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I took an ultra-luxury river cruise with only 40 other passengers. I'm not sure how I'll ever sail with the masses again.

<ul class="summary-list"><li>I took a river cruise because it was on my mom's bucket list.</li><li>We spent a lot of time together, so we did some serious bonding.</li></ul>I <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/river-cruise-great-if-you-dont-like-cruises-opinion">took my first river cruise somewhat reluctantly</a>. It was on my mom's bucket list, and I love my mom. So I agreed to a Columbia and Snake River cruise on American Cruise Lines that would take us from Idaho through Washington to Oregon, with stops in sleepy towns ripe with Lewis and Clark history.I'm not a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/high-paying-jobs-for-people-who-love-history-2016-9">history buff</a>, but I wanted to learn about my mom. Living together in cruise quarters, sitting down to three meals a day, spending hours touring local sites, and listening to duos perform the oldies at 8 p.m. so everyone could be in bed by 9:30 p.m. makes for some serious bonding.I'm 58, and my mom is 86. This cruise was an opportunity for her to see a part of the nation she had never experienced; for me, it was a chance to <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/caring-for-aging-parent-anticipatory-grief-patience-2023-9">spend quality time with my mom</a> doing something I knew would make her happy.I wanted t<a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/kids-interview-their-grandparents-to-create-holiday-memories-2022-11">hese memories with my mom</a>, and a small cruise like this one was manageable and easy.<h2 id="839d165a-b6fc-4ec7-b953-73f9566c53e8">The small ship made it easier for her to navigate</h2>American Cruise Lines booked everything for us, including flights and our pre-cruise hotel. The drivers who picked us up at the airport were the same drivers who took us on excursions, providing a level of familiarity and comfort for passengers, who mostly ranged in age from 60 to 90.Navigating through thousands of people, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/which-cruise-lines-should-i-choose-skip-expert-2024">standing in lines for meals</a>, and disembarking for excursions can be tough for older people, especially if they have mobility issues. But a small ship like ours, the American Harmony, has only six decks, a short walking distance from forward to aft, a mere 180 passengers, one central set of elevators, and provisions in place to help passengers on and off the ship.After having taken about 15 previous cruises on large ships, it was a big change for me, but a good one. Seeing my mom handle it all with no stress or struggle put me at ease.<h2 id="574fa840-6da9-4ff1-a1f8-718e6f486e97">The entertainment catered to an older age group</h2>Then there was the entertainment. I suspected that it would cater to an older crowd, and it did. There was a music trivia game featuring songs well before my time, a jazz trio that introduced every song, and a slow-moving bingo game with a smattering of corny jokes. While I good-naturedly rolled my eyes, my mom loved it all.She was the first to jump up and dance (earning her the "dancing girl" title that followed her throughout the week), she be-bopped to the music of her time, and she cursed under her breath when her bingo card repeatedly came up empty.<h2 id="7a19beb7-6064-4110-b67a-60d0820ea498">The adventures were perfect for her</h2>Each day brought a new adventure. Mom loved the air-conditioned motorcoaches that took her to historical sites. She attended every onboard seminar featuring a history expert who spoke about the area. One day, I dragged her to a wine tasting, and she discovered that expanding her horizons beyond Moscato wasn't so bad. Meanwhile, I took long walks in cities like Astoria, Oregon, kayaked on the Wind River, and captured photos amid the wildflowers at the base of Mount St. Helens.We always came together again for cookies in the afternoon, happy hour in the lounge, and dinner in the dining room, where we were often joined by other passengers who became fast friends. Mom loved the all-American menu, and we both devoured every dessert served. We'd bid adieu to the day from the top deck at sunset, wind whipping our hair. Every night, my mom would look at me with a wide smile and utter sincerity and tell me what a good day it had been.While I might not have quite been the target demographic for our river cruise, my mom was, and I got to witness and share in her absolute delight. I wouldn't trade one moment of seeing her in her element.

I took my 86-year-old mom on a river cruise. The smaller ship and bingo nights were perfect for her.

