Shivpuri, a little village 30 minutes beyond Rishikesh is the rafting capital of India and the Ganga river here is an exciting blend of whitewater rafting and body surfing rapids! No, you don't need to know how to swim - that's what life jackets are meant for, to keep you afloat! The likelihood of you falling in is remote, however, that's also part of the fun! We will move down the river expedition style, which means we carry all our gear with us on the boats and camp on the riverside when we come across a pristine beach. This is a tough expedition and demanding on the body.  Be ready to set up makeshift tents with your boats, light a bonfire, cook and clean - all in the outdoors. The new-found confidence when we return is the ultimate reward.

5 Days

SHIVPURI TO SHIVPURI

Cost Per Person: ₹30,740

For a minimum group of 8 persons

IS THIS PROGRAM FOR ME?

▫   ACTIVITIES: Rafting, camping, swimming
▫   PHYSICAL RATING: Easy to Moderate Grade
▫   TRIP TYPE: Small group. Max - 15 | Avg: 12
▫   AGE REQUIREMENT:  13 - 17 years
▫   PROGRAM START POINT: Shivpuri
▫   BEST TIME TO GO: October - April

COVID-19 SAFETY PROTOCOLS

At Outward Bound, safety and hygiene have always been on the top of our “must-have” list. And now we are closely watching the new research as it comes out on a daily basis and have deep dived into our SOPS. We’ve made a new list and  we're checking it more than twice. We will continue to review the latest information from health experts and government authorities, and will be passing along the most up-to-date and relevant information to you so you can plan accordingly.

Our Covid-19 Safe SOPs are based on the simple principle of ASSIST. 
Hygiene plays a very important factor on our trips, and at our campsites the ratio for loo tents vs participants is usually 1:4. You will always find a bucket of "pink paani" outside the dining areas that we set up - water mixed with potassium permanganate that acts as a disinfectant and children are urged to clean their hands well before eating.

All the food is freshly cooked with produce available locally. Lunch is always vegetarian and there's one non-veg dish for dinner every evening, along with hot soup, salad, rice, dal and two vegetarian dishes. 

A Quick Look At Your Plan For the Next 5 Days

DAY 1: ARRIVE AT SHIVPURI | DRIVE TO DEVPRAYAG 
We would need to be in Shivpuri by 8 AM - your best option is the overnight train from New Delhi.

On arrival, you will check in at the base camp, a quick washroom break and drive towards Devprayag.  Once at Devprayag hot lunch will be served - well in time for you to catch that second wind for what is to come! Raft  training is the first course of action and this includes flip drills, swimming and body surfing. We will also learn necessary camp craft, that includes setting up raft shelters, toilet tents, lighting a fire and cooking a meal in the outdoors. We will finish the day with a reflective debrief session around the camp fire after dinner.

Overnight in expedition shelters on a beach by the river Ganga.
DAY 2:  raft from byaas ghat to mahadev chatti
​Early morning energizers, a filling breakfast and then it's time to bring the campsite down and move on. We will load our rafts with all the equipment and following a safety briefing we will start our expedition. From today we will move self-contained and carry all our food and camping equipment with us on board the rafts.

Rafting is a team effort and the team will soon realize that if the paddling is not in sync, the boat is harder - much harder - to move! It's a life lesson as well. Collaboration is the only way to success and the team will learn that soon enough. If the rapids frighten you, this is the time to overcome self-limiting fears. There's a life jacket, safety gear, and an experienced guide. All that is required is our own ability to push ourselves beyond our comfort zones.

Our rafting section from Byaas Ghat to Mahadev Chatti will take us approx 3 - 4 hours. We will stop on the way for a lunch break on a small beach. At Mahadev Chatti you will set up rafting shelters out of tarpaulin and rafting paddles. Collect firewood for the evening's bonfire, help cook dinner for the night and then a reflection circle.

Overnight in raft shelters.
DAY 3: raft from mahadev chatti to shivpuri
Morning energizers, breakfast, and yes, we know what to do next - pack up camp. Today the action starts at Kaudiyala with Daniel's Dip - an innocuous looking rapid that pulls a mighty punch, under estimate it at you own peril.  The "Wall" is next. Was it named after the famous Indian cricketer or is it really a wall? We'll figure that out soon enough. Just so we gets the facts right, the Wall is often a Grade IV rapid and isn't always 'raftable'. Your guide may just decide to walk around it. Listen to him. He knows best, this is part of of OBI-H's safety protocols and there will be no further discussion on the call taken by the experienced guides.

