushy feel . Of all the rivers I have kayaked , the Sanna is the one I have kayaked the most . I lived in the Sport Camp Tirol campsite on the banks of the Sanna for three years , and even now , I live just 15 minutes from the put-in . On our Class 3-4 kayak courses , we spend a lot of time on the Sanna , improving fundamental skills and working on advanced techniques .
For me , the Sanna is just fun to kayak , be it in a creek boat , river runner or playboat , you can always find features to play on !
4 . Alaknanda Uttarakhand , India
The Alaknanda River is formed high up in the Indian Himalayas , where it cuts its way through mountains on its way to the confluence of the Bhagirathi River . From here , it forms the mother of all rivers – the Ganges !
It is a medium to big volume river in the heart of the Garwahl Himalayas and has different sections and grades . I base myself at the stunning Shivanandi River lodge on the banks of the river just upstream of Rudraprayag . It is a beautiful place where Shalabh ( the owner ) gives river education and technique training to young Indians . In return , the potential kayakers / guides help out around the lodge and cook for anyone coming to stay . It has changed the lives of quite a few local mountain boys !
I try to make it to the Alaknanda River every year , depending on what season I go to India to kayak . I always like to celebrate a festival with the local kayakers in the villages . Be it Holi ( the festival of colour ) to Diwali ( the festival of light ); there is always something to celebrate and absorb in the amazing Hindu culture of the Indian Himalayas . Of course , India is on the other end of the scale when it comes to food , vehicles , roads and the madness that can only happen in India , but that is one of the big attractions of heading there .
The various sections of the river offer some fantastic whitewater with some huge holes to be avoided , big waves to be surfed , long rapids and of course , if you come in the autumn , then you get 100 days of sunshine once the monsoon officially ends .
Kayaking Trips in Himachal Pradesh , India with Kayak School Arlberg
Celebrating Holi the Festival of Colour
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