The 9km rafting stretch is the Brahmpuri one, which starts at Brahmpuri and ends at Rishikesh.
The first rafting trip is at 8:00am, the second one at 11:00am, third one at 1:30pm and the last rafting trip will be at 3:00pm.
Location & How to Reach:
There are 3 ways to reach Rishikesh, by road, by train or by air, let’s take a look at each of them:
By Road: You can reach your destination by taking a road from Delhi which is 229km, from Haridwar which is 20km or by Mussoorie which is 72km, the roads are well connected as Rishikesh is a big tourist destination.
By Train: The closest railway station to Rishikesh is Haridwar Railway Station, after you reach it then you can take a cab to the main city.
By Air: The Jolly Grant Airport which is located in Dehradun is the nearest airport to Rishikesh.
Best Time:
- Rafting season is available during the entire year except monsoon season, where it will be closed from 1st July - 15th September, peak season being in March.
- Best time for 9KMs rafting with grade 2 rapids is mid-September and the end of June.
Rapids in Rafting:
The rapids located in the river rafting in Rishikesh is split into 5 different grades, each of them ranging from easy to difficult, let’s take a look at the grades in more detail:
Grade 1: The easiest rapids, going through the plains and involving a less flow speed. You won’t have to manoeuver a lot and the water is shallow so it is ideal for non-swimmers.
Grade 2: This is fine for novice people, a little tougher passing through rocky trails and uneven terrain. One must have prior rafting experience to undertake this.
Grade 3: Now these rapids will be more strenuous, tiring and high in speed. The river will take a downwards flow and pass through rugged rocks, you must be a skilled rafter to choose this grade.
Grade 4: If you are an experience rafter then you can undertake this grade, you will be travelling downhill at high speeds, endurance is a must! Make sure you can manoeuver your way through rocky patches safely.
Grade 5: The most difficult yet thrilling grade of them all, for expert rafters only! This passes through heavy rocky patches and includes sudden drops, you must have endurance and a sharp reaction time. The river at this point is also deep and requires you to be a strong swimmer, you will also encounter whirlpools!
Can Non-Swimmers Or Minors Enjoy River Rafting?
- Absolutely! As far as age group goes, any age group is fit for river rafter, all you need is a fair amount of strength in your upper arms and shoulders to be able to row successfully. If you aren’t a swimmer then that is completely fine too, high-quality life jackets will be provided to you for the activity.
Safety Measures:
- Abide by the rules and regulations for your own safety.
- Before indulging in this activity it is recommended to get a health check-up, fitness is highly important.
- Don’t intake any alcohol or other intoxicated substances before the rafting trip.
- Paddle as a team and never individually.
- Listen and remember all the guidelines and instructions given to you by the tour guides.
- Equipping yourself with a life-jacket is a must, if any mishap might happen then don’t panic and just follow your guide’s instructions.
- As tempting as it in, avoiding plunging into the water as it may lead to disorientation.
- Casual sandals are a big no, you must wear sports shoes or even river sandals will do.
