Riding the waves

If you aren’t celebrating Christmas—maybe, even if you are—there’s no reason to miss Aquaterra’s Upper Alaknanda river adventure, scheduled over 25-30 December. “It’s a classic 70km run, with 85 class 3-plus or class 4 rapids," says Vaibhav Kala of Aquaterra. Never rafted before? No fear: On the first day, the team puts you through your paces in the stretch of the Ganga between Haridwar and Shivpuri, which includes familiarization with paddling commands and safety techniques, as also negotiating a few rapids. On Day 3, the high point of the trip, expect to encounter up to 40 rapids, including Hillary Fall, which defeated no less a personage than Edmund Hillary on his 1977 Ocean to Sky expedition, from the mouth of the Ganga to its source. In between, expect lots of campfires and camaraderie. The trip costs Rs25,000 per person, plus 3.09% service tax, inclusive of Delhi-Haridwar train fares, twin-share accommodation and all rafting and camping arrangements.