Six-day Kayaking Tournament in Tawang from Feb 10–15

The second edition of the Tawangchu Tides International Kayaking Championship (TTIKC) is set to take place from February 10 to 15, 2026 , on the fast-flowing Tawangchu river in Lungla, Tawang , Arunachal Pradesh. Organised with support from the Arunachal Pradesh government and in association with the Indian Kayaking and Canoeing Association (IKCA), Arunachal Kayaking and Canoeing Association (AKCA), and Arunachal Olympic Association (AOA), the six-day event promises a mix of adventure, culture, and sports.

Tawang, located above 10,000 feet near the India-China border , is strategically significant , lying close to the 1,129 km Line of Actual Control with Tibet . The region is also historically and spiritually important, being the birthplace of the 6th Dalai Lama, Tsangyang Gyatso , and home to one of Asia’s oldest monasteries , founded in 1680. Its picturesque landscapes and unique heritage make it an ideal destination for tourism.

The TTIKC will feature race briefings, practice runs, downriver sprint races, and kayak slalom events , beginning with traditional prayers to mark the start of the festival. The Tawangchu river, the main river of the district, is fed by Tsona Chu and Nyamjang Chu from Tibet, along with several local streams, and flows west into Bhutan, then into Assam as the Manas river, eventually merging with the Brahmaputra.

Kayaking is not only a popular adventure sport in India but also an important competitive event in international tournaments . It features in the Olympic Games under canoe sprint and slalom categories, where athletes race on flat water or navigate through rapid courses, and has also been included in the Commonwealth Games and World Championships organised by the International Canoe Federation. Events like the Tawangchu Tides International Kayaking Championship promote sports, tourism, and cultural awareness by showcasing Tawang’s scenic landscapes, rivers, and spiritual traditions . Such tournaments attract athletes and tourists from across India and abroad, highlighting the growing popularity of kayaking while also providing a platform for adventure sports enthusiasts to compete at high-altitude, challenging locations.