Jarrard Keenson asked:


Exploring a new getaway that is both enjoyable and affordable is not an easy task, whether for individual or a group of 200. Looking for an exciting adventure is not at all easy amidst the economic hardships we are currently experiencing. Californians are luckier than any other Americans because there are more options for them when it comes to get-away adventures and nature exploration experiences. Because more options are available, thirty-six and a half million people live in California.

The South Fork of the American River is within a day’s drive from any of the borders of California, and it is there that you will find a wonderful 21-mile stretch of class III whitewater. Enormous amounts of gold were found there and it became the home of many families from the east. You can enjoy an exciting two or three days of great adventure, gourmet dining, and a wonderful evening campfire, and it doesn’t matter if you are a group of 200 or just one.

Trips may be inclusive 3-day 2-night sleepovers, where you can enjoy rafting in two different rivers and delicious meals, or a one-day trip where you can raft for just a few hours.

Comfortable shuttles will be provided, as well as all necessary equipment for your safety (personal floatation devices, helmets, paddles, rafts and guides) and an incredible deli style gourmet lunch. If you stay overnight, you can enjoy a world-class dinner in your camp that will be prepared by your guide. You can also expect evening fireside chats and tent-style camping under the clear skies of the Sierra Nevada Foothills. In the morning, you can enjoy a delightful breakfast prepared for you by your staff; this breakfast will include plenty of choices for both vegetarians and meat lovers alike.

Once you’ve finished breakfast, you’re off again for another exciting day of whitewater rafting after careful instruction from your trip leader. Each rafter will have a great time floating past historical artifacts, seeing the local flora and fauna, and maybe even spotting rare wildlife such as the river otter. You can truly enjoy the rafting experience without being an athlete because an expert will be guiding you and teaching you to paddle in unison and navigate.

Rafting in the American River South Fork, you can experience conquering the most famous rapids in the world, like the Meat Grinder, the Trouble Maker, and Satan’s Cesspool and Hospital Bar. When going through the “big” rapids, you will not be required to maneuver, so you can just hang on and have fun. The three-day adventure includes a visit to the Middle Fork of the American River where you can experience paddling the class IV rapids.

You will be shuttled back to base camp after your rafting trip where you can check out the photo shops. These shops will have your action pictures, shots of you on the river conquering the rapids. After experiencing the most affordable, accessible, and exciting getaway in California, surely you would want to come back again.



JOSEPH

Prashant Jain asked:


As the Shivalik Ranges surround Rishikesh on three sides, it is blessed with spectacular stretches of white water making Rikshikesh a rafting hotspot. The main element is without a doubt the marvelous white water rapids that traverse past the impressive hill landscapes.

The Ganges is one of the best river rafting locations in the world. Rafting through it is an above the world experience. The river collides with rocks, cracks and fissures into white water rapids. Ganga has rapids that present starters as well as professionals the thrill of whitewater river rafting. The waters are grade IV and V, making the challenge a bit more tactful for rafters to survive the thrill.

The rafting span of 36 km from Kaudiyala to Rishikesh has 12 major rapids; Shivpuri 10 km from Rishikesh is one more idyllic river rafting spot where camping amenities are arranged for along the banks of Ganges River. There is a small cliff there which is very popular for cliff jump. Rafters stop by on riverside and enjoy themselves jumping in river from cliff. Just like cliff jump another activity is popular while rafting; it is body surfing. The rafting camps are well equipped. Besides the camping facilities, you are also provided with expert guides and top quality equipment and rafting gear.

The rafting rapids have been given different names so that it becomes easy to recognize them. Rapids have interesting names like Golf Course, Marine Drive, Daniel’s Dip, Sweet Sixteen, Cross Fire, Three Blind Mice, Roller Coaster, Good Morning, Cash Flow and the Wall. Generally grade III rapids are popular among seasoned rafters at Rishikesh, They can be enjoyed at Rishikesh while starting rafting from Marine Drive to Shivpuri. It is a 10 km rafting run starting with good morning rapid and has many rafting rapids like Cash Flow, Three Blind Mice Etc.