The sibling trio turning Bali's river trash into sandals and furniture

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Today's US Navy may be poorly equipped to support a landing force, but that wasn't the case decades ago.</li><li>A unique and little-known ship packed a formidable punch in the Korean and Vietnam wars.</li></ul>With the war in Ukraine waging through a third year, one of the greatest lessons of the conflict has been the importance of mass firepower, with as much as 80% of casualties on both sides <a target="_blank" href="https://www.sandboxx.us/news/artillery-can-win-or-lose-the-war-for-ukraine/">attributable to artillery</a>.Some of that firepower can be carried by ships. This is especially true in the close-shore hotspots across the Indo-Pacific region, where the US Defense Department is <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/conflicts-and-tensions-the-next-president-could-face-2024-9">refocusing</a> its attention.Today's ships armed with <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/us-navy-submarine-with-tomahawks-middle-east-sent-deter-iran-2024-9">long-range cruise missiles</a> and <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/navy-super-hornets-lower-availability-than-other-us-fighter-jets-2023-4">carrier-based fighters</a> may be poorly equipped to support a landing force with massive shore bombardment and calls for immediate direct fire.What the Navy could really use for these operations is a new version of the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.history.navy.mil/research/histories/ship-histories/danfs/w/white-ri.html">USS White River</a>, a unique yet little-known ship that served as a workhorse for the US Navy in two wars.Designed from a landing ship meant to drop troops and supplies off at beachheads, the USS White River's 25 years of service didn't see the ship drop off a single soldier or vehicle into combat. Instead, the ship acted as a floating battery, raining hundreds of thousands of rockets, mortars, and gun rounds on enemy targets.Its deployment into any given area always raised the morale of the soldiers it supported, wrought havoc on entire enemy units, and demonstrated the importance of naval fire support.More than half a century after the White River's decommissioning, the US Navy is looking to build a new generation of medium-sized landing ships, some of which could become modern versions of the White River.<div type="image" title="Rows of rockets were set up on an LSMR-188-class ship, the forerunner to the White River's class, around 1945." height="2440" width="2000" msid="113347165" hostid="261" sizebytes="227598"></div><h2 id="fd328ec9-a3b7-4b92-b07d-2e2c9359787f">'Rocket ships'</h2>USS White River's design was the product of an evolving way to address the needs of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/1945/november/naval-gunfire-scourge-beaches">shore bombardment during World War II</a>.Allied assaults on the beaches of the Pacific, Africa, and <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/d-day-largest-last-amphibious-invasion-2024-6">Europe</a> had proved the need for massive firepower to destroy fortified fighting positions and minefields. The deck guns of <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/last-remaining-us-navy-battleships-now-serving-as-museums-2024-3">battleships</a>, cruisers, and even destroyers were sometimes too slow to provide accurate fire or too powerful in the immediacy of troop landings.The best solution was, for lack of a better term, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.usni.org/magazines/naval-history-magazine/2021/june/rocket-ships">rocket ships</a>: Small vessels porcupined with rocket launchers able to fire dozens or even thousands of rockets en masse.Rather than building an entirely new vessel, it was decided to modify medium-sized landing ships (classified as LSMs for 'Landing Ship Medium'). Originally designed to carry troops, vehicles, and supplies directly onto beachheads, the vessels proved to be quite versatile, with many models being reconfigured for various uses.Given the designation "LSMR" for "Landing Ship Medium – Rocket," their size and cargo space enabled the ships to carry thousands of rockets at a time, and their shallow draft enabled them to sail up to the shore, giving them the ability to fire rockets further inland.The first rocket fire support ships the US Navy operated, like the British-made <a target="_blank" href="https://www.combinedops.com/US%20LANDING%20CRAFT%20ROCKET.htm">Landing Craft Tank (Rocket)</a> and the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.navsource.org/archives/10/06/06188.htm">LSMR-188-class</a>, though useful, had issues that hampered their effectiveness.Although equipped with thousands of rockets, the launchers were welded in place facing forward, forcing the ship to point towards its target for all salvos — a difficult task in high winds, changing tides, or choppy seas. Additionally, it took hours to reload all of the launchers for a full salvo, and the crew had to be confined below deck during firing, as the exhaust from the rockets was toxic.The solutions were the LSMR-401 and follow-on LSMR-501-classes; these designs modified from the LSMR-188 featured a better layout — the superstructure housing the bridge, for example, was moved aft and the 5-inch gun turret placed