8 Epic Places to Go White-Water Rafting

PHOTO: Rafting in the Colorado River. (Courtesy of Thinkstock)

For adrenaline junkies who aren’t afraid to get wet, there are few things more thrilling than a trip through raging white water. Seasoned veterans know that white-water rafting is much more than just paddling around some rocks. For those who are willing to work for it, luscious landscapes and majestic mountains await in some of the most picture-perfect locations imaginable.

Here are eight amazing places to battle it out with nature's raging rivers:

Colorado River, Arizona, USA

Photo by Farmboyz via Flickr

The driving force behind the world’s most famous hole in the ground (the Grand Canyon) is a popular white-water rafting destination, and for good reason—it's spectacular! 22,000 people run the Grand Canyon section of the Colorado River every year, but what it lacks in solitude it makes up for in 42 exhilarating rapids and beautiful views of geological formations that are up to 500 million years old. You’ll also have the chance to stop off and visit Native American ruins along the route.

Magpie River, Canada

The trip begins at the Magpie Lake. The first bit of this eight-day journey takes you through the remote pine forests of the province of Quebec. The rapids grow in difficulty until you reach the Class V Rapids, the highest-rated navigable class, downriver from the magnificent Magpie Falls. Nights are spent on river islands and to the north you may be fortunate enough to see the Northern Lights shimmering across the sky.

North Johnstone River, Australia

You'll get to double up on the adrenaline for this ride as the only way to access the start of the course is by helicopter ride. Once you're at the start of the North Johnstone River in the tropical north of Queensland, you'll find Class IV and V white water raging through volcanic gorges. The river also flows through the spectacular ancient rain forests of Palmserton National Park. Once the day is done, camp is set, and stillness falls, the fireflies come out to dance and luminous fungi glow through the night.

Pacuare River, Costa Rica

Costa Rica is an adventure lover’s dream, with plenty of adrenaline-pumping activities to choose from. One of the best is of course white water rafting, and the Pacuare River is the place to do it. Often considered the jewel of the rapids in Costa Rica and one of the best places for white water rafting in the world, Pacuare is a narrow river through dense forest and 20-some waterfalls. Visit from mid-May to mid-March for Class III – IV rapids you won’t soon forget!

Zambezi River, Zimbabwe

Photo by Martijn Munneke via Flickr

With over 23 rapids in a stretch of just 15 miles, the Zambezi River offers Africa’s most thrilling whitewater experience. The dramatic backdrop of the Batoka Gorge, located below Victoria Falls, may leave you so awestruck you forget to paddle.

Sun Kodi River, Nepal

Not far from the Tibetan border, among some of the world's highest mountains, the Sun Kosi River carries you from the majestic Himilayas on its way down to meet the Ganges. Class V rapids are frequent here as the river carves through narrow gorges and forested canyons. If you're lucky, as a grand finale, you may even spot monkeys leaping through the dense tropical jungle along the last leg of your journey.

Rio Futaleufu, Chile

Photo by Jorge Barahona via Flickr

The colors of the Futaleufu range from bright turquoise to peculiar shades of teal, a result of the minerals in the glacier-fed waters descending from the Patagonian Andes. What may be even more appealing than the Class V raging rapids are the camps you'll be spending the night in. Earth River has created stylish accommodation with showers, toilets, hot tubs and delicious meals so you can truly relax after a hard day’s work.

Rio Cotahuasi, Peru

Awaiting in Cotasuasi Canyon, the world's deepest (reaching 3,535m at its lowest point,) is seven days of challenging class IV and V rapids. The adventure begins before you even get wet with a 12-hour drive and two-day mule trek just to get to the put-in. Though the effort is great, so are the rewards. Beautiful, remote campsites and unaltered pre-Inca ruins beckon to be explored here.

Where is the best place you have been white water rafting?