“Team, forward! was the staccato command and off we went, our paddles pushing deep into the waters of the river Ganga in perfect coordination as if we had been rafting together for a long time. The raft hugged the waters like a newborn clutching at its mother’s bosom, and we were off on one of the most exhilarating adventures that one can experience. We were looking forward to experiencing the thrills and spills of river rafting in Rishikesh in Uttarakhand, India.
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River Rafting In Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India
This was an adventure that had even drawn the likes of Brad Pitt more than a decade ago to Rishikesh. It is said that he flew to India specifically to keep his tryst with the Ganga and indulge in the spectacular sport of white water rafting in Rishikesh. After soaking ourselves with the rich heritage of Rishikesh on our walk to the Beatles Ashram, we now looked forward to a slice of adventure on the river Ganga.
We were six of us in the raft along with our guide and our excitement at the adventure that awaited us just around the bend in the river was palpable. The spectacle of the Ganga flowing serenely from high up in the mountains and painting a breathtaking landscape along its path only added to the dreamlike and surreal nature of our experience.
Prelude To River Rafting In Rishikesh
It was our last day in Rishikesh and fittingly the best had been reserved for the last. We were due to go river rafting at Rishikesh on the river Ganga on the last day of our trip to the town that had earned the sobriquet of “The Adventure Capital of India”, because of the proliferation of adventure sports in Rishikesh.
The day before our adventure it had rained heavily and the sky had assumed a dark and gloomy hue. The night too reverberated with the sounds of thunder and the rain falling down heavily and the noise of the heavens opening up seemed to have thrown a spanner in our plans of rafting in Rishikesh.
The heavens, however, seemed to have heard our silent prayers as the morning dawned bright and clear. White clouds flitted merrily against an azure sky. With hearts skipping merrily in childlike glee we trooped into the bus that would carry us to the starting point of our adventure, a place called Shivpuri, high above Rishikesh on the road that leads to the famous pilgrimage destination of Badrinath. Shivpuri is the hub of all rafting activities in Rishikesh and lies about 16 kilometres from the famous Lakshman Jhula in Rishikesh.
The Start Of The Rishikesh Rafting Adventure
The bus drew to a halt by the side of the road. As we got out, we held our collective breaths, down below flowing in all its divine glory was the Ganga cascading down from the Himalayan ranges on its way to meet the plains at Rishikesh. The sight was like the painting of a maestro on a mammoth canvas. With the familiar feeling of butterflies in our chest, an unmistakable symptom of the onset of the adrenaline rush, we stood before our guide from Red Chilli who was coordinating our adventure of river rafting in Rishikesh.
The Gear For Rafting in Rishikesh
The guide handed over our equipment and explained the utility of each of them. We all had wet suits which would keep us protected from the icy waters of the Ganga, these needed to be worn right against the skin and not over shorts or tees. A splash top over the wet suit ensured protection against chilly winds and the splashing waters of the river as we hit the rapids.
A PFD or Personal Floatation Device over the splash top completed the ensemble, the PFD was vital and came with adjustable straps, it would be our lifeline in the water as it would help us stay afloat. The last item that was handed over was our helmets which came in three sizes to suit the sizes of our heads.
A few changing tents were available for us to change into our rafting outfits. Once we were ready each of us got a paddle each for rowing. The guide also showed how to wear the PFD, how to loosen or tighten it. He explained about the paddle and the right way to hold it. We were now all in our full rafting attire and rearing to go.
We followed our guide and descended down a steep incline which was covered with pebbles and stones to reach a gorgeous looking beach. As we stood in front of the flowing river Ganga, we were stunned by the sheer beauty of the sight in front of us.
The river seemed to be running gleefully towards us on its way to Rishikesh, the colour of its waters a bewitching aquamarine reflecting the blue skies merged harmoniously with the lush greenery of the vegetation on its banks. The Ganga which is an integral part of our culture and occupies pride of place in all our rites and rituals seemed to have unveiled its purest form at this place called Shivpuri, the waters seemed like nectar flowing down from the heavens.
We Are Off On Our 16 Kilometer Rafting Adventure
We stood on the spotless beach in front of our rafts. It was time for another quick briefing. Our guide explained various commands that we would need to know and follow on the course. He also demonstrated how to use the paddle and how to row forward and backwards.
After a few practice movements, we heard the magical words, “Team Forward”, and off we went along with water current of the Ganga towards our destination which was Lakshman Jhula, some 16 kilometres away. These 16 kilometres would prove to be one of the best experiences of our lives. Our group was in two rafts and six of us were in the leading raft. A safety kayaker led the way, he would be with us throughout our river sojourn available for any contingencies.
The river Ganga who we Indians look up to as a Mother displays her different moods along the course from Shivpuri to Lakshman Jhula.
