All activities / Whitewater Kayaking / Rafting / Rishikesh
Whitewater Kayaking / Rafting in RishikeshIN
A pilgrimage town on the Ganges where the river leaves the Himalayan foothills, equally famous as the yoga capital of the world and the hub of Indian whitewater. Ashrams, suspension bridges, and rafting camps share the same stretch of holy river.
Why here
Rafting the Ganges is not like rafting any other river, because the water itself means something: you are paddling Class III+ rapids on the most sacred river in India, past ashrams and evening aarti ceremonies, with pilgrims bathing at the ghats where your run ends. The whitewater is legitimate on its own terms, a string of named rapids like Roller Coaster and Golf Course on the Shivpuri stretch, warm enough for voluntary swims in the calm sections. What sets it apart is the combination: no other destination lets you raft in the morning and sit an ashram yoga class in the afternoon, which is why Rishikesh works as well for a first-time rafter tacked onto a yoga trip as for a paddler building a full Himalayan river itinerary.
Best months
The season runs roughly September through June, with the river closed during the July-August monsoon when the Ganges runs too high and dirty to raft. October to early December and February to April are the sweet spots: reliable flows, comfortable air temperatures, and clear skies. May and June are hot but raftable, with the cold snowmelt water becoming a feature rather than a problem.
Getting there & around
Fly into Dehradun (DED), about an hour from Rishikesh, or take the train or a five-to-six-hour drive from Delhi. Rafting trips put in at Shivpuri, Marine Drive, or Kaudiyala upstream and finish in Rishikesh itself, with operators handling all transport. Trips run daily in season and walk-up booking is normal, though weekends fill with domestic tourists from Delhi; weekdays are noticeably quieter on the river.
Skill levels: beginner, intermediate, advanced
Schools & guides (2)
Red Chilli Adventure
OutfitterA long-running Rishikesh operator offering the full range of Ganges runs, from the beginner-friendly Shivpuri stretch to longer full-day trips from Kaudiyala. Also runs kayaking, trekking, and multi-day river expeditions for travelers who want more than a single rafting morning.
White World Expeditions
OutfitterRuns Ganges rafting with IRF-certified guides drawing on more than two decades of collective river experience, alongside kayaking clinics, camping, and Himalayan treks. A good match for travelers who want internationally credentialed guiding on an Indian river.