River rafting River rafting is about 12 years old in India and gaining popularity rapidly. Rafting is commonly done on the Ganges near Rishikesh, the Indus and Zanskar in Jammu and Kashmir, Teesta in Sikkim and the Beas in Himachal Pradesh. Other rivers that are also run are the Alaknanda, Bhagirathi, Kali and Tons in Uttar Pradesh and the Brahamputra, Subansari and Lohit in Arunachal Pradesh. River guides are expected to have several years of on-river experience. Waterproof drums or bags are kept aboard the raft for carrying cameras and for keeping baggage dry on longer multi-day expeditions.
Every raft also carries rescue bags and flip lines for emergencies.
For safety reasons, it is always advisable to ply a minimum of two rafts on the river. It is compulsory for each person to wear a life jacket and a helmet with chin-straps. Like any adventure sport, rafting has its inherent risks, which are minimized by taking basic safety precautions that include competent river guides, excellent equipment and an attitude of vigilance. November to February is the best time to go river rafting. While rafting, make sure that the raft is in excellent condition.