Total Tons Rafting Expedition

Quick Facts

04-14 May, 2024 | 11 Days

INR 77,000 + 5% GST

Single Supplement: INR 18,500 + 5% GST

Rapid Class: 1 to 4+/5

Difficulty: ChallengingOur most demanding trips include climbing at high elevations in excess of 5000 meters, in remote and extreme conditions with no access to roads; trips to remote, extreme wilderness; mountaineering trips, and demanding whitewater trips with Class IV-V rapids.

Group Size: 8-16 persons

This raft trip is for those who want to transcend to the next level of river running. What sets this trip apart from the other great rafting trips like the Bio-Bio, the Brahmaputra, the Alsek, the Futaleufu and the Zambezi, is the consistency of quality whitewater, set in some incredible high mountain scenery.

We run several rapids ranging from Class III to Class IV+/V, with whitewater sections separated by maybe a hundred yards or less of flat water. It aims to propagate the sheer adrenaline and magic of taking on 90 kms of quality whitewater from Gyunhatti till Icchari, in what could possibly be, one of the finest whitewater experiences possible in the world today. Adrenaline pumping river days are followed by relaxed afternoons, to be spent under leafy alders, taking short hikes into the alpine forests and camping out near fields of calf high mint and marijuana.

This trip was first offered in a 1986 edition operated by Jack Morison of White Magic, California. In May 2005, Aquaterra Adventures operated the first rafting descent successfully on the entire Tons river since 1986, almost a first descent as the river had changed considerably over 19 years.

On the Middle Tons between Lunagad and Tiuni, the river drops at an average rate of 32 feet per kilometer. This includes a drop of 78 feet/kilometer over the last three and a half kilometers before Tiuni. Amazing scenery, world class whitewater makes this a premier expedition for the white water paddler.

Below Tiuni, we encounter a series of Class III+ rapids, followed by Afterglow, Channel Rapid, Pillow talk, Thrice Bitten, Deadly Dedsu before we reach the bridge at Atal, the village below which we camp on Day 01.

Day 02 begins with several Class 3 rapids after which we flow into a gorge where we tackle the Lone Ranger, Three Musketeers, and the Roaring Bagni. We reach our campsite near Atal for the night, covering approx. 20 kms.

Below Atal, we paddle through a long gorge where we hear ample chatter of monkeys and the call of cuckoos. The land takes a more gentle and tropical rhythm from the upper, more alpine, valley near the base camp. Palm trees grow at the edge of cliffs and their roots drop 80 ft into the nourishing water of the Tons.

The gorge opens out at the bridge near Minus and the river flows gently for the next 7 kms till we reach Major Surprise, the biggest rapid on the trip. Major Surprise is followed by a series of big rapids before the river flattens out again near the dam at Icchari. The river section till Major Surprise is about 25 kms and depending on whether it’s a portage of not, and the time at hand, we either camp there or continue to reach Icchari.

In the “Outside” magazine special edition in March 2007 “The 30 Best Trips Ever” issue, our Tons valley trips had been featured which was another feather in our cap.
In the “Outside” magazine special edition in March 2007 “The 30 Best Trips Ever” issue, our Tons valley trips had been featured which was another feather in our cap.

DAYS 1-5

  • Day 1

Report to Jolly Grant Airport by 12 noon. Board waiting vehicles to be driven for 6 hours to reach Aquaterra’s Camp Bagi in the secluded Tons Valley.

  • Day 2-3

Rafting on the Tons from Mori-Khunigad. Familiarization with paddling commands and paddling strokes. Overnight at camp.

  • Day 4-5

Trek up to Ringalli Rest house and back, an old British Rest House. Overnight Camp. Return to Camp Lunagad by the afternoon of Day 05 for lunch

DAYS 6-11

  • Day 6-8

Begin rafting expedition with three days dedicated to the 35 km section from Mori till Tiuni, where the Pabbar River meets the Tons. This is the more continuous part of our expedition. Days are mixed with running several continuous Class 4+ rapids in a day and camping by lunch on beautiful alpine meadows above the river, taking walks into the forest and breathing rhododendron- scented air. It’s a great mix of high adrenaline rafting and soothing camping in very scenic surroundings. Overnight camps on the river.

  • Day 9-11

Below Tiuni, the Tons takes on more volume with the Pabbar river joining in. We move further downriver into the more tropical part of the valley with excellent whitewater, more spaced out after the frenzy of the top section and enter a beautiful gorge. We raft till Icchari, where the river is finally dammed .

After breakfast on day eleven, drive all the way down to Dehradun to board the evening flight/train home. Trip Ends!

Inclusions:
  • Travel from Delhi and back by road / rail (by non-AC / 2 or 3 tier AC coach)
  • All arrangements for staying and camping while on trip
  • Accommodation on twin sharing basis in tents / hotel
  • All meals as mentioned in itinerary & safe drinking water
  • All trip arrangements with India’s most experienced guiding team, camp staff and cooks
  • Porterage upto 15kg/person
  • Peak fee / sanctuary fee / royalty / permits where applicable
Exclusions:
  • Sleeping bag
  • Flights not included in the above-mentioned cost
  • Any transfers or meals outside of itinerary
  • Bottled water
  • Items of personal clothing
  • Expenses of any personal nature (laundry / phone calls / alcohol / cigarettes / insurance / camera fee / etc.)
  • Any expense incurred due to force of nature such as landslides, bad weather or reasons beyond our control
  • Tips & gratuities (we recommend 5-10% of your trip cost- to be distributed among the team) – personal choice
  • Travel & cancellation insurance

FROM PREVIOUS EXPEDITIONS

Take a look at photos & videos from previous journeys. Read testimonials from our new & regular clients.
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Aquaterra Promo Video

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Camp Bagi on the Tons River in Uttarakhand

Camp Bagi - Tons Valley

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An Experienced Team

Our team of guides has years of experience of travel throughout the Indian Himalaya, from running rivers to leading treks – from the barren Zanskar to the tropical rainforest of Arunachal Pradesh. They speak English, have completed graduate school, are current with First Aid and CPR certification and form the most experienced guiding team in the country today.

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The prices of our trips provide a high value for money returns. They are priced to keep our standards high and your trip, smooth. Cost usually is a deciding factor for many a trip, but for an adventure trip, the deciding factor should be confidence in your operator. We combine high operator confidence with a pricing balanced to give you a trip to remember.

Best Equipment

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Great Food

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