To start off with she was tranquil and soothing like a lullaby, a sense of warmth and security, the kind you experience in your mother’s lap lulled us into a feeling of serene calm. But the moment was, of course, pregnant with anticipation as we rowed forward.
The Rapids Of Rishikesh
As we feasted our eyes on the heavenly vista that enveloped us in its embrace and lived each second as if it was a lifetime, our guide announced: “We are now near our first rapid and the rapid is named Shivpuri!,” an electric current seemed to have passed through all the occupants of the raft as we all tightened our grips on our paddles and started rowing forward with renewed vigour.
In the distance, we could see the water turning into a frothy white as the rapid approached.
“Are you ready, my team”? came the voice of the guide over the sound of the roar of the Ganga. “Let’s go forward, come on everybody!”, urged the guide. We worked our paddles like mad as the white water came hurtling towards us in a frenzy.
The raft bobbed like a loquacious man’s Adam’s apple. Our paddles struck air instead of water as the force of the water current lifted it up, but we kept working on our paddles, egged on by the guide’s shouts of encouragement. It was then that a big white wave of water hit us in the front, and splashed all of us, we, however, all managed to hold on to the raft and kept rowing in spite of being dazed for a second.
The Shivpuri rapid was just a taste of things to come, we understood from our guide. The rapids are classified based on the level of their currents and danger quotient from Class I to Class VI. The course that we were taking from Shivpuri to Rishikesh has small and big rapids classified as class III and class III+. Some of the thrilling rapids that we would be negotiating included quirkily named ones like Roller Coaster, Golf Course, Club House, etc..
The changing moods of the Ganga, now soothing, now chiding, and now ferocious in anger came into full play during our rafting in Rishikesh.
Periods of tranquillity alternated with spectacular turbulence as we negotiated one rapid after another, and celebrated with a high five with our paddles flush with the excitement of adventure.
The twists and turns the Ganga took ensured that we were alert all the time, sometimes we came up bang in front of a rock face as soon as we emerged from a rapid and had to take a sharp turn in keeping with the flow of the water.
Time literally flew with the force of the current of the Ganga as we held on to our paddles hypnotized by the magical beauty of the river in full and untethered flow. The river was an expression of the freedom after which everyone thirsts and yearns for. The call of the river was irresistible and our raft hugged the Ganga and never let it go in spite of the river trying to shake it off.
The Leap Of Faith
We sat in the raft with paddles on our knees, allowing the raft to float with the current of the river. We had hit a tranquil portion of the river and relaxed admiring the mesmerizing beauty of the river and the landscapes that it had crafted along its banks.
“Would anyone of you like to take a dip in the Ganga”? was the question from our guide which was met by a collective roar of approval.
I looked down at the crystal clear water that flowed beneath me and with a silent prayer to Mother Ganga, I took my leap of faith into her arms. As I floated on my back, enveloped on all sides by the river water, I was overcome with an unfamiliar feeling of calm and bliss. The world and its mundane matters receded far away as I floated on the Ganga. The azure sky above, the aquamarine water all around me and the lush greenery on the banks was all I could feel and experience.
As I floated away from the raft, borne by the current of the river, I felt strangely secure and protected. The feeling of a child in its mother’s lap or going even further, maybe the feeling of an unborn baby in its mother’s womb, floating in amniotic fluid. The feeling of bliss bordered on the spiritual and blurred the boundaries of adventure and spirituality.
The moments spent in the embrace of the Ganga would stay etched in my psyche forever. But time and tide literally wait for none and so it was soon time to be hauled back into the raft. I reluctantly left the lap of Mother Ganga to resume our tryst with rafting in Rishikesh.
The End Of An Unforgettable Adventure In Rishikesh
It took us roughly about 120 minutes to complete the 16 kilometres journey of the river Ganga. But those 120 minutes were some of the best moments of our life. We soon came in sight of the beach at Rishikesh where we would dock our rafts, but not before enjoying the thrills of more than 7 rapids on the Shivpuri to Lakshman Jhula river rafting trail.
We got out from our rafts feeling like champions who had accomplished a mission, and why not, most of us were first-time rafters and we had negotiated the course which is described as difficult and requiring precise manoeuvring.
None of us had fallen into the water involuntarily, which speaks volumes of our teamwork, the skills, and experience of the guide, as well as the safety standards followed by the adventure company, Red Chilli Adventure, with whom we had undertaken the rafting in Rishikesh.
As I write these lines about our river rafting experience in Rishikesh, I have a nagging feeling that all my words are not doing justice to the magnificence of the experience. My words seem inadequate and infinitesimal compared to the spectacular experience. No words can bound the river Ganga and the experience that it promises in Rishikesh.
