The river rafting experience in white and Holy waters of Ganga is one of the Must Do things in life. The overall experience is mind blowing.
We planned for the Rafting on the long weekend of 1st to 4th October 09.We were six people who finally were ready to go Abhishek Dike ,Radhika , Gagan, Shweta(Rudra’s sister) , Me and Rudra.
We took the Sampark Kranti to Delhi and reached there by 1st evening.
Rishikesh is 225 kms from Delhi and takes almost 5 hours by road.
I have already talked to a taxi guy to bring the taxi at our friends place in Delhi early morning, so that we can reach Rishikesh by 11 O’clock. The plan was perfect.
The taxi rates we got were the most optimal rates as I took information from almost 10-12 taxi operators. Mr Khurana(09868041235) and Driver Yashpal +91 98109 10046 was the guy who took us on the Trail.
2nd October
As per Dike’s words “U don’t get everything you want”.
The traffic that day was Horrible…I guess everyone in Delhi was planning for Rishikesh that day.
We took almost 11 hours to reach Rishikesh. In between we had a puncture as well.
I will advice people to take the alternate tour on weekends via Bijnor and Najibabad.
The road is pretty good and the traffic is less. It saves a lot of time at a cost of just 20 kms more.
Gagan already had booked our rafting and camping plan with
Mr Satish(09837442116) and amazingly he got us the most economic deal considering the long weekend and rush i.e. Only Rs 1300, which included rafting, camping , lunch, dinner, breakfast and the transportation from Rishikesh to Camping and Rafting point. I call this INDORI Style of bargain.
When we reached Rishikesh we had to wait sometime and then we were at the camping point by 8. Dike didn’t come with us as he had to be in company till 2 pm.
So he came by bike from Delhi to Rishikesh. Heads off to the Spirit.
We made some arrangements so that dike can join us at the camping point at Bramhapuri 9 Kms from Rishikesh where No phones worked.
Finally he joined us at Dinner!!
The Camp site was situated at least 50 ft down the road, just on the bank of Ganga where the silver sands and Running waters welcomed us in the valley of joy.
The Arrangement was great. There was a bed with Pillow and Quilt in the tent, Proper toilets and Bathrooms. We being YHAI trekkers were not used to this Luxury and so we termed it as 5 STAR arrangements.
That was a night where full moon bestowed its silver rays on the enormous water flowing with full vigor in the arms of the valley.
I don’t think I can find this view elsewhere….
That night I, Rudra and dike chatted for a long time sitting on the bank of the river remembering the memories of college….sweet memories are sweetened more in such environment. Gagan just slept on the bank, which is always his favorite trick.
3rd October.
The Morning was no less beautiful than the night. We woke up at 6.30, used the luxurious toilets and got ready. Tea was served on time and sitting on the Ganga’s bank having sips of tea was another good thing we did.
This was the second best Tea experience after the one in the Himalayas at Tila Lotni camp during Sar-Pass trek at the Height of 13000 ft.
After reminding the organizers multiple times finally we were taken to Shivpuri which was the rafting start point.
If anyone wants to do only rafting he can directly come to Rishikesh and have rafting in Rs 400 per head.
Then we wore the Armor, termed as life jacket and helmet. For a person like me who don’t know swimming it was really armor which protected me from the fury of Ganga where the river bed was 50-60 ft.
Finally we started our Journey!!!
River’s temperature was pleasant and it was soothing us against the heat of the Sun.
We took the back seat in the raft, true signs of backbenchers.
We were provided a guide who was in charge of giving directions to raft and verbal directions to us.
Radhika sat in the front seat …guiding us in the rapids.
There were 10 rapids in the course form Shivpuri to Rishikesh, which was 18 kms journey. They had funny names like Golf Course, tora tora etc…
Finally at a point where the Ganga was a bit calm, the Guide told us if anyone wants to jump in the water, he can. So our adventure spirits gave us a thrust and we plunged into the water.
What a mind blowing experience it was!!!
I was fully into the water that is said to wash your bad deeds just by few drops.
The river bed was 50-60 ft deep and the stream even though calm, was able to take me away. And as I said, being a novice to swimming, the life jacket served me very well.
We were in water for about half hour.
I was in tension that who will take my photos(Which is my biggest concern on any trip) when all will be in water…was released by Radhika who chose to be on the Raft and took some great pics.
Then we reached a point which I call “Free Fall Point”.
There was a cliff on the bank of the river which was said to be 30 ft high.
People were jumping into Ganga from that cliff. There were 60% people who went to the edge and then was frightened to jump…most of them were Girls. I and Rudra also went atop the cliff after struggling in the queue. Rest were seated on the bank and enjoyed small streams coming out of the hill, including dike who had a bad experience last time.
And finally at the moment for jumping came.
Looking deep down the water almost from 3 storey high building was not a thing everyone can withstand. Overcoming all the fears, I jumped.
Sometimes just taking one step ahead without caring about your fears, gives you a lot.
And once you do it, it teaches you a lot.
So it was A dive into Holy Ganga ...from a 30 ft Cliff...without knowing how to swim..Just on the support of life jacket....is an awesome experience...and I took it thrice...!!
After this journey begun again and I took the front seat on the raft for the last rapid.
As we entered the rapid the boat just went 2 ft down in the water and again came up splashing all the water on me. It was again a pleasant experience.
Finally we reached Rishikesh and as a fairy tale the journey ended with sweet memories.
We changed our clothes and set for the Ride back to Delhi.
Nice M@n
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