Kashmir is known not only for its natural beauty but a number of other things also. One of them is adventure tourism. In fact, adventure tourism in Kashmir is one of the major draws for the tourists. An array of options exists in the valley for the adventure loving visitors. Some of the places in the valley where the adventure sports facilities are available are Gulmarg, Sonmarg, Pahalgam, Drass, etc. The mountain ranges as well as the gushing rivers of the valley provide abundant opportunities for adventure tourism in Kashmir. The challenge of the turbulent rivers is no less than that of the rugged mountains. The icy heights of the Himalayas are the source of some of India’s mighty rivers. Fed by innumerable streams they race along tortuous boulder strewn beds, cutting deep gorges and breaking into silvery white rapids.
With the intricate network of mountain rivers flowing through a myriad of different colours of rocky gorges, forests, flowers and high mountain villages, the Lidder River Pahalgam provide ideal locales for the perfect water adventure. The sport of white water river rafting calls for a triumph over the swift swirling river as it gushes past spectacular mountains. It is practised mainly in the upper reaches where the water is wild and white as it frothes and foams, crashing against narrow gorges, rocky outcrops and falls at deep gradients.
As with trekking, mountaineering and other sports, river rafting too has been classified and graded in terms of degrees of difficulty. The suitable period for river running depends on the adequacy of water volume. Thus April to September are most appropriate. The equipment required is ordinary outdoor gear, goggles, antiseptic cream and a liking for getting wet.
