Tejaswini River Rafting - 10 Things to Know Before Visiting

With plenty of curves and rapids, Tejaswini River Rafting is a one-of-a-kind experience in Kerala. The river goes through rocky areas covering its banks as well as forest trees leaning in as borders. The wild sound of water hitting the rocks makes rafting an adventure. Throughout the rafting, you can see tree branches hanging into the river which -in some parts- are very scary as you can get trapped in them. There are chances of spotting river snakes as well- they are not harmful by the way.

The rafting takes around three to four hours to complete and is physically demanding. Although you are going through a downstream slant, you will have to row hard to keep the boat on the path. If not done correctly, the boat will either hit the riverside or get stuck in the mangrove trees that are growing along the river. The rafting guide will give you instructions on time but you have to follow them. There are some parts of the river where you can jump into the water, make sure that you ask permission from the guide before you go for it.

You will be rafting through the Tejaswini river (also known by the name Kariamkode river) which originates from the Brahmagiri hills of Coorg forest in the neighbouring state of Karnataka and flows through the Kerala districts of Kasaragod and Kannur (the river serves as a border of the two districts to be precise) providing water to the Valiyaparamba backwaters before it meets the Arabian sea in Nileshwar. 

The river is 64 KM in length and 20KM of it is ideal for rafting. The thick foliage that strides into the river, the rocky banks, and the large branches of trees that lean over to the river on both sides make rafting a mesmerising experience.

June to October are the ideal months for Tejaswini River Rafting. It is safe for beginners and non-swimmers so don't hesitate to participate. But whatever you do, do not do it without your rafting guide's permission.

1. Proper precautions need to be taken before rafting. Always follow the instructions of the trained guides. 
2. Do not stand up in the raft, in parts of the river where the currents are strong, or if there are rocks or leaning trees in the river. 
3. Life jackets and helmets are compulsory and will be provided.

1. Tejaswini River Rafting is one of the very few rafting available in Kerala.

Tejaswini River Rafting takes around three to four hours to complete.

The starting point of Tejaswini River Rafting is located at a small town called Pulingome that is situated in Kannur District of Kerala State in Southern India. To reach here, take a bus to Pulingome from the nearby larger Payyannur Town bus stand. The travelling distance is around 35 KM. You can get to Payyannur either by train or from most of the other nearby cities by bus. From Bangalore, there are straight buses to Cherupuzha which is the next town from Pulingome. From Cherupuzha, there are frequent buses to Pulingome.

The fee for rafting is about INR 750 per person, minimum of 5 people is required to make a booking. More information on the pricing can be found on the organiser's website- Xtreme Adventures.

Tejaswini River Rafting is only open in the months from June to October and it is very dependent on the water levels of the river. Before making any plans, reach out to the rafting organiser to know more. Their website- Xtreme Adventures.