After 10 weeks in Nepal paddling the Humla Karnali and Thuli Bheri, then helping out with the earthquake relief effort, it was amazing to arrive in India for some more kayaking.
A very beautiful but busy Laxman Jhula, Rishikesh during the Indian summer hollidays
I had 2 weeks with Rory woods and Lee Royal before I flew home and left the guys to continue their Indian tour. With some good beta from Daz Clarkson-King (among others), we headed to the Rishikesh area which sounded great.
All you can eat dal bhat for 70p was a total winner
We warmed up on the Ganga rafting run, a nice class 3 (4) which finishes in Lakshman Jhula, famous for Yoga and Hindu pilgrims that come to meditate on their way to the headwaters of the Ganges.
Jonny enjoying the big water of the Alaknanda. Photo – Rory Woods
We then headed further upstream to paddle the Bhagirathi and Alaknanda which join to form the Ganga at Devaprayag. Both of these runs were big volume 3(4) play runs with loads of amazing waves.
Lee styling the harder rapid on the Mandakini
We popped into Shivanandi River Lodge owned by Shalabh who is the oracle of Indian kayaking knowledge (definitely worth a visit) to get some more river info. Unfortunately he was away but friends and internet gave us more rivers to check out.
The Pindar has an awesome 50km stretch of fairly continuous, boulder garden 3/4 down from Tharli. The Alaknander from Chamoli to Rudrapayag offers big volume grade 3/4 again with some 4+ to add some amusement. The smaller Mandakini starts out as a lovely tight technical 4 (5) gorge from Rampur and over its 70km, gains volume into a nice cruisy class 3/4.
Jonny enjoying one of the countless awesome rapids on the Mandakini. Photo – Rory Woods
The Pindar has an awesome 50km stretch of fairly continuous, boulder garden 3/4 down from Tharli. The Alaknander from Chamoli to Rudrapayag offers big volume grade 3/4 again with some 4+ to add some amusement. The smaller Mandakini starts out as a lovely tight technical 4 (5) gorge from Rampur and over its 70km, gains volume into a nice cruisy class 3.
Rory soaking up the sun on the stunning Tons river
With a few days left we headed further west to check out the Tons which received many recommendations. This beautiful pristine river flows for about 125km from Netwar through amazing pine forests and towering gorges with some awesome rapids dotted throughout. It starts out as 4/5 down to Mori, then mellows out and picks up again after Hanol before the get out at the dam.
One of the harder drops on the Tons. Photo – Rory Woods
This area of N. India runs from April-July and works well when stuff in Nepal starts to get too high, or as a two week holiday from the UK flying into Deli and hiring a jeep.
More fun on the Tons
Here is a link to a short guide I have writern for the area – Upper Ganga and Tons PDF guide