White River Rafting at Rishikesh

It garnered admiration as the place for spiritual rejuvenation but with time Rishikesh is turning out to be a must visit place for adventure buffs. White river rafting in the frigid waters of the Ganges entices tourists from around the world, braver souls, however, also aim to experience the thrill of bungee jumping as Rishikesh boasts of the highest (83m) bungee jumping facility in India with Jumpin Heights.

Rishikesh is nearly 230 km away from New Delhi and by road it would take nearly 6 hours by bus to reach there. As mentioned in the Haridwar post, my journey had begun from Kashmere Gate, Delhi after which I took a 'spiritual' halt at Haridwar and then reached Rishikesh. Even the bus stand at Rishikesh is so well located that as soon as you arrive, you are beholder to the stunning vistas of the verdant mountains surrounding it. From there you have to take an auto (which usually run on sharing basis and ask for INR 10 to drop you to the rafting agents’ site).

  

You need not worry of your safety during rafting as all service providers have similar facilities and it’s better to ask a couple of agents in the area to choose the best deal. I have now done rafting at Rishikesh twice, once for INR 300 and once for INR 500 (disadvantage of going on a crowded day) for the 18 km route. Rafting boat would need 10 people and the guide. The agent takes you to another of their offices where you can keep your baggage and change your clothes, if you need. Once the required number is achieved, everyone is stuffed in an SUV and taken to Shivpuri, the point from where the 18 km long rafting originates (you may also choose rafting options of other lengths but 18 km is sufficient in my view).

You are asked to keep your mobile, wallets, cameras and anything you don’t want to get wet while rafting in a water-proof bag that’s carried along on the boat. In no time, you will be on the boat, your heart pounding for the journey ahead. Supported with life jacket, helmet & the paddle to row the boat and emulating the typical slogans and watchwords that the guide hollers; you embark on the ride of your life.

Rowing through foaming water and gurgling rapids makes you feel animated, especially when you can’t swim (like me). The first contact with the splashing Ganges river on your face in the terrifying rapids sends adrenaline running across your body. The effect is almost intoxicating; you only want more of it. It’s even more fun when you blindly jump in the river and feel the chill of river. That’s the time when you can ask your guide or another co-passenger who’s afraid of plunging in the river to take your photos and save some memories.

The boat makes a stop on the way to a cliff jumping site wherein people can eat noodles and other stuff. If they choose not to make the pitstop the journey is almost over, with a couple more rapids to go. This 2-3 hour adventure is enough to sap all your energy. Soaked in water and feeling cold, you should dry yourselves and reach the office of the agent to take your baggage and clothes back.

Feeling famished, I looked for good meals around. Finding many options, I devoured the food; roamed around the city for some more time and took the bus to New Delhi again. While I was taking memories with me, this memory is not to be held on to; it definitely needs to be relived.