directly in front of it.The armament was also further upgraded, with two 40mm and four 20mm anti-aircraft guns (which could be pointed horizontally to fire at land-based targets), four 4-inch mortars, and, depending on the layout, eight to ten <a target="_blank" href="https://www.military.com/video/rockets/artillery-rockets/navy-automatic-rocket-artillery-1942/2536439296001">Mark 102</a> double-barreled rocket launchers. The LSMR-501 class's armament was slightly larger, with four 40mm and eight 20mm anti-aircraft guns.The cornerstone of the ships' armament, the Mark 102 rocket launcher, fired two 5.0-inch spin-stabilized rockets within one second, after which it was automatically reloaded within three seconds, enabling each launcher to fire about 30 rockets per minute — a blistering rate for <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/new-european-europuls-rocket-launcher-could-rival-himars-2024-7">rocket artillery systems</a>.Four types of rockets could be fired, with warheads ranging from 1.7 to 12 pounds and ranges of 1.4 to 5.6 miles. Depending on the makeup of the loadout, a ship could carry anywhere from 1,500 to 5,000 rockets.The destructive potential of a single LSMR-401/501-class ship was large enough that the Navy boasted that it had as much firepower as five destroyers.<div type="image" title="The USS Des Plaines River, one of the other landing ships upgraded to fire rockets." height="1600" width="2000" msid="113347164" hostid="261" sizebytes="241672"></div><h2 id="a3cc23fe-7ed0-4d29-a6c4-81c6f7bd923d">In action</h2>Laid down in June of 1945, USS White River was one of 36 ships of the LSMR-501-class, and originally only referred to by its hull number, LSMR-536.Launched on July 14 and commissioned on November 28, the ship, like the rest of the vessels in its class, arrived too late for World War II. Absent hostilities, it was decommissioned less than a year later on July 31, 1946 and placed in the Atlantic Reserve Fleet.Recommissioned on September 16, 1950 as a result of the outbreak of war on the Korean Peninsula, it was refitted, crewed, and joined the Pacific Fleet in early 1951. After training stints in California and Japan, LSMR-536 arrived off North Korean-controlled island of Ch'o-do on July 16, 1952.The ship would patrol along the western North Korean coastline intermittently (in one case providing night illumination fire on Ch'o-do) for the remainder of the war's hostilities, and would also patrol the South Korean coast afterwards until 1954. Officially renamed USS White River in 1955, the ship was decommissioned again in 1956.White River would remain in the Pacific Reserve Fleet in San Diego for nine years until it was recommissioned again in 1965, this time for service in Vietnam, where it made a name for itself.Arriving off South Vietnam's Quảng Ngãi Province on May 25, 1966, White River was immediately involved in shore bombardment that very day. Two days later, the ship provided fire support for South Vietnamese Army units (ARVN) operating in the vicinity, doing so intermittently for the next two months while also supporting three other US military operations in the area, including one involving an amphibious landing.Part of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9U0Mex36J_4">Inshore Fire Support Division 93</a>, USS White River sailed all along South Vietnam, from the Vietnamese DMZ to the Cambodian border in the Gulf of Thailand. It was even able to sail inland up the Mekong River Delta — an area <a target="_blank" href="https://www.usni.org/magazines/naval-history-magazine/1987/april/war-vietnams-shallows">rife with Viet Cong strongholds</a> — because of its shallow draft.Over the next four years, USS White River took part in at least 11 named operations, supported American, Australian, South Korean, and South Vietnamese soldiers, and was responsible for destroying hundreds of Viet Cong ammo dumps, bunkers, structures, and boats used by the guerrillas."A love affair developed, and advisers in the outposts told us they couldn't sleep at night unless we were there. It would take six destroyers to replace us," Lt. Cmdr. Roy E. McCoy, the commander of Inshore Fire Support Division 93, <a target="_blank" href="https://time.com/archive/6629988/south-viet-nam-mccoys-navy/">told TIME</a> in 1966."Usually, depending on the missions, with 5,000 rockets, we could go through them in a week, or we could go through them in three days." Chris Page, a crewman who sailed on the White River in Vietnam, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GtzZVmbUHGg">recalled</a>. "It just depends how many missions we had to shoot. But usually, at the longest, it would be seven days and we'd be back again loading them."That arsenal, and White River's ability to stay on station for days, was a godsend to allies and a death sentence for enemies. On January 27, 1969, responding to a call for help by ARVN soldiers after an attack on VC positions in Quảng Ngãi province resulted in 15 friendly KIAs, White River unleashed a two-hour bombardment that destroyed 24 structures and started five secondary fires.A day later, White River blasted a VC staging area half a mile away, killing 15 VC and destroying 63 more structures (including nine bunkers) and 35 meters of trails. A day after that, White River fired on a nearby VC anti-aircraft site, destroying it and killing or wounding 11 guerillas.White River was even deadlier with the assistance of aerial spotters. While supporting Australian soldiers in Phuoc Tuy Province from October 22-27, the ship destroyed 97 structures and two weapons sites that triggered 13 secondary explosions, resulting in at least 18 VC killed and 17 wounded.White River's last mission, on March 17, 1970, saw it sail 18 miles upriver into the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/1968/april/rung-sat-special-zone-vietnams-mekong-delta">Rung Sat Special Zone</a> in the Mekong Delta — then the deepest penetration inland of a naval gunfire support ship. Over the course of five hours, it fired 2,526 rockets. Thick swamp and foliage prevented a full damage assessment, but at least 10 secondary fires were seen burning.