Indus River

The Indus river which lends India its name also known as the 'Lion River', 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.

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 and also from Upshi to Khaltsey or from Upshi 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. 

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