1)
Which Rafting Trip For You?
White water rafting trips come in a number of different
guises, and which one you choose largely depends on your
experience, fitness and levels of gung-ho.
At one end of the scale are the rapid getaway 1-3 day
long adrenaline trips, the supreme example of which are
the Ganga and Tons rivers - a roller coaster ride which
combines excellent whitewater with camping by the river,
with campfire barbecues thrown in.
Then, there are multi-day trips, which combine thrills
with access to territory you couldn't visit in any other
way. This is expedition, or wilderness rafting where you
don't see anybody for 3-6 days, with technical rafting
of Grade 3 and 4 (on some rivers, the odd Grade 5). The
Alaknanda, Bhagirathi, Kali/Sarda, Zanskar and Brahmaputra
rivers are such trips.
Speak with your guides, before you go. We have the rating
system below for you to go through, so you can choose
the trip of your liking.  |
2)
Is it safe ?
Rafting is one of the safest adventure activities you
can take part in. All our trips are guided by competent
and experienced guides with atleast five years of experience
on all rivers that we run. In addition, all safety gear
like lifejackets, helmets, footbraces etc. are provided
for. River guides are trained in First Aid and C.P.R and
can handle
minor injuries. |
3)
Do I need to be fit to go on a rafting trip?
Rafting does not require very high
levels of fitness.Nearly anybody over 14 years of age
can run nearly all rivers on offer. Ofcourse, heart patients,expecting
mothers or any other serious ailments are an impediment. |
4) Do I need
to know how to swim?
All our guided trips are open for non-swimmers
as well. A comprehensive safety briefing isgiven before
each trip and moreover, the ability to swim is not a consideration
when you go down a whitewater river. |
5) I am a first
timer - can I join a trip?
Yes, all guided trips are open for
first-timers as well. You can join a weekend trip or an
expedition trip, as long as you are gung-ho about the
activity. |
6)
Do I need to buy some special gear before a rafting trip?
You need only your shorts, T-shirts,
a pair of strap-on sandals and your sense of humor on
most of our trips. Spray jackets and spray pants, wetsuits
are provided for colder rivers, by us. Sleeping bags for
expedition-style trips are
advisable. |
7)
What kind of food will I be served?
On our camps and expedition trips,meals
served are buffet stlye - wholesome and delicious at camps
(you WILL be surprised!) and easy to prepare on expedition
trips. Most adventure travel trips travel on their stomachs
- we make sure they travel very, very,well. |
8) Is the water
safe for me to drink?
On all our trips, water used is spring
water (preferably, the first-use kinds) which is boiled
and then treated with tincture of iodine. |
9)
Where are the toilets?
On our camps, we have bio-toilets in
use because of closeness to river and Reserved Forest
Regulations. You however, do not have to squat - there
are proper seats (like the ones you have at home!).The
only difference is that you cannot use the flush. On our
multi-day trips, the toilets are the great outdoors -
each person has to dig a small hole and burn their toilet
paper (it does burn quite well). |
10)
Do I have to help out on a trip?
On our Camp based trips, everything
is catered for and you need to only enjoy the few days
that you have taken off
for the trip. On multi-dayers, you can participate in
as much as you'd like to - helping with the rafts, the
tents, the campfire etc., so choose your own pace. |
11) Do I have
to paddle on each rafting trip?
You can choose to set the pace of your
own trip - each raft has one or two non-paddling positions
which you can opt for incase you do not wish to paddle.
Paddling however is half thefun and you can participate
in paddling as much as you wish to. |
| GRADING OF RAPIDS |
Rapids are graded from Class I to Class
VI depending on the degree of difficulty they present
in successfully maneuvering a white water craft (raft/kayak/canoe/cataraft)
through it.
Grade 1 : Relax and chill out.
Grade 2 : Keep an eye open for small waves.
Grade 3 : This will be fun - tighten your lifejackets
and helmets.
Grade 4 : Getting serious ; paddle well or you could end
up swimming.
Grade 5 : Don't mess up - this is the hardest stuff you
can raft.
Grade 6 : If you are told you are rafting grade 6, your
guide is lying - this is suicide!! |
