1) Cherry Creek/Upper Tuolumne Rivers, California, USA

World-renowned Cherry Creek, often described as ‘the Mount Everest of rafting’, is probably the most relentless and challenging stretch of white water regularly rafted in North America. Located in the Stanislaus National Forest, the river’s 15 Class V white water rapids are generated by the canyon’s steep gradient: the river drops more than 20 vertical metres per kilometre through nearly continuous class IV+, V, and V+ rapids and waterfalls. The run comprises almost 2km of rapids in Cherry Creek itself and a technically challenging and physically exhausting 12km of the Upper Tuolumne. Narrow and steep, the river is often choked with huge boulders. Be prepared for holes, falls and ledges, all surrounded by spectacular mountain scenery. The Tuolumne, a National Wild and Scenic River, is west of Yosemite National Park and just three hours from San Francisco. Read more....

2. Futaleufu River, Patagonia, Chile

One the world's premiere white water rafting rivers, located in the remote and pristine Patagonia region of Chile and regarded as the best white water experience in South America. With 64km of raftable white water, the river is divided into an upper section called Inferno Canyon and a lower section that starts from Terminator Rapid and ends at Casa de Piedra. In Inferno Canyon, a string of four Class V rapids surge through a narrow gorge that compresses the energy of the river over a 5km stretch. Be prepared for holes, chutes, falls, slides and water trains amid boulders and ledges, all surrounded by breathtaking mountain scenery. The river alternates between granite cliffs, lush foliage, snow-capped peaks and towering spires on its way through the lush Chilean rainforest. Read more....

3) The Karnali River, Nepal

Rushing through remote, jungle-clad canyons and pristine jungle, the Karnali River is regarded as the finest big volume rafting in Nepal. Beginning its life near Tibet’s Mount Kailas, Nepal's longest river carves its way through the Himalayas into Nepal’s lush western forests, known as the ‘wild west’. After the snows melt, the river becomes a raging torrent that surges down a 7km-long gorge through a series of continuous Class IV and V rapids from Lohore Khola down to the Seti River. After this section, the gradient eases and the river unwinds onto the plains, flowing through the Royal Bardia Wildlife Park, providing an opportunity to spot local wildlife, such as languor monkeys, spotted deer and the otter anteater, in one of least explored areas of the Himalayas. Located a 19-hour drive from Kathmandu. Read more....

4) Zambezi River, Zambia/Zimbabwe

Internationally acclaimed for the best white water rafting in Africa, the river offers difficult, long and violent rapids, steep gradients, big drops and pressure areas. The Class V rapids produce 6m-high waves in a high volume river with little exposed rocks. The river drops about 120m over 24km covered in a one-day raft trip. At one point the river is compressed from 1700m at Victoria Falls to a narrow 6m channel. Expect holes, waterfalls, massive waves and whirlpools. Upstream, spot wildlife including crocodiles, elephant, zebra and baboons. Watch out for monkeys in the trees and at night listen to leopards and lionesses on the prowl. Located on the border between Livingston, Zambia and Victoria Falls, Zambia. Read more....

5. Chilko-Chilcotin-Fraser Rivers, Vancouver, BC, Canada

Take one of the most exciting rafting trips in Canada – if not the world. Spilling out of Lava Canyon, the Chilko River drops 457m in just 4.5m, plunging through narrow gorges in a series of big, churning drops, with near constant Class IV and V rapids – the longest, continuous stretch of white water on the continent. The Chilko then dives into the Chilcotin River Canyon and continues through a series of narrow canyons and skyscraper hoodoos, past lush alpine forests and high desert plateaus in the wilds of BC's spectacular backcountry. Expect numerous hydraulic rapids and massive wave trains that cascade for more than 22km through deep, narrow lava gorges. Getting into Chilko Lake Resort, on the edge of a glacial lake, involves a spectacular scenic flight over the glaciated coast range. Covered with cattle ranches, the Chilcotin looks like a Saskatchewan prairie – except for the mighty glaciered peaks that tower above the grasslands. Read more....