It is paradoxical to note that though Kerala has over 40 rivers that remains in spate all round the year, Kerala is yet to tap its potential fully as an adventure tourism destination. However , off late there has been an attempt to popularize many water sports activities like white water rafting, kayaking etc in Kerala, which are quite popular among tourists.
Some of the white water rafting options in Kerala include a rafting experience down the fast flowing Tejaswini River in Kannur. There are two rafting stretches of Upper and lower Tejaswini. The river originates in the forests of Coorg district in Karnataka and flows to Kannur in Kerala. While Upper Tejaswini is a narrow river with many class 2 rapids, Lower Tejaswini is a high volume river with 3 major rapids of class 3 difficulty level and many smaller rapids.
Another rafting spot in Kerala is in Boothathankettu and Paneli River, which flows through forests. There are mild and medium rapids to cater to the needs of all skill sets and age groups. The Paneli Rapids is the most exciting and challenging rapid in the stretch.
Rafting is a popular day time activity and a team building event. No matter whether you are a group of adrenalin loving tourists or a corporate team on the look out for some wild adventure, rafting will be a good choice to consider.
The inflatable rafts that can hold from 4-12 persons depending on its size are propelled using oars or paddles. As the rafters hit the rapids , the challenge will be to stay afloat without being battered by the strong water currents and to keep the raft with the flow. Rafting session typically will be of 2 hour duration and is well suited for adventure lovers. You will be given safety briefing and all the necessary equipments for a safe rafting experience.
The rapids are graded from 1- 6 depending on the difficulty levels. Grade 1 will have only very small rough areas that require slight maneuvering. It is well suited for beginners as a basic skill set will be sufficient.
In Grade 2, there could be some rough water and rocky stretches that might require some maneuvering. Basic paddling skill is recommended in this stretch.
