Rishikesh Live

Adventurous visitors will be delighted to know that Rishikesh offers white water rafting from September to June, when the river is neither to wild nor too placid. The Ganga comes rushing down from the mountains, passing through Kaudiyala (40 km) Shivpuri (19 km) befor it reaches Rishikesh. Here, it slows down, before bursting into white water rapids as it decends into the plains. Many rafting operators have riverside camps between Rishikesh and Kaudiyala, with tents for overnight stay, and all the necessary equipment is part of the package

Rafting Treks in Rishikesh

Bhrampuri to Rishikesh

Trek length: 11 kms
Time Take: 2 - 3 hrs

This is the very basic rafting trek on the Ganges ideal for children above 5 years, families and elder people.

You will hit some of the easy and exciting rapids on this trek including - Initiation, Double-Trouble, Hilton and Terminator. In the later part, the rafts float past temples and Ashrams of Laxman Jhula and Ram Jhula, the main tourist area of Rishikesh.

Shivpuri to Rishikesh

Trek length: 17 kms
Time Take: 3 -4 hrs

This rafting trek comes with higher adventure level and greater thrilling experience.

You will hit some of the most exciting rapids on the river e.g. Return to Sender, Roller Coaster, Golf course and Club house. You can make this section more exciting by trying body surfing in initiation rapid and cliff jump before double trouble.

This rafting trek is best suited for children above 10 years, men and ladies up to 40 to 45 years.

Marine Drive to Rishikesh

Trek length: 27 kms
Time Take: 6-8 hrs

The rafting trek from Marine Drive to Rishikesh offers even more thrilling and joyful ride over the raft hitting some of the best rapids like Black money, Cross fire, three blind mice and body surfing. You may take a break at Shivpuri before you prepare yourself hitting the most exciting rapids on the Ganges i.e. Return to Sender, Roller Coaster, Gold Course and Club House.

One must make this rafting experience more exciting by trying body surfing in initiation rapid and cliff jump near double trouble rapid.

This rafting trek is best suited for children above 12 years, men and ladies up to 40.
Other Rafting Tracks along the Ganges

Rudraprayag to Rishikesh:

One of the popular but strenuous runs is the 150km run from Rudraprayag to Rishikesh. Rudraprayag is situated at the confluence of the Alakananda and the glossy dark Mandakini rivers, two of the main tributaries of the Ganga . The starting point is situated a little further from the main town of Rudraprayag . It is a four-hour run from Rudraprayag to the town of Srinagar through calm stretches, a series of rapids, . The stretch from Srinagar to Devprayag where the Bhagirathi and the Alakananda rivers meet and create the Ganga , is rough. Between the thrashing rapids there are long stretches of flat water. From Devprayag to Kaudiyala is another four hours calm ride where rapids are scarce. From Kaudiyala, the stretch to Shivpuri which takes 5-6 hrs of rafting and on to Rishikesh is a fairly demanding one, with the grade IV rapid called 'The Wall' at Byasi and the less graded huge thrashing waves of rapids like the Roller Coaster (grade III), Clubhouse and the Golf Course, 4km below Shivpuri village. The stretch around 70km from Devprayag to Shivpuri is multigraded, but near the last sign post ahead of Rishikesh the Ganga turns calm. The expedition takes about four or five days depending on the pace. The run is picturesque through the densely forested Himalayan foothills.

Tehri to Shivpuri:

This run starts at the Tehri town, the district headquarters of the Tehri Garhwal on the Bhagirathi river. The run goes through rapids mostly Grade III- IV and reaches Devprayag. At Devprayag the Bhagirathi merges with the Alakananda and the run is more calm and manageable than the upper reaches till it reaches Kaudiyala. Then again on to Shivpuri it is demanding with grade IV foaming rapids like the Wall at Byasi and the Golf course, 4km below Shivpuri village.

Kaudiyala to Shivpuri:

Kaudiyala is situated 28km upstream from Rishikesh. The run from Kaudiyala to Shivpuri on the Alakananda which takes 5-6 hrs of rafting is a fairly demanding one and passes through thickly wooded hills, past riverside temples and two of the river’s best rapids the 'Wall' and the the 'Golf course’- both graded IV which are succeeded by deep, tranquil pools. There are several camping sites in between the stretch. The run finishes at the dam beyond Rishikesh.

Besides these routes, there are some other popular stretches for rafting on the Ganga and its tributaries, like low graded Kaliasaur to Srinagar (16km), Srinagar to Bagwan (20km)on the Alakananda river, Multi graded Matli -Dunda (12km), Jnagla -Jhala(20km), Harsil - Uttarkashi(12km) on the Bhagirathi river and High graded Chandrapuri - Rudraprayag (26km) on the Mandakini river.

Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam (GMVN)Trekking and Mountaineering Activities:

The GMVN trekking and mountaineering office offers courses in trekking, rafting and water-skiing in-between the time of April to October. Rafting is Rs 400/- a go. All adventures activities are customized as per the requirement. Kids below 12 years cannot participate. GMVN also offers 14 days certifies course.

There are many private camps organize adventures sports/activities. Some of the best private camps are:

• Camp Panther
• Leopard Beach Tented Camp
• Aquaterra Adventures
• Himalayan River Runners
• Outdoor Adventures

Note: Rafting is not without risk. Follow instructions of the guide. His expertise and your cooperation are imperative for your safety. Persons suffering from weak heart condition, epilepsy and expectant mother are not permitted to go rafting.