India’s hidden gems: Peaceful rivers to explore

By Simran Jeet | Sep 19, 2025, 01:57 PM

**What’s the story**

India’s rivers are not just lifelines but also gateways to some of the most serene adventures. Away from the bustling tourist spots, these hidden gems offer an opportunity to explore nature’s tranquility. From kayaking through calm waters to discovering secluded riverbanks, these experiences are perfect for those seeking peace and solitude.

Here are some of India’s lesser-known river journeys that promise a unique adventure.

### 1. Kayaking on the Ganges

The Ganges is famous for its cultural significance, but kayaking on this river gives you a different perspective. The stretch from Rishikesh to Haridwar is ideal for beginners and experts alike. You can paddle through gentle rapids while soaking in the lush greenery and quaint villages along the banks.

The experience is both thrilling and calming, making it a perfect getaway from the chaos of city life.

### 2. Exploring Kerala’s Backwaters

Kerala’s backwaters are a maze of lagoons and lakes connected by canals, all lined with palm trees. While houseboat cruises are popular here, you can also opt for canoeing or kayaking for a more intimate experience with nature.

Paddle through narrow waterways, spot local wildlife, and interact with villagers living along the shores. It’s a peaceful escape into Kerala’s natural beauty.

### 3. River Rafting in Uttarakhand’s Tehri Lake

Tehri Lake in Uttarakhand offers an unusual river rafting experience in a man-made reservoir. The lake’s vast expanse gives you the opportunity to explore its many arms by kayak or raft.

The calm waters make it perfect for beginners, while still offering enough space for more adventurous paddlers to test their skills. The scenic surroundings add to the charm of this hidden gem.

### 4. Canoeing on Goa’s Mandovi River

While Goa is famous for its beaches, the Mandovi River provides a different kind of adventure away from the crowds. Canoeing on this river lets you explore mangroves, spot diverse bird species, and enjoy peaceful surroundings far from touristy areas.

This journey gives you a glimpse of Goa’s natural beauty beyond its popular attractions.

### Tips for Your River Journey

Before heading out on any river journey in India, make sure you have all necessary safety gear, such as life jackets and helmets if required by local regulations or by the conditions during your trip.

Always check weather forecasts before setting out, as sudden changes can significantly affect water levels and the safety measures needed throughout your journey.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/lifestyle/peaceful-river-journeys-india-s-best-kept-secrets/story

How long does it take to beat Dying Light: The Beast?

Open world games are notorious for their potential to run long, but while *Dying Light: The Beast* is an open world game, it takes a blessedly reasonable amount of time to beat. There’s plenty of side and hidden content you can explore to extend your playtime, but here’s a breakdown of how long it takes to beat *Dying Light: The Beast*.

### How Long Does It Take to Beat *Dying Light: The Beast*?

My playthrough for the review, on the medium difficulty setting, took about 25 hours. This included a fair amount of exploration and side content, but not nearly all of it. You’ll want to complete at least some side missions to level up, as there are three soft level gates during the story. One gate is near the mid-point, and the other two are closer to the end.

I call them soft gates because you can challenge the missions without reaching the required level, but enemies will be harder to beat and take more damage. If you’re too far behind, every fight can become a slog, significantly increasing the time spent on the game’s combat challenges.

If you decide to speedrun the main story campaign and focus solely on it, expect your playtime to be in the 12-15 hour range. That’s a conservative estimate, as you’ll likely lose time due to tough required fights.

On the other hand, a completionist playthrough of *Dying Light: The Beast* could easily clock in at 40-50 hours. This includes fully revealing the map, completing all side quests and world activities, finishing the main story, and finding all hidden items such as the Legendary Weapons.

### Summary: Estimated Playtimes for *Dying Light: The Beast*

– **Main story only:** 12-15 hours
– **Main story, some exploration, and side content:** 20-25 hours
– **Completionist (100%):** 40-50 hours+

Whether you’re looking to experience the core story or dive deep into everything the game has to offer, *Dying Light: The Beast* provides a flexible and engaging open-world experience that fits a variety of playstyles.
https://www.shacknews.com/article/146020/how-long-to-beat-dying-light-the-beast