White Water Rafting in The Ganges - Rishikesh

Karthik, Mukund, Siva, Velu and I came down to Rishikesh on the 13th April 2017, after our trek to the Kuari Pass. On the 14th April morning we were driven towards Srinagar about 10 Kms from Rishikesh where we were dropped by our car. There were many rafts waiting to commence their adventures and there were so many excited humans walking towards the rafts. To access the rafts one had to carefully go down the banks of the Ganges, since monsoon was a few months away the water level in the Ganges was low and we had to go down the dry banks and walk across the dry river bank to where the rafts were.

Our Capt. Mahaveer briefed us on safety and we were expected to do, this tool over 30 minutes and later we were thankful that he did his job thoroughly and we listened to him carefully.  

We were to cross a few rapids in what was to be our 10 Km long rafting experience.

There were many rafts waiting for customers and adventurers.  Ajay Bhatt has booked us with “Red Chilli Adventures” and we had Mahaveer who was our Captain. We donned our life jackets and helmets, took hold of the oars and went to the raft. Mahaveer gave us a 30 minute instructions on safety, dos and don'ts and what to do in an emergency while on the raft.

The first few metres were slow and pleasant and then slowly the raft gained speed and we were soon in our first rapid which was not tough. It was at the WALL that Karthik fell into the waters. The raft plunged into the waters and when it came up it did so at an angle causing me to fall into the raft and at the same moment Karthik fell out into the waters. I extended my hand and tried to hold him but was not able to do so. Swiftly Velu took hold of his hand but Karthik was already holding onto the lifeline running around the raft. Mahaveer shouted for me to get back to my seat and in a bound he came to where Karthik was in pulled him into the raft. We did not have time to even be a little scared as Mahaveer shouted out saying “forward forward” rapid coming up. Would we do this again, Yes Yes Yes. I do feel bad that I did not allow the team to jump into the Ganges though Mahaveer assured us it was safe, the shock of having seen karthik in the thundering and swirling waters of the Ganges and so close to rocks had got me worried and I shouted out to others that they were not to get into the water.

You will notice one of the Red Chilli Adventures team members in a kayak handing over slippers to Mukund, these were Karthik's slippers which fell into the Ganges along with him.

Here is a short description of the rapids we went through.

Ganga River Rapids

The Ganga gorge gives rise to 13 adventure-packed white water rapids. All of these rapids have been classified into different 'classes' or 'grades' according to the International Scale of River Difficulty. These rapids have been categorized into Grade I, Grade II, Grade III and Grade IV. Rafters can choose to raft along rapids that fall under a specific grade. Depending on their physical stamina and age, they can select a grade and enjoy white water rafting along the Ganges in Rishikesh. Given below are some more details on each of these grades and what type of river rapids they stand for. 

SWEET SIXTEEN

This is Grade I rapid, small and easy. Kids, non-swimmers and first timers can easily raft down the Ganges rapids of this category. Grade I rapids are easy because they offers clear passage to rafters. Apart from a clear rafting passage, these river rapids are also devoid of any serious obstacles. Sweet Sixteen is the right choice if you want to combine a genuine taste of adventure and lots of family fun. 

CROSS FIRE

This is a Grade III rapid. It comes along with serious obstacles including multiple high, irregular waves and rocks. Though passages are clear, they are narrow creating difficulty for the rafter. Expertise is needed to enjoy white water rafting along rapids of this grade. The operator of the boat needs to have prior experience and expertise. 

THREE BLIND MICE

Much popular among young rafters in Rishikesh, the rapid also falls into Grade III rapids. The river passage along this rapid is clear. However, it features narrow waterway which requires prior rafting experience to sail along. 

THE WALL

Another popular Ganga rapid falling into Grade IV is the Wall. If you want to really feel that adrenaline rush and enjoy your expedition at the same time, the rapid is made just for you. Before you start to sail along this river rapid, do consult your instructor for expert advice. Prior experience is necessary if you are eager to run along this rapid.

ROLLER COASTER 

These are Grade III rapids. They are longer with high and irregular waves. There are serious obstacles like dangerous rocks and boiling eddies. The passages are difficult to scout. Maneuvering along these requires power and accuracy. The boatman must have expertise while the raft and rafting gear should be of superior quality. 

GOLF COURSE

The rapids fall into the category of Grade III rapids. If you are an adrenaline junkie and well versed with the techniques of adrenaline pumping river rafting, Golf Course is just waiting for you. Sailing along this difficult passage of Ganga rapid requires both power and precision of the sport. Before you start to run this rapid, make sure you have adequate expertise and are equipped with all the essential rafting gear. 

We were soon back in our rooms changing clothes and in a short while ready to go out into Lakshman Jhula to explore that part of Rishikesh. After walking around a bit I suggested that we walk to the Beatles Cafe for lunch, this restaurant is very popular with foreigners and serves great vegetarian continental food. The dining area is in a room which is open to the Ganges and offers a great view of the rapids. We sat down and ordered our food which everyone enjoyed. We were soon ready to return to the room and we planned that we would rest for a short while and then leave for Hardwar at 4 PM to witness the Ganga Aarti.