OUR TEAM
MEET OUR TEAM OF PROFESSIONAL RIVER GUIDES.
Languages spoken: Hindi, English
Favorite food while on the river: Shahi tukura
Anvesh Singh Thapa, Founder + owner + river guide
Anvesh has been rafting and kayaking throughout the world since 1996, making him one of the most skilled and experienced river guides in India today. Anvesh has led the first commercial river descents on the Brahmaputra (post 2001 flood), Lohit, Kameng, and Saryu Rivers. He has also led expeditions internationally and is well-versed with the level of difficulty and excitement on rivers such as the Kaituna and Wairoa (New Zealand), Blue Nile (Ethiopia), Colorado, Green, Owyhee (Middle), Rogue, Salmon, Selway, Teton, and Upper Klamath Rivers (USA) and the Stranda and Rundal (Norway). Today, you will find Anvesh actively engaged in the trips he runs. His passion and energy flow through every trip he guides.
Anvesh is currently a NOLS instructor, and is a certified Whitewater Rescue Technician-Advance (Rescue 3 International), Wilderness First Responder (WMI), Skills Active Senior National Raft Guide Grade IV/V (NZ), ACA Kayak Instructor Level 4 and International Technical Rescue Association Swiftwater Rescue Training Instructor (Level 1).
“Everyone has oceans to fly, if they have the heart to do it. Is it reckless? Maybe. But what do dreams know of boundaries?”
Languages spoken: English, a little Tamil, and she's working on her Hindi
Favorite food while on the river: Gajjar ka halwa
Ing-Marie Putka, owner + Communications
Originally from the Pacific Northwest, USA, Ing-Marie has felt fortunate to call India "home" since 2005. At Expeditions India, Ing-Marie uses her organization and communication skills to keep the office in order. But her favorite part of the job is finding ways to move Expeditions India in an even more eco-friendly direction. She sees tremendous potential in the river community being allies in the work of environmental protection. Ing-Marie is also a writer, experiential educator and outdoor enthusiast.
“You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change things, build a new model which makes the old model obsolete.”
Languages spoken: English, Hindi
Favourite food while on the river: Khichidi, peanut butter, dark chocolate, nuts
Vikram Joshi, River + mountain guide
With over 30 years of international guiding experience, "Vik" is a legendary veteran outdoorsman. You'll often find Vik out in front leading trips; he has led multiple first descents on Indian rivers since the 1980s. The only rival to Vik's river skills is his tremendous ability to weave a story around the campfire, enthralling young and old alike with tales of his adventures in kayaking, climbing, hiking and rafting. Ask Vik to tell you a story, and you won't be disappointed. Vik holds certifications in Swiftwater Rescue and First Aid.
“You don’t stop kayaking and climbing when you get old, you get old if you stop kayaking and climbing.”
Languages spoken: Nepali, Japanese, Hindi, English
Favorite food while on the river: Dal bhat
Bishnu Gurung, River Guide
Bishnu comes from a long line of Himalayan adventurers that hail from Nepal and has been running, organizing and leading trips on rivers throughout the Indian and the Nepalese Himalayas for most of his life. An experienced raft guide, safety kayaker and trip leader, Bishnu has honed his skills on descents of some of the toughest Himalayan rivers and has also worked as a raft and safety kayaker on rivers in India, Bhutan and Japan. Bishnu is a certified International Technical Rescue Association instructor (Swiftwater Levels 1&2, Ropes 1), Whitewater Rescue Technician - Advance (Rescue 3 International), Wilderness First Responder (WMI, U.S.A.), and he has completed the Rock and Ice Basic and Advanced Courses through the Khumbu Climbing Center (KCC), Nepal.
“Touch the deadline and go back home safely.”
Languages spoken: Garhwali, Hindi, English
Favorite food while on the river: Dal bhat
Avilash Bisht, River + Trek/Climb Guide
Avilash has been guiding mountain trips since 1997. He is a certified and accomplished mountaineer with a few 7000m-peak climbs under his hat. Certified with Search & Rescue (Nehru Institute of Mountaineering) and Wilderness Advanced First Aid (WMI, U.S.A.) Avilash is also a seasoned river guide. He has guided trips on most of the commercial multi-day river runs in India including the Zanskar, Ganga, Bhagirathi, Alaknanda, Tons, Sutlej and the Kali. Avilash brings with him years of wilderness experience and the zeal for it.
“Dream as if you’ll live forever, live as if you’ll die today.”
Languages spoken: Hindi, Nepali, English and a bit of Punjabi
Favorite food while on the river: Rajma and rice
Sanjay Saklani: Manager + Master Chef
Sanjay is a trained chef who is equally passionate about the kitchen and the outdoors. He started rafting and trekking in his youth, and later took his professional chef training in India. He has worked internationally in 5-star kitchens and is able to prepare multi-cuisine dishes out of his magic kitchen tent - sometimes with just bare essentials! Sanjay is also involved in planning and logistics, and he keeps both his team and the guests entertained with his fun-loving nature.
“Jai Nepal!”