A bunch of us friends recently got in touch with Aquaterra Adventures to set up a whitewater rafting trip on the Tons River in the north Indian state of Uttarakhand. The Aquaterra
team were excellent in every way: they were superbly efficient, highly reassuringly safe and extremely warm, friendly and hospitable. Rana, our expedition leader, was exemplary, and Sanjay and Pankaj made for brilliant guides, scouts and companions. Mahipal, our cook, was a real wizard, whipping up surprises and comfort chow with supreme efficacy out there in the wild. We're talking eggs, parathas, toast, peanut butter, pohe and more for breakfast; rajma, fresh vegetables and delicious mutton and chicken preparations for lunch and dinner; and samosas and pakoras at tea time.

Every day was deeply fulfilling, featuring a perfect mix of rafting, camping and soaking in the exquisite beauty of the Tons valley. The rafting was extremely thrilling—we hit a bunch of class 4+ and a couple of 5- rapids—but we were never nervous. Aquaterra is known for its devotion to safety and we always felt completely secure. There were two safety kayaks near us at all times and our guide was so deft and skilled that our attention was completely focused on the fun part...with a bit of strenuous paddling work too, as our muscles reminded us :)

All in all, we had not a single complaint to offer. We ended our trip with a deep feeling of satisfaction and reinvigoration. Uttarakhand is a truly spectacular region, mostly untouched by civilisation's callous hand. We felt so lucky to be able to absorb and enjoy nature at its most pristine. In addition to that, the efficiency, courteousness, hospitality and attention to detail that we witnessed from our hosts was truly admirable. Aquaterra's renown is deserved and will undoubtedly be our go-to company for any outdoor expeditions in India, as well as the ones they do abroad. I recommend them to anyone seeking to explore India's natural wonders.