For more rafting adventure, people should go for 16 km rafting run starting from Shivpuri & ending at Rishikesh (Ram Jhula). This rafting run is tougher as compared to grade 4 rapids like Roller Coaster & Golf Course and Grade 3 Rapids like Double Trouble etc.

Rafting in Rishikesh is an opportunity which anyone looking for thrill shouldn’t miss out on. It is a place to push your limits, challenge yourself and after all that have an experience that stays for long.



THOMAS

Shikha Priyadarshini asked:


Ganga has a lot to offer to anybody and everybody who touches her feet with full faith and devotion. The holy river, worshiped by the Hindus, finds its mention in many of the mythological stories and ancient epics of significance. The river flows from the Himalayan ranges, purifies the land of most of North India and surrenders finally in the Bay of Bengal waters. Ganga is known for its unpredictable characteristic, as at some places its waters take the form of turbulent waves knocking down whatever comes in its path, while at other places it is calmly flowing and paving its way to the next destination.

If you are an adventure lover and want to experience an adrenalin rushing river rafting experience, you cant afford to leave out on the white water rafting in Rishikesh. This adventure sport is only for the daring, who would like to get on the challenging waves of the river, as their heart skips a beat. So, if you are that sought, then tie your head gear, wear your wet suit and life jacket, put on your floaters and get set to pierce the streams with all your strength in your arms, to win this heavy-duty battle.

Plan your river rafting trip carefully, keeping in mind the time you need for training before landing to the rushing streams and the various stoppages where you can trek and camp, if you are on a long rafting tour of about 5-6 days. Rafting point before the Tehri Dam, is the ideal location to start your expedition. Here you will encounter with grade 3+ rapids in the first gorge, after maneuvering through a stretch of calm streams. In the second gorge, you will have to fiddle with 4+ rapids, as you reach Devprayag. Near Kaudiyala, you can enjoy a leisurely rafting experience between the mild ripples of the river, flowing high and low in the valley, after which you can smartly take over the exciting high rapids like the ‘Three Blind Mice’ and the ‘Crossfire’. This perfect transition from high to low and from low to high rapids, will keep you guessing what to do next, and bring a new challenge at every step.

As you end your day, you can manage your camping and trekking expeditions to the nearby villages nestled in the Himalayas, carrying an amazing view of the rocky hills, green valleys and clean atmosphere. Beas Ghat, Naggar and Silver Sand Camp are some of the places used as common stopovers by rafters.

Once you experience the rules of the game yourself, you will get to know that river rafting is a perfect exercise for team-building, so don’t think you can win over this challenge alone. A perfect test of concentration, skills and coordination among the raft-mates. The team of people on the raft have to come together and match each other in movements and timing, to become a part of the majestic river, as the heart beats faster at a rate matched only by the waves of the river. There is a different magic when you are fighting together and a different sense of heroic achievement when you reach your destination, signaled by the lulled streams of the river, at the final signpost.

Ganga Rally, which is an annual rally organized in the month of February, takes place for three days. It is an exciting and stimulating experience for the adventure seekers, who can participate in various water sports and also the Ganga marathon race on the final day of the rally to win and kiss the Benaras Trophy.

The river rafting stretch is around 36 km, commencing from Kaudiyal in Garhwal to Rishikesh. It consists of 12 high rapids which can be overcome only after rafting training, which are given in the rafting and adventure sports training institutes available in the area. One should go for rafting only if he is medically fit and has not suffered from any kind of water-phobia. It is advisable to carry along basic medications like antiseptics, insulin and inhalers. Loose clothes of nylon or synthetic material should be worn to avoid any kind of discomfort due to the water temperature.



EVERETTE

Prashant Jain asked:


The mighty Brahmaputra is considered by many rafters as the biggest white-water run in the world. So big that it has been thought to be bigger than the Colorado, Zambezi or White Nile. With holes the size of houses, five meters waves, huge eddy-lines and ******* whirlpools, it has features of big water and is surely not for the faint hearted! Rich wildlife with tigers, elephants, leopards, deer and over 300 different species of birds is like a feather in its hat.

