Rishikesh - this very word makes one imagine the rapids in the mighty Ganga, the adrenalin rush while rafting and the bonfire during camping. A unanimously voted place in Uttarakhand, India for its adventure sports, this place never fails to offer an exotic experience to all travelers.
We planned a trip to Rishikesh to shrug off the stress and detox from our daily schedules. Our booking was done through Thrillophilia and we got a budget deal package at Camp Eagles Nest.
About the location:
Camp Eagles Nest is located at Byasi, Rishikesh, next to the mighty river Ganges. It provides a stunning river view with lush green hills in the backdrop. The camp is far from the main city of Rishikesh and needs a good 1-1.5 hour drive on the main highway.
https://goo.gl/maps/6WhmZcvtDR8jWhRe7
The booking at the camp included the following items:
Tents: double/triple sharing tents with blankets
A separate area for food that includes: Breakfast, lunch, evening snacks followed by BBQ and bonfire, dinner (veg/nonveg options are available)
Mobile charging points
Swimming accessories like life-jacket and rope
The booking at the camp did not include pickup and drop from the campsite.
The camp is not easy to locate from the main road. An imperceptible signboard on the main road opposite to a small shop marks the entry point to the camp. At the entry point, we had to park our car on the main road and climb downhill to reach the camp.
Around the camp: Tents
The view and location of the camp is breathtaking and my excitement knew no bounds. The rows of tents located by the riverside gives a visual pleasure to the eyes.
Around the camp: Riverside
A small patch made of rocks gives a glimpse and leads to the white sand and colored pebbled beach by the riverside. The calm of the river, the lush green hills, the unpolluted air gifts the peace and tranquility that we all look for. I could not resist myself from going into the cold waters of the river Ganges. A guard boy is positioned there to keep an eye on the people taking a dip there. They tie a protective rope that is secured with the rocks around the waist to avoid anyone drifting away with the currents. Wearing life-jacket is mandatory.
Food
Lunch and dinner is very simple with meals that taste like home-food. On the platter, you can see a portion of white rice with dal (lentils), simple potato subzee, kadhi chawal, roti and papad. Non-veg is served only at night.
Chai and bonfire
In the evening, we were served hot tea and pakoda, followed by BBQ and bonfire.
Ofcourse, there are major drawbacks and blunders of this place too. I have listed them below so that you can inquire about them prior to your booking
Location - very far from main city and no connectivity. Only option is to hire a taxi which might cause a trouble if you are on budget trip
Parking - there is no parking space designated for the camp. Everyone coming by personal vehicle had to park on the main road and walk downhill to reach the camp
Common toilet - this is a big No No from me
Monkeys - yes, you read that right. Monkeys are very notorious and trained here. They know how to open the zip of the tents and steal food items from the bags
Charging point - there are no charging points inside the tents. The only charging points are at the common food area
Power shortage - the power trips a lot that makes it very inconvenient to walk around if you don't have an alternative option of light
Things to carry
Valid government id proof for check-inProper and extra pair clothes based on the season you are goingExtra bedsheet and blanket in case you don't want to use the ones provided by themSlippers to go into the water; you can't enjoy the water with sneakers onExtra pair of undergarments; it's a mustMosquito repellant cream / body lotion; it's a must Torch; it's a must Medicines and sanitary napkins; there is no amenities nearbyPower banks; it's a mustSunscreen (optional)Sunglasses (optional)
Things not to carry
Food packets - monkeys will take them from your tents
Pets - for obvious reasons
Things not to do
Leave your tent unzipped
Leave your bags on the bed inside the tent. It's best to hide your bags underneath the beds so that the monkeys can't spot them easily
Well, with all the good and bad combined, my stay at the Eagles Nest Camp was comfortable and a bucket-list item checked off the list.