Even though we have experienced the Ganga in places like Gangotri, Kashi, Prayagraj, Haridwar, and Rishikesh, the avatar of the river, high above Rishikesh near Shivpuri is a totally different experience. Dear readers, river rafting can be done in many places in the world, but the experience that rafting in Rishikesh provides is many notches above the ordinary and transcends the frontiers of imagination.
To feel the excitement of the white water river rafting experience in Rishikesh, do watch this video:
Do go to Rishikesh and experience the surge of the Ganga, at least once in your lifetimes.
How To Get To Rishikesh
- Rishikesh is located in Uttarakhand, a northern state of India
- Rishikesh is about 241 kilometres from Delhi
- The nearest airport to Rishikesh is the Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun at a distance of about 21 kilometres
- The nearest railway station to Rishikesh is Haridwar at a distance of about 22 kilometres
If you are looking to enjoy the river rafting experience in Rishikesh, you can book a cheap flight through TripAdvisor or Agoda or CheapAir or Cleartrip or Makemytrip or Priceline right here. if you are thinking of a road trip to Rishikesh from Delhi or anywhere in India check out the rental car and bus options.
Rishikesh Map
Rishikesh river raft map
All You Need To Know About River Rafting In Rishikesh – An FAQ
We are sure dear readers, that by now you are eager to experience river rafting in Rishikesh and indulge in the love of the Ganga. We are sure that there are many questions bursting in your minds causing as much turbulence as the rapids of the Ganga. We are happy to share some important tips and information in the form of an FAQ that we hope will be a handy guide for rafting in Rishikesh and help you curate your own Ganga experience in Rishikesh, Uttarakhand.
How do I get to Rishikesh?
Rishikesh is located in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand and is just about 31 kilometres from Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun which is well connected with major cities of India. One can also get to Rishikesh by road or rail from Delhi which is about 251 kilometres away.
Book cheap flights here to reach Rishikesh via Dehradun airport.
Where does the rafting in Rishikesh take place?
A place called Shivpuri, high above Rishikesh on the road that leads to Badrinath is the hub of rafting and other water sports in Rishikesh. It is located about 16 kilometres from Rishikesh.
What are the different Rishikesh rafting packages available?
There are different rafting packages in Rishikesh to suit your budget and other requirements. These include a package with moderate difficulty which covers a distance of about 9 kilometres in about an hour. There is a package that is labelled as difficult and requiring precise manoeuvring which covers about 16 kilometres in about two and a half hours, this was the one that we experienced.
Then there is also a 26 kilometres package that lasts for about three and a half hours. Our guide informed us that there were also 5-day packages that included camping where you start from high in the mountains and move with the Ganga as it races towards the plains. But it was heartening to note that in beaches like Shivpuri and others, in a bid to ensure responsible tourism and sustainable tourism, overnight camping is not allowed to ensure the fragile balance of the environment is not upset.
What is the rafting price in Rishikesh?
Rafting packages in Rishikesh are priced based on their length and difficulty levels and could also vary with the adventure tour operator, but they are quite reasonable and could cost between INR 800 to INR 1500 depending on the package. For the exact Rishikesh rafting price, do check with the adventure tour operators at the time of your tour.
How safe is rafting in Rishikesh?
Rafting in Rishikesh is absolutely safe. When we were on the river with our guide, never once did we feel unsafe, not even when we were swept off our feet when a huge wave of water hit us or when we leapt into the gushing waters of the Ganga. Our safety equipment was perfect and we also had a safety Kayaker hovering nearby.
It is to be noted that Uttarakhand Tourism has ensured prescribed safety standards are followed by the adventure tour operators as per the guidelines formulated by ATOAI, which is the Indian arm of PATA. Even children can go rafting in Rishikesh in the smaller and moderate courses. Even if you do not swim, you can still enjoy the pleasures of rafting on the Ganga safely.
How can I do my Rishikesh rafting booking and who organizes it?
There are many adventure tour operators who provide complete rafting packages. We would highly recommend Red Chilli Adventure as they are thorough professionals and ensure all safety norms are followed.
What is the best time to visit Rishikesh and when is the rafting season in Rishikesh?
Rishikesh as a destination can be visited throughout the year as there are many attractions in and around it. However, if you are specifically interested to head to Rishikesh for rafting, then be aware that for about 3 months during the monsoons rafting in Rishikesh is closed, this is usually between mid of June to September. Do check on this before heading to Rishikesh.
What about Rishikesh sightseeing and places to visit near Rishikesh?
Rishikesh in Uttarakhand is a gateway to the Himalayan ranges. It is one of the glittering gems of the state which is blessed with pristine places all along its Garhwal and Kumaon regions. Rishikesh is the place where the river Ganga touches the plains flowing down from the lofty ranges of the Himalayas. Rishikesh has many attractions apart from adventure sports like rafting, Kayaking, trekking, and others.
