Rafting in the Mystic Waters of Rishikesh

A nature lover at heart, I crave adventure. My average day that stretched into limitless hours working as a PR manager was full of email correspondence, phone calls, and juggling deadlines. Many a day it would be very dark as I wrapped up work and my dreams of travel were limited to the fabulous wallpapers on my computer.

One day, Sanika my childhood friend called and we chatted about our lives. The conversation veered towards travel plans and she told me about her trip to Rishikesh. Intrigued, I researched the destination and was enchanted! Enveloped by majestic Himalayas and lush green vegetation, Rishikesh is easily approachable from Delhi, Haridwar and Mussoorie by road or Dehradun by air. Train services connecting Haridwar station is an option too. Cabs can be easily hired to reach Rishikesh without much hassle, thus making it easy for tourists to move around in the new place easily. The high-speed and rugged waves of Ganges offer such an adventure thrill that Rishikesh attracts tourists all year around. The best season for Rafting in Rishikesh is from September to June and the chilling waters of winter offer a thrill that is un-paralleled.

Tempted, I applied for leave and to my surprise it got approved. A quick call to Sanika and I was ready to ride on the gurgling waters of Rishikesh. We reached our destination easily and chose to stay in a semi luxury accommodation as most of our time was to be spent outdoors. One can choose from an array of accommodation choices- camping, hotels, hostels, cottages, Swiss tent and more as per budget or personal choice.

The next day started with bright sunshine waking us early to embrace the crisp fresh Rishikesh air. Our guide of the day- Sunny took us through detailed safety precautions to be practiced during our rafting adventure. Because of its rugged and uneven settings, the waters of Rishikesh offer many grades of rapids to rafting enthusiasts. From easy rapids that can be enjoyed by beginners in comparatively shallow waters to high- speed strenuous rapids that flow through rocky patches- a rafting encounter in Rishikesh is an exhilarating experience.

We chose Grade I rapid and our guide maneuvered us through the narrow paths with an amazing expertise. The splashing waves of Ganges were a pure delight as we rode them with a wide-eyed surprise. The next day, with a growing confidence we chose a more advanced rapid with a moderate challenge. Armed with better tips and tricks from our expert guide, the second rafting experience was even better!! In fact, we even took a dip in the pure waters and swam for a bit. The guides on both experiences were highly skilled and kept us busy with anecdotes. The third day taking a break from rafting, we went on a small trek and soaked in the untouched beauty of the natural landscape of Rishikesh. Our last day was celebrated with a rafting experience on a longer route with moderate rapids...and by far my best experience in Rishikesh.

It was soon time to go back but I felt refreshed. The engrossing encounter with pure Rishikesh waters had quenched my thirst for an adventure quest and rejuvenated me. With a promise to come back soon and try more adventurous rapids, I bid adieu to an enchanting destination. Someone rightly said....Jobs do fill your pockets....but adventures fill your soul.