Kayaking in Rishikesh is one of the best thrill-seeking activities to enjoy while you are on your Rishikesh tour. A renowned hub of adventures, the small town of Rishikesh is no less than a big packet of surprises for all the thrill lovers. In fact, it is a great spot to launch your kayaks amidst the fluvial tides of the holy waters of the River Ganges.
Rishikesh Kayaking is a popular water sports adventure known for its challenging rapids and excellent river water flow. It highly relies on the adventurer how he assumes his kayaking experience – an easy-going one or a challenging one loaded with fears and anxiety. It absolutely doesn’t matter whether you are a beginner in the field or someone with a decade old experience as long as you are on the right path of selecting the best rapid according to your physical needs. You just need to acquaint yourself with the necessary skills of kayaking – turning strokes, paddling strokes, a primary control and balance on the kayak, and halting wherever essential.
If you want to add some more adventurous flavour to your Rishikesh holidays, you can club your kayaking experience with overnight camping. You can start your day with the visit to the holy shrine of the Rishikesh, and then set your mood right for your kayaking experience. Lastly, you can retire in the night beneath a black blanket studded with numerous twinkling stars and relax with a sumptuous BBQ dinner treat and soft and low music being played in the background.
People Also Ask About Kayaking in Rishikesh
-
What is Kayaking?
Kayaking is defined as an adventure performed with the use of a kayak. It has a different seating posture in comparison to both canoeing and rafting. A kayak is defined as essential equipment which is both low to the water and works like a canoe boat where a paddler sits facing forward, and legs stretched in front of them.
Also, it has got a double-bladed paddle to pull it in either front or back direction on one side and then follow the same in rotation. -
Is Kayaking in Rishikesh worth experiencing?
Yes, kayaking in the holy water of Ganges in Rishikesh is simply one-of-its-kind adventure. It boosts both adventurous and aesthetic spirituality of the participant. The swift water currents send chills down your spine, which makes you feel your adrenaline rush deeply.
With standard equipment, professional and well-experienced kayaking instructors, your kayaking adventure in Rishikesh is undoubtedly going to be a never-ending phenomenon. -
What is unique in Rishikesh?
Rishikesh is a popular tourist and an adventure sport to enjoy with your friends, families, and relatives. In addition to spirituality, Rishikesh boasts a wide array of adventure activities such as camping, rafting, kayaking, bungee jumping, and trekking.
Also, due to its high spiritual aesthetics, the land of Rishikesh is a famous centre for yoga, meditation, astrology, and ayurvedic massage. Besides, Rishikesh is a hub of tourist spots such as Ram Jhula, Lakshman Jhula, Swarg Ashram, Muni ki Reti, Dhalwala, Shisham Jhari, and Pashulok. -
What is the best time to visit Rishikesh?
September to June is the best time to plan your visit to the town of Rishikesh. Throughout this period, the weather conditions of Rishikesh remain conducive for white water rafting and Rishikesh kayaking tours which are the principal tourist attraction of Rishikesh.
-
What is the difference between kayaking and rafting?
Here are some key differences to differentiate Rishikesh kayaking from rafting -
-The rafting boat is an open-end boat while a kayaking boat is covered with an overhead deck.
-Raft boats have single paddles while kayaking boats have double paddles.
