Rafting

RAFTING - A WHITEWATER CHALLENGE

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Want to experience the thrill of adventure …try Rafting.

White water rafting or simply rafting as it is more popularly known involves negotiating and taming fast-flowing torturous rivers in an inflatable rubber raft or a kayak over swirling rapids and crushing waves. Providing a gush of adrenaline rush, white water rafting has recently emerged as one of the most popular adventure sport and India with its numerous thundering rivers has become one of the coveted destinations of the adventure lovers.

In India, white water rafting is generally confined to the northern rivers that flow southwards from the Himalayas, meandering between densely forested mountains, and through steep ravine and gorges. With their rumbling roars, white foams, rocky banks and untamed waves, the rivers provide one of the most thrilling challenges for men to conquer.

GRADING OF RIVERS : Most rivers are graded on a scale of one to six depending on the volume, gradient, and intensity of the rapids-one being the calmest and four considered to be challenging without being excessively dangerous. In India, the Zanskar and the Indus, both in Ladakh, are graded I - III, while the more southern stretches of the Beas, Chenab, Sutlej and Teesta are graded IV – VI.

Grade I : Small, easy waves with small ripples, clear passages and no obstructions.
Grade II : Mainly clear passages with medium sized waves (less than 1 m); some level of difficulty with basic maneuvering around obstacles required.
Grade III : Rapids with high irregular waves (1-2 m); narrow in places, exposed rocks; small falls. Skilled maneuvering required.
Grade IV : Very difficult rapids with high, powerful, irregular waves; series of obstacles requiring extremely skilled maneuvering. The passage is often difficult to recognize and inspection from the bank is suggested.
Grade V : Very difficult and violent rapids with highly congested routes and channels; violent and fast currents; abrupt turns; Thorough scouting from bank is required. Critical and complex maneuvering is required. Only to be attempted by experienced paddlers. Rescue very difficult.
Grade VI : Very dangerous and suicidal, not recommended for commercial rafting.

RAFTING IN RISHIKESH : Situated on the foothills of the Garhwal region, at an elevation of 1360 feet above sea level, Rishikesh is an important sacred site for the Hindus. Surrounded by scenic mountains on three sides with Holy Ganga River flowing through it and several temples dotting the banks, the town of Rishikesh is renowned both as a spiritual centre for the Hindus as well as an important Yoga center.

However, in addition to being an important pilgrimage site, Rishikesh, has over the years also become famous as a popular adventure sport destination. An ideal base camp for trekking in the nearby Himalayas, the town, thanks to its mysterious and alluring river has emerged as a well-known center for white water rafting.

The most suitable period for river rafting in Rishikesh is from September to November and from March to April-May. The Holy Ganga River has always remained a mystery for explorers and full of surprises for the rafters. One of the best rivers in the world to experience the sheer exhilaration of white water rafting, it is the sheer invincible power of the Ganga river that often attracts the adventurer to the challenging sport of river rafting at Rishikesh.

A hugely popular river for rafting, the Whitewater River rafting stretch of the Ganges is from Kaudiyala to Rishikesh where the river has 12 major rapids over 36-kms long, most of which are easily negotiable and some require our expertise. Tame the swirling waves as they race, surge, whirl, froth and crash over the boulders and rocks as they rush down from the mountains in their quest to meet the Great Plains.

Kaudiyala - Shivpuri (Alaknanda) : One of India’s best known- and most popular- stretches for white water rafting, the Kaudiyala – Shivpuri stretch on the River Alaknanda passes through thickly wooded hills and past riverside temples before finishing at the dam beyond Rishikesh. Along the way, one comes across of the river’s best rapids- one known as the `wall’ and the other called the `golf course’- which are succeeded by deep, tranquil pools.

Rudraprayag-Rishikesh (Alaknanda) : Like the Kaudiyala – Shivpuri stretch, the Rudraprayag-Rishikesh stretch also on the Alaknanda River is one of India’s best stretches. Passing through a series of rapids, narrow gorges and quieter stretches, passing through the towns of Srinagar and Devprayag, the run also provides a chance to view the densely forested Himalayan foothills at close quarters and the various old temples that adorn the stretch.

Tehri-Shivpuri (Bhagirathi/Alaknanda) : One of the most scenic and invigorating of all the stretches, the Tehri-Shivpuri run, on the Bhagirathi/Alaknanda River has a Grade III or IV rating, though after Devprayag it becomes more manageable.

On the Bhagirathi :

• Matli-Dunda (12 km, a mixture of grades);
• Jangla-Jhala (20 km, a mixture of grades);
• Harsil-Uttarkashi,Dharasu-Chham(12 km, a mixture of grades)

On the Mandakini :

Chandrapuri-Rudraprayag (26 km, higher grades)