Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Delhi-Rishikesh-Rafting-Trip

                Rishikesh is known for White water rafting and the season ususally starts end September and  lasts till June end, stopping at the onset of Monsoon.Continuing our sojourn for guests from all over the country on Camping and Rafting trip to Rishikesh from Delhi, after the first day exposure to camping on the white sand beaches of Rishikesh, day 2 was fixed for white water rafting. According to our survey, more than 80% of our guests were going to do rafting for the first time at the Ganges, Rishikesh. So before the start of the rafting a counselling session was done to allay the fears of participants and answer their queries about the same. Just for our blog readers and enthusiasts in general here below we are listing some of the general queries which were raised about the safety and other aspects about rafting.

Rafting Query 1. Do I need to know swimming?

No, one does not need to know swimming as you are given life jackets and non swimmers can enjoy rafting.

Rishikesh Rafting Query 2. What do I need to carry for rafting and camping at Rishikesh?

Thnigs to carry for camping and rafting
1. Travel light for camping as most camps are 3-500m or more from the closest road and you may to have to carry your luggage, do not carry hard suitcases.
2. A torch light.
3. Shorts and t shirts
4. Floaters
5. A string to secure if you wear glasses
6. Sunscreen lotion
7. Personal medicines

Query 3. How safe is rafting?
Rafting is safe if you follow your instructors, do not go for rafting after drinks etc and also if you are in an exclusion list for rafting (as below)

Query 4. Who all are in the exclusion list for rafting?

1. Children below 12 yrs.
2. Pregnant ladies
3. People with medical conditions like high blood pressure
4. People in an inebriated state.

For any other queries you can mail us at arounddelhi@gmail.com and we will post the replies here.


             After clearing the queries and taking consent rafters were divided into groups of 8 and given life jackets and crash helmets to wear. They were also told about pedaling,back pedaling etc by the instructor. Each raft has one to two instructors, they also carry a waterproof dry bag to carry your mobiles,cameras etc.
            Marine Drive was the starting point for the rafting group which was going to raft down till NIM beach, Rishikesh approximately 26 km. From Marine Drive to Shiv Puri we encounter Grade I and II rapids starting with good morning, black money and three blind mice. The initial parts may be a bit scary for the first timers but as rafting progresses the adrenaline builts up and you start looking for your next rapid. (Rapid Classification) Rafting is a one of the best team building exercise and you need to work as a team specially when encountering rapids to keep the raft stable and handle the rapid well. Maximum work of pedaling and direction has to be done by the people sitting in the front and you may need to replace the front runners if they feel tired. The rafting group took a small break at Shiv Puri where you can rehydrate yourself or use the loo if required. 
            Immediately  after restarting from Shiv Puri you come across 'Return to Sender' an interesting rapid where you have go back all the way if you don't do it the right way. Other Grade III rapids one encounters are Golf Course and Roller Coaster. As the Ganges calms down you also get a chance to jump into the river with a secure rope and swim n enjoy in the river. Our group also stopped enroute at a sandy bank to bask in the sun. After great excitement the rafting finally came to an end at Nim beach. The buses were waiting on the road side to get us back to the camp. The group rested after a delicious lunch and in the evening it was back to bon fire, music and lots of masti.
Next Day morning it was back to Delhi with lunch being arranged on the way back. Everybody really enjoyed the stay, food and activities, especially rafting and carried back sweet memories to home.
For Rafting & Camping Bookings and queries Contact us at 9811193634/09891458220 or email us at arounddelhi@gmail.com

Join our Rafting group in April 2017 to Rishikesh

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