"May not be the best in the country. But if it is first time for you, then it is the best!"
Written on : 25-February-2016
Visted During : December 2015
Some more Information
There are different levels and different distances. Try going for the longest one since that is where you get to feel it completly. Most importantly, ask for Paddle. They do not give one by default. If you do not hold one, it looks sick from outside and am pretty sure would feel boring to sit in the raft. Paddling adds to the feel of rafting. Ask for it.
My Experience and Opinion
Once you travel to North India, it is mandatory to try some adventure sports. Previous time in my North India visit(2014-15), I had done Zip line trip in Jodhpur. This time (2016), we had already done Paragliding in Billing and we thought of giving a try to river rafting as well. Initially we were reluctant looking at the current in the river. It looked pretty low. But, was worth taking a try. Loved it!
After our trip to Amritsar,Triund, Manali we were heading back to Delhi via Shimla and our driver was very keen to take us for rafting. We felt he was so keen just because he might get some commission from the organizers. We were firm in our decision that we will see the current in the river before accepting for the rafting. Since the rafting lies adjacent to the highway towards Shimla, we accepted to give it a try. In the start point, before accepting for the rafting, we decided to watch other teams' rafting and looking at rapids there, we decided - "We should do this". But we were afraid of falling sick due to extremely cold water. Since we still had 4 days of trip pending and did not want anyone to fall ill, we were in a dilemma of trying it or not. After all we had travelled a long distance and did not want to miss this. So, as 'Nike' says - we "Just did it".
Luckily, they had rain coat kind off coats to wear while rafting for an additional charge of 150. We opted for it and wore it, got ready for the ride.(Have a look at the photo section below to know how much it protected us...!)
The water was extremely cold and mainly our toe fingers were growing numb since they did not have any protection. Initially there were not much rapid and we were not really excited apart from paddling unnecessarily. The total control was with the guide who had a huge log to control the raft. But, we were acting as if we were on a mission and complete control was with us. At one point, the guide asked do you guys want it safe or shall I take the raft into the water? We were waiting for something like that and said in one voice to make it a thrilling one. Hardly a minute later the rapid was present and he took it into the water and me being in the front was almost wet!
That is it! We were excited, chilled, and forgot we were on a mission and were padding as if we felt it would hurt the river if we had done it faster. Then came the dialogue from the guide which put us in shame - "Jhor se karo... Ye kya dal ko tadka laga rahe ho kya???" Anyways his comment hardly made any differece to us because we knew we did not have any control over raft even if we had paddled it hard. But, believe me, it is absolutely a waste if you do not take a paddle along while rafting. It may not make a difference to the speed of the raft. But, for you it makes a pyschological difference and that is all that is needed.
We all thought they were bluffing about the distance that it is 10kms in distance. Because, we did not feel that we had covered 10 kms and felt it was hardly a 15 mins ride. Only on watching the video came to know that it was over 30 minutes and hence we must have covered 10 kms. By the time we completed our rafting, our driver had brought the car to the dropping point and we changed ourselves quickly, collected the video CD and left the place looking for a hot tea some where.
Photos
Selfie With our Driver
Rain Coat and the pose...
The Starting point
The Group
The Rapid... "Sit Down" was the command by our guide
Again... "Sit Down"
Don't they looking boring without paddle?
And we thought we will not get wet... :D
Videos
The Most Important asset while travelling - Google Maps
