Well, to start with, lets look into the definitions of Rafting and its evolution. Wiki says “A raft is any structure, with a flat top, that floats on water. It is the most basic of boat design, characterized by the absence of a hull. Instead, rafts are kept afloat using any combination of buoyant materials such as wood, sealed barrels, or inflated air chambers.”

Traditional or primitive rafts are constructed of wood or reeds. Modern rafts may also use pontoons, drums, or extruded polystyrene blocks. Inflatable rafts use durable, multi-layered rubberized fabrics. Depending on its use and size, it may have a superstructure, masts, or rudders.

Timber rafting is used by the logging industry for the transportation of logs, by tying them together into rafts, and drifting or pulling them down a river. This method was very common up until the middle of the 20th century but is now used only rarely.

The type of raft used for recreational rafting is almost exclusively an inflatable boat, manufactured of flexible materials for use on whitewater. The modern raft is an inflatable boat, consisting of very durable, multi-layered rubberized or vinyl fabrics with several independent air chambers. The length varies between 3.5 m (11 ft) and 6 m (20 ft), the width between 1.8 m (6 ft) and 2.5 m (8 ft). The exception to this size rule is usually the packraft, which is designed as a portable single-person raft and may be as small as 1.5 metres (4.9 ft) long and weigh as little as 4 pounds (1.8 kg).

Rafts come in a few different forms. In Europe, the most common is the symmetrical raft steered with a paddle at the stern. Other types are the asymmetrical, rudder-controlled raft and the symmetrical raft with central helm (oars). Rafts are usually propelled with ordinary paddles and typically hold 4 to 12 persons. In Russia, rafts are often hand made and are often a catamaran style with two inflatable tubes attached to a frame. Pairs of paddlers navigate on these rafts. Catamaran style rafts have become popular in the western United States as well, but are typically rowed instead of paddled.

Whitewater is formed in a rapid, when a river’s gradient drops enough to form a bubbly, or aerated and unstable current. These days the term has a broader meaning applying to any river or creek that has a significant number of rapids and the term is also used to specify a kind of kayaking, canoeing or rafting on these rivers.

Coming on to whitewater rafting it is a challenging recreational activity using an inflatable raft to navigate a river or other bodies of water. This is usually done on white water or different degrees of rough water, in order to thrill and excite the raft passengers. The development of this activity as a leisure sport has become popular since the mid-1970s.

Classes of White Water Rafting
Class I: Easy. Waves small; passages clear; no serious obstacles.

Class II: Medium. Rapids of moderate difficulty with passages clear. Requires experience plus suitable outfit and boat.

Class III: Difficult. Waves numerous, high, irregular; rocks; eddies; rapids with passages clear though narrow, requiring expertise in maneuvering; scouting usually needed. Requires good operator and boat.

Class IV: Very difficult. Long rapids; waves high, irregular; dangerous rocks; boiling eddies; best passages difficult to scout; scouting mandatory first time; powerful and precise maneuvering required. Demands expert boatman and excellent boat and good quality equipment.

Class V: Extremely difficult. Exceedingly difficult, long and violent rapids, following each other almost without interruption; riverbed extremely obstructed; big drops; violent current; very steep gradient; close study essential but often difficult. Requires best person, boat, and outfit suited to the situation. All possible precautions must be taken.

Class VI (or U) : Formerly classified as unrunable by any craft. This classification has now been redefined as unraftable due to people having recently kayaked mulitple Class VI around the world.

Rishikesh Water Rafting
You don’t have to be an expert swimmer to be able to experience the thrill of rafting. Especially when there is well equipped, expert team of friendly instructors with you around. You get to experience the sheer power of Ganges in a true adventurer style. A two day rafting expedition at Rishikesh with us would cover about 36 km of the river and you would return all full of the thrills of the rapids.

River Rafting Trips
An easy rafting tripcovers about 10-kms of river running. First drive to Brahmpuri, and then take a boat to ride the currents of the water of the Ganges. Raft down through the heart of Lachman Jhula, and Geeta Bhawan to Muni-Ki-Reti and witness the numerous ashrams, yoga and meditation institutes and bathing Ghats with pilgrims taking a holy dip in the Ganges river water. Rafting certainly presents a better way to witness Rishikesh – the town of temples, ashrams and the Ghats and above all only do rafting for thrill.

White Water Rafting
The Camp provides facilities of White Water Rafting covering rapids like Sweet Sixteen (Grade-1), Marine Drive (Grade-2), Three Blind Mice (Grade-3), Cross Fire (Grade-3), Roller Coaster (Grade-4) and Golf Course (Grade-4). Grade 4 rapids are undertaken depending upon the expertise of the rafter and the decision of the river guide. There are other rapids as well with as exotic names as above – Wall, Daniel’s Dip, Double Trouble, T-Off, Club House, Black Money etc.

River Rafting from Shivpuri
The best one to start with if you are brave enough. This 16 km stretch involves 7 rapids which includes one Grade IV and one Grade III rapids. Previous rafting experience will help though its not necessary. Kid’s should start with the Brahmapuri Stretch of 9 kms which does not have the Grade IV rapid. Excellent views all around and lots and lots of thrill is guranteed. The Roller Coaster will simply drive you crazy.

Rafting Season in Rishikesh
The suitable period for river running depends on the adequacy of water volume. Thus September-November and March-April-May are most appropriate. Most of the river established river camps near the on the Ganges above Rishikesh operate from the end of September to mid-December, and from mid-February until late April. Tour operators even arrange rafting excursions varying in length from one-day runs to extended camping-rafting expeditions, but advanced booking is required.

Grade of River Rafting in Rishikesh
Grade I – Relaxing – Waves are so small you may not even get wet.
Grade II – Easy does it – Clear passages and moderate waves.
Grade III – Adventurous – Lots of waterslide like waves, rapids with clean passages. Excellent family adventure!
Grade IV – Thrilling – Long rapids, powerful waves.
Grade V – Awesome – Long exciting rapids, big technical drops and steep gradient.
Grade VI – Don’t try this!!
(Grade V and Grade VI rapids are not undertaken for commercial rafting).

Personal Clothing Checklist(for Rafting Package)
T- shirts
Synthetic long sleeved T – Shirts for the river
Rafting sandals (rubber sandals with straps – easily available in all shoe stores very comfortable to wear around camp too)
Shorts / tights
Sun shade
Sunglasses with straps so that you don’t lose them.
Plenty of sunscreen
Light wool sweater/jacket to wear in camp in the evenings.
Flashlight
Misc. – reading/writing material
Personal toilet articles.

SEASON: mid Sept to mid December; mid January to end April.

RAFTING STRETCHES

Basic:  Brahmpuri - 09 kms - II+  - 2 hrs - First timers/ Non-swimmers – Rs.400/-
Standard:  Shivpuri -16 kms - III+ -3 hrs -First timers/ Non swimmers – Rs.550/-
Moderate:  Marine Drive -25 kms - IV+ - 4 hrs - Swimmers with prior rafting – Rs.800/-
Advanced:  Kaudiyala - 36 kms - IV, V - 6 hrs - Swimmers with prior rafting- Rs.1100/-

Just drop us an enquiry or call 9830788403.

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