Tucked away in the foothills of the Himalayas, Rishikesh is a small town that is well known for its serene views and of course the thrilling and adrenaline-pumping river rafting experiences. The holy Ganges offer a different aspect of the trill blended with its purity that is just a haven for enthusiasts. With every splash, the Ganges brings you another level of excitement. But before we go any deeper into the Ganges, let’s take a look at a few measures that are essential and will help while you lay out the plan for rafting trips in Rishikesh.   

The typical season for rafting in Rishikesh is post-monsoon but during December and January, the chilled weather makes your experience less fun. So the best time to plan your trip is from September to November and February to June, it’s the time when the weather is pleasant. 

River Rapids:

Rapids are the fast-flowing and turbulent sections of the river. The Ganges run up to a length of nearly 2.5km. consists of rapids that are classified into 5 different categories. The first 3 rapids are the most common and people who are not good swimmers are suitable for the first 3 rapids but not for the last 2. 

Grade I Rapids: These rapids are the easiest to deal with and have mild water currents and a minimal amount of risk associated.  

Grade II Rapids: The grade ll rapids are where the rocks and other obstacles are clearly separated so the rafters can have a clear way.

Grade III Rapids: This grade here now requires professional guidance and is slightly more difficult than the first two. 

Grade IV Rapids: This grade now is known for the thrill that it has to offer and these rapid can be tricky while the waves use all their power to capsize the rafts. 

Grade V Rapids: This is the last of the rapids in Rishikesh and can be quite hazardous. Only the experienced experts can get their way through this without toppling. 

Fortunately, Rishikesh does not have any further rapids that are considered to be extremely tricky and dangerous even for the experienced. 

Rafting Options:

Rishikesh has a variety of options to offer that are suitable for all ages and levels of experience. Let’s see what all options they have-

1. Brahmapuri to Rishikesh 

This stretch is mild in nature and is fitted for those who have issues facing water adventure sports. It takes about one and a half hours to complete this trail and is about 9km. long. The key rapids are body surfing, sweet sixteen, Hilton & terminator, and Double Trouble. It’s the best option for beginners to get an experience of white water rafting without facing a lot of thrills. 

2. Shivpuri to Rishikesh 

This stretch is 16km. from Shivpuri to Rishikesh and has an intermediate level of difficulty that makes is fit for adventurous rafters this takes about 3.5 hours to complete including the rapids ll and lll like a roller coaster, return to sender and golf course. This offers a perfect blend of fun and thrill as it’s not overly challenging and can be enjoyed fairly. 

3. Marine Drive to Rishikesh

Just like the Shivpuri stretch, this is also an intermediate level of difficulty. This offers 14 rapids of the grade III that follow up on each other making it exhilarating. After the rapids, there is a long stretch of relatively calm rafting that allows you give relax and enjoy. The key rapids include the black money, crossfire and three blind mice, this stretch is 24km. long and takes about 4.5 hours to complete. 

4. Kaudiyala to Rishikesh 

This is strictly for the experts and experienced as it offers grueling and demanding adventure. The wall of rapids on this route is one of the most challenging and breathtaking rapids around the globe. This is 34 km. long and takes about 8 hours to complete. This stretch tests your strength and determination and not to forget, your rafting skills. The major rapids here are the wall and Daniel’s dip, which features grade ll, lV and V. 

At last, we can conclude by saying that river rafting is a thrilling and adventurous sport that caters to all levels of rafters. With all the beautiful scenery and the exciting challenges, it no doubt that Rishikesh has become the hub of all adventure seekers. So it doesn’t matter if you are a beginner or an expert, this place is just right for you. It offers you the opportunity to make memories that will stay with for a lifetime.