River tourism is picking up in India and vacationers--solo and otherwise--are exploring cruises, camping and water sports.
A tourist house boat in Kerala backwaters. Photo: Mail Today
Summer is kicking in and if hills have been your respite one time too many, maybe it is time to try out the rivers. River tourism in India is just picking up with states such as West Bengal and Kerala investing money and time to develop tourism on their major rivers.
Says Aloke Bajpai, CEO and founder of ixigo, "A vacation along the river promises a soothing and relaxing experience for those who are looking for solitude. A riverside vacation spells exciting water sports, camping, yoga and meditation, bonfire and a memorable holiday experience."
Photo: Mail Today
"The seven major rivers flowing through India have been instrumental in the growth of river tourism. Known for its swift rivers, India has not just been an attraction for domestic tourists but has also gained immense popularity amongst international tourists. With summer travel season around the corner, we expect a number of travellers opting for water sports across various spots in India," says Sharat Dhall, COO (B2C), Yatra.com.
Cruise through the serene backwaters of the river Kabini in Kerala on a motor boat. Photo: Mail Today
"From the Brahmaputra river that enthralls all the bird watchers to the Mandovi river where you immerse in the Goan folk art in a different way, Indian rivers are attracting an increasing number of tourists. There are plenty of activities that entertain the travellers including river rafting, zip line and boating," says Karan Anand, Head, Relationships, Cox & Kings.
Kerala, Brahmaputra, Sunderbans, Ganges, Goa, Uttarakhand and Cochin are some of the destinations where river tourism is picking up as travellers are flocking to these ones in huge numbers. Rishikesh, Sahastradhara (Dehradun), Renukaji Lake (Sirmour-Himachal Pradesh), Chakki Mod (near Kasauli), Dandeli and Kabini among others are also favourites. "The Indus flowing through Ladakh and the Zanskar and Chenab in Kashmir offer different experiences. Other rivers like the Sutlej, Beas (in Himachal Pradesh), Teetsa (in Sikkim), and Yamuna also offer sporting challenges. For the white water rafting enthusiasts, the Ganga offers the exhilarating Alaknanda and Bhagirathi rivers," Dhall from Yatra.com says.
The Sunderbans luxury cruise is for the nature lover. Photo: Mail Today
"A riverside destination would be an ideal bet for backpackers,solo travellers, nature lovers, adventure buffs and people looking for some 'me' time," says Bajpai while Anand says Families top the list among travellers who opt for river vacations. "Depending on the type of cruise, boat, activities and number of days one is choosing, the average cost per person may vary from Rs 2000 to Rs 20,000 for three to six days," he says.
Rishikesh is also a river holiday destination. Photo: Mail Today
Cruises to take
1. The Golden Triangle Cruise is a 12 night cruise vacation in India. The trip starts from New Delhi to Kolkata along the heritage sites into the sacred Ganges.
2. The Sunderbans Cruise takes you along the pristine beaches, creeks and islands of the Sunderbans, strewn with rich flora and fauna for the nature lover.
3. The Charaidew cruise on the Brahmaputra offers 4, 7 and 10 night cruises, the journeys take in a number of national parks, including Kaziranga and Manas, and feature wildlife viewing.
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