Upper Alaknanda

A self contained multi-day river adventure down the Alaknanda river.

The trip starts from our base on the Ganges river near the pilgrim town of

Rishikesh, and launches from the town of Chamoli to end at

Rudraprayag, descending 70 kms of a classic river run negotiating over 85

Class 3+/4 rapids!!

A scenic drive of 165 kms (6hrs) hours takes us past the town of

Devprayag, Rudraprayag and Nandprayag, situated on holy confluences which

later form India’s holiest river, the Ganga. We reach Kaldubagarh, situated

above the Alaknanda, on the road to India’s holiest shrines for the Hindus,

Badrinath. Enroute, we pass Rudraprayag, best known for the infamous

man-eating leopard shot down by Jim Corbett in 1932 in its forests. One of

the most exciting the river runs in this part of the Himalaya, we take you

through thick forests and deep gorges and cascading whitewater, Foaming

rapids, sandy beaches and starry nights make this a truly memorable outdoor

trip.

Itinerary

Day 01 / : Board morning Shatabdi Express from Delhi leaving at

6:55 am. Reach Hardwar at 11:30 am and transfer to Camp Silver Sands. We

check into Camp Silver Sands, which is located on a large sandy beach on the

banks of the Ganga river – briefing on Camp, its activities and the trip to

follow. Short run till Shivpuri to get familiarised with paddling commands

and safety techniques, negotiating a few rapids, like “Three Blind Mice”,

“Crossfire”, and the “Body Surfing rapid”. Return to Camp for hot tea /

coffee and snacks. Campffire barbecue dinner & overnight Camp.

Day 02 / : An early morning drive to Kaldubagarh (6 hrs), the put

in point. Enroute we stop at Devprayag, to see the confluence of the two

rivers (the Alaknanda and the Bhagirathi) which meet to form the Ganga.

Check into guest house upon arrival, and get personal kit ready. Overnight

Kaldubagarh.

Day 03 / : An early start today, we drive an hour to Chamoli and

begin our river trip after a comprehensive safety check. We raft 30 kms with

nearly 40 rapids today, including a possible portage at Hillary Fall. This

is the spot where Edmund Hillary’s famous “Ocean to Sky” expedition ended,

being unable to travel up this rapid. Lots of paddling, lots of scouts, this

is the quintessential river day. We float into familiar Kaldubagarh for the

night. Overnight guest house.

Day 04 / : Today we raft from Kaldubagarh to Gauchar, rafting

down a series of nearly 20 Class 3+ rapids over a 4 hour day. We camp near

Gauchar, 7 kms upstream of the confluence of the Alaknanda with the Pindar

at Karnprayag.

Day 05 / : Today we raft till below Rudraprayag in a 5 hour day

covering 30 kms of Class 3+/4 rapids, including a portage at “Kakar Fall”.

We drive back down the valley to arrive at Camp Silver Sands for dinner.

Overnight Camp.

Day 06 / : Relaxed morning at Camp. Post lunch transfer to

Hardwar to board the evening Shatabdi home. Arrive Delhi by 10:30pm. Trip

ends.

Cost per person :: Rs. 20,000 per person (land costs) + 5000 (train and transfers) + 3.09% service tax = Rs. 25773

Cost includes : all travel from Delhi and back to Delhi by road/ rail / air as applicable (by non ac car / 2 or 3 tier ac coach), all arrangements for staying and camping while on the trip, accommodation on twin share basis in tents / rest houses / hotels, all meals, professional guide fee, / permits where applicable, all rafting, kayaking and safety equipment with india’s most experienced guiding team, camp staff, cook etc.

Cost excludes : railway station / airport transfers in delhi, any stay and meals in Delhi, sleeping bag, items of personal clothing, expenses of a personal nature like laundry, phone calls, alcohol, cigarettes, insurance; any costs arising out of unforeseen circumstances such as bad weather, landslides, road conditions and any other circumstances beyond our control.

Booking conditions : All bookings are subject to availability of space at Camp. We book space on a 100% advance.

Email: pavanemann@gmail.com / call: +91 9810184360