Indus River

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

The Trans Himalayan Indus River rises near the Mansarovar Lake on the Tibetan plateau. It enters the Himalayas in southeastern Ladakh near its confluence with the River Gurtang at an elevation of 4,200m. Thereafter it follows a north by northwest course between the towering Ladakh range in the north and the Zanskar Range in the south. There are a number of human settlements that lie along the Indus River in Ladakh, namely Leh, Marol, Skardu and Bunji.

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 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. 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 - Nimo route : This route consist mostly of Grade II or III easy rapids is that it passes through astoundingly beautiful mountains, many of them with tiny hamlets and imposing old monasteries nestling among the valleys. Starting from Phey Village, about 12 Kms from Leh and ends Indus-Zanskar confluence at Nimo, about 36 kms from Leh. Upshi - Kharu route: This route is somewhat long as compare to the Phey-Nimo, but not too difficult. The stretch between Upshi and Kharu consists of I and II rapids, although there are some grade III rapids too. The starting point is at Upshi, about 90 Kms South east of Leh, along the road which leads south to Manali. From Upshi, the river makes its way westwards to Kharu, along the road to Leh.

Phey - Nemu route : The main attraction of the run, mostly with Grade II or III easy rapids is that it passes through astoundinglyRafting, Ladakh Vacations 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.

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.

Saspol – Khaltsey: If you are experienced rafters, you may try the more challenging route between Saspol and Khaltsey, which has kilometre long series of rapids at Nurla. The rafting will finish at Khaltsey 90 Kilometres from Leh.