Shivanandi River Lodge

is from a village near Shivanandi. Anchu is a master mason and there isn't a wall in the resort which hasn't got Anchu's finger prints on it... Sometimes we wait weeks until Anchu's free... No one is as good a mason as him!

have made everything possible. Dada has spent years in an airplane's cockpit, so that we can sit on the banks of the river and kayak. Dadi has supported us all the way, managing finances and giving moral support.

have come to be with us in the Himalaya every year since we started and have given endless advice and love.

our three carpenters who lived with us for three years turning trunks of trees into works of art. Most of their work was done without electricity. From load baring sleepers to delicate door decorations.

is from Ladakh. He arrived at Shivanandi during the construction, carried endless amounts of rock and mud and became a great kayaker. He is also magic with children and can spend hours playing with them.

The construction material has been gifted by god but bringing it up from the river has been done by these strong wonderful people of Nepal. Every rock and every sack of mud had to be brought from the banks of the river or from the road. Many heavily loaded footsteps have managed to create the lodge. We are very grateful to all those who participated in creating our dream.

arrived at the lodge before any room was constructed. His home is in a village on the border of Himachal and Uttarakhand and he has become an independent river guide based in Rishikesh.

is from Shivanandi village. She sold us the land. She has three daughters, married and gone away and works the land on her own from dawn to dusk. She says god has sent her a sun in the body of Shalabh.

spent her childhood in the mountains and rivers around the lodge and was home-schooled by the birds, the butterflies the wild Himalayan flowers and the trees.

lives in Shivanandi village and is a father to four children. Most of the plumbing in the lodge was done by Neri.

is from Shivanandi village. He started off as a mason helper, but could not resist the kayaks. He has now become a qualified river guide. Pawan lives in the Lodge.

is from Shivanandi village. He has three children. He is the best helper you can find. Although he is by profession a mason, he has the heart of a farmer and has joined us as a gardener.

is from Ladakh. He too has learnt how to kayak and is finding his way as a river guide. Samdup is also a talented video editor and has great fun playing with the kids.

is from Shivanandi and has his signature on many of the walls of the lodge... Despite his age, he is a strong and patient stone mason.

have given us so much fun in the three years it took to construct the place, they have become a real part of it. Their laughter and delicateness radiates and touches all children guests who enter the lodge.

was born in a room in the lodge in May 2011. She was born in peace and is peace.

is from a prosperous village in Himachal Pradesh. He has spent years with us and has become a talented raft guide. Here in the picture he's playing school school with maya and puppy.

is from a village above Shivanandi. Tola is either smiling or smoking a bidi, but always with a hammer in his hand.

is also from Ladakh. Tsering is talented with nearly... everything and has become a very good kayaker. He too spent years carrying rocks and learning how to kayak.

is from Nepal. He has four children back home (25 years between the youngest child and the oldest). Maya says he is the strongest man in the world, and he is! We have calculated that he has carried more than 50 tons up from the river and down from the road, over the past three years with us. He has become part of our family.

Arjun is from Karnprayag. "Who's taking the guests kayaking?" Arjun ... "who's taking the guests trekking?" Arjun... Who's fetching gass?" Arjun... "Who'll stay with Maya?" Arjun of course! Arjun fell in love with kayaking, and we've falling in love with Arjun!

Anoop lives in a village close to the Mandakini River. Anoop is our cook. His kitchen, is the cleanest kitchen you will find between Delhi and the Chinese border, guaranteed!

Lakshmi lives in Nola, one hour up the mountain from Shivanandi. Lakshmi keeps the place clean and keeps us smiling. Her cheerful smile keeps our hearts open.