The popular impression of the River Ganga in India is a silently flowing and wide water body with the various picturesque ghats along the banks.
But if you travel upstream towards the source more specifically to places like Rishikesh in Uttarakhand, get to see a totally different form. The river Ganga here is even more beautiful with blue-turquoise water that is flowing fast making an enchanting sound.
It is here that white river rafting is enjoyed on a grand scale. People from the world over flock to Rishikesh to experience the thrill of rafting.
Typically boats are transported uphill from the holy town of Rishikesh to a higher point by road by mounting the boat on the top of a jeep for about 8 kilometers. The rafting begins from a higher point in the mountain and proceeds downstream along with the flow of the river towards Rishikesh.
Typically one boat houses 8 people. All necessary instructions about safety and about how to row a boat efficiently are provided at the beginning of the expedition.
The water looks calm and silent in the beginning but the most exciting parts of the boating are eddy and rapids where the water behaves differently and posing challenges in navigating. This is the most thrilling part of the rafting.
As seen in the photo above that I took during the last season, the boating passes through picturesque sceneries with mountains in the background, span bridges overhead, and silver sands on the banks.
You can reach Rishikesh from Delhiby road and railway and the best time to enjoy rafting is from October to March. Till then… Happy Guiding
You are right, there are already videos circulating around by people living in Rishikesh showing that the water quality is much better than ever before.
One cannot escape rafting on reaching Rishikesh, it’s everywhere.
There are several rafting services all over the street especially in the main market.
They usually take groups of 8-10 though you can join an existing group if they have empty slots.
The charge is normally 800-1200 depending on the season.
For photos and videos, they charged us extra and exorbitant.
Hotels are cheap and plenty.
Also Haridwar is on the way when starting from Delhi.
Great post about rafting @TusharSuradkar . Great to see you on raft. You must have enjoyed a lot. Was there heavy current when you did? Thank you for sharing.
