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The river Ganges has its source in the Himalayas, at Gaumakh in the southern Himalayas on the Indian side of the Tibetan border. The Ganges river basin is one of the most fertile and densely populated in the world and covers an area of 400 000 sq miles. The river flows through 29 cities with population over 100,000, 23 cities with population between 50,000 and 100,000, and about 48 towns.
River Rafting
What makes river rafting in Ganges unique is that it takes on forms that delight both the novice and the professional. GIO's river rafting trips on the Ganges vary from gentle sightseeing floats to ones involving some of the most exciting and exacting rapids. The magic of white water rafting on the Ganges, the adrenaline rush with the thrill of negotiating speedy river currents or just gently floating past terraced hillsides and forest is one experience you wouldn't like to miss. The moods of the Ganges rafting trip can be as diverse as an adventure lover seeks.
Garhwal
In Garhwal, the sacred river Ganga offers the professional as well as the amateur the exhilaration of whitewater river rafting. The rivers Alakananda & Bhagirathi are the main tributaries of the Ganga and meet Devprayag, frothing from their racy descent. Their waters are grade IV to V, challenging the expert to survive the thrill.
Down river from Devprayag, the Gang
a
changes into a pool drop river. This stretch of almost 70-kms is a perfect
for the amateur and the novice, for here the river offers some fine grade
III rapids and two grade IV rapids, the 'WALL' at Bysi and the 'Golf Course'
4-kms. Below Shivpuri village; each followed by deep and placid pools. Sandy
beaches line the river at intervals, allowing river rafters to pull up
alongside. The slopes on either side are covered with oak, pine, spruce and
fir, with the occasional village and its terraced fields dotting the
landscape. Wildlife can be sighted at a distance, especially spotted Deer,
Monkeys, Leopard, while multi hued butterflies flit among flowering. Ganges River has always remains a mystery for explorers and full of surprises for the rafters. Ganga near Rishikesh in Uttaranchal is a popular spot for white water river rafting. The whitewater river rafting stretch of the Ganges is from Kaudiyala to Rishikesh where the river has 12 major rapids over 36-kms long, most of which are easily negotiable and some require our expertise.
Rishikesh
Rishikesh, lying at the foothills of the Himalayas and with the Ganges flowing right through it, is the spiritual capital of India. Rishikesh has tourists coming from all over the globe to visit the numerous ashrams and bathing ghats that dot the riverbank. Rishikesh is flooded with centres teaching yoga, meditation and ancient medical techniques. It is a great place for adventure sports too. 18 kms from Rishikesh is this quaint village of Shivpuri. Here, situated by the riverbank and surrounded by dense forests is Camp GIO, an ideal retreat for adventure and spiritual endeavors.
Kaudiyala
Rafters ClubThe white water rafting of Ganges at Kaudiyala, Garhwal, popularly known as the White Water Wonder are a delight for the rafters with all its variations. Ganga is full of surprises for the rafter, while at some places it is calm and tranquil; at others it is equally turbulent and rapid. Only the rapids in Ganga can be distinguished as extremely difficult with powerful waves that need excellent maneuvering and expert rafting professionals.
Every year in the month of February, the Ganga Rally is organized along a stretch of Ganga linking, Allahabad & Varanasi, the two important pilgrimage towns of India. This 3-day event starts with a display of water sports and a demonstration of a small hovercraft that's ideal for recreational purposes. The participants take off on the river in a variety of crafts - kayaks, canoes, rowing boats, etc. to the historic Chunar Fort, 37-km from Varanasi.
The Ganga Marathon that is conducted on the last day of the Rally provides an exciting conclusion to the water sports event. The last 40-kms long stretch of the Ganga Rally from Chunar to Rajendra Prasad Ghat in Varanasi, is run as a river marathon race. The prize behind this thrilling rafting journey for the winning team is a trophy - the Benaras Cup.
