Rejuvenate in Rishikesh: The land of Yogis and Adventure

Just as you get off the bus, all the rafting and camping operators would start approaching you with packages. Now be aware if you look online these same deals are close to double the price which is on offer here. For Rs.1500 almost every operator has almost similar package to offer. They include rafting, cliff jump,overnight stay in tents around the river or forest , snacks, dinner and breakfast. Now again do not pay more than this at all. Some might sell you idea that their tents are exactly on the river bank but in reality none are exactly on the bank and government has banned anything from being built on banks. Some people who have private properties from long back near bank are the ones to look for. Being a group of seven , we got this price down to Rs.1300 per head and got an extra meal as well ( accidentally). One has option to do full distance rafting of 16-18 km or just opt for 10-12 km option. We took the 18 km one being overly excited! Rafting starts from Shivpuri ( famous for water sports) or nearby that depending on distance.

Post a small briefing session by our guide (Rajveer) we were on our way to handling the river dancing to the tunes of Himalayas! Post initial waywardness in movement where our raft was moving in circles , we were finally able to sail it in line with the river flow. After approx 2 km, our guide got us to steady our raft near a cliff which was as high as 70 feet, to amuse us with his cliff jumping! Rajveer climbed up to the top,few of my colleagues who knew swimming followed him; But the guide warned them that once you are up the cliff; only way to get down would be to jump in water , so they ventured only till height of 40 feet and then our guide jumped up from 70 feet and we were just left in awe of it.He jumped,swam back like it was some piece of cake. The expressions on the face of two colleagues who jumped from 40 feet manifested adrenaline rush like no other. This rafting adventure was filled with one trying, failing and succeeding in traversing various rapids of the river posing as a challenge. Listening to the guide carefully and following his instructions makes it a smooth and fun ride. After covering some good amount of distance finally came the rapid where the guide would allow one to get in the river and get an experience of swimming or managing to swim in these rapids of mighty Ganga. Knowing how to swim will come in handy! Further ahead our guide being well aware of the terrain gave us a break on the banks at a gorgeous spot for us to get lost in beauty of this heaven and this spot was probably straight out of an artist's imagination.

Afterwards you reach the cliff jumping point. This cliff is at max 20-25 feet high, but one realizes that its not easy to jump in the river from any height. After some encouragement from Rajveer, I finally jumped and as I came out, I was shivering to the level that i could not hold my cup of tea and spilled almost half the cup.After the first jump, you would want to do it again as the fear is only for first time, after that you are just intoxicated on adrenaline rush and want more of it. At end section of the rafting around laxman Jhula, you will be treated to lovely view of Sadhus, yogis practicing their art on the banks and some others just relaxing with gurus.

Camping

After the end of exhilarating and tiring session of rafting, we headed to our campsite which was around Shivpuri. It took around 3 hrs for rafting,etc to be completed.Our campsite was located at cliff situated on the bank. We felt disappointed we are not exactly on the banks and cannot see the river properly (only to realize in the morning how close we are). We enjoyed our evening in the woods with good music, food, booze (please carry your empty vessels back if proper waste management is not available) though we could not get the devil's lettuce. There were 3 of us left in the end who sat with bonfire till 4 am.Morning was extremely mesmerizing with river shining in the early rays of sun like diamonds are floating in it. As soon we finished with breakfast, we headed to the bank to enjoy a game of volleyball and just chill on the river side soaking in the sun and enjoying magnificent view as sun rays emitting from behind the clouds and mountain turned purple shade. We tried hands at kayaking which was on offer. Afterwards proceeded with lunch and also got lucky with the leaf later. We left by 4 pm in the evening from our campsite back to Rishikesh town and thereon to haridwar.