Water Sports in Jammu and Kashmir

River rafting

Kashmir's River rafting is quite unlike anywhere else in the world. It provides the best opportunity to enjoy and experience the natural beauty of the spectacular landscape with deep gorges, towering snow-capped peaks, hillside villages, and the unique wildlife. The best stretch for professionally guided runs in white water is on the Indus between Spituk and Nimu or Saspol, which rates 2 to 3 in the international river grading scale of 1 to 6. Several travel agencies offer all-inclusive rafting packages.

Ask for details at the Tourist Office at Leh. The most difficult but exciting rafting option is available on the Zanskar River, along its spectacular course through a gorge in the Zanskar Mountains, between Padum and Nimu. This is suitable only for well-organized white-water expeditions, prepared for about a week of rafting and camping in absolute wilderness. Participants are required to be trained rafters themselves while the arrangements should be assigned to a dependable professional agency.

Fishing

With many mountain brooks, rivers and lakes dotting the fertile state of Kashmir, you are at a loss to select the best fishing spot. The abundant fish in the clear freshwaters, as well as the breathtaking beauty of the fishing spots, are an added attraction of your Adventure Tour to Kashmir.

The lakes like Vishansar, Gangabal and Kishansar are known for an abundant fish population. Fishing on the Dal Lake is an interesting activity. In fact local guides accompany amateur fishing enthusiasts on Shikaras and teach them how to net fishes. Fishing on the Jhelum River is also a popular activity. Tourists have to get their fishing permits from the Directorate of Fisheries, Tourist Reception Center, Srinagar.