<div type="image" title="The rocket tail was seen as the USS Clarion River fired on North Vietnamese positions in 1967." height="1617" width="2000" msid="113347162" hostid="261" sizebytes="178312"></div><h2 id="b9496c86-9655-4c57-b921-43b0b9f0fa57">Future shore bombardment and LSMs</h2>Despite its value and firepower, by 1970, White River was showing its age. It was ultimately deemed unfit for service that May and decommissioned and stricken from the Naval Vessel Register. The following November, the ship was sold for scrap.In the decades since White River's service, the Navy has largely replaced naval guns and rockets with cruise missiles and airstrikes from carriers as the service moved towards precision strikes, with less emphasis on volume of fire. In fact, with the decommissioning of the battleship USS Missouri in 1992, no gun on any ship in the US Navy is larger than 5 inches (a reference to the gun barrel's diameter).The role of shore bombardment and naval gun support more broadly was supposed to be handed over to 32 Zumwalt-class destroyers, each of which would be equipped with two 6-inch guns of the Advanced Gun System capable of firing Long-Range Land Attack Projectiles: rocket-assisted precision 155mm rounds that were envisioned to glide out to targets up to 80 miles away.But development issues and cost overruns on the ships proved cost prohibitive, so much so that the planned order of 32 ships was reduced to just three. Consequently, the cost of the guided gliding shells <a target="_blank" href="https://www.defensenews.com/naval/2018/04/19/advanced-gun-system-was-holding-back-the-navys-new-stealth-destroyer/">jumped to as much as $800,000 per round</a>.In 2021, the Navy <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/navy-zumwalt-stealth-destroyers-a-dozen-hypersonic-missiles-2021-6">decided to replace the AGS guns</a> on the existing Zumwalts with <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/destroyer-zumwalt-trading-troubled-main-guns-for-hypersonic-missile-launchers-2023-8">hypersonic missiles</a>, effectively changing their shore bombardment role to that of an anti-ship surface combatant. In 2020, the USS Zumwalt successfully launched SM-2 anti-aircraft missiles from the newly installed MK 57 Vertical Launching System as well.The fleet's cruisers and destroyers are loaded with dozens of $2 million <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/us-aircraft-carrier-f-35-submarine-tomahawks-to-middle-east-2024-8">Tomahawk cruise missiles</a>, but they too lack the volume of fire and reload capacity of a rocket artillery ship like the decommissioned White River.Meanwhile, the Navy is also looking at rebuilding LSMs — a type of vessel that hasn't been in the US Navy inventory for decades.Originally proposed by the Marine Corps in 2022 and called the Light Amphibious Warship program, the Navy has since agreed on the need for smaller amphibious ships as a way to help lessen the reliance on the large <a target="_blank" href="https://www.surfpac.navy.mil/Ships/By-Class/Amphibious-Assault-Ship-LHD-LHA/">Landing Helicopter Assault</a> and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.surfpac.navy.mil/Ships/By-Class/Amphibious-Transport-Dock-LPD-LPD17/">Landing Platform Dock</a> ships that make up the entirety of the amphibious ship force.Now known as the <a target="_blank" href="https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/R/R46374/68">Medium Landing Ship program</a>, the Navy hopes to acquire 18 to 35 of the vessels. The ships would help the Navy and Marine Corps implement their Distributed Maritime Operations concept, which calls for US naval assets to disperse over large areas to reduce the risk of catastrophic losses from an enemy attack.The Corps wants the new ships to be able to beach and unload Marines and their gear essential to setting up small expeditionary bases <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/us-marines-train-war-with-china-island-hopping-battlefield-report-2024-3">across the Pacific</a>, but they're also expected to be useful in noncombat operations or situations where there are no port facilities.If the Navy ever decides to modify one of these future LSMs for deep fire support, it should look no further than the example set by the White River.Benjamin Brimelow is a freelance journalist covering international military and defense issues. He holds a master's degree in Global Affairs with a concentration in international security from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. His work has appeared in Business Insider and the Modern War Institute at West Point.

