SARYU

7 DAYS - BINSAR, UTTARAKHAND

2024 Trip Dates: Contact us to schedule your own trip! (min 6 people)

Cost: On request

Season: Mid-September to mid-November

Description: The emerald green Saryu River is the largest tributary of the Kali River, both in length and volume of flow. This glacial-fed river is surrounded by awe-inspiring scenery including lush green forests and diverse wildlife. The Saryu, also known as the “Little Big River”, really is the crown jewel of Eastern Uttarakhand.

An expedition on the Saryu, combined with the 'Himalayan' big volume style of rafting on the lower Kali, offers a complete whitewater experience. Whether you’re looking for heart pounding rapids, pristine campsites, tranquil beauty or a combination of them all, the Saryu River expedition has something to offer all everyone. We were the first to explore this river in the fall of 2008 and it remains one of our favorite trips to this day.

Itinerary*:

Day 1: Kathgodam** to Binsar. A five-hour road journey to Binsar gives you splendid views of the Trisul and Nanda Devi mountain ranges. Drive through the towns and villages of Kumaon, which provides a rich cultural background for the trip. Keep your cameras handy to capture the start of your expedition and snap away pictures of the local flora and fauna. We stay overnight in a hotel at Binsar.

Day 2: Binsar to Sheraghat to Camp 1. We start the day early with a drive to Sheraghat (2 ½ hours) where we reach the starting point of the expedition. After a comprehensive talk on river safety as well as basic instructions, you are ready to negotiate the thrill of grade 3 to 4 rapids. Our first day promises an enthralling experience, interspaced with the amazing views of passing villages set against the Himalayas. We pitch camp late afternoon, followed by dinner around the campfire and you are ready to dream about the day that was.

Day 3: Camp 1 to Pancheshwar Camp. Our day begins with a grade 4 rapid. It is an exciting start to a day full of challenges to enjoy; there are over 15 grade 3-4 rapid till the confluence of Saryu and Ramganga East at Rameshwar. The Ramganga East adds more volume to the river adding punch to the rapids. The section below Ghat is relatively easy and gives you a chance to bodysurf or just experience the tranquil beauty of the valley. In the afternoon, we pitch camp on a sandy beach and relax after a long paddle on the water. In the evening you can choose to hike or laze around the campfire, eat dinner and enjoy a well-deserved hot meal around the fire. Camp overnight.

Day 4: Pancheshwar Camp to Rupali Gad Camp. Expect loads of thrills today as we raft through the confluence of Kali and Saryu at Pancheshwar. The Kali River brings loads of volume of water to make it a big Himalayan river. This stretch of river runs through a remote wilderness valley. The verdant, untouched beauty is breathtaking. This beauty, combined some grade 3+ rapids, has us all wishing for the day not to end. We camp around Rupali Gad.

Day 5: Rupali Gad Camp to Pari Gaon Camp. The river run from Rupali Gad to Pari Gaon takes us through Kali’s biggest rapid, the ‘Chuka’, a grade 4+ rapid. As the rapid has several channels we scout the rapid before running it. We enjoy a few more grade 3 rapids before we reach camp across the river from Pari Gaon. There will be plenty to discuss and remember about the day when we sit around the campfire tucking into a hot, delicious meal. Camp overnight.

Day 06: Layover Day. Today you can take the day at your own pace. After breakfast there is an optional hike to Chuka Village. It was in this village that conservationist and wildlife enthusiast Jim Corbett, famous for slaying a large number of man-eating tigers and leopards in India, famously shot a man-eating tiger. We will explore the village and return to camp for a hot lunch. The afternoon is free. Choose to laze around the camp, take a nature walk and explore the remote surroundings, sunbathe, bird watch, try your hand at fishing or just lay on the beach and read a book.

Day 7: Pari Gaon to Boom to Kathgodam. On the last day on the river we start from Pari Gaon to reach the take out at Boom. The change in geography is apparent as we enter the Terai region and often share the river with elephants. The last section runs through a stunning canyon with exciting grade 3-4 rapids. After lunch we load up and drive to Kathgodam to board the overnight train to Delhi. (Train travel not included in cost.)

*The above is a suggested itinerary. You can tailor-make the itinerary to suit your interests and time in hand. Other options include “The Saryu Smash”, which is a shorter trip possible in high flows (mid-September and October). Or kayakers might enjoy the top section, Bhageshwar to Sheraghat. Contact us for more details.

**Travel trip: Arrive in Kathgodam early morning via an overnight train from Delhi.

Day 1: Kathgodam - Binsar.

Day 2: Binsar - Sheraghat - Camp 1.

Day 3: Camp 1 - Pancheshwar Camp.

Day 4: Pancheshwar Camp - Rupali Gad Camp.

Day 5: Rupali Gad Camp - Pari gain Camp.

Day 6: Layover Day.

Day 7: Pari Gaon - Boom - Kathgodam.