|
|
|
Our trip leaders backed by years of experience are conscientious, aware of the needs and requirements of the group and, interact and communicate freely to provide better service leading to a complete outdoor experience. They are trained in First Aid, CPR, have years of outdoor guiding experience in the Himalaya, and sometimes beyond. We practise a very true form of eco-tourism, and are one of the few companies where over 95% of our guides and staff, belong to the Himalaya. You would be hard pressed to find an outfit that comes close to our standards of operation, our range of trips on offer, and the calibre of a world class team, which is our biggest asset.
|
 |
Vaibhav Kala : Guiding since the beginning of organised and serious adventure travel in the country, he has been at the forefront of conceiving,planning and executing trips that were considered too audacious to run. He is responsible for opening up remote Himalayan valleys to adventure tourism, and has helped open up Indian river running like none before - with rivers like the Tons 19 years after it was run in its entirety, the Siang (Upper Brahmaputra), Subansari, Lohit in Arunachal Pradesh, the Pindar. Several of these trips are run by our company alone. He has guided on the big international biggies like the Yangtze in Yunan, Karnali in Nepal's wild west, Zambezi in the Batoka gorge, the Futaleufu in Chile and the Colorado in the Grand Canyon. Belonging to the Garhwal Himlaya himself, he has been on climbing expeditions in the Himalaya, including Stok Kangri, CB 13, Bhartekhunta, Bhetiara ka Danda, Auden's Col, Sahasratal, and one of the most elusive mountains in recent time, Gya, which was eventually located through Kala's-Nullah. |
 |
Dhruv Naresh Rana: A keen raft guide and safety kayaker with over 8 years experience, has represented India in competitions in China and India. Rana as he is called, oversees Aquaterra operations and ensures trips return happy and hungry for more. Rana leads trips as safety kayaker, raft guide and trek leader, and has run all major Indian descents. Dhruv has been on several major hiking and river trips, and has run more whitewater than most people do in a lifetime. Whether it is hiking up the frozen Zanskar river in Ladakh in winter, climbing the 6000m plus Sudarshan, walking the frozen Chadar, or guiding his raft down a 30 foot crest on the Siang river, Rana is comfortable in his environment. He is the quintessential outdoorsman, skilled, experienced and puts a high premium on safety and the smooth running of any Aquaterra expedition. After the Karnali river in Nepal, he recently lead the first open commercial descent of the Pindar river, said to be one of the most challenging runs in the Himalaya. Dhruv has also lead a first descent from Nacho on the Subansari in India's remote north east. |
 |
Solil Paul : An Environmental Law teacher and Michigan graduate who threw it all up for the outdoors, Solil co-founded the company and helped it gather a string foundation before moving to the mountains to settle down as an agriculturist. A strong and keen trekker, he has traveled all over the Himalayas for the past 35 years and has led trekking, study and cultural interest groups over many routes. He has rafted on all major rivers in the country and has also been on climbing expeditions, also as a photographer. Solil remains our company's sounding board, advisor and the hand that helps us along.
|
 |
H.P Sharma: Has been running river and mountain trips for over 18 years now and is involved in exploring new strategies and improvement of our overall operation. |
 |
Vikram Joshi: One of the most experienced river guides in the country, is also a keen kayaker, climber, hiker and raft guide. Guiding since the late 80's, he is usually found on the frontline, leading a trek or a river expedition. Vik, as he is called by the team, has several years of international guiding experience ranging from the USA to Norways biggest outdoor activity center. Vikram has been part of several Aquaterra "firsts' and adds tremendous value to any trip, with stories from years of guiding the great outdoors. Vikram leads Aquaterra operations from base and trip leads our premier departures, and is well positioned to look after operations based out of our activotel, Latitude 30* N, Ganga |
 |
Fay Singh: Fay is based at our main office and nearly every guest comes in contact with her at some point in time, before, during, or after the trip. Fay is responsible for all Delhi based operations at Aquaterra Adventures, and delivers each and every time. |
 |
Chandan Nugyal: A veteran of the Himalaya, Chandan has climbed, rafted and travelled more than a serious adventurer can aspire to, in a lifetime. His love and knowledge of the Himalayan valleys, its cultures and customs is extensive. Each and every trip gains from his experience, he is an integral part of the Aquaterra Adventures team. He has also rafted the biggest rivers of the subcontinent many times, leads cultural safaris and is the quintessential trip leader, guide, and travel companion. |
 |
Jai Singh: Has been one of the old hands in the river running circuit, and his key expertise is in ensuring our Camps and trip logistics run well, on time and do so consistently. Raft guide and kayaker, he is adept at making you feel at home on our trips. Jai manages logistics at Aquaterra Adventures and is in charge of making sure each trip leaves well stocked and returns with satisfied guests. |
