Raft dropping into a Ganga rapid near Rishikesh
35km Longest run

Adventure in Rishikesh

River Rafting in Rishikesh

Four stretches of the Ganga, from an easy hour on the water at Brahmpuri to a full day from Kaudiyala through twelve rapids. Certified guides and safety kayakers on every raft, and all the gear and transfers handled.

  • Certified river guides
  • Safety kayakers on every trip
  • Gear and transfers included
Starting from ₹500 per person
Call 90275 66266 WhatsApp
  • On the water 1 to 4 hours
  • Rapids Grade I to IV
  • Season Mid-Sep to end June

Overview

The Ganga between Kaudiyala and Rishikesh is where most people in India first sit in a raft, and for good reason: the rapids are big enough to be genuinely exciting and forgiving enough for someone who has never held a paddle.

We run four stretches, all of them ending at Ram Jhula. Every trip starts with a safety briefing and a gear check, a certified guide sits at the back of the raft, and safety kayakers stay with the group the whole way. Paddles, life jackets and helmets are provided, along with a wetsuit and splash jacket through the colder months, and we handle the drive to the start point and back.

Choose your stretch

Every run finishes at Ram Jhula. Marketed distances are the road distances people know these stretches by — the river distance is shorter, and that is what you actually paddle.

Stretch On the water Rapids Grade Price
12 km · Brahmpuri 1 – 1.5 hrs About 5 I, II ₹500
16 km · Shivpuri 1.5 – 2 hrs About 7 III, III+ ₹600
26 km · Marine Drive 2.5 – 3 hrs About 10 III, III+ ₹1,000
35 km · Kaudiyala 3.5 – 4 hrs 12 III+, IV ₹2,000

Prices are per person and may change with the season and availability. Season runs from mid-September to the end of June.

Brahmpuri to Ram Jhula — 12 km

The easiest run on the river, and the one families and first-timers take. Around five small rapids with long, calm floats in between — enough splash to be fun, nothing that needs any experience.

On the water
1 to 1.5 hours
Total trip time
About 2.5 hours
Departures
Daily, morning and afternoon slots
Drive to start
15–20 minutes
Grade
I, II — easiest, family friendly
Rapids
About 5, mostly Grade I and II
Price
₹500 per person

Shivpuri to Ram Jhula — 16 km

The classic short run, and the best introduction to real white water. Around seven rapids with strong waves and plenty of splashes, but nothing that needs experience.

River distance
11–12 km
On the water
1.5 to 2 hours
Total trip time
About 3 hours
Departures
Daily, 9:00 AM and 2:00 PM
Drive to start
20–30 minutes
Grade
III, III+ — beginner friendly
Main rapids
Roller Coaster (III+), Golf Course (III+), Club House (III)
Price
₹600 per person

Marine Drive to Ram Jhula — 26 km

The most balanced of the three: longer river time, near-continuous action and around ten Grade III and III+ rapids. Big waves turn up occasionally, and the crew handles them.

River distance
16–17 km
On the water
2.5 to 3 hours
Total trip time
About 4 hours
Departures
Daily, 9:00 AM
Drive to start
45 minutes to 1 hour
Grade
III, III+ — moderate
Main rapids
Three Blind Mice (III), Cross Fire (III), Roller Coaster (III+), Golf Course (III+), Club House (III)
Season
Mid-September to end of June
Price
₹1,000 per person

In December and January the water runs lower, so this stretch can stretch to 3–4 hours on the river.

Photos

Raft dropping through a Ganga rapid
Paddlers working through white water
Raft on a calm stretch below the hills
Safety kayaker alongside the raft

Kaudiyala to Ram Jhula — 35 km

The long one. Twelve rapids including The Wall, the only Grade IV on the river here — it can flip a raft, which is exactly why guides and safety kayakers run this stretch tight.

River distance
About 28 km
On the water
3.5 to 4 hours
Total trip time
About 6 hours
Departures
Daily, 9:00 AM
Drive to start
About 1 hour, plus 30 minutes of briefing
Grade
III+, IV — moderate to advanced
Main rapids
The Wall (IV), Daniel’s Dip (III+), Three Blind Mice (III+), Cross Fire (III), Roller Coaster (III), Golf Course (III+), Club House (III)
Season
Mid-September to end of June
Price
₹2,000 per person

The full stretch runs only when the river is high enough, and needs a group of at least six. If conditions do not allow it we move you to the 26 km run.

What is included

  • Certified river guide in every raft
  • Safety kayakers with the group throughout
  • Safety briefing before you get on the water
  • Paddle, life jacket and helmet
  • Wetsuit and splash jacket in the colder months
  • Transfers to the start point and back

Good to know

  • Minimum age for rafting is 15 years.
  • You do not need to know how to swim — the life jacket does the work.
  • Wear quick-drying clothes and secure footwear; avoid loose slippers.
  • Carry a change of clothes and a towel for after the run.
  • Leave phones, wallets and valuables at the office — nothing dry stays dry.
  • Carry a valid ID proof; it may be checked before the trip.
  • Inform the team about any relevant medical condition.
  • Trips depend on water level and weather, and may be rescheduled for safety.

Other Popular Activities in Rishikesh

Same team, same day — club two or three together and we plan the timings for you.

Camping in Rishikesh Camping Riverside or forest — a proper campsite for a night off the grid. View activity Bungee Jumping in Rishikesh Bungee Jumping A free fall off an 83 metre platform, straight over the canyon. View activity Paragliding in Rishikesh Paragliding Ride the thermals above the valley with a certified pilot. View activity
Open all days · 8 AM – 8 PM

Pick your stretch

Give us your date and group size and we will tell you which run fits your schedule, then confirm the slot and the reporting point on the call.

Call us now +91 90275 66266 Morning slots fill first, especially on weekends.

Strawbell River Rafting FAQs

The questions we get asked on the phone every day.

With children or a nervous group, take the 12 km run from Brahmpuri — it is the gentlest. For a first proper white water run pick the 16 km from Shivpuri, and the 26 km from Marine Drive is the best all-rounder. Take the 35 km from Kaudiyala only if you want a long day and are comfortable with a Grade IV rapid.

The 12 km run from Brahmpuri is ₹500 per person, the 16 km from Shivpuri ₹600, the 26 km from Marine Drive ₹1,000 and the 35 km from Kaudiyala ₹2,000. Call us on +91 90275 66266 to confirm — rates move with the season and availability.

No. Everyone wears a life jacket and a helmet, and safety kayakers stay with the group the whole way. Your guide covers exactly what to do if you go into the water during the briefing.

Fifteen years. ID proof may be checked before the trip to verify age.

Mid-September to the end of June. The river is closed to rafting through the monsoon months.

Longer than the time on the water, because of the drive. Budget about 2.5 hours for the 12 km run, 3 hours for the 16 km, 4 hours for the 26 km and 6 hours for the 35 km, door to door.

Quick-drying clothes and secure footwear. Carry a change of clothes and a towel, and leave phones, wallets and valuables behind — nothing stays dry on the raft.

It is an adventure activity on a live river and carries inherent risks. Every raft has a certified guide, safety kayakers accompany the group, and all equipment is checked before the trip. Trips are rescheduled rather than run when the water or weather is not right.

Yes — our Shivpuri camp is a short walk from the rafting start point, so a night at the camp with a run the next morning is the most common combination. See the camping page or ask us for a combined price.

+91 90275 66266 Call Now!