A premier rafting expedition in the world today, it is a must for rafting enthusiasts and seasoned rafters. This trip recommended to the first-timers. as the length and grade require a bit of prior experience. If you wish to kayak in these waters it is recommended that you have prior big water experience.

The expedition starts on a few kilometers from the Tibetan border where the river assumes the name Brahmaputra after crossing Indian border. The journey takes you through distinctive tribal territory in the remotest area of India. Access is limited to one thousand visitors per annum and what you see here is unusual and precious. The people here are virtually untouched by the modern world and they still live in a world long forgotten. That itself is a great learning experience.

The best time to run the Upper Brahmaputra’s legendary Ningguing and Marmong gorges is during the months of Nov-Dec each year which is considered to be the prime time for rafting. For first timers, this place is a great learning experience as it provides a great insight into the river valley and the tribal way of life. Rafting on Brahmaputra will be a great learning experience. The training will cover the basics of paddling, rescue and safety measures.  You will be introduced to white water rapids where you will learn to navigate down the Ningguing and Marmong valleys. You will raft through other runs and camp on the beaches. You will raft down a rapid called Morning madness and spend the day learning how to kayak and lazing around.

Brahmaputra’s upper reaching Tibet, where it becomes the Tsang Po was only fully explored by a leading international team of kayakers in 2003. The great Tsang Po River which emerges from the core of Himalayas and flows east crossing Tibet and just before turning south towards India it makes a path between Greater Himalayan Range and the Namche Barwa, at 7782 m.



CHAD

Rosy Vohra asked:


The much revered and the very enchanting river Jehlum is one of the seven rivers collectively referred to as sapta-sandhu. The river finds its mention in the ancient Indian scriptures of the Rig-Veda where is called as Vitasta. The ancient Greeks called the mighty river as Hydaspes after the titan descended god born to Thaumas-the sea god and Elektra-the cloud goddess. Hydaspes was the brother of the goddess of rainbow-Iris and Harpies- the lord of snatching winds. The historical battle between Alexander the Great and King Porus of Jehlum in 326B.C is documented as the Battle of Hydaspes. Mogul Emperor Jahangir was very fond of this river with clear blue waters and called it ‘Bebat’, though its initial course is a bit muddy.

This 772 km long river of which 177 km is covered in India has an aura about it. It is sheltered amidst the huge Himalayas and moves through the beautiful Kashmir valley along its meandering course. In Srinagar alone, seven bridges are built across its width at a number of places to facilitate movement of people, goods and vehicles over it. The charming and enthralling capital city of Jammu and Kashmir, Srinagar is located on either side of the valley benefiting from its rich waters to sooth its land and give life to its people. The fishermen spreading their nets in the early mornings into its wide lap sitting on their shikaras boats, the floating lotus-their deep rooted stems are collected for preparing Kashmiri dish popular as nadu set as balls in rich tomato curry and relished with steamed rice is the normal everyday scene along this Grand River.

The most enchanting sight is the presence of full equipped houseboats on River Jehlum and on the Dal Lake and the equally beautiful Nagin Lake where Kashmiri families actually live. They often rent a part of these floating homes to tourists and guests at reasonable prices. During mornings and afternoons children from families living in houseboat can be seen going and coming back from regular schools. They climb down their houseboats and set on to their journey to school located on the land on the shikaras, vigorously rafted by someone from the family and come back the same way. Interestingly there are markets and small size field beds on River Jehlum and the Dal Lake to cater to the regular needs of the locals living on the water abodes. Tourists love to see this unique arrangement. When tourists pass by through the Dal Lake riding on the shikaras whilst enjoying the scenic beauty of the valley, shop keepers and their agents whisk on their shikaras to display and demonstrate their Kashmiri made products to the tourists.

