River rafting is high on adrenaline experience which is highly liked by adventure junkies all over the globe. This recreational sport of navigating a river in an inflatable raft, involves several levels of difficulty, depending on how tamed the river is. These 'grades' of difficulty are achieved according to the presence of rapids. These evolve due to sudden plunges in the river's height, and also because of rocks that may be lurking in the waters. It is a challenging and tremendously fun activity. The sport is gaining immense popularity due to the fact that almost everyone- including non-swimmers and the ones with no prior experience, can enjoy this adventure sport. All you need to do is to listen to you guide attentively and follow all the safety measures told by your instructors. After the 15-20 minutes of training, you are good to go and have the time of your life by riding the untamed waters splashing all over you and drenching you with fun and excitement.
River Rafting in India
India has been emerging as the river rafting destination of the world. It boasts world-class rafting potential, easy access to most rivers, cultural and geographical diversity and serene and tranquil river rafting destinations. With numerous myriad rivers gushing through its heart, unspoilt environs, the riverine flora and fauna and the region's ancient culture; the Indian mainland offers numerous river rafting spots, distributed all over it. You can choose to go to the Northern parts like Rishikesh and Ladakh, or Eastern regions like Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim, or Southern regions like Bangalore and Kerala. The major rivers having unbridled waters offering parlous Rapids include- Indus River, Ganga River, River Beas, Yamuna River, Brahmaputra River, Tons River (a tributary of Yamuna River), Kameng River, Lohit River, Cauvery River, Spiti River, Zanskar River, Barpole River, Bhagirathi River, Teesta River, Kundalika River and Alaknanda River.Cauvery River
One such river that offers tremendous fun filled rafting experiences is Cauvery. Cauvery, the most majestic and sacred river of South India, offers some thrilling rafting experiences. Its course includes gorges, waterfalls, rapids and dense forests. This hardly tamed river offers many rafting spots like- Coorg, Bheemeshwari and some other places nearby Bangalore. The mild and relaxing river stretch is through the beautiful valley, the real experience through the wilderness without leaving any trace in nature and still experiencing the beauty of Mother Nature.River Rafting in Bheemeshwari
Bheemeshwari is undoubtedly one of the ideal getaways from Bangalore. Also known as the Cauvery Fishing Camp, it is located at a perfect distance of about 120 km from the Bangalore city. The Bheemeshwari Adventure and Nature Camp is a hymn to this mighty river. A splendid mix of delightful nature and wild adventure, it is close enough for easy access and far enough to cut off from the usual hullabaloo. This quaint and picturesque town offers a gamut of activities. Being on the riverside, it poses as an ideal place for trekking, fishing and most importantly the adventurous White Water River Rafting. When the lush green flora gets drenched in the showers of monsoon, this place becomes a spectacular sight. Its aesthetic appeal topped with the sheer diversity of flora and fauna will compel you to visit again. You can also spot rare and spectacular species of birds like Kingfishers, Terns and other waterborne birds.
The flow of the Cauvery River makes it a perfect escape to indulge in Bheemeshwari River Rafting. Famous all over the country, it is ideal for people who want to throw their pulsating adrenaline spirit in the arms of nature! The Rapids at Bheemeshwari are of medium difficulty at grade 3. Stringent safety measures are followed by all tour operators at Bheemeshwari and safety equipment, and craft is well-maintained. The rafts carry around six people each and are launched into the calm waters. The rafters are then allowed to paddle through the calm stretches. At the end of the 8 km stretch, the inflatables are beached, and the guests are then ferried back to camp in a jeep. There are a plethora of other activities in Bheemeshwari like wildlife trek, angling, kayaking and coracle rides. You can even just laze around in the hammocks along the riverbanks, or take leisurely walks along the river.
Approximate cost
Rafting at Bheemeshwari costs around INR 1000 per person through CARE India and INR 600 if you book Day Visitor package/Stay package through Jungle Lodges and Resorts. Other private companies also offer rafting packages on Cauvery starting at INR 1,250 per person.Duration
The rafting takes 2-2.5 hours during which you will encounter rapids of a Grade 3 nature.Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit is between August and February when the river is alive, and the forest is thick and verdant. This is the best time for bird watching as well -Bheemeshwari is undoubtedly one of the ideal getaways from Bangalore. Also known as the Cauvery Fishing Camp, it is located at a perfect distance of about 120 km from the Bangalore city. The Bheemeshwari Adventure and Nature Camp is a hymn to this mighty river. A splendid mix of delightful nature and wild adventure, it is close enough for easy access and far enough to cut off from the usual hullabaloo. river terns, fishing eagles, kingfishers, wood peckers and other water birds flock here. During the other months, the water recedes and reveals vast sand banks, which are great for idling away the evening. The summer months of March till June can be hot, especially in the afternoon. The rafting facilities are best enjoyed from June till September when the monsoons turn the River Cauvery into a roaring torrent.Tips
1. Dress comfortably. Avoid wearing bright colours and stick to muted shades of green, grey, grey, brown and black. The more you blend with the background, the better it is.2. Wear comfortable walking shoes that dry up quickly.
3. Avoid smoking, and anything can start a forest fire.
4. You'll be spending a lot of time outdoors. So carry sunscreen, sunglasses, hat and torch.
5. Avoid plastics.
6. Pets are strictly not allowed due to obvious reasons.
7. Since there is a connectivity issue, electronic payments are usually not possible. So keep some cash in handy.