Complete Guide for White Water Rafting at Rishikesh
I did not know swimming when I attempted white water rafting at Rishikesh. Initially, it was a scary thought as people told me not to do it and on top of that, hearing stories of raft overturning had me even more anxious. These words by Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru truly describe my first rafting experience, “We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures that we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open”.
What is White Water Rafting
Whitewater Rafting got its name because when the raft goes through turbulent and rough rapids of a river, the water appear frothy white.
Grades of rapids
Rapids are graded based on their difficulty level, Grade 1 being the easiest.
Grade 1: Very small rough areas
Grade 2: Some rough waters, small rocks and a small drop
Grade 3: Slightly adventurous rapids with 3–4ft drop (not dangerous)
Grade 4: Longer rapids with sharp maneuvering and considerable drop (might overturn the raft)
Grade 5: Larger waves and bigger rocks with a large drop
Grade 6: Huge rocks, huge waves and significant drops (considered ‘suicidal’)
It is a common misconception that only people who know swimming can do rafting. Even if you do not know swimming, you may raft but do not attempt stretches with rapids of grade 4 and above.
Things to carry
If you want to pack light, you may just carry an extra pair of clothes and inners(dry fit clothes are best for river rafting), sandals/sneakers/crocs, sunscreen lotion, waterproof pouch for phone/camera/money and water.
Why choose Rishikesh for White Water Rafting
Nestling in the lap of the Ganges which stretches approximately 37 kms in length, one can explore the thrill of its untamed currents at Rishikesh rafting along with the view of magnificent Shivalik hills.
How to reach: Popularly known as the River Rafting Capital of India, Rishikesh is situated 224 kms from Delhi which makes it a perfect weekend getaway. It takes about 6 hours to reach by road from Delhi. If you are traveling by train, Haridwar Junction is the nearest station(21kms). If you are traveling by air, Dehradun is the nearest airport(21kms). From Haridwar or Dehradun, you can take a cab or bus to Rishikesh. It is better to book your own cab so that it will be easier to move around from the rafting site to the camp site(usually, people prefer camping by river side at night).
Where to stay: It is advisable if bookings are done beforehand(specially, if you are going over weekends and want to stay at river-side campsites). Many travel agencies offer different packages, most popular one being 2 days and 1 night package, which involves rafting, river-side camping, cliff jumping and body surfing. The average cost incurred would be around Rs. 2000 per person.
Best time for rafting in Rishikesh: Best time for rafting is early March to first week of May and then late September to mid November.
Different Rapids in Rishikesh
From Kaudiyala to Rishikesh, there are a total of 16 rapids(from Grade 1 to Grade 5) along the 36kms stretch. Best part about rafting here is that there are four starting points for rafting and each point offers rapids of different grades. So, whether you are an amateur rafter or a seasoned veteran, there is something in store for every kind of adventurous spirit in you.
First Starting Point: Brahmapuri (9km, 1.5–2 hrs, rapids upto grade 2, Rs. 450–500/person*)
Second Starting Point: Shivpuri (16km, 3–3.5 hrs, rapids upto grade 3, Rs. 650–700/person*). This is the most popular stretch for rafting as it is a perfect blend of adventure along with safety for beginners.
Third Starting Point: Marine drive (27km, 4–4.5 hrs, rapids upto grade 3, Rs. 850–900/person*)
Fourth Starting Point: Kaudiyala(35km, 6–7 hrs, rapids upto grade 5, Rs. 1800–1900/person*). You will encounter one of the most challenging and world famous rapid ‘The Wall’ over here. Only seasoned experts are advised for this point.
* The cost mentioned with each starting point is only the cost of rafting.
Some of the famous rapids at Rishikesh are: Sweet Sixteen(Grade 1), Body Surfing Rapid(Grade 1), Club House Rapid(Grade 2), Cross Fire(Grade 3), Three Blind Mice(Grade 3), Roller Coaster(Grade 3), Golf Course(Grade 3), Return to Sender(Grade 3) and The Wall(Grade 4).
My experience of White Water Rafting at Rishikesh
We booked an eight-seater raft and were all set to start rafting from Shivpuri. We watched excitedly as our guide started pumping air into the raft and we would be the next ones to raft away into the Ganges. After a brief training session where we were given instructions(a few, not much) and precautions to be followed, we stepped onto our raft with much enthusiasm. If you have prior experience in rafting, you would be lucky to sit at the helm of the raft where the major action is. With life jacket, helmet, paddles in place and foot in ‘lock’ position, we chanted ‘Jai Ganga Maiyya Ki’ and started our journey.
Initially, we floated and practiced how to paddle in unison. The key to rafting is to move your paddle hand in sync with that of the person sitting in front of you. We were totally enticed by the scenic view, cool breeze, calmness and sound of the river.
Then we saw our very first rapid nearing. Fueled with energy, we paddled excitedly as the rapid engulfed us. Though our guide said it was an easy one, we were so happy that we crossed it and were safe(how naive we were!). Our guide told us to paddle in unison and not be nervous else we would risk toppling the raft.
Next rapids we encountered were tough ones(grade 3). As the river flow increased, from afar we saw river falling with a thud and water gushing out. No more was there a calmness in the sound of river. The waters roared. Our guide yelled, ‘This is going to a tough one, use your strength to paddle faster and harder’. In the blink of an eye, high waves formed in front of us. Those untameable waves thrashed us.. up and down.. left and right, with full force and rocked our raft. We paddled as though our life depended on it, feeling the adrenaline rush every second as we tumbled along those harsh currents. Our mind went blank and we were sure we would fall into the river but the guide kept yelling to paddle in sync. We passed the rapid and it was an experience like no other. So surreal! So unbelievable! We shouted and cheered with our paddles in air that we survived. It was a moment of sheer exhilaration.
As there was a little time till the next set of rapids came, we stopped paddling and just floated along. This was important as we had to save our energy for the rapids. Then the guide told us to jump in the river. Our hearts pounded and with bewildered faces, we asked “Aren’t we supposed to be safely in the raft and avoid any contact with the river”. But the guide said that since we were in plains, we might as well take a dip in the Ganges and have fun. As I stated earlier, I did not know swimming(can’t stress that enough!), I was scared to jump in a flowing river. Guide told us to grip the rope tied along the raft and jump and nothing would happen. One by one, we all jumped in the Ganges and the feeling was unmatched. As we rested and played in those calm waters and gazed up at the blue sky, it added more fuel to our adventure.
After a few more rapids, we took at pit stop. What better way to re-energize yourself than to savor maggie noodles with a steaming mug of tea. It felt soothing after being drenched in cold water.
We resumed rafting and covered the remaining rapids. As the evening neared, so did the end of our rafting journey.
Initially, I was hesitant to attempt rafting because I did not know swimming, but after this experience, I discovered many things about myself. I was overjoyed because I felt I had conquered my fear. Lynn Culbreath Noel has rightly said, ” The first river you paddle runs through the rest of your life. It bubbles up in pools and eddies to remind you who you are”.
Lessons learnt from White Water Rafting
There is no ‘I’ in the team. No one can do everything alone and many a times, one hundred percent team work is essential.
Just as a river is full with rocks(some you can spot and some you can’t), life is full of obstacles. But never give up. With a firm footing and head above water, the tough will always get going when the going gets tough.
Life will not always be comfortable. Sometimes, you will be riding smoothly, sometimes, you will have water splashed across you. You don’t know what lies ahead. So just go with the flow and enjoy the ride while it lasts.
It is very important to pause for a while, relax and enjoy the moments that life gives you.