River Jehlum is the tributary of River Indus. It finds its birth from the womb of a deep spring at Verinag. This is somewhere located in the south-eastern side of Kashmir at the foot of the great Pir Panjal Mountains. It gets widened as it flows in characteristic loops and curves through the heart of Srinagar until it merges with the Wular Lake-the largest freshwater lake of Asia. It then travels along a deep narrow Baramulla gorge before entering the Pakistan part of Punjab. However once it enters the deep Baramulla gorge, the river ceases to be navigable as it forms a deep bed and takes up a rapid flow. It is the most western and largest flowing rivers that enter the plains of Punjab giving life and relief to its heat drenched soil. The impressive river finally sleeps upon its mergence with river Chenab at Trimmu in Jhang in Pakistan. The Chenab then joins Satluj when it is referred to as River Panjnad. At Mithankot the Panjnad finally confluences with River Indus and enters the Arabian Sea.



JOE

Melo Villareal asked:


“Face your Fear! Get Ready! Now forward, hard forward, harder! “. Everybody listens to Danny Bravo – the head rafter as everybody gets wilder than the river itself. This is a challenge of endurance and ability for those who like to attack the edge. If your attitude leans toward extreme sports then this 225 kilometer stretch of adrenaline-pumping whitewater is for you! But although it is ranked among the extreme sports, it doesn’t mean you can’t take the family to enjoy it and get them “Wild over Water”. Anyone who enjoys the outdoors and is looking for adventure will be delighted by whitewater rafting. People of all ages and athletic abilities, with no previous experience raft the rivers can challenge the rapids and enjoy the wilderness fun. The Chico River is for those seeking untamed whitewater thrills offering potentially terrifying drops, ledges, rapids and the most exciting sightseeing trip.

The Kalinga Trip

The adventure actually begins last christmas , when Roger Alcantara – a Manila Times photojournalist and myself had to take an almost 12 hours bus ride from the bus terminal in Espana, Manila to get to Tabuk in Kalinga Province. Our bus departure time was 10:15pm and we finally reached Tabuk at around 9:45am with about three stopovers in between, more than enough to urinate and to take a long dreamed coffee break. The best thing about taking long trips at night is you normally fall asleep because you hardly see anything interesting along the road.

When we arrived at the Davidson Hotel, a surprising twenty excited rafters are also there having their breakfast. After unloading our things in our room, had enough time to freshen up and came down to enjoy a local breakfast, we waited for Naty Sugguiayao – our host for this trip of never ending adventure. After loading up, we went to lawagan resort to fetch some other rafters headed by Lito Beltran, a popular photography instructor of the Federation of Philippine Photographers Foundation.

The Rafting Adventure

It was not a sunny day; imagine a kalinga mountain trekking with a freezing temperature is maybe not everybody’s adventure, but a worthy experience though. Along the rough roads leading to Lubuagan, a breathtaking view of the rice terraces, waterfalls and kalingans greeting you “Umali Kayo” a native tongue of saying “Welcome” will definitely make your day. As we reached Lubuagan – the “start-off point”, a rafting safety seminar was given. Lead rafter Danny Bravo gave us the tips on how to read the river, the paddling moves and the most important survival guide. “If anybody falls from the raft, just go with the flow, never let go the paddle if you are not in a shallow rapid; use your feet to push against the rocks, until the guides throw you a safety rope and bang! You’re back to adventure” – a line remembered by the author.

Vital to every rafting, the basic paddle commands to be remembered are, “forward”, “backward”, “left back” and “right back”. Finally, after life jackets were checked, the head gears are buckled, the grip on the paddles are tightened, each foot are in proper positioning and cameras are safe in a dry sealed pelican boxes, the river raft were pushed of the mooring to negotiate Class III and IV rapids. It doesn’t take long after you’ve gotten into a raft to realize this is an exciting fun filled way to spend a day. The first rapid, is just the start of a heart stopping several mile series of rapids that intensifies in its strength and power until you find yourself enjoying every second of the ride. But that is far from the end of the trip. No, there is still more white water to come along with calm sections where you can get out of the raft and frolic in the river.

Along with both of us are four raft guides conquering the wild river with a raft named “Allasiw” meaning an exchange of four peace tokens – a gesture of the historic head-hunter tribes of Kalinga. Our fear was totally gone as the ride went on and each time we conquered a rapid, or skirted a rock formation, we laugh out loud and then branded each victory with a rousing rafters “High Five” gesture.