USS White River: How the US Navy transformed a landing vessel into a legendary rocket artillery ship

Imagine finding prime real estate along the banks of the most sacred river in your culture. Everything is perfect — rocky spots in the stream provide a daily catch of fish, the sun’s rays dance brilliantly on your hut all day, there’s abundant water for your crops, and you occasionally glimpse the elusive river dolphin, a creature of legend in your village. It’s the perfect place to raise your family. But one night, you wake up to a thunderous rumbling followed by the torrential sound of rushing water. Stepping outside, you realise you've become the victim of what seems to be a celestial joke. The beautiful river that promised to nourish your family has vanished, leaving a dry valley in its place. This story might have been fiction, but a similar, very real fate might have affected the <keyword id="20201803" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Ganga-river" source="keywords">Ganga river</keyword> in the ancient past. Researchers have recently unveiled evidence of a previously unknown and extraordinarily powerful <keyword id="19905951" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="earthquake" source="keywords">earthquake</keyword> that struck near Dhaka, the capital of <keyword id="19919639" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bangladesh" source="keywords">Bangladesh</keyword>, approximately 2,500 years ago. This <keyword id="21033620" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="seismic-event" source="keywords">seismic event</keyword>, estimated to have reached a magnitude of 7.5 or 8, was so forceful that it dramatically altered the course of the Ganga river, one of the largest rivers in the world. The Ganga River, flowing approximately 1,600 miles from the Himalayas to the Bay of Bengal, is a vital waterway that merges with other major rivers like the Brahmaputra and the Meghna to form the largest <keyword id="22109265" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="river-delta" source="keywords">river delta</keyword> on Earth. This delta, known for its complex network of waterways, can naturally change course, but the violent rerouting caused by the ancient earthquake stands out as a unique <keyword id="22109268" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="geological-event" source="keywords">geological event</keyword>. Typically, rivers can change course over years or decades due to sediment buildup, but an earthquake-driven <keyword id="22109266" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="avulsion" source="keywords">avulsion</keyword> of this magnitude and speed is unprecedented. As geophysicist Michael Steckler puts it, "I don't think we have ever seen such a big one anywhere." The earth<keyword id="43061" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Quake" source="Orion">quake</keyword>'s immense power was buried in the landscape until recently discovered by a team of scientists who studied the geological clues in the region. Their research indicates that the quake caused a phenomenon known as avulsion, which rapidly rerouted the Ganga River. Satellite imagery initially revealed the clues, showing what appeared to be an old river channel running parallel to the Ganga about 62 miles south of Dhaka. Upon closer examination, the team found bands of sand cutting through the muddy ground. These bands, identified as seismites, are vertical layers of sand formed when an earthquake shakes watery soils. Chemical analyses confirmed that these seismites formed during a single seismic event, leading the researchers to deduce the occurrence of a massive earthquake 2,500 years ago. Two possible mechanisms could have triggered this earthquake: the seismically active zone around the <keyword id="22109267" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Shillong-Massif" source="keywords">Shillong Massif</keyword> mountains in northeastern India or the subduction of the Indian Ocean crust beneath Bangladesh, Myanmar, and northeastern India. The study not only sheds light on an ancient earthquake but also raises concerns about future seismic activity in the region. A 2016 study led by Steckler indicated that both the Shillong Massif and the Indo-Burman subduction zone could potentially trigger similar magnitude earthquakes again. Such an event could have catastrophic effects, impacting around 140 million people in the densely populated regions of Bangladesh, India, and Myanmar. The findings of this research have been published in Nature Communications and can be accessed <a href="https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-47786-4" data-type="tilCustomLink">here</a>.

