Rafting in Rishikesh: A Weekend Getaway Near Delhi (Rapids Nearly Threw Me Off the Raft, Literally)

They say, “Work hard, play harder.” Well, I was working so hard I realized I wasn’t playing at all—I was just 'the ass' in the “work like an ass” proverb. My life had become a GPS with only two destinations: Home ↔ Office. Yawn.

So, my colleagues and I decided we needed a kickass weekend adventure. After weighing a hundred options (and listening to 200 opinions), we settled on the obvious choice—Rishikesh, the holy land of Lord Shiva, yoga retreats, and, most importantly, adrenaline-pumping river rafting on the Ganges.

👉 Pro tip: March to October is the best time for rafting in Rishikesh. Bookmark that, thrill-seekers.

Gushaini - Himachal Pradesh (India)

                             

They say, “Not all those who wander are lost.” I didn’t really understand this until the summer of 2008, when I found myself wandering not just in the mountains, but also in my office corridors with zero clue about where our long-awaited vacation would take us.

Picture this: a group of colleagues desperate for a break from Delhi’s chaos, endless office chai breaks spent “planning,” and still… no destination. Slowly, people began dropping out. Out of 15, only five warriors (including my boss!) were left standing. With no plan, no bookings, and no clue – just backpacks, chips, and enthusiasm – we were determined to go somewhere.

And that’s how Gushaini, Himachal Pradesh happened – a place none of us had ever heard of, but would later call one of the best accidental decisions of our lives.