River rafting is about 15 years old in India and gaining popularity rapidly. Rafting is commonly done on the Ganges near Rishikesh and the Beas in Himachal Pradesh. Other rivers that are also run are the Alaknanda, Bhagirathi, Kali and Tons in Uttarakhand. Only few rivers in the world have the mystique of the Ganges, the living mother Goddess of India. Rafting on its water of wisdom is certainly an unusual experience.
Each raft has a river guide with 4-8 people in it, depending on whether it is a day-trip or spread over several days. River guides are expected to have several years of on-river experience. Waterproof drums or bags are kept aboard the raft for carrying cameras and for keeping baggage dry on longer multi-day expeditions. Every raft also carries rescue bags and flip lines for emergencies. A repair kit and a first-aid kit are carried on board to ensure that the run is self-contained. For safety reasons, it is always advisable to ply a minimum of two rafts on the river. It is compulsory for each person to wear a life jacket and a helmet with chin-straps. Both are widely available and on rent locally.
Like any adventure sport, rafting has its inherent
risks, which are minimized by taking basic safety precautions that
include competent river guides, excellent equipment and an attitude
of vigilance.
If kayaking has caught your eye and interest, and
you want to learn how to negotiate rapids and how to surf those
waves and holes, get a decent kayak school to show you the ropes.
From paddling in a straight line, to negotiating class 1 and 2
rapids, to taking the plunge into the tongue of a Class 3 or 4
rapid.
At many kayak schools instructors have the experience
and skill to teach beginners the basics of whitewater and the finer
details of paddling skills and new techniques. There is a wide range
of kayaks to suit your skill level and body type.
Kayak
classes are scheduled upto 4 days. You should spend at least four
days in a school as a first step. The reason for this is that you
will have more time to learn and practice the basic skills, and then
apply them to moving water.
Learning to kayak is
challenging, but the rewards are well worth the effort. Kayaking
will help you get some exercise, along with running some fun rapids,
and of course keep you in touch with the great outdoors.
Where 
You can take trips ranging from a few hours to a
few days expeditioning‚ down some of the premier Himalayan rivers.
Short day trips are run from our river beach camp on the Ganga
river, with deluxe tented accommodation and the luxuries of a fixed
camp. Multi-day expeditions move down the river with all the
equipment required loaded onto the rafts and different camps pitched
every evening.
The Kali river forming the Indo-Nepalese
international boundary makes an exhilarating mix of long float
trips, great angling and class III/IV white water, during October to
May.
If you want an incredible rafting adventure but can’t stay the night, then a daytrip is the perfect choice. Many rafting outfitters offers 3 great river trips on the Ganga in Rishikesh and a section of small rapids for kids and for people who are scared of water but still want to try a soft adventure.
Day trips choice on Ganga in Rishikesh include the Marine Drive down (26km) ,Shivpuri down (17km) and Brahampuri down(14 km) to Rishikesh. If u just want a floating trip your start point is Brahmpuri. A small village 14 kilometer upstream Rishikesh.
1. Initiation to White Water
Half Day Float trip from Brahmpuri to Muni Ki Reti
(11 Kms)
Best For Children between 5 to 10 years , Families with
children & elderly people.
Many possibilities
to go rafting with a professional river guide and world class
equipment. Drive (20 minutes) to Brahmpuri. Arrive and walk down to
the river. After preparation and safety briefing enboat to raft down
till Muni ki Reti. Try to hit Initiation, Double Trouble, Hilton and
Terminator rapids. One can try body surfing & cliff jump on this
section. In the later part float past suspension bridges, ashrams
and temples. Certainly the best angle to see Rishikesh, the town of
Gods,the Ghats and Ganga. Trip terminates upon arrival at Muni Ki
Reti.