A massive earthquake may have instantly changed the course of Ganga 2,500 years ago — and it could happen again

<ul class="summary-list"><li>The Olympic men's triathlon was rescheduled due to water pollution in the River Seine.</li><li>World Triathlon said water tests did not meet its threshold for swimming.</li></ul>Olympic triathletes might have to become duathletes because Paris' Seine River is too polluted for swimming.World Triathlon, the international governing body for the Olympic and Paralympic sport of triathlon, said <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://x.com/worldtriathlon/status/1818118725544866113">on Tuesday</a> that the men's triathlon would be postponed due to poor water quality.It made the announcement at 4 a.m. local time, five hours before the race was due to start.It was being postponed until Wednesday at 10:45 a.m., officials said, in the hope that the water quality would improve.The statement blamed "meteorological events beyond our control, such as the rain which fell over Paris on July 26 and 27," for the poor quality of the water in the historically polluted Seine.<a target="_blank" class="" href="https://triathlon.org/uploads/docs/World_Triathlon_Water_Quality_Statement+Matrix1.pdf">Its rules</a> set a maximum number of E. Coli or Enterococci colonies per 100 milliliters at 900, and a maximum number of Enterococci colonies at 330.It didn't say what the readings were, only that they were too high in parts of the course.The river's pollution levels have long been a topic of concern — swimming in the river was banned for 100 years before the Paris games.Officials mounted a huge effort to clean up the river for the contest, with the Paris city government <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.paris.fr/en/pages/bathing-in-the-seine-will-be-possible-in-2025-27102">pegging the cost</a> at $1.5 billion since 2015.French officials, including Paris Mayor Anne <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.lemonde.fr/sport/article/2024/07/17/anne-hidalgo-s-est-baignee-dans-la-seine_6251469_3242">Hidalgo</a> and the French sports minister, swam in the river in recent weeks to prove it was sage.President Emmanuel <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.lemonde.fr/sport/article/2024/02/29/paris-2024-emmanuel-macron-assure-qu-il-se-baignera-dans-la-seine_6219336_3242.html">Macron</a> said he would but did not end up making the attempt.World Triathlon said it hoped the triathlons for men and women could take place on July 31.It has a contingency date of August 2 if not. If the water was still too dirty then, the event <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.eurosport.com/triathlon/olympic-games-paris-2024/2024/paris-2024-olympic-games-could-the-triathlon-become-a-duathlon-how-will-it-work-why-has-it-been-postponed_sto20022868/story.shtml">could be cut to a duathlon</a>, featuring just running and cycling.

Paris' River Seine is so polluted that Olympic athletes weren't allowed to swim in it

India's diverse landscape offers a plethora of adventures for thrill-seekers, and <keyword id="660604" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="River-rafting" source="Orion">river rafting</keyword> stands out as one of the most exhilarating experiences. With its vast network of rivers flowing through dramatic terrains, India provides ample opportunities for both amateurs and seasoned rafters to test their skills amidst breathtaking scenery. Whether you seek the rush of Grade V rapids or prefer a gentler float down a tranquil river, there's a rafting destination in India to suit every adventurer's preferences. Here we’ve listed some of the best destinations across the country for an unforgettable river rafting experience. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Rishikesh, Uttarakhand" comment="subhead" text="Rishikesh, Uttarakhand"><keyword id="47181" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Rishikesh" source="Orion">Rishikesh</keyword>, Uttarakhand</cmsannotation> <div type="image" title="1" msid="110119494" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Conquer the rapids amidst the Himalayan serenity&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>Rishikesh, often dubbed as the "Yoga Capital of the World," is also renowned for its thrilling river rafting expeditions. Nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas and straddling the Ganges River, Rishikesh offers a variety of rafting stretches suitable for beginners to experts. The most popular route is from Shivpuri to Rishikesh, covering approximately 16 kilometres and featuring rapids ranging from Grade I to IV. The scenic beauty of the surrounding mountains and the spiritual aura of Rishikesh add an extra dimension to the rafting experience. Best time of rafting: Late September to mid-November and early March to mid-May. Distance covered: Shivpuri to Rishikesh route approximately 16 kilometres Read - <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/travel/india/article/7-best-tourist-places-to-visit-in-rishikesh/articleshow/109564949.