Rafting on the Indus and Zanskar River
Location : Ladakh - Zanskar
Best time for rafting : July to September
Starting Points : Phey, Spituk, Nemu, Alchi , Upshi ,Chiling, Tsogsti and from Zanskar.
Highest grade : Grade III

The Indus river (Singay stangspo) 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 and joins in Indian ocean.

The Indus, having originated hundreds of kilometers further east from near the Kailash mountain and the Mansarovar lake in Tibet, enters India and to the region of Skardu in Baltistan. While water levels are high, between the end of June and late August, Explore Himalayas 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 or Chilling to Nimu. There are also runs from Spituk to Saspol or Spituk to the Indus Zanskar confluence at Nemu and from Nemu to the most famous and ancient monastery of Alchi. Experienced rafters may also want to try the more challenging route between Alchi and Khaltsay, 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 Thiksay (25km south of Leh), before ending at Choglamsar, just short of Leh city.

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