River Rafting

What it is

Paddle an inflatable raft through Himalayan rapids with a guide steering from the back. In India that means the Ganga at Rishikesh, where graded stretches run from a gentle family float to grade IV rapids.

When to go

Mid-September to June. Rafting is suspended for the monsoon, roughly July to mid-September, when the river runs too high. October to November and March to May are the most comfortable months; the water is cold from December to February.

First time?

No experience and no swimming needed: everyone wears a life jacket and helmet and the guide does the steering. Operators set a minimum age, usually 12 to 14 depending on the stretch, and the easy Brahmapuri section takes younger children.

Where to do it

• Shivpuri to Rishikesh

  16 km, grade II to III, the run most first-timers book

• Brahmapuri to Rishikesh

  9 km of easy water for families and younger children

• Marine Drive and Kaudiyala

  26 to 36 km with the bigger grade III to IV rapids, for a full day