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One of the most interesting, famous, and exciting adventure sports, white water rafting has gained massive popularity over the last few years. And while flowing down raging rivers might be incredibly exciting on its own, what’s most alluring about this sport is the unique natural experiences you might encounter.
From lush meadows and dense forests to steep gorges and even snowy mountains, the number of gorgeous landscapes you can raft through is truly endless. However, some experiences are better than others, so here are the world’s top white water rafting destinations you should visit:
Colorado River, USA
The Colorado River is thought to provide some of the best nature travel options in North America. Even though the dry surroundings can be deceptive, the river that boldly cuts through the canyons is actually entirely untamed. Colorado dives through the canyons of Arizona and Utah, beautifully making its way through five national parks and steep gorges.
While a single-day trip to this area can prove to be quite fun, the real adventure happens during multi-day white water rafting expeditions down the incredible Colorado River. However, it’s recommended to sign up for longer rafting trips well in advance, as the number of Colorado expeditions, unfortunately, isn’t particularly high.
East Glacial River, Iceland
On the other side of the world, the East Glacial River (also known as Jökulsá-Austari) is quite a popular European rafting destination. The river cuts through the bizarre yet awe-inspiring landscape of North Iceland, as the glowing waters make their way from one of the country’s largest glaciers through winding canyons and black volcanic rocks.
The Class IV-rated rapids of the East Glacial River are comically named ‘Alarm Clock’, ‘Green Room’, and the ‘Screaming Lady’, but they provide absolutely incredible, adrenaline-filled white water rafting experiences. Whether you’re a novice or an experienced rafter, the Jökulsá-Austari river can offer a memorable adventure for any type of paddler, as well as some of the best rafting expeditions you can come across on the continent.
Tara, Bosnia, and Herzegovina
Although often overlooked, the Tara Canyon is the second deepest in the world, just after Colorado, and represents another great rafting destination in Europe. The river offers opulent vegetation, intriguing wildlife with a number of endemic species, as well as pure drinkable water, making it truly one of the world’s most interesting and beautiful destinations.
Clearly, exciting rafting on Tara makes for a wonderful adventure you simply shouldn’t miss. The river offers Class III – V rapids, making for an enjoyable experience for all types of adventurers. Whether you select a one-day rafting trip or a 100km run down the river, white water rafting on the Tara river will allow you to enjoy the splendor of rapids, clearings, mills, old bridges, gorgeous churches, as well as some spectacular natural phenomena.
Zambezi River, Zimbabwe
Africa’s Zambezi River is also one of a kind. Starting below the breathtaking Victoria Falls, this river offers a bit more than 20 rapids in a short, 15-mile stretch, which is one of the reasons it is often referred to as the wildest one-day white water run. The other reason might be the wildlife itself, as tourists can often spot elephants, hippos, and crocodiles here.
The Zambezi is also a high-volume river that provides some particularly turbulent sections, which might explain its Class V river label. A couple of its rapids are even called ‘the terminator’, ‘commercial suicide’, and ‘gnashing jaws of death’. It’s clear that the Zambezi River is reserved for the most experienced of rafters, but it does provide some of the most exhilarating experiences in the world.
Brahmaputra River, India
There’s no shortage of fun water sports in India either, as this country is actually quite popular among avid white water rafters. The Brahmaputra is among the world’s largest rivers, originating in Tibet, and passing through Northeast India where it reaches its highest volume. This is a great Class IV – V section that offers some majestic waves.
The river also runs through dense forests, stunning beaches, and some of the remotest terrains in India, thus offering an incredibly unique rafting experience. The rafting expeditions here tend to span across 10 days on average, with the magnificence of the river and the beauty of the natural surroundings alone being enough for an unforgettable white water rafting experience.
The number of exciting rafting destinations around the world is evidently high, all coming with their own unique charm. No matter which one of the incredible locations above you choose, there’s no denying you’re in for a fun, exhilarating, and memorable experience.
About the author: Mike Johnston is an experienced blogger and editor with a background in creative writing and digital media. He’s produced thousands of pages of original, engaging content for numerous online publications throughout his career. Mike’s specialties are travel and lifestyle, but he also often writes about business, careers, and work-life balance.
Raised as a third culture kid living in South America and Europe, Annick caught the travel bug early. As an empty-nester, Annick enjoys sharing her tips for traveling for those with champagne taste and beer budgets.