It's a 5 - 6 hours paddling time to Shivpuri - if you paddle as a team. There are smaller rapids in this section Initiation, Cash Flow, Black Money - quirky names all, followed by some of the more tricky ones - Three Blind Mice, Cross Fire and Return To Sender. Today is a day of resilience and grit. At the end of the day, there is going to be one satisfied soul that slips between the sheets of their sleeping at base camp!

Overnight at base camp. 
DAY 4: RAFT SHIVPURI TO NIM BEACH
Early morning wake up call, morning energizers and breakfast. Today we hit two of Ganga's most popular rapids - Roller Coaster and Golf Course. At the best of times, these are Grade 3 rapids, but on that odd day when the water levels fall, these could be Grade 4. Either ways, we have our safety kayakers with us and an experienced guide at the helm. There'll be some fantastic body-surfing rapids in this section as well - so go dive in, make that jump!

Get back for a hot lunch, change and get set for the evening's activities. On the last night, Outward Bound invites an inspirational speaker to address for a fire side chat. The speakers will share their adventure experiences with videos and photographs - it's a fascinating night and if we're lucky, we could be joined by Col. Narider 'Bull' Kumar himself. His stories of how he captured Barahoti and the Siachen Glacier have enthralled many of us! Outward Bound Certificates will be be distributed tonight.

Overnight at base camp.
DAY 5:  TIME TO HEAD BACK
The city lights call. As you pack for your trip home,  you will realize something special - how much stronger you feel. You've accomplished an expedition few others have attempted, and yes, it was hard sometimes. But at the end of the expedition you've imbibed all the 4 pillars of Outward Bound India-Himalaya - Resilience, Self-Belief, Compassion, Collaboration. 
WHAT DO THE COSTS INCLUDE?

Costs Include:

  • ​Two night's accommodation at base camp on triple share basis and two nights at river-side camp. 
  • Full rafting equipment - which includes dry bags, life jackets and helmets.
  • All meals starting from Day 1 Lunch to Day 5 Breakfast - 4 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 4 Teas and 4 Dinners.
  • Boiled/filtered drinking water.
  • Covid-19 Safety Kits and all camping equipment including mattresses, transportation for your personal equipment, kitchen and dining tents etc. (Please read our Covid-19 Safety Protocols).
  • Drive to rafting start-point by AC car/mini bus.
  • Experienced and licensed rafting guides who knows the river well, two Outward Bound Instructors and one Facilitator.
  • Adventure travel insurance for participants and staff, includes medical evacuation.
  • Tips to the service staff.
  • All government taxes included.

Costs Do Not Include:

  • ​International/Domestic air fare or train and car fare to Shivpuri. Additional costs apply.
  • Drop off to railway station or airport - can be arranged for at an additional cost.
  • Personal rafting gear - (we recommend) two pairs of shoes/floaters, river shorts, sun-shades, cap and any other gear of a personal nature. 
  • Unforeseen expenses that demand a change in itinerary like natural forces, changes in weather, road blockages, flight/train cancellations and illness.
  • Expenses of a personal nature - tips, laundry, phone calls, beverages.

Payment Policy:

  • A 10% advance on booking is required to secure your place on this scheduled departure.
  • The full balance is due 21 days before the trip start date.

Cancellation Policy:

Keeping in mind the fluid situation and new findings on a daily basis, our cancellation policies have a lot of flexibility.  Shifting circumstances will continue to affect these policies in place. As of now:
  • For bookings made between today and October 31, 2020, changes or cancellations are permitted at no charge up to 48 hours before your scheduled arrival date.
  • Please note that changes to the reservation will be subject to availability and any rate differences.

For More Information Connect With Us At:

WHY "OUTWARD BOUND"?

​​In nautical terms, when a ship leaves the safety of its harbour for the challenges of the open seas, she is said to be "Outward Bound".

Similarly, when young people leave the comfort of their homes and workplaces to venture into unfamiliar territory, or when they change their usual way of thinking and adapt to new ideas, they are said to be Outward Bound. The programs offered equip its participants to grow through challenges helps them to head out bravely into unknown waters. 
“A ship in harbour is safe, but that is not what ships are built for. - William Shedd
Himalayan Outward  Bound , D-502, Som Vihar Apartments, R.K. Puram, New Delhi 110022 | Phone: +91 11 4356 5425 | Email: programs@outwardboundindia.com
Copyright 2020 @Himalayan Outward Bound