You may have seen white water rafting in India, or kayaking, either on television or on a river trip of your own. It looks exciting with the big rapids, colorful rafters, or kayakers, weaving a path through the waves and the randomness of white water.
Have you ever wondered if you could be that person in the kayak or on the raft? If you really want to get closer to the water you may want to go the kayak route instead of the raft.
If kayaking has captured your interest and you would like to learn how to negotiate rapids and surf those waves and holes then the first thing you need to do is find a kayak school show you how to do the basics from paddling in a straight line to negotiating class 1 and 2 rapids and then taking the plunge into the tongue of a Class 3 or 4 rapid.
If you have the spirit of adventure, there’s nowhere like the Ganga in India to take to the water and learn how to kayak. You’ll see an incredibly beautiful river setting and learn how to harness the powerful waters as you bask in the wonder of Mother Nature.
This is a truly one-of-a-kind adventure of a lifetime.
If going it alone through the boiling white water isn’t your cup of tea then you can join with others to navigate the rapids in a raft. The exhilarating feeling is the same, but you’re part of a team in a shared experience.
On multi-day rafting trips it is essential to travel extremely light in order to make the rafts more maneuverable and to cover distances in good time. And carry soft-sided baggage, not anything with a hard shell.
Here’s a packing list of essentials for your multi-day rafting trips.
- Sleeping bag / blanket
- Tee shirts (for rafting and at camp)
- Quick drying shorts
- A thin windproof jacket/parka
- Change of clothes for camp
- Jersey or warm jacket for camp
- Footwear, 2 pair (one for the raft and one for camp – sandals are fine if they are well fastened; no hard soles)
- Toiletries (towel, soap, etc. for personal use)
- Toilet paper
- Flashlight (very important)
- Sunshade/cap
- Sunshade lotion
- Sunglasses (with cord)
- Camera (optional)
- Swim suit/trunks
- Personal medications
Activities in Camp
Beside rafting or kayaking you can also hike to a typical village opposite the camp or even go for longer hikes (5-6hrs) in the surrounding hills. Facilities are available for Beach games like volleyball, frisbee, tennis ball cricket etc. A day in camp is rounded off with a campfire and a leisurely evening with fellow rafters.
Vaibhav Kala has trekked and traveled extensively in the Indian Himalaya since 1985, and he has also been on extreme mountaineering and white water rafting expeditions since college. Vaibhav has worked as a professional river guide since 1992, and in 1995 he started the outdoor adventure travel company Aquaterra Adventures.
Aquaterra Adventures is the only Indian adventure company on the list of the world’s best adventure travel outfitters in the first Authoritative Rating of Adventure Tour Operators selected by National Geographic Society. They specialize in eco-friendly travel in lesser-known areas which include river rafting, expeditions, mountain treks, tours and high altitude overlanding.
For more information you can visit the Aquaterra Adventures Web site.
You can also read Vaibhav’s article entitled White Water Rafting Adventures In Arunachal Pradesh India and his interview as an Adventure Travel Expert.