Highlights
| Duration: | 04 days |
| Region: | Uttarakhand, India |
| Start: | Rishikesh |
| End: | Rishikesh |
| Difficulty: | Challenging |
Departures
The Bhagirathi rafting expedition's river journey starts from Bhagirathi river just after the Koteshwar dam. Bhagirathi river is a medium volume class IV river and has a very active nature throughout till Devprayag. You would negotiate lot of small and big rapids that come in quick succession all the way. Some of the significant rapids are Chute rapid, Elephant rock, and the Confluence rapid.
The Bhagirathi river confluences with Alaknanda at Devprayag, and is hence forth called Ganga or Ganges. From here the river will flow into a wide gorge and would have easy class I-II kind of whitewater for some time till the river comes out of the gorge at Kaudiyala and flows through the Ganga valley all the way till Rishikesh with rapids up to class III+ difficulty levels.
The Bhagirathi rafting expedition travels about 100 kms in a self supported manner across 04 days. You would daily raft an average of 25 kms and experience river life at its best, enjoy camping bliss in the natural outdoors, evenings well spent with barbecue and bonfire.
Best time of the year to experience the Bhagirathi Rafting Expedition is mid November till late March period.
We suggest people joining this part of the trip to have prior rafting exposure or have reasonable comfort in water.
We recommend this trip to be done across 4 days for best experience. However for groups who are seeking a private trip and are willing to rough it out through long days, we can customize the trip to be done over 3 days.
A river rafting expedition is an active vacation that expect involvement from the guests at all levels, whether it is helping to setup the tents, or to lend your hand in collecting of wood for bonfire. The prime activities in a day are around rafting, and moving the camp from one point to another as we move down the river. All camping gear and provisions also travel with us on separate cargo boats. Post afternoons are at leisure where one can choose to have a volleyball bout or settle down with a book.
DETAILED ITINERARY
Day 01: Rishikesh-Koteshwar-Beas Ghat
Our day will start early with a drive to Koteshwar( 4 hrs ). After a detailed safety briefing we would paddle down an action packed section till Devprayag. This will be followed by a peaceful placid section where one can enjoy swimming and body surfing. Raft about 4.5 hours, to reach our designated location where we setup camp for the night. Remaining day is at leisure where one can choose to relax by the river or indulge in some group activity like beach volleyball. Enjoy a barbecue evening around a bonfire and a delicious freshly prepared dinner before hitting the sleeping bags for the night.
Day 02: Beas Ghat to Mahadev Chatti
Relaxed morning wakeup and a very short day to shift the camp lower down in the river at another isolated and beautiful location. This short day will enable the participants to get over the long action packed day that they had prior to today.
Day 03: Rafting till Byasi
Wake up to a beautiful morning and help with the camp pack-up. Today we would run couple of exciting rapids, including one of the bigger ones which is called "Wall". Post afternoon relaxed time to explore the great outdoors and experience communion with nature. Overnight tents.
Day 04: Byasi to Rishikesh
Today we would run over 28 kms of exciting whitewater of Ganges, and would encounter rapids like "Three blind mice", "Roller Coaster", "Golf Course" and several others. Finish the trip at the take out point near RIshikesh.
Inclusions
- Experienced team having appropriate training and certifications for whitewater rescue and wilderness first aid.
- All rafting gear - Life Jackets, helmets, paddles, splash jackets, safety kayaks, dry bags etc.
- Suitable camping gear including tents, sleeping bags, and cooking/mess arrangements.
- River permits, Forest/National parks entry fees/permits, inner line permits, all necessary legal paperwork & documentation.
- Comprehensive first aid kit.
- Travel arrangements connecting the starting and ending locations as detailed in the itinerary.
- Camp stay on twin share basis for 2 nights with all meals ( lunch of day 1 till lunch of day 4 ).
Exclusions
- Train/Air fares up to and from the starting and ending points.
- Meals and refreshments during the road journey,
- Insurance of any kind
- Expenses of personal nature, alcoholic drinks etc.
- Anything not mentioned explicitly in the schedule/program.
