Rafting In The Ganga

Every time I saw people rafting in turbulent river waters, my curiosity to embark on a rafting expedition increased. As I started the groundwork for a rafting trip, information started to flow in, albeit slowly. I came to know that of the many rivers in India like Ganga, Alakananda, Beas, Bhagirathi, Brahmaputra, Indus, Kali Ganga, Teesta and Spiti where rafting takes places, the holy Ganges in the Uttaranchal region from Deoprayag to Rishikesh is one of the best places for rafting.

The next step was obviously to find a good travel operator for the trip. As I had little information about travel operators, I asked some of my friends who were all frequent travellers. They instantly suggested the name of Delhi based Decent Indo Tours, who have been conducting rafting trips for many years now. As the best time for rafting in the Ganges is the October-December and February-June period, I had to choose a proper time for the trip. After mulling over this point for some time, I decided to utilize my Dussehra holidays and so, last October arrived in national capital Delhi for the trip. The arrangements made by Decent Indo were excellent who also introduced me with my four other co-travellers. They had also arranged cab facilities for Deoprayag. Next morning, we headed for our destination with great excitement. Delhi to Deoprayag in Uttaranchal is a thrilling ride with the road snaking through some stunning mountains and lakes. At the end of a tiring journey, we arrived at Deoprayag and were taken straight to our camp. The spiritual aura of Deoprayag engulfs the soul immediately on reaching the place. A bonfire was already lit as it was very cold out there. We retired for the night quickly after dinner as we had to wake up early for the trip. Morning we woke up to the calls of the birds and the soothing sound of the river waters flowing near to our camp.

Morning chores over, we took breakfast and thereafter our camp manager introduced us to the rafting equipments and provided with other details. Here, we were also told that depending on the level of difficulty, rafting trips are divided into six categories. The first category takes place in slow moving waters while the last category comprises of tremendous risks. Ours was a 2 day expedition with camping arrangements in between. We were a bit jolted when we came to know that the 70 km stretch from Deoprayag to Rishikesh offers Grade III rafts. Quickly noticing the fear which was palpable on our faces, our guide consoled us and said that even for the novice, it is a comfortable ride.

After the lecture demonstration, we were driven to the put-in-point which was located at a short distance from our camp. Within a short time, all of us put on our safety equipments and proceeded on a wild water rafting trip in the Ganges.

We had to negotiate the gushing river waves, whirlpools, rock formations and some steep falls on our course. It was great to experience from very close quarters, the turbulent and foaming river waters cutting through deep gorges and canyons, as they gushed through with tremendous force. Equally awesome was to look at the waters churning and swirling and forming white water rapids after crushing into huge boulders. Finally, after successfully negotiating a few challenging rapids like Daniel's dip, our boat halted at a sandy beach for lunch. Lunch over and we again started to sail, encountering the same pre- lunch thrills. We signed off for day one just before sunset after covering approximately the first 35 kms of our journey. At our camp on another sandy beach, we lit a bonfire, indulged in some fun activities and retired for the night after dinner.

After breakfast on the morning of day two, the excitement began once again. But I must admit honestly that the second day of our trip was more fulfilling than day one. We sailed past rocky mountain ranges, patches of evergreen forests and also a few snow capped peaks standing majestically at the distant horizon. At some points, we also had the rare chance of getting to see some animals and birds found in the lower reaches of the Himalayas. The occasional chirping of the birds was like some soothing music to the years. As we again halted at a sandy beach for lunch on day two, our guide labeled the expedition as a getaway from civilization into the lap of the Himalayas. After lunch, as we floated past a few temples and ashrams, we realized that we are nearing Rishikesh and our expedition is about to end. Before sunset, we arrived at our camp after finishing a thrilling expedition. A few cultural activities were also arranged at our camp by our organizers to bid us farewell from the lap of Himalayas. Morning after breakfast, we started our return drive to reach Delhi.

I must admit at the end that the hospitality offered and the facilities provided to us at every leg of our expedition by Decent Indo Tours was excellent. The thrilling expedition was made all the more fulfilling by the services that Decent Indo offered. Without an iota of doubt, I can confirm that the rafting package offered by Decent Indo is one of the best. It may also be mentioned that Decent Indo offers different rafting packages ranging from a single day to five days.

Wylie Wilson
Traveller from Britain