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">Tourists places to visit in Rishikesh</a> <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Zanskar River, Ladakh" comment="subhead" text="Zanskar River, Ladakh"><keyword id="1282115" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="zanskar-river" source="Orion">Zanskar River</keyword>, Ladakh</cmsannotation> <div type="image" title="2" msid="110119515" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Navigate icy waters through the heart of the Himalayas&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>For the ultimate adrenaline rush amidst surreal landscapes, head to Ladakh and conquer the icy waters of the Zanskar River. The Zanskar River expedition is not for the faint-hearted, as it involves navigating through freezing temperatures and challenging Grade IV and V rapids. The journey usually spans over several days, allowing rafters to soak in the raw beauty of the remote Himalayan region, including towering cliffs, ancient monasteries, and glimpses of local wildlife. Best time for rafting: Mid-June to early August Distance covered: Distance varies depending on the specific route and duration of the expedition, but it can span over several days covering a significant distance of about 150 kilometres. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Tons River, Uttarakhand" comment="subhead" text="Tons River, Uttarakhand">Tons River, Uttarakhand</cmsannotation> <div type="image" title="3" msid="110119533" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Raft through rugged landscapes in the Garhwal Himalayas&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>Tons River, a tributary of the Yamuna, offers a thrilling rafting experience in the lesser-explored Garhwal region of Uttarakhand. Rafting on the Tons River combines adrenaline-pumping rapids with serene stretches, making it suitable for both adventure enthusiasts and nature lovers. The Tons River expedition usually starts from Mori and covers approximately 30 kilometres, showcasing the rugged beauty of the Himalayan landscape and the rich cultural heritage of the region. Best time for Rafting: Late September to mid-November and early March to mid-May Distance covered: Approximately 30 kilometres <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Beas River, Himachal Pradesh" comment="subhead" text="Beas River, Himachal Pradesh"><keyword id="697717" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Beas-river" source="Orion">Beas River</keyword>, Himachal Pradesh</cmsannotation> <div type="image" title="4" msid="110119544" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Thrills await amidst the majestic Kullu Valley&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>Dive into adventure amidst the majestic Kullu Valley with river rafting on the Beas River in Himachal Pradesh. Experience the thrill of conquering Grade I to III+ rapids while surrounded by stunning Himalayan scenery. Whether you're a beginner seeking an introduction to whitewater rafting or a seasoned rafter looking for a new challenge, the Beas River offers an exhilarating experience for all. Best time for rafting: March to June and September to November. Distance covered: Ranging from a few kilometres to around 10-15 kilometres <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Teesta River, Sikkim" comment="subhead" text="Teesta River, Sikkim">Teesta River, Sikkim</cmsannotation> <div type="image" title="5" msid="110120105" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Chase adventure amidst Sikkim&amp;#39;s pristine beauty&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>Sikkim's Teesta River presents an exciting rafting opportunity between the lush forests, terraced fields, and quaint villages. The Teesta River rafting route, starting from Makha or Tarkhola, features a mix of rapids ranging from Grade II to IV, offering an enjoyable experience for rafters of all skill levels. Besides the thrill of rafting, adventurers can also soak in the panoramic views of the Eastern Himalayas and immerse themselves in the local Sikkimese culture. Best time for rafting: October to December and March to May Distance covered: Distance varies depending on the starting point and specific route chosen by the rafting operator. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Kundalika River, Maharashtra" comment="subhead" text="Kundalika River, Maharashtra">Kundalika River, Maharashtra</cmsannotation> <div type="image" title="6" msid="110120207" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Ride the rapids in the Sahyadri ranges&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>Escape the urban chaos and embark on a thrilling rafting journey down the Kundalika River in Maharashtra. Surrounded by the scenic Sahyadri ranges, paddle through Grade II to IV rapids and navigate the twists and turns of the river under the guidance of expert instructors. Whether you're a first-time rafter or a seasoned adventurer, the Kundalika River offers an adrenaline-pumping experience amidst nature's tranquillity. Best time for rafting: June to September. Distance covered: Rafting on the Kundalika River usually covers a distance of approximately 10-12 kilometres <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Barapole River, Coorg, Karnataka" comment="subhead" text="Barapole River, Coorg, Karnataka">Barapole River, Coorg, Karnataka</cmsannotation> <div type="image" title="7" msid="110120230" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Monsoon madness: Rafting through Coorg&amp;#39;s rain-soaked forests.