A small village on the banks of the Ganges, 15 kms from Rishikesh, Shivpuri is best known for its rapids. The Ganges gushing down from a great height isn't just a breathtaking sight; a journey down the river is a thrilling adventure that is difficult to match.
Shivpuri is around 280 km from Delhi and the best way to get there is to drive down. It is a 5-hour drive from the capital. Alternatively, take a train to Haridwar and then a taxi to your camp. You will have to book in advance. All camps organise accommodation, food and rafting, complete with equipment and trained guides. However, be forewarned - river rafting is not for the faint hearted. Once on the raft you are one with nature and will have to rough it out depending on the rapids. Rapids are graded according to their ''runnability'', from Grade 1 (the mildest) to Grade 6 (un-runnable). Those in Shivpuri range from Grade 1 to Grade 4. You can also take courses for white water river rafting while there.
In a single four-hour stretch you can start at Shivpuri and go down all the way till Rishikesh. From there, post-lunch, you can drive back to the camp. The best time to go is in winter - November to March. Some of the best camps are those organised by the Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam, Leopard Beach Tented Camps, and Glacier Adventure Tours.