India's Top Ten Water Locations

India is full of stunningly beautiful rivers and lakes but you have to be careful when you shoot there. Anything in Rajasthan is not going to look that fabulous in late May but will be magnificent in October after the monsoon. The rivers in Ladakh are at their best after the snow melts in late May. It's all a question of timing. Here we've tried to put together some of our favourite locations, avoiding the most obvious, like Varanasi or other destinations on the Ganges, to show the huge variety of what's available here. There are many more, but we've selected the easiest to access or the really magnificent, but remoter options.

1  Pangong Lake, Ladakh is one of the most beautiful places on earth. High up on the border with China (at 4,350m), the water is a brilliant, intense blue. The lake is surrounded by dramatic, barren mountains and covered by the biggest sky you can imagine. It is a 5-hour drive from Leh and in a restricted area, so permits are required – however, these are readily available in Leh. The lake has featured in several Indian movies but is less known overseas. 

2 Zanskar River Gorge, Ladakh, is another super-dramatic location. The gorge is deep and very narrow in places, whilst the river is an intense, ultra-marine. The mountains soar up either side of the river. Multi-coloured striped rock strata are particularly striking. There is a famous winter trek which is a two week walk up the frozen river. Not for the faint-hearted as you have to camp in -25oc. In the summer the river runs fast and full thanks to the snow-melt. The confluence of the Zanskar and Indus is an easy drive from Leh. As you go up the Zanskar valley, the landscape is more remote. It is one of the least developed areas of India.

3        Gadsisar Lake, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan is a man-made lake, carved out of the desert outside Jaisalmer. It was once the water supply for the whole city. The banks and indeed the lake itself are dotted with temples and shrines. The lake is particularly beautiful at the end of the day when the golden buildings, glowing in the sun are reflected in the calm lake. It is a peaceful, atmospheric location, with many shooting options.

4  If you want a pristine river location that looks like the dinosaurs are still around, then head for Marble Rocks Gorge, near Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh. The Narmada River has worn down the brilliant white cliffs and created the gorge which is about 8km long.  There are stretches of calm, tranquil river, rough, wild waters and some impressive waterfalls. This is another Indian treasure that is virtually unknown outside the country. Jabalpur is well connected by air and the falls are only 1 hour’s drive from the airport.

5  For truly wild water the Chitrakote Falls, Chhattisgarh are some of the finest, most dramatic waterfalls in India. They are not that easy to get to – a flight to Raipur and then a 5 hour drive, but they are truly majestic. During the monsoon the water gushes over in wild torrents. In the winter and spring the waters are clearer, bluer and more restrained. There are small boats in the pool beneath the falls. These give access to some wonderful views up the cliffs and the falls themselves. 

6    The Backwaters, Kerala are world famous for good reason. Some areas are a little bit busy but there are some quieter, lush stretches where you can shoot away from the crowd. We particularly like Valiyaparamba in northern Kerala. Valiyaparamba is about a 2 hour drive from Mangalore airport (Karnataka). These northern backwaters are much quieter than the southern backwaters around Alleppey. The shoot options here are varied – boats, water, jungle, villages and unspoiled, empty beaches.

7  Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, is a holy town, best known for yoga retreats and the Beatles but there is spectacular countryside, forest and of course the Ganga that powers down the valley through the town. Upstream from Rishikesh, there are many spots for white water rafting and canoeing. River beaches and rocky shores give a rough setting. It’s an excellent location for adventure shoots. Within driving distance of Delhi, with a wide range of accommodation, Rishikesh is an easy and fun place to shoot.

8  Lake Pichola, Udaipur is the home of the famous Lake Palace Hotel. However, there is more to the lake than just that. The light at sunrise and sunset is soft and magical. There is nothing nicer than taking a shikara out on the lake at dawn. The City Palace towers up on the east side of the lake and the Aravelli Hills frame it to the west. Jag Mandir – the Lake Garden Palace – is a stunning shoot location. Its traditional, Mughal architecture is framed by the waters of the lake. Easy to reach and surrounded by good hotels, Lake Pichola is one of the nicest places to shoot in India. 

9   Narmada Ghat at Maheshwar, Madhya Pradesh offers a quieter, equally beautiful alternative to Varanasi. A ghat is a flight of steps that leads down to the river. The Narmada river here is wide and pristine.  This ghat was built by the Holkar royal family, so the entrance is suitably majestic and their palace – Ahilya Fort – looms over the scene. There are two temples close by and the whole place is unspoiled, picture-book India at its best. In spite of its tranquility Maheshwar is only 1 ? hours from Indore airport, so relatively accessible.

10    The Brahmaputra River, Assam in north-eastern India is one of the mightiest rivers in the world. The river measures between 3km to 40km wide. At some points you can see the high peaks of the eastern Himalayas whilst it runs through unspoiled national parks, past tribal villages and temples.  There is the chance of seeing elephants and rhinos from the river. We like the MV Mahabaahu cruiser. It’s the perfect way to shoot this lesser known part of India. It is a very different India to the deserts of Rajasthan.