 |
Kaanha Singh: belongs to the valley of the Tons, and is arguably the strongest paddlers in the country. Kaan is usually seen at the helm of flotilla heading towards the maelstrom of a big Class 4 rapid. He has safety boated on many of our premier trips. The sight of Kaan, is a reassuring one, as he weaves his way through rapids, and looking out for the rafts. Kaan has been on many Upper Brahmaputra trips and is one of the very few persons to have paddled down the entire Tons river. |
 |
Sanjay Rana: belongs to Sarasu village, India's first village as far as raft guides go. Sanjay is one of the most experienced raft guides in the country today, having guided on bi expeditions on the Zanskar, Brahmaputra, Subansari, Tons, Pindar, as part of the most challenging trips run by us. Sanjay is safety kayaker and keen trekking guide as well. |
 |
Paldan : An ever smiling person loves traveling in the mountains. He has led numerous trekking trips all across the Himalayas. It’s hard not be laughing with him! Paldan and Jigme run the operations in Sikkim. |
 |
Jetandra Singh: Has been guiding since 2004, and has hands on experience running camps, treks and our whitewater trips. Whether it is his role as safety kayaker or raft guide, or supporting a climb up the 20000 foot high Stok Kangri, he forms an integral part of our outdoor operation. Jetandra has recently returned from the frozen Zanskar river trek, and is one of jewels in the outdoor industry in India. Jetandra is responsible for running our river camps, Camp Silver Sands and Camp Lunagad, and is most likely the face you will see when you head up for a weekend. |
 |
Sanjay Rana: An ace kayaker and a raft guide he is one of the youngest kids on the block. Guiding since 2008 he has already paddled all major rivers in the Himalayas. Its hard to find someone so young carrying maturity years ahead of their age, and Sanjay is one such outdoors guide. Sanjay has been part of several big rescues in the Himalaya, and has delivered, each and every time. |
 |
Pankaj Rana: Guiding since 2007 he is extremely cool-headed while running the rapids. He has guided on all major descents in the Himalayas, and is a raft guide, kayaker and trek leader. |
 |
Manoj Rana: Shy-guy Manoj is most comfortable when he is on the water. Being a raft guide and a safety kayaker he is also a keen angler. |
 |
Chain Singh Chauhan: Having grown up in the Har-ki-Dun valley in Garhwal Himalaya, high altitude mountain guiding is Chain Singh's forte. A trained mountaineer he has guided and summitted on big mountains like Satopanth, Kedar Dome, Banderpunch, Black Peak etc and has innumerable ascents of mountains like Stok Kangri under his belt. He has been part of the mountain guide team since 2005. Chain has recently been on Audens Col and the Chadar frozen river trek in Ladakh. Chain ensures all mountain treks leave with top notch gear, and the expedition travels well on its stomach. Chain is also a safety kayaker, guiding on whitewater trips since 2010. |
 |
Vikram Hirani: One of the upcoming mountain guides he has led trips on almost all corners of the Himalayas. Guiding since 2007 he is an integral part of our mountain guide brigade and is also a keen raft guide. Vikram has been organising logistics for our Ladakh and Stok Kangri ascents, ensuring equipment and meals remain top notch. Vikram was also on our inaugral trip on the frozen Zanskar river, the Chadar trek. |
|
|
Vikas Rana: Has been guiding since 2007 and is the new kid on the block. Belonging to the Uttarkashi region in the Garhwal Himalaya, the outdoors comes naturally to him. In his guiding psan, he has already experienced Indias vast mountain regions, and is an invaluable part of our youth brigade. |
 |
Salil Pradhan: Salil joins us after years of experience running homestay trails, treks and a mountain property in the Kumaon Himalaya. Salil is an avid bird watcher, astronomer, and currently mountain biker. Salil is gearing up to help launch operations at our new Activotel, Latitude 30*N, Ganga |
 |
Kim Hartlin: Runs ThunderBow Expeditions in Banff, Alberta, but is out each year running trips and guiding groups in the Indian Himalayas. An outstanding trip leader, he has travelled throughout the country and has been on four expeditions in Arunchal Pradfesh on the Upper Brahmaputra and Lohit rivers. |
 |
Anil Kuriyal aka Pele: A keen wildlife person and an avid bird watcher he just can’t do without outdoors. Based at camp Kuflon in Uttaranchal, he handles our operations in that part of the world. |
 |
Jigme Dorje Sherpa: Heads our trips into the eastern part of India. Based out of Darjeeling and Sikkim, he handles all our river and mountain trips in the area and is one of the leading mountain and river guides in the country.
|
|
|
Sohan Singh Rana: The latest addition to our team, Sohan brings with him experience on rivers and mountains. Be it as safety kayaker, raft guide and trekking leader, Sohan represents the core strength of our team, experience of the Himalaya, honed with the exposure of running big expeditions, and ensuring comfortable wilderness journeys, while handling safety of our guests. |
|
|
