The vast span of the Great Himalayas in North India, with its transcending mountains and sputtering streams, gives adequate alternatives to enjoying energizing daring activities. Rishikesh, the sacred city in Uttarakhand, is one such abode in the Himalayas. Trekking, mountaineering, bungee jumping, rappelling are some of the popular adventurous activities that you can experience in Rishikesh.

Ganga has always been the heart of Rishikesh, and River Rafting is the activity that can make your heartbeat a thump. The moment the waves of Ganga hit your boat and splashes freezing water on you, making you drenched in it, you will know that the adventure has just begun.

Best River Rafting in Rishikesh

Brahmapuri to Rishikesh

Distance – 9km

Time – 1.5 hours to 2 hours

This stretch is suitable for people who are new to river rafting. If you are afraid of deep and fast-flowing water, it will help you overcome it. It takes about 1.5 to 2 hours to cover the entire stretch. Major rapids here fall under the Grade I and Grade II category and have rapids like Body surfing, Sweet Sixteen, Hilton, Double Trouble, Hilton, and Terminator. These rapids can be crossed without any difficulty. These rapids offer excitement and thrill for children, older adults, and those who can’t swim. The Ganga River looks beautiful when you are in the middle of it surrounded by mountains with the view of beautiful buildings afar.

Shivpuri to Rishikesh 

Distance – 16kms

Time – 3 hours to 3.5 hours.

It is even longer and better than what Brahmapuri has to offer. The adventure gets even more exciting with this 16-kilometer stretch having amazing Grade II and Grade III rapids like Return to Sender, Roller Coaster, and Golf Course. The river is fierce, and you will witness rocks and cliffs as obstacles on your way. The strength of the water here challenges you, and you will experience the overpowering force of nature. You will realize that man may have evolved to a more powerful creature than ever but cannot win over nature. This stretch is the most famous because it sets the perfect balance between comfortable and challenging. You will experience an adventure to its pure form. Youngsters and adventure seekers, irrespective of whether they can swim or not, can go for it.

Marine Drive to Rishikesh

Distance – 24 km

Time – 4.5 hours to 5 hours

The long stretch of 24 kilometers takes more than willingness. You need to put more effort and energy to complete this stretch. The capricious River Ganga, in this stretch, takes the rafters on a life-changing experience. Marine drive stretch offers Grade II and Grade III rapids like Black Money, Three Blind Mice, Shivpuri Rapid, and CrossFire, which are troublesome but yet loaded with enthusiasm. The fast stream of water takes you by surprise when you hit the waves. You can relax between the stretches and even jump in the water if the instructor allows you to according to the intensity of the rapid, especially after Shivpuri when rapids are a bit less dangerous.

Kaudilaya to Rishikesh

Distance – 36 km

Time – 7 hours to 8 hours

This stretch is not for everyone. It can only be done by experts and those who know swimming. This stretch standout amongst all the stretches in terms of adventure as it offers one of the most challenging rapids in Rishikesh. The wall, a Grade IV rapids demand experience and a lot of strength from the rafter. You will face 13 rapids during this stretch. You can hear the sound of these rapids from a distance and is enough to get you excited and make your heart thump loudly.

Famous Rafting Rapids in Rishikesh.

1. Grade I – Most accessible to raft, very mild current, and there is no risk. (T-off, Black Money, and Sweet Sixteen.)
2. Grade II – Fewer obstacles and easy to navigate. (Double trouble, Rapid Initiation, Hilton and Terminator, and Club House
3. Grade III – Requires excellent rafting and decision making abilities. (Shivpuri, Return to Sender, Three Blind Mice, and Roller Coaster.)
4. Grade IV – Waves are powerful enough to make your heart skip. (Daniel’s Dip)
5. Grade V – Quite dangerous. (The Wall)

Best Time for Rafting in Rishikesh

The rafting season in Rishikesh begins after the monsoon. However, the low temperature during December – January makes it very difficult to enjoy rafting in this period.

Best months for river rafting in Rishikesh: September to December & February to June.

Rafting Gears

1. Lifejacket
2. Inflatable rafting boats
3. Carbon paddles
4. Helmets
5. Wet suit
6. Drysuit
7. Dry bags to carry mobile phones or any other things that can get damaged.
8. Normal slippers

How to reach

By Air

Dehradun’s Jolly Grant airport is the nearest airport to Rishikesh. It is 35 km from Rishikesh. Numerous flights come to Dehradun from New Delhi. Apart from Delhi, there is a flight from Lucknow to Dehradun as well. Once you reach the airport, you can opt for a regular taxi or bus service, which is readily available from Dehradun to Rishikesh. The second nearest international airport for Rishikesh is in New Delhi, which is well-connected with different cities across the globe.

By Bus

Being a famous tourist destination, Rishikesh has a good network of buses connecting it with important places such as Haridwar, Dehradun and New Delhi. Buses leave in the morning and late evening from the Kashmere Gate ISBT, New Delhi for Rishikesh daily. You can choose from a regular, deluxe or a luxurious coach.

By Train

Being a famous tourist destination, Rishikesh has a good network of buses connecting it with well-known places such as Haridwar, Dehradun, and New Delhi. Buses leave in the morning and late evening from the Kashmere Gate ISBT, New Delhi to Rishikesh daily. You can choose from a regular, deluxe, or a luxurious coach.

Road Connectivity From Delhi

Driving up to Rishikesh is worth considering, as it is connected to other cities via the National Highway 58, which is in good condition for most of the year. The drive from Delhi to Rishikesh would take approximately 6 to 7 hours.