Rishikesh River Rafting
Rishikesh River Rafting is an outdoor trail and travel route in Uttarakhand. With a typical duration of 3D/2N and rated Moderate, you can view the full itinerary below and send an enquiry or use Notify me for upcoming updates.
Rishikesh River Rafting
Rishikesh, on the banks of the Ganga in Uttarakhand, is one of India's most established whitewater rafting destinations, and this 3-day, 2-night trip is built around exactly that. Depending on river conditions, rafting is done on stretches such as Shivpuri to Rishikesh or the longer Marine Drive to Rishikesh route, both of which offer a mix of Grade II-IV rapids with names like Roller Coaster, Golf Course and Three Blind Mice, along with calmer sections for swimming and cliff-jumping stops. Between rafting sessions, the trip includes a night of riverside camping in tents right on the Ganga's banks, complete with a bonfire. Beyond the river, the itinerary weaves in the essential Rishikesh experience: a walk across the iconic Laxman Jhula suspension bridge, time at Triveni Ghat for the evening Ganga aarti, and a short local hike or nature walk depending on the day's schedule. This is a proper multi-day getaway rather than a single-day dash, with two nights of stay, all meals during camping, and enough breathing room to actually soak in Rishikesh's mix of adventure sport and spiritual atmosphere, rather than just rafting and driving straight back.
Highlights
- Whitewater rafting on the Ganga covering Grade II-IV rapids (Shivpuri to Rishikesh or Marine Drive to Rishikesh, subject to river levels)
- One night of riverside camping in tents with a bonfire on the Ganga's banks
- Evening Ganga aarti experience at Triveni Ghat
- Walk across the Laxman Jhula suspension bridge and time in Rishikesh town
- Cliff-jumping and swim breaks built into the rafting route (optional, weather and level permitting)
Who is this for?
Suited to travelers comfortable with 2 nights away from home comforts including one night of riverside camping; participants should be reasonably fit swimmers, generally aged 12 to 55, as some stretches involve Grade III-IV rapids.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 - Morning
Arrival at Dehradun/Haridwar
Day 1 - Afternoon
Check-in & Local Exploration
Day 1 - Evening
Triveni Ghat Ganga Aarti
Day 2 - Morning
Rafting Safety Briefing & Transfer to Put-in Point
Day 2 - Midday
Whitewater Rafting Session
Day 2 - Afternoon
Riverside Camp Check-in
Day 2 - Evening
Bonfire & Camp Dinner
Day 3 - Morning
Breakfast & Optional Nature Walk
Day 3 - Midday
Checkout & Return Transfer
What's Included & Excluded
Inclusions
- 2 nights' accommodation (1 night camp/stay in Rishikesh + 1 night riverside camping)
- Whitewater rafting session with certified guides, life jackets and helmets
- All meals during the camping stretch (dinner, breakfast) and specified meals per itinerary
- Bonfire arrangement at the riverside camp
- Road transfers between Dehradun/Haridwar and Rishikesh, and to/from the rafting put-in point
- Permits and forest/rafting entry fees where applicable
Exclusions
- Flights or train tickets to/from Dehradun or Haridwar
- Personal expenses, tips and gratuities
- Any meals, activities or optional add-ons (bungee jumping, additional rafting stretches, etc.) not mentioned in inclusions
Pick-up & Drop
Standard pick-up points along the route:
- Assembly Point: Dehradun (Jolly Grant) Airport
- Assembly Point: Haridwar Railway Station
- Assembly Point: Rishikesh Bus Stand (for those arriving independently by road)
You'll be dropped back at Dehradun airport or Haridwar railway station on Day 3 by early afternoon; plan onward flights/trains accordingly with a comfortable buffer.
Things To Carry
- Quick-dry clothes and a spare full change of clothes
- Water shoes or sports sandals with a back strap
- A light jacket or fleece for cool camp evenings
- Personal toiletries and a quick-dry towel
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and a cap
- A basic torch/flashlight for the camp at night
- Government photo ID (original, mandatory)
- A dry bag or ziplock pouches for phone, wallet and camera
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this trip only about rafting or is there more to it?
Rafting is the centerpiece, but the trip also includes riverside camping, a Ganga aarti evening at Triveni Ghat, a walk across Laxman Jhula, and time in Rishikesh town, making it a fuller 3-day experience rather than a single activity.
How do I reach the starting point of the trip?
This is not a Mumbai-departure trip. You'll need to book your own flight to Dehradun or train to Haridwar; the trip's road transfers, camping and rafting begin once you're received at the Dehradun airport or Haridwar railway station.
What does Grade IV mean and is it too intense for beginners?
Grade IV rapids are more powerful with bigger waves and require more active paddling, but the exact stretch rafted (and its grading) depends on the day's water release and river levels; guides adjust the route to match the group's comfort and experience level.
Cancellation & Policy Reference
Note: We are not currently accepting online bookings. These policy terms apply when scheduled departures and online bookings resume. Read the full documents here — Booking Policy · Cancellation & Refund.
Summary
- Cancellation 15+ days before event: 90% refund (10% admin fee deducted).
- 7–14 days before event: 50% refund (or 100% credit voucher valid 12 months).
- 3–7 days before event: 25% refund (or 75% credit voucher).
- 0–2 days before event / No-show: No refund.
- One free date-shift if requested at least 7 days before the event (subsequent shifts: ₹250/person admin fee).
- No refund on no-show, weather-related cancellations from customer end, or missing valid photo ID at base.
Event-specific Policy
A valid original government photo ID is mandatory for every participant at the time of check-in. Alcohol consumption before or during rafting is strictly prohibited. Given that this itinerary depends on Ganga water levels, weather and administrative permissions on the day, the specific rafting stretch, camping location or schedule may be altered, and the organizer's decision on any such change is final.