Rishikesh: Multi-day rafting trip with camping & guide

Summary

Three days on the Ganges: wild water, campfires, and new friends

You’ll paddle through rapids from Devprayag to Rishikesh with an expert local guide, camp under stars on sandy beaches, share riverside meals cooked fresh each day, and swap stories around a fire with new friends — all while discovering what three days on the Ganges can do for your spirit.

What’s the experience like?

It started with chai, actually. Our guide, Sandeep, handed me a steaming cup as we stood by the river in Devprayag — I was still half-awake and already nervous about what “multi-day rafting” really meant. The air smelled faintly of woodsmoke and wet stone, and Sandeep grinned when he saw me eyeing the rafts. “Don’t worry,” he said, “the river teaches you.” I believed him, mostly. We loaded up what felt like way too much gear for three days (tents, dry bags, a suspiciously large sack of potatoes), then pushed off into the current.

The first stretch was gentle enough that I relaxed — until we hit our first rapid and everyone got soaked. There’s this cold shock that wakes you up better than any coffee. By lunch (dal and rice cooked right on the sand), my arms were jelly but I couldn’t stop grinning. At camp that night near Byassghat, we sat around a fire while Sandeep told stories about growing up in Rishikesh — apparently his uncle once rafted this whole stretch solo during monsoon season (I’m not sure if he was joking). The river at night is louder than you’d think; it sort of hums under everything else.

Day two was longer — 25 km to Kaudiyala — and the rapids got wilder. I lost my paddle once (don’t do that), but our guide fished it out before I could panic. There’s something about paddling together with strangers that makes you bond fast; by the end of the day we were teasing each other over who screamed loudest in the big waves. The sand at Kaudiyala felt gritty between my toes as we set up tents again. Dinner tasted like smoke and cumin and maybe a bit of river grit too — but nobody cared.

The last day was a blur: 35 km to Rishikesh, arms aching but somehow stronger than before. Somewhere along the way I stopped worrying about falling out or looking silly in my helmet; it just became about moving forward together. When we finally drifted into Rishikesh, sunburned and exhausted, Sandeep clapped me on the back and said something in Hindi I didn’t catch — but it sounded like welcome home. I still think about that last morning light on the water sometimes… you know?

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Rafting and Camping in Rishikesh

• Raft from Devprayag to Byassghat (12 km)
• Camp by the river

Day 2 — Rafting and Beach Camping

• Raft from Byassghat to Kaudiyala (25 km)
• Beach camping

Day 3 — Final Rafting to Rishikesh

• Raft from Kaudiyala to Rishikesh (35 km)

Top questions

How long is the multi-day rafting trip from Rishikesh?

The trip lasts 3 days and 2 nights on the river between Devprayag and Rishikesh.

Is camping included during the rafting expedition?

Yes, beach camping by the river is included each night along the route.

Are meals provided during the trip?

All meals are included from Day 1 lunch through Day 3 lunch (three meals per day).

What is the minimum age for this rafting trip?

The trip is recommended for travelers aged 14 to 60 years old.

Do I need prior rafting experience?

No prior experience is required but moderate physical fitness is needed.

Is transportation included for this expedition?

Private transportation is included as part of your booking.

When is the best season for rafting in Rishikesh?

The best time for this expedition is October through April.

How many people are needed to run this trip?

A minimum group size of eight people is required to operate this tour.

What’s included

Your three-day adventure includes private transportation to and from Rishikesh, all professional rafting equipment with personal flotation devices, an expert local river guide throughout, sleeping bags and mattresses for camping comfort, plus three fresh meals daily prepared right by the river before returning home sun-kissed and tired in all the good ways.