Ganga or the Ganges is held in high esteem in Hindu ethics and is regarded as the holiest of all rivers. The Ganga and its tributaries such as Bhagirathi, Alakananda and Mandakini, offer one of the most popular and adventurous river rafting expeditions in the country.

Ganga is full of surprises with its diversities for the rafter, at some places it is calm and tranquil; while at others it is equally turbulent and rapid. The best time to capture the thrill of the Himalayan white waters and enjoy a bone-jarring cruise is from February to April, and September to December.

Rishikesh near Shivpuri forms the base from where one can participate in one of the many expeditions through the Ganga. Vehicles can be hired from Rishikesh to the various starting points. There are calm paced runs suitable for the amateur as well as expert professionals with rapids as high as grade IV to V. The river runs through picturesque surroundings with thick forested slopes of oak, pine, fir etc, occasional villages with its terraced fields and sandy beaches at intervals suitable for stop in between runs. Wild life can be sighted at a distance along with Ashrams and spiritual retreats overlooking the river.

One of the popular but strenuous runs is the 150km run from Rudraprayag to Rishikesh. Rudraprayag is situated at the confluence of the Alakananda and the glossy dark Mandakini rivers, two of the main tributaries of the Ganga. The starting point is situated a little further from the main town of Rudraprayag. It is a four-hour run from Rudraprayag to the town of Srinagar through calm stretches, a series of rapids, boiling whirlpools and freezing temperatures. It is dangerous when the water level is low, because sharp rocks at the surface can rip a raft apart.

The stretch from Srinagar to Devprayag where the Bhagirathi and the Alakananda rivers meet and create the Ganga, is rough. Between the thrashing rapids there are long stretches of flat water. The stretch around 70km from Devprayag to Shivpuri is multigraded, but near the last sign post ahead of Rishikesh the Ganga turns calm. From Devprayag to Kaudiyala is another four hours calm ride where rapids are scarce. From Kaudiyala, the stretch to Shivpuri which takes 5-6 hrs of rafting and on to Rishikesh is a fairly demanding one, with the grade IV rapid called 'The Wall' at Byasi and the less graded huge thrashing waves of rapids like the Roller Coaster (grade III), Clubhouse and the Golf Course, 4km below Shivpuri village.

The stretch around 70km from Devprayag to Shivpuri is multigraded, but near the last sign post ahead of Rishikesh the Ganga turns calm. A three days rally in the Ganga is organized in February every year on a stretch linking Allahabad and Varanasi. The participants take off in Kayaks, Canoes, rowing boats etc. The last leg of the rally, known as Ganga Marathon is on a 40kms stretch from Chunar Fort (37kms from Varanasi) to Rajendra Prasad Ghat in Varanasi. The prize of the Marathon is the Benaras Cup Trophy.

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