2. White Water Magic
Full Day trip from Shivpuri to Muni Ki
Reti (17 Kms)
Best for Children from 10 and above,
Students and Adult groups
Drive (30 Minutes) to
Shivpuri. Arrive and walk down to the river. After preparation and
safety briefing enboat to raft down till Muni ki Reti. Hit some of
the most exciting rapids on Ganga like Return to sender, Roller
coaster, Golf Course and Club House. Beach lunch. After lunch hit
Initiation, Double Trouble, Hilton and Terminator rapids. One can
try body surfing & cliff jump on this section. In the later part
we float past suspension bridges, ashrams and temples.
3. White Water Action
Long full day trip from Marine Drive to Muni Ki
Reti (27 Kms)
Best for Young and Adults looking for Ultimate
Adventure on the river.
Drive (45 Minutes) to Marine
Drive. Arrive and walk down to the river. After preparation and
safety briefing enboat to raft down till Muni ki Reti. Hit some of
the most exciting rapids on Ganga like Black Money, Cross
fire, Three Blind mice, body Surfing , Return to sender,
Roller coaster, Golf Course and Club House. Beach lunch. After lunch
hit Initiation, Double Trouble, Hilton and Terminator rapids.
Fitness Levels
It is not necessary to be a fitness freak to enjoy the thrills of riding the wild Himalayan white waters. Beginners would however be well-advised to join one of the various established operators to learn the rudiments of river running, or white water rafting as it is popularly called. Going on a raft with an experienced river guide is akin to hopping a lift on a space shuttle. With sturdy helmets, buoyancy aids and instructors at the controls, you have little to worry about. River guides are also trained for rescue and to provide With competent professional guides, these sports should not be considered dangerous. At the same time you must appreciate the element of risk inherent in all adventure sports. It is important for river runners, to know the grading of the river that they intend emergency first aid in case of injury.
Risk/Skill Factor
All rivers could be graded on a scale varying from grade 1 to grade 6. The grading indicates the state of water stretches and the skill level required to negotiate them. The same river could be graded differently at different places and grading also depends upon the time of the year, i.e. monsoon or non-monsoon period. Rivers rapids are graded as follows, and it is a good idea to check the scale with your guide before setting off:
Grade I – Easy, small waves. No obstacles.
Grade II – Moderate difficulty with clear passages.
Grade III – Difficult, high irregular waves, narrow passages,
requires precise maneuvering.
Grade IV – Very difficult,
powerful waves, very precise maneuvering.
Grade V –
Extremely difficult, long, violent, highly congested. Team of
experts only.
Grade VI – Unrunnable. Suicidal.
The Indian sub-continent perhaps had the largest
network of rivers in the world. The northern rivers with their
origins in the lofty Himalayas provide an exciting adventure for the
white water enthusiasts. These rivers race, surge, whirl, froth and
crash over and around boulders, as though rushing to get to the
freedom of the great plains, rejoicing in their escape from
captivity of the mountains.
Of all the rivers, Ganga is the most
beautiful river. The mighty Ganges originates from Gaumukh in
Garhwal region of the Himalayas. It is a superb river for inflatable
rafts. To ride these rapids and to come to terms with their strength
and wildness is to grow in spirit and to nurture the very stuff that
dreams are made of.
We tackle the white water rapids of the
world renowned Ganges around Rishikesh. If you have never been in a
raft before don’t worry we can teach you the basics and ensure that
your trip lives up to expectations.
Whitewater Season
October to June.
This is only an approximate
rafting season time. Depending upon the time of arrival of Monsoon
and summer, which are the main factors affecting the water level in
the river, these timing may change, by 15 days at the most. To keep
your self updated with these timing check out weather page.
November to February is the best time to go river rafting. While rafting, make sure that the raft is in excellent condition. Check your life jacket and helmet. You must have either another raft or a kayak traveling with you. Choose your agency with care, because not all of them give adequate consideration to safety norms.
What To Bring
On the river
- T-shirts, nylon shorts and bathing suits for warm-weather trips
- Lightweight long pants and loose-fitting, long-sleeved cotton shirt for sun protection.
- Woollen shirt for cool-weather trips.
- Old tennis shoes, but river sandals or river shoes without socks are better (wet socks will keep your feet damp all day)
- Good-quality rain gear (don't forget this, keep it handy on the raft even if it looks sunny and clear in the morning)
- Good-quality sunglasses (with a cord or shoelace to keep them from flying into the water)
- Spare pair of eyeglasses, contact lenses and/or sunglasses
- Light gloves (to protect your hands from too much sun and to warm them on a cool day)
- Pullover or nylon windsheeter (ideal to have when it is windy).
- A small waterproof personal bag having sunscreen, lip balm, sunglasses, lightweight binoculars and other things you'll need on the river.
- Water bottle (remember it keeps you from dehydrating when hot).
- Camera and extra films (bring more than you think you'll need)
Off the river
- Small, self-standing, waterproof backpacking-type tent (usually available on rent).
- Waterproof sleeping bag (usually available on rent).
- Warm long woollen pants or made of pile, or a synthetic material such as polypropylene (be warned that if you carry jeans then they take hours to dry, and are heavy when wet).
- Comfortable socks and walking shoes that can also be used as hiking boots.
- Flashlight with fresh batteries and some spares.
- Body lotion, small towel, and other toiletries.
- Insect repellent, special medications and general medicines that you may need.
Food
Many rafting agencies can cater for food along the
route. Food is cooked fresh in the camp. The days rafting commences
after breakfast, lunch is provided enroute and dinner in
camp.
Safety and Equipment
Rafts and accessories used for river rafting are usually made of tear-resistant nylon based hypalon. Wearing helmets with chin straps fastened and life-jacket is mandatory which keep the person’s head above water in the not-so-common event of MOB (Man-Over-Board). There should be water-proof bags aboard the raft for keeping cameras on the trip and on longer self-contained, multi-day expeditions, bigger water-proof bags to keep all baggage on the raft completely dry. Every raft must carry rescue bags and flip lines to counter any emergency. Every raft trip/expedition must carry a repair kit and a first-aid kit in order to make the run completely self contained. A safety briefing must be given to everyone before the river run commences which outlines everything from the nature of the river and what to expect, to paddling commands and safety procedures to remember while in white-water. If possible, an easy section is rafted on the first day to orient everyone with rafting.
River guides on the trip must ne extensively trained and have years of on-river experience, on each of the different rivers we operate on. They must be trained in first-aid and able to handle any minor injury that might occur.
Some Possible Expeditions
Alaknanda River Rafting Expedition
A self contained multi-day river adventure down the Alaknanda & Ganga rivers. The trip starts from Rishikesh. A drive for 4 hours takes you past the town of Devprayag, where the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi rivers meet to form Ganga. Reach Rudraprayag, which is on the road to India's holiest shrines, Badrinath and Kedarnath. Rudraprayag is at the confluence of the Alaknanda and Mandakini rivers, and this is where this multi-dayer begins. Rudraprayag is possibly best known for the infamous man-eating leopard shot down by Jim Corbett in 1932 in its forests. Journeying 128 km to Rishikesh, the run takes you through thick forests and deep gorges, ending each day at a different river beach to make camp for the night, enhancing the adventure of being on the river. Foaming rapids, sandy beaches and starry nights make this a truly outdoor trip, even for the first time rafter.
Bhagirathi Rafting Expedition
An excellent
option for the adventure seeker down the Ganga and Bhagirathi
rivers. A drive past the dam at Tehri to reach the put-in 18 km
below the Tehri dam downstream of the Paindas dam. The pleasure of
travelling down a remote part of this river make it a very exciting
trip, besides the whitewater which will leave you wanting more. We
raft down the lower Bhagirathi gorge (mostly Grades 3 and 4) with
rapids like “Elephant rock”, “The Chute”, “Sharp S”, “Confluence
rapids” and many more, till its confluence with the Alaknanda at
Devprayag to form the Ganga.
