Rafting in Rishikesh: A Weekend Getaway Near Delhi (Rapids Nearly Threw Me Off the Raft, Literally)

They say, “Work hard, play harder.” Well, I was working so hard I realized I wasn’t playing at all—I was just 'the ass' in the “work like an ass” proverb. My life had become a GPS with only two destinations: Home ↔ Office. Yawn.

So, my colleagues and I decided we needed a kickass weekend adventure. After weighing a hundred options (and listening to 200 opinions), we settled on the obvious choice—Rishikesh, the holy land of Lord Shiva, yoga retreats, and, most importantly, adrenaline-pumping river rafting on the Ganges.

👉 Pro tip: March to October is the best time for rafting in Rishikesh. Bookmark that, thrill-seekers.

The Journey: From Office Stress to “Oops, Wrong Washroom”

With bags packed and spirits high, we left Delhi at 8 AM. Road trips with colleagues are basically free stand-up shows, thanks to endless gossip and bad jokes. By lunchtime, we stopped at a decent restaurant, where one of our colleagues almost walked into the women’s washroom. He realized his mistake, but not before the rest of us spotted him. Poor guy became the meme of the trip, and we laughed so hard our stomachs were sorer than after gym day.

Crossing Haridwar, I bowed my head for blessings (you need divine insurance before rafting). By 7 PM, we reached our Shivpuri riverside camp, but here’s the twist—you had to cross the Ganga by boat to get there. Our driver refused, saying something about Goddess Sita and how you shouldn’t cross after sunset. We rolled our eyes in amusement and certain disbelief, yet we crossed anyway, and were rewarded with a magical sight: moonlit white-sand beaches, cozy camps, the river flowing by, and friends ready to party.

Dinner, bonfire, dancing, off-key singing—it was a Bollywood camping scene, minus Shah Rukh Khan’s hair flips.

Rafting Day: Signing the “In Case of Mishap” Form

Morning felt like Goa—white sand, volleyball, and questionable sunscreen tans. By 10 AM, it was time for the main event: rafting on the Ganges.

They strapped us into life jackets, gave us a crash course:

• Don’t let go of the oar.
• Hold the side rope if the raft gets crazy.
• Oh, and sign this “If you die, it’s on you” declaration form.

My heartbeat said goodbye to me as I signed the self declaration. But hey, YOLO.

                           

Battling the Rapids: When Water Showed Us Who’s Boss

We hit the river, two rafts strong. Rapids come in grades 1 to 6, with 6 reserved for professionals. As first-timers, we prayed for grade 1 and 2. Life, of course, threw us straight into a grade 4 rapid.

The first wave smacked us like karma catching up. The raft tilted to 75 degrees, three of us slid across like human bowling pins, and for a moment, I thought this was how my story would end. Thankfully, our instructor had the skills of a Ganga ninja and kept us upright.

We survived grade 2s and 3s, then another grade 4—this time we clung like our salaries depended on it. Waves tossed us 10 feet up, and I learned one thing: water is stronger than your gym trainer’s biceps.

We even tried cliff jumping into the Ganga, which felt less like a jump and more like the river trying to suck you down into a secret underwater club. Thank God for life jackets.

Two hours, seven rapids, and countless screams later—we completed the 14 km rafting stretch, exhausted but grinning ear-to-ear.

Back to Shore: Hungry, Happy, and Humbled

At the final point, our car was waiting. Back at camp, lunch was ready (God bless that timing). We stuffed ourselves, sprawled on the sandbanks like shipwreck survivors, and let the afternoon drift by.

By evening, it was time to pack up. We returned to Delhi—tired, tanned, and alive. I swear, I’ve never missed my pillow more. I closed my eyes in the car and woke up only when we hit city chaos. 

Quick Guide: Rafting in Rishikesh

Distance from Delhi: ~236 km (6–7 hours by road).

Nearest airport: Dehradun (~37 km).

Best time to visit: March to October for rafting.

Stay: Riverside camps at Shivpuri are the real deal.

Rafting stretch: 14 km with grade 1–4 rapids (perfect for first-timers).

Foodie tip: Don’t miss local Garhwali cuisine alongside your camp meals.

Final Thoughts

Rishikesh isn’t just rafting—it’s the perfect weekend getaway from Delhi where you can balance spiritual vibes, riverside camping, and crazy adrenaline rushes. Just be ready for a little fear, a lot of laughter, and maybe a colleague becoming a bathroom legend.

Trust me—if work has turned you into “the ass,” a splash in the Ganges will wake you right up.