In between moments of sheer adrenaline, the head rafter lectured us on the names given to a popular Chico River spots such as Angel’s Nightmare, Gods Playground, Dead Carabao, Piggybank, Danny’s Drop (where Danny Bravo slammed into a rock and broke his tooth) and Dragons Tail. Each site gives us a different taste of adventure no one can ever forget. Sometimes it is tricky finding time to enjoy the scenery because you are so focused on the awesome wild river exploration.

It took us almost three hours for that ride, we stopped over to a flat river where we enjoy our break beneath a breathtaking waterfalls while having a snack and of course a feast for the smoking dragons. Our raft moves ahead for the second half for us to take advantage of the much awaited wild rapids and perhaps to have our photo shoot. Although drenched by the cool waters and freezing temperature, the rafters were still excited and exhilarated when they finally get back to the dry. Upon reaching “Malaking Bato” – the drop-off point, we enjoyed a bountiful lunch by the river with a perfect aroma of locally grown Robusta coffee. This trip creates the perfect blend of natural exercise, exhilaration and serenity that will have you coming back year after year!

History in the Making

Whitewater rafting is the newest sports adventure to invade the local shore. While high-adventure travelers craving for more whitewater rafting spots beyond Central America and Africa flocked for decades to the rivers of Brazil and Borneo, the Philippines remained in the quiet depths, all but overlooked. It was in 1995 when initial kayaking was done in Cagayan de Oro with the goal of introducing Whitewater rafting in the Philippines. Long before 1995, adventure driven group however have been involved in river expeditions, studying its characteristic for more than 10 years and honing their skills in paddling the rapids. Those activities have prompted the discovery of one of the word’s most exciting rapids of Kalinga’s Chico River.

Ned Sickles together with other Oregon natives Gary Fondren and Dr. Bob Anderson were the first to discover the sports-tourism potentials of the Chico River as a world-class whitewater rafting destination when they spot it in 1997 via satellite mapping, after which the group traveled all the way from the United States to visit the Cordillera’s. Joining them on their first exploratory run were Tita Naty’s eldest daughter Mae Shiu who was with the UP Mountaineers then and Elmer Cabotaje who is now a boar of trustee of the Philippine Airlines Mountaineering Club.

The exploration lasted for four days; needless to say, they were impressed with awesome natural scenery, the diversity of rapid levels, and the rivers cultural, historical and political contributions. From then on, Ned and company returned every year to train native kalingans to become a professional river guides. Ned Sickles was considered the father of Chico River Whitewater rafting. He brought all the international standard rafting equipments including the latest named after the native name of Naty Sugguiyao called “Lagunawa” – meaning a beautiful lady. The months of July to January are primetime months and have historically offered the most rainfall, highest water and most exciting whitewater rapids. So if you are planning to challenge the rapids and party in between, you have the months of February to June to plan your trip.

Chico River Quest Inc. is the biggest Whitewater rafting tour operator in Kalinga, being managed and operated by Kalinga natives headed by Naty Sugguiyao. CRQI operates in partnership with Kalinga Raft Guides Association, these enthusiast know the river well and received their training from professional whitewater guides from the USA.

Contacts:

Web: http://www.chicoriverquest.com

http://www.lakbaypilipinas.com

Getting There:

By Air:

Philippine Airlines flies from Manila to Tuguegarao thrice weekly on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.

From Tuguegarao, it’s an hour by Bus or Jeep to Tabuk.

PAL Reservations: (02) 855-8888

By Land:

Autobus Lines – Tel# (02)743-6870

Victory Liner – Tel # (02) 920-7396

These Buses offers daily trip to Tabuk. Reservation is a must to get a secured seat.

The Chico River Rafters Creed:

The Chico River is never to be conquered,

But to be respected and protected.

Back to Manila:

It was indeed a great year ender trip for the rest of the rafters; everybody was baptized as the newest river warriors and left a promise of coming back.

Face your Fear and see you in the rapids:)



WADE