Top 10 Rivers to Explore on World Rivers Day

Posted on: Sep 29, 2022 | | Written by:

Top 10 Rivers to Explore on World Rivers Day

Published on September 27, 2022. EST READ TIME: 3 minutes

The name does give away a lot of it. World Rivers Day is the celebration of the waterways of the world. The day aims at improving public awareness about rivers, their many benefits, and dialogue to improve stewardship of rivers across the globe. Irrespective of which country a river is in, there is a multitude of threats that they face. If you are planning on visiting some of the most gorgeous rivers across the globe, buying international travel insurance will help you in more than a few ways.

Back in 2005, the United Nations came up with the Water for Life Decade to increase awareness about rivers and how to take better care of our water bodies. Subsequently, World Rivers Day came into existence, thanks to the suggestion by Mark Angelo, the renowned river advocate.

To celebrate World Rivers Day, here is a list of the top 10 rivers across the globe that you can visit.

1. The Rhine

Regarded as one of the most important rivers in Europe, it is also one of the most beautiful ones. The river originated in the Swiss Alps and runs through some of the major European cities. The river has a long history of trade and commerce, which is evident by the castles and fortifications on its banks. If you want to explore the river, a river cruise is highly recommended. You can visit cities such as Rotterdam, Cologne, Basel, Strasbourg, and Dusseldorf.

2. The Zambezi

The Zambezi is the fourth largest river in Africa. However, it is more renowned because of Victoria Falls. The river that runs through the borders of Zimbabwe and Zamia is also known to be the largest flowing sheet of water in the world. According to Lozi, their local language, the river is also known as Mosi-oa-Tunya or translated to ‘The smoke that thunders’. The exquisite landscapes surrounding the river give it a rich variety of flora and fauna, including hippopotamus, elephants, giraffes, zebras, buffalos, etc.

3. The Yangtze

The Yangtze is the third largest river in the world and the largest in Asia. The river originates in the high Tibetan plateau and runs entirely through China. It runs an incredible 6,300 km before merging into the East China sea. It is also a source of hydroelectric power. The Three Gorges Damn is on the Yangtze River and is the largest hydroelectric power generation station in the world. And you can enjoy the picturesque river that covers some splendid gorges.

4. The Ganges

Arguably one of the most famous rivers across the globe, the river originates in the Western Himalayas in Uttarakhand. The Ganges is the third largest river in the world, based on the flow rate. And it is through this volume of water that the river is a lifeline for millions of Indians. It is incredibly sacred for Hindus and is worshipped as the goddess Ganga. Given its sacredness, every year millions of Hindus take a dip in the river as it is said that the river washes away all sins.

5. The Futaleufu

The Futaleufu is fed by glaciers and is present in Patagonia, Argentina. The river runs through some rugged mountain terrains and narrow cannons. Together, these help the river create some of the most challenging white water rafting conditions. Futaleufu has some incredible rapids along its stretches in Chile. It is ideal for a lot of adventure sports and supports plenty of other activities such as kayaking, hiking, and fishing.

6. The Danube

The Danube is another incredibly famous river in Europe, along with The Rhine. The river originated in the Black Forest of Germany and flows for 2,850 kilometres before meeting the Black Sea. It is the second longest river in Europe after the Volga and crosses several capitals such as Budapest, Belgrade, Vienna, and Bratislava. The river presents some incredible views such as the Hungarian Parliament building and the famous Chain Bridge.

7. Colorado River

Though it might not be as famous as the Mississippi river, the Colorado River is majestic in its own ways. The river originates in the Rocky Mountains in Colorado and flows through several states such as Nevada, Utah, Arizona, and California. It even crosses into Mexico and drains into the Gulf of California. The river offers some of the best rapids, surreal landscapes and beauty, and plenty of options for people who love fishing. The places surrounding the river make for amazing holiday destinations.

8. The Li

The Li River in China is known for its Karst Mountains. A geological process eats away at the limestone hills, creating some of the most stunning visuals in all of China. If you want to enjoy the river, the best place to do so is between Guilin and Yangshuo. You can stay in Guilin and raft till Yangshuo, as it is one of the most popular things to do. Some of the tour operators even let you go ashore, where you can get down and take pictures.

9. The Cano Cristales

The Central Colombia river is famous worldwide for its multi-coloured riverbed. The best time to visit the river is between July and November when you can clearly see the riverbed. The riverbed is a mix of red, yellow, black, green, and blue due to a particular type of plant that grows in the region. Thus, the river has the moniker of ‘River of Five Colours’. The water does not contain a lot of nutrients, which helps the water retain its incredible clarity.

10. The Okavango

The river originates in Angola’s highlands and travels about 1600 kilometres before merging with Okavango Delta in Botswana. Unlike a lot of other rivers, the Okavango River does not discharge its waters into the sea. Seasonal rains help the river create an incredible inland floodplain. This helps the region with plant and animal life, which is aplenty. You can opt for safari tours and it is an incredible spot for birdwatchers.

Conclusion

The above is a list of the visual treats of rivers across the globe. If you are someone who is mesmerized by rivers, you can convert the above to your travel list. Before you travel, ensure that you have travel insurance, since most of the places are internationally located. An international travel insurance policy will give you complete peace of mind to visit these amazing rivers without any hassles. International travel insurance might be mandatory in some countries as well.

However, a wide range of coverage ensures that your travel insurance has your back right from delayed flights to emergency medical needs. If you want to make the most of it, you can buy travel insurance online. Buying travel insurance online will help you secure a policy with maximum coverage without having to shell out a lot as premiums.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purpose only. For more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

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