My family and our times: Sutlej Rafting 2012

Tattapani is an idle location for river rafting in the white water of river Satluj. White water is considered to be best for rafting activity. There are three points from where the rafting starts and all the rafts end the rafting stretch at Tattapani. Starts point are at Sunni, Chabba and Malghi. These three stretches are different and can be opted on the basis of rafting skill. Sunni to Tattapani is of 6 Kilometers distance. It is fine for beginners. Second stretch is 12 kilometers in distance within the river and suits people who are more dareing and want extreme fun with the water. This stretch starts from Chabba. Third point is located at Malghi which is 35 Kilometers in distance from Malghi to Tattapani. This ride is filled with maximum fun with water sports of many sorts.

What a day to go for rafting on a Sunny day in December. We hired a cab from Mushobra about 8000 ft near Shimla and had to descend 35 KM to about 2100 ft level. After winding journey of one and half hours, we reached a place called Sunni Tehsil. Being beginners, We opted to start our journey from Sunni Tehsil for rafting for 6 KM down stream towards Tattapani in white waters of Sutlej. The route was amazing setup on a Sunny and clear day with heavenly ambiance. It was 360 degree picturesque. One could smell clear fregrant air as this place continues to be scarcely populated and not yet exploited by humanization.

The rafting point started From a place upstream at Sunni. We rafted with pleasure and ease mainly due to highly experienced Nepali leader. We only confronted rough waters at 3-4 times, one time both of us were badly drenched by the splash of ice cold waters throwing a wave of shock and thrill in us. After rafting for about six Kilometers, we terminated at Tatapani where we saw and touched famous hot sulphur spring water getting merged with ice cold waters of Sutlej which is coming all the way from Tibet to Himachal to Punjab feeding water and Power to the whole of Northern Region via Bhakra Dam before going to Pakistan and finally merging with Indian Ocean. We also witnessed Gold mining in progress along side the river. Lots of kids were seen having fun with hot water springs.

We also visited Regional Horticulture Research Station Mashobra, specializing in Apple, Pear and Cherry trees for dense cultivation. We wished we could bring a few samples for our back yard.

On our way to Sutlej river, this is famous spot for film shootings as you can view the long stretch of road from 2-3 miles. Bollywood films has used the spot extensively.

Wonderful day for rafting in River Sutlej the longest of the five rivers of Punjab. It was having 30 ft deep water presently and in peak the depth may reach more than 100 ft.

We also visited Regional Horticulture Research Station Mashobra, specializing in Apple, Pear and Cherry trees for dense cultivation.

We wished we could bring a few samples for our back yard in San Ramon, Ca.

Emotionally, I was able to touch Sutlej waters which used to feed my fields in Bahawapur Distt Multan British India and now it also continues to feed my fields in village Badbar, Distt Barnala, Punjab India.

So satisfying, contented and thrilled we were to see and feel this evolution which does not care man made boundaries

Start of the rafting point. Just by the side of a small temporary shop on the main road, we walked down 100 ft to reach a level place where a boat was getting ready to go for the great trip. The operators had deployed teenagers to use big hand-operated air pumps to inflate the rubber boat which had numerous patches of repairs all over. At the outset, we got scared and were reluctant to undertake the trip. We were fearful to go ahead in case one of the patches erupts and the boat may deflate in short time. But the master raft Instructor a Nepali native, who boasted of international experience, was full of confidence. He had excellent English language communication skills and convinced that nothing of that sort will happen as the Government had stringent guidelines and was being inspected from time to time. Having served in the Government myself for 25 years, I could not believe inspections myself.

We had already paid up for the trip, some how reluctantly decided to take the risk as the water in Sutlej was not very rough at that time of the year. But my lady partner, my wife Harvinder is usually ready for taking up the tough challenges and agreed with me to take one more risks in life and enjoy this adventure too.

All dressed up to go!

Initially Harvinder refused to wear this dirty & smelly Jacket but we had no go.

At the bank of River Sutlej

Our driver waving us from the bank of river Sutlej and would meet us about 2 mile down stream.

In each other arms, a little scare.

Smothering and manouring the right turn well, the water was about 60 ft at that moment. It rises another 60-80 ft during flooding season

Master Raft Instructor originally a native of Nepal showing the victory signs. I enjoyed talking to hom in my little knowledge of Nepali Language to counter my nervousness.