Rafting is an experience not be missed and once you got a taste of it you'll be hooked. Its like "Who Dares Win", beating the odds or the fear that one gets from water. There are people who like the challenge of riding through the rivers, but rivers like Ganges are not easy to beat and conquering the Ganges gives a thrill that's intense, exciting and totally out of this world.

Ganges or River Ganga is one of the largest River in India and has been known for its significance as a holy river of India as well as the ultimate adventure point as far as river rafting in India is concerned. And the major rafting site from where any experienced rafter as well as an amateur one would love to start of his rafting trip in India is Rishikesh. Even the rafting gear that you require is an ordinary one, that is if you like to get wet. The essential equipments include ordinary outdoor gear, goggles, antiseptic cream etc.

The magic of white water rafting on the Ganges, the adrenaline rush with the thrill of negotiating speedy river currents or just gently floating past terraced hillsides and forest is one experience you wouldn't like to miss. The moods of the Ganges rafting trip can be as diverse as an adventure lover seeks.


The rafting experience of the Ganges starts at a very calm pace and rafters can easily indulge in some lighthearted racing adventure. But as the rafts approach the rapids, the riders have to put all their concentration on-board and manoeuvre the oars in a programmed fashion. Then just as the rafts hit the first series of the fast-moving water, let the oars go limp and ride the waves, being tossed up and about, in return.

As the rafter faces more and more stronger rapids, his balancing skills also grow stronger. But the most surprising fact is, as the raft reaches the last signpost ahead of Rishikesh, the Ganga suddenly turns calm. Riding the Ganges is an exhilarating experience and its this apparent invincible power of this river that has attracted the adventurer to the challenging sport of river rafting. Even the leading rafting experts say that Indian rivers have the potential of having some of the most exciting stretches of white water rafting in the world and the most popular river rafting choices in India are the Ganga, the Bhagirathi, the Alaknanda.

The white water rafting of Ganges at Kaudiyala,Uttaranchal, popularly known as the White Water Wonder are a delight for the rafters with all its variations. Ganga is full of surprises for the rafter, while at some places it is calm and tranquil; at others it is equally turbulent and rapid. Only the rapids in Ganga can be distinguished as extremely difficult with powerful waves that need excellent maneuvering and expert rafting professionals.

Every year in the month of February, the Ganga Rally is organised along a stretch of Ganga linking, Allahabad & Varanasi, the two important pilgrimage towns of India. This 3-day event starts with a display of water sports and a demonstration of a small hovercraft that's ideal for recreational purposes. The participants take off on the river in a variety of crafts - kayaks, canoes, rowing boats, etc. to the historic Chunar Fort, 37-km from Varanasi.

The Ganga Marathon that is conducted on the last day of the Rally provides an exciting conclusion to the water sports event. The last 40-kms long stretch of the Ganga Rally from Chunar to Rajendra Prasad Ghat in Varanasi, is run as a river marathon race. The prize behind this thrilling rafting journey for the winning team is a trophy - the Benaras Cup.