Imagine yourself paddling your way through a river and drifting through fast rapids as pristine landscapes pass by! Sounds like a dreamy adventure, right? Well, river rafting is indeed a marvellous adventurous sport and you can experience the best of river rafting in Rishikesh, the ‘Rafting Capital of India’. The turquoise waters of the Ganga here offer a taste of thunderous rapids that delights every thrill seeker.
Sure, there are countless things to do in Rishikesh, but river rafting rightfully takes the lead. In fact, for most tourists, the city is synonymous with river rafting. So, if a quintessential river rafting experience has been on your bucket list, you must book your flight to Dehradun and then head to Rishikesh right away.
And to assist you in planning a perfect river rafting trip, we are here with a quick travel guide to Rishikesh river rafting! Without any more delay, let’s get started!
Whether an amateur or an experienced river rafter, everybody will find a match with Rishikesh, thanks to the different grades of rapids available here. That means you can choose a grade according to your abilities.
Of course, this is the easiest of them all! So, if you are looking for levels with little or no difficulties, make sure to do your Rishikesh river rafting booking at one of these grade l rapids.
•Black Money
•Sweet Sixteen
•Good Morning
•Body Surfing
Talking about the next grade! This is where you will experience a few rough rapids (not more than 3 ft in height). So, you may require basic paddling skills. The best rapids in this grade are below.
•Club House
•Double Trouble
•Hilton
•Initiation
•Terminator
•Shivpuri Rapid (grade 2+)
Grade lll indicates quite a number of adventurous rapids. That means you will require a little river rafting skill. And here are the rapids where you can indulge in grade lll river rafting in Rishikesh.
•Three Blind Mice
•Roller coaster
•Return to Sender
•Golf Course
•Cross Fire
The rafting experience gets more thrilling and exciting at grade IV rapids. You will surely love the adrenaline rush of passing through narrow passages and irregular high waves. Head to the following places for this experience.
•The Wall
•Whirlpool
Rafting in grade V rapids is one of the most adventurous water sports in Rishikesh. With robust water flow, challenging waves and large rocks, this route requires expertise in river rafting. So, we recommend you visit the following grade V rapid only if you have a complete mastery of this sport.
•Daniel's Dip
You can experience the best rafting in Rishikesh with these four popular stretches.
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For those who want to try adventure sports in Rishikesh for the first time, this stretch is hands down the best choice. This 9 km expedition is ideal for groups of students, families and even elders. The waves of water gently touch your face and the mild rapids will enthral you to the core. It will take you around 1.5 to 2 hours to complete this journey and it has several grade I and grade II rapids, including Sweet Sixteen, Black Money, Double Trouble and Terminator.
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Get ready for an intriguing, thrilling experience that will leave you mesmerised at this surreal stretch. With grade II and III rapids, this is an excellent option for those who have done rafting before. To put it simply, it is not too difficult, but just the perfect to please the adventure fanatic in you. During this 3.5 hours rafting, you will be able to face rapids like Golf Course, Roller Coaster and Return to Sender. Plus, you can enjoy Rishikesh river side camping at Shivpuri to soak in the picturesque surroundings.
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Next on this list is the favourite choice of adventure seekers, the Marine Drive to Rishikesh stretch. It has 14 rapids (grade I, II and III) which offer a truly amazing encounter of one of the best rafting rivers in the country. These 5 hours of rafting will take you through rapids, like Black Money, Golf Course, Three Blind Mice and Cross Fire. But remember, this route is ideal for those with a little rafting experience.
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First things first, this stretch is only for experienced rafters. Because it makes you test your nerves with some of the most difficult rapids (grade I to IV). You have to pass through high and irregular waves, hard splashes of water and huge rocks to complete this stretch. So, this route requires a lot of skills, strength and experience! But rest assured, with major rapids like The Wall, Whirlpool and Daniel’s Dip, this 9 hours route will quench your thirst for an unforgettable rafting experience.
The summer months from March to June is the peak Rishikesh rafting season. Because the cool splashes of water offer relief from the warm temperature. But if you are a sucker for winter vacations, rafting in December or January can be a great idea as well. Just make sure to carry extra warm clothes!
An important reminder, the monsoon (July to September) is not considered an ideal Rishikesh river rafting season. Because of the obvious concerns about the increased water levels, which can be dangerous for rafters.
Rishikesh sports are meant to be fun and there will be experts to guide you all the time. Still, here are a few things to keep in mind while you let go of the adventure seeker in you.
•Book a rafting expert beforehand for a safe and unforgettable experience.
•Take care of your physical fitness. If you don’t know already, handling the paddles requires a lot of upper body strength! So, it is advised to do some stretches for a slightly easier experience
•Choose the safety gear carefully and avoid oversized life jackets and helmets.
•Dress appropriately according to the weather as during summer the sun can be hard. On the other hand, you might need a few extra layers of clothing during the winters.
•Carry a few water bottles.
•And finally, don’t forget to take a first aid kit with essentials like inhalers, band-aids, antiseptics and mosquito repellents, in case of any emergency.
No matter which grade of rafting you choose or which rafting stretch you go opt for, river rafting in Rishikesh will surely help you create memories to last for a lifetime.