The various ancient Ashrams that line the river at Rishikesh including the Beatles Ashram, the suspension bridges Lakshman Jhula and Ram Jhula, the surreal experience of Ganga Aarti, the spirituality of Haridwar, are some of the experiences and sights not to miss when in Rishikesh. Any Rishikesh tour package will ensure you cover the important places, but we would advise you do it slowly, exploring on your own, for Rishikesh and the Ganga are to be experienced, not to be seen.
Where To Stay In Rishikesh
When it comes to Rishikesh hotels, there are numerous options that suit all types of budget.
For your Rishikesh accommodation If you are looking for the best hotels in Rishikesh to book, you can do that right here. You can book your hotel in Rishikesh through TripAdvisor or Cleartrip or Agoda or Makemytrip or Priceline conveniently right here!
| Click to book the best hotels in Rishikesh, Uttarakhand or best hotels in Uttarakhand |
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Tourism in and around Rishikesh
Apart from river rafting in Rishikesh, there is much more to see and experience in Rishikesh and the vicinity. Here is a list of attractions in and around Rishikesh.
- Beatles Ashram
- Lakshman Jhula
- Ram Jhula
- Paramarth Niketan Ashram
- Gita Bhavan
- Triveni Ghat
- Sivananda Ashram
So, after having fun river rafting in Rishikesh you can also avail of package tours that will cover other must-visit places near Rishikesh, including Haridwar and other places of Uttarakhand. You can plan your trip and book online places to visit in Uttarakhand.
| Click here to know more and book Best Attractions in Rishikesh and Uttarakhand |
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So to our dear readers, “are you ready”? “Go forward”, the Ganga in Rishikesh eagerly awaits to engulf you with her embrace.
We were hosted by the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board. However, the views and opinions expressed here are our own.
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My college would take all of us to Rishikesh for rafting every year. Unfortunately I am not a water person at all, so I always skipped! Your post reminded me of all the rafting stories my friends would share.
Very nice blog . I got all information I required to plan the rafting at Rishikesh. The description during the plunge was described beautifully. I can almost feel the mother Ganges holding the rafting group with love . Cheers .
What a detailed article! Brings back so many memories of my trips to Rishikesh. Have always enjoyed rafting there.
River rafting in Rishikesh is the best. Got an amazing opportunity to experience it, all I can say is awesome it was. I loved the way you have described the plunge
I love to do river rafting. Your post is really going to help me as I have planned a vacation too Rishikesh with my friends. Thanks for writing such a detailed post and explaining each point.
River Rafting is one of the best adventures that Rishikesh has to offer. We did the longest rafting there and it was a mind-blowing experience.
Wow, this is something which should be experieneced by everyone. Such a surreal stunning activity. Loved reading your post! What a fun trip!
Oh my God I literally got Goosebumps while reading your adventurous trip in Rishikesh and literally are giving me travel goals.
Will definitely going to keep all the details in mind while going to Rishikesh.
Rishikesh is a beautiful place to visit. There so many activities to do and one can even enjoy the nature also. I love adventurous activities and river rafting looking amazing. I’m definitely going to try next time
Rishikesh is a beautiful place. I would surely try river rafting once I visit the place. Thank you so much for sharing all details and your experience here.
That is an amazing and detailed article! Rishikesh is a beautiful place and a heaven for people who love river rafting! This post is definitely going to be a great guide!
I have done that and it’s so much fun on those rapids.. For a while you tend to forget everything..
I have heard a lot about to eat rafting in Rishikesh. The pictures looks great and the description is perfect. Thanks for the trip details. Will plan soon.
I have been to Rishikesh for a good number of times, but when it comes to Rafting it still is something pending in my bucket list. Thank you so much for sharing this amazing blog, I am definitely bookmarking this, it was damn insightful and helpful too 🙌
Rishikesh is such a beautiful place. And having river rafting in there is definitely one of the best activity to perform. I have previously also done river rafting. And I love such a fun activity with my family and friends. Thanks for sharing such experiences.
My husband goes for river rafting in rishikesh every year. He always pushes me to do it too but I am hesitant. After reading your post you got me really excited.
Rafting in RIshikesh is an exhilarating experience for me. Incidentally you guys also did it with Red CHili company. I also did it with them and simply loved the way they conduct the whole process.
Wow I so much want to do this River rafting and now this place is in my wishlist …Thanks for sharing
River rafting is indeed aadventurous and i so want to do this. I will surely plan my holiday at rishikesh soon to experience the thrill. Thanks for the amazing post
You draft the blog so nicely. You given each and every info that needed to enjoy river rafting at rishikesh. very good. I saved it.