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>Immerse yourself in the natural beauty of Coorg as you navigate the rapids of the Barapole River during the monsoon season. Feel the rush of adrenaline as you tackle Grade II to IV rapids amidst the lush greenery of the Western Ghats. With experienced guides leading the way, river rafting on the Barapole River promises an unforgettable adventure for thrill-seekers. Best time for rafting: July to September. Distance covered: afting on the Barapole River is typically around 6-7 kilometres <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Brahmaputra River, Arunachal Pradesh" comment="subhead" text="Brahmaputra River, Arunachal Pradesh">Brahmaputra River, Arunachal Pradesh</cmsannotation> <div type="image" title="8" msid="110120268" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Embark on an epic journey through Northeast India&amp;#39;s wilderness.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>Go on an epic rafting expedition along the mighty Brahmaputra River as it cascades through the remote wilderness of Arunachal Pradesh. This multi-day adventure takes rafters through challenging Grade IV and V rapids, remote tribal villages, and pristine natural landscapes. The Brahmaputra River rafting experience offers a rare opportunity to explore the unspoiled beauty of Northeast India while tackling some of the most formidable rapids in the country. Best time for rafting: November to March Distance covered: Distance covered during multi-day expeditions can vary greatly depending on the chosen route and duration <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Kali River, Karnataka" comment="subhead" text="Kali River, Karnataka">Kali River, Karnataka</cmsannotation> <div type="image" title="9" msid="110120298" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Nature&amp;#39;s playground: Rafting through the Western Ghats&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>Embark on an adventure through the pristine wilderness of the Western Ghats with river rafting on the Kali River in Karnataka. Feel the thrill of navigating Grade II to IV rapids amidst lush forests and cascading waterfalls. With its diverse landscapes and exciting rapids, the Kali River promises an adrenaline-fueled journey for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers alike. Best time for rafting: October to February and June to September. Distance covered: Typically ranging from around 8-12 kilometres <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Bhagirathi River, Uttarakhand" comment="subhead" text="Bhagirathi River, Uttarakhand">Bhagirathi River, Uttarakhand</cmsannotation> <div type="image" title="10" msid="110120338" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Whitewater adventure in the heart of the Garhwal&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>Discover the raw beauty of the Himalayas with a rafting expedition on the Bhagirathi River in Uttarakhand. Marvel at the snow-capped peaks and dense forests as you tackle challenging rapids interspersed with calm stretches of water. Whether you seek an adrenaline rush or a serene escape into nature, rafting on the Bhagirathi River offers an unforgettable experience in the heart of the Garhwal Himalayas. Best time for rafting: March to June and September to November. Distance covered: around 15-20 kilometres From the snow-fed rivers of the Himalayas to the meandering streams of the plains, India boasts an array of destinations that promise thrilling river rafting experiences. Whether you're a novice seeking an introduction to whitewater rafting or a seasoned rafter craving the rush of challenging rapids, there's a river in India waiting to be conquered. With its combination of adrenaline-pumping adventure and breathtaking scenery, river rafting in India is truly an experience of a lifetime. So, grab your paddle, brace yourself for the rapids, and embark on an unforgettable journey through some of the country's most spectacular landscapes. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Frequently asked questions" comment="subhead" text="Frequently asked questions">Frequently asked questions</cmsannotation> 1. Is river rafting safe for beginners? Yes, most river rafting destinations offer routes suitable for beginners with experienced guides providing instructions and safety equipment. 2. What should I wear for river rafting? Wear comfortable swimwear or quick-drying clothing, along with secure footwear (like sandals with straps) and a hat for sun protection. Wetsuits may be provided by the rafting operator in colder regions. 3. Can children participate in river rafting? The minimum age for river rafting varies depending on the destination and the difficulty of the route. Generally, children above the age of 12 or 14 can participate under the supervision of adults. 4. Do I need prior experience for river rafting? No prior experience is necessary for most river rafting excursions, as trained guides provide safety instructions and paddle commands before embarking on the journey. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/travel/india/webstories/top-10-adventure-sports-across-india-where-to-experience-them-in-2024/slidelist/109857299.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">10 best destinations to experience adventure sports in India</a>

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