Brahmaputra

There are many big rivers, a handful of huge rivers, and then there is the Brahmaputra. This premier expedition by raft down one of the world's great rivers is for the true adventurer, and only three expeditions have ever commercially rafted the Brahmaputra before.

We can expect legendary drops, thirty-foot standing waves, rapids and riffles, and even a short stretch of Class 6 water on this truly wild river, all set against incomparably dramatic scenery, thick jungles and tribal peoples virtually untouched by the modern world. After flowing eastwards through Tibet, the Brahmaputra, here known as the Tsangpo, cuts south through the Greater Himalaya to enter the Indian Hill State of Arunachal Pradesh, where it is known as the Siang. From here the Brahmaputra enters its final dramatic section of gorges before joining the Ganges and gently flowing out across the plains to the Bay of Bengal.

After flying into Delhi and connecting through to Dibrugarh, we take a ferry across the Brahmaputra to Pasighat, an interesting temple town on the river. Here the Brahmaputra shows its gentler side, but do not be deceived! From Pasighat, we drive by 4WD for two days along dirt tracks through lush rainforest that is home to over 500 species of orchid, gibbons, leopards, elephants and tigers. It is also home to the fascinating villages of the Adi people, until forty years ago still headhunters, and one of the most traditional peoples in India.

The expedition proper begins just a few miles from the Inner Line, close to the border with Tibet. On expeditions of this nature, it is imperative to have a highly experienced and qualified support team, and you can be sure that our guides have the necessary experience, skills and equipment to make this expedition an outstanding success. We use the very best quality American-manufactured self-bailing rafts made of tear-resistant hypalon. Every raft also carries rescue bags and flip-lines to counter any emergency, and is equipped with repair and first-aid kits to make the run completely self-contained. Waterproof bags are kept aboard to ensure luggage and cameras stay completely dry. Before launching from the put-in at the village of Tuting, we will be given a full safety briefing, covering everything from the nature of the river and what to expect, to paddling commands and safety procedures, and from self-rescue to knowing what to do if you go overboard. An easy section is rafted on the first day to familiarise everyone with rafting techniques.

Next morning we enter a ten-mile stretch of rapids known as Ningguing, twice the size of the famous Lava Falls on the Colorado, before encountering another Class 4 rapid, ‘Pulsating Palsi’, with its 25-30 foot standing waves, to reach Pango, where we will set up camp for the night. After the exhilaration and practice gained thus far, we will be ready to tackle the Ningguing and Marmong gorges, some of the most wildly beautiful and remote jungle gorges in the world. We first scout and then raft down the Pango rapids before entering the gorges, truly a land that time has forgotten, with steep, impenetrable forests rising dizzyingly up on either side. We pass monster rapids at Rikor and Zebra Rock, before setting up camp above a Class 6 rapid known as the ‘Toothfairy’, with the option, subject to conditions and our guide’s assessment, either to raft or to portage this section. Once through, we negotiate several Class 3+ rapids followed by a float downriver to Yinkeong, our camp for the night.

The following day sees us rafting to Geku Twins Camp. We begin with a huge rapid called ‘Moving Madness’ followed by milder ones, all the way down to the bamboo suspension bridge at Nubo. We then plunge down ‘Karko Killer’ before arriving at a beautiful spot near the village of Geku, where we spend two nights. The next day will be a well-deserved rest day, and we can catch our breath, maybe doing a little fishing, searching for orchids and wild elephant in the surrounding rainforest, or walking to an Adi village and visiting an Adi dwelling, protected by the skulls of their ancestors. We may also be privileged enough to meet one of the village shamans, and participate in a healing ceremony.

The next two days will be much gentler as we drift past various tribal settlements on our way. The birdlife is simply amazing here, and with luck we should also be able to spot schools of Gangetic river dolphin. There is a final sting in the tail, however, as we negotiate the last biggie, ‘Pongging Punch’, before running out on to the plains at Pasighat, where we beach our rafts for the last time. From Pasighat, we retrace our route back to Dibrugarh, with options either to continue back to Delhi and home, or to extend the trip with us.

Note: Price includes lead safety boat, training and all necessary high quality kit & safety equipment, services of professional guides, rafting guides and camp staff.