Adventure sports are a relatively new trend in India; however, it is a fast-growing trend, especially among youth. River rafting piqued the interest of adventure sports lovers, tourists, and backpackers.
Many of you may be unaware that India is also recognized as one of the best river rafting locations in the world. India has a wide range of river rafting destinations with so many wealthy rivers, including Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Ladakh, Coorg, Sikkim, and others.
Rishikesh is India’s most famous river rafting destination, which draws hundreds of tourists looking for adventure each year. Rishikesh, located in Uttarakhand’s Dehradun district, is one of the rare sites where both spiritual seekers and thrill-seekers congregate from around the world. Holy river the Ganges has several challenging rapids for thrill addicts who like the excitement of experiencing splashing waves.
My first river rafting experience in Rishikesh..
Last March, I went river rafting in Rishikesh for the first time. Although it wasn’t on my schedule, I wanted to go river rafting in Rishikesh. I was on a morning walk when I came across a rafting office near Tapovan. When I enquired about rafting, the manager told me the next group was departing for Shivpuri in an hour. So I made up my mind and made the booking for the next slot of the 16km stretch.
I arrived at the rafting office at 9 a.m. after strolling around near Laxman Jhula for a while. We were then taken to Shivpuri by car from there. When we got there, rafting equipment, including peddles, life jackets, and helmets, were given to us. All of this equipment’s uses were described by our leader, who also provided some guidelines for rafting.
Finally, our wait was over; we sat in the boat, fully equipped. I was so excited, and this rafting would thrill me indefinitely. In the clear, tranquil water of the River Ganges, we started using our paddles to row our raft. With each paddle I rowed, I was filled with immense excitement and everlasting joy. We were racing with other rafts, cheering and shouting ‘Ganga Maiya ki Jay.’
We arrived at our first rapid; our leader told us not to be afraid and to keep paddling forward. The rapids gave the most amazing experience of the entire rafting journey. I also jumped outside the raft when the water wasn’t too deep during the trip. The water was quite cold, and it was a very relaxing experience. It works like meditation when rafting, l forget about all the hustle-bustle of daily life. I was just admiring nature’s beauty and witnessing water’s power at various rapid levels. There was a Maggie Point along the way where we halted and relaxed for about half an hour. I had Maggi chai and other snacks while having some good conversations with other tourists. People were diving into the water from a cliff that was nearby Maggi point. I couldn’t jump, though.
After refueling, we set off on our return trip and entered the water. Our river rafting adventure ended after 3 hours, and we lifted a boat together and came ashore. We returned to the rafting office after collecting trip photographs and videos from our instructor. I believe it to be a lifetime experience, and I wish to go river rafting again and again.
Best time for River Rafting in Rishikesh
Rishikesh’s climate is pleasant all year. If you want to go rafting in Rishikesh, the best time to visit Rishikesh for rafting is after the monsoons(mid-September) till early summer(May). However, the cold temperatures in December and January make rafting a bit tough to enjoy. During the monsoon season, rafting is prohibited because the water level increases and becomes dangerous for rafting.
The best month for river rafting in Rishikesh: are October – November, and February – March
Best time of the day for Rafting in Rishikesh
River rafting begins at about 9 am and lasts until 5 pm. Morning rafting trips can be cooler, but the weather is clearer, and the river is less crowded than afternoon trips.
Try to go rafting in the morning before 11 am.
Rishikesh river rafting cost/ price
There are many packages available, with prices ranging from Rs. 600(For 9 km River Rafting – Brahmapuri to Lakshman Jhula stretch) to Rs. 2500 per person depending on the length and duration of the rafting stretch. However, pricing may differ throughout the low and high tourist seasons.
Why should you go for rafting in Rishikesh?
Recent years have seen a rise in the number of kayaking and rafting enthusiasts visiting Rishikesh from all over the world. Rishikesh is a great spot for rafting since it is blessed with the sacred water of the holiest river Ganga and is located at the foothills of the majestic Himalayas. The water of the sacred river in Rishikesh is pure, clean, and free of pollution.
While rafting along the rapids of the Ganga, temples, ashrams, and Yoga centers can be seen. The Rishikesh river rafting provides spectacular scenery and the thrill of an incredible adventure.
In Rishikesh, the river rapids range in difficulty from one to five. As a result, it is an excellent place to start rafting and gain experience for newbies and also for professionals to go further into the thrill and joy of defeating natural forces.
You will meet a group of like-minded people while rafting, get to know them, and make new friends. It improves your teamwork skills, attitude, fighting spirit, and enthusiasm.
How difficult is river rafting in Rishikesh?
You can select rafting routes based on your difficulty level! Grade I is the easiest, Grade II and III are moderate, and Grade IV is exceedingly difficult.
Is rafting safe for non-swimmers?
Yes! You can go whitewater rafting at Rishikesh even if you don’t know swimming. You’ll be wearing a helmet and a life jacket, so don’t panic if you fall into the water; you will not drown. The raft is equipped with a rope to get back into the boat.
Is it necessary to pedal when rafting?
Rafting is a team sport; pedaling is essential to experience the thrills at high speeds. However, there are 1-2 non-paddling positions in every rafting, which you may discuss and select due to reason.
How long is river rafting in Rishikesh?
Many lengths are available, including 9km, 16km, 26km, 35km, and 75km. The shortest distance of 9km takes about 2 hours.
Is there an age limit for river rafting in Rishikesh?
The best age for rafting actually depends on the difficulty of the rapids. Rafting can be enjoyed by people of all ages, from 14 to 65.
What is the weight limit for river rafting in Rishikesh ?
Due to safety precautions, underweight and overweight people are not allowed to go rafting. For rafting, the minimum weight limit is 45 kg, while the maximum weight limit is 100 kg.
does rafting in rishikesh need advance booking?
No, it’s not necessary to book river rafting in advance, and you can head straight to the rafting office and enquire about the next available session. However, it is best to book your rafting trip in advance during peak season.
Can we take photos and vlog while rafting?
Yes, you can do photography or vlogging with the go pro (water-resistant camera) while rafting by mounting it on your helmet or any other spot under the guidance of an instructor.
How many people in a group can go rafting?
Rafting can be done with a minimum 2 people and a maximum 8 people in a group
Some safety tips and suggestions for river rafting:
- Always follow the instructions of your rafting guide.
- Carefully check for flaws in your paddles, helmet, and life jackets.
- Avoid going rafting after drinking.
- Avoid a heavy lunch before rafting; instead, take a little snack.
Have a Happy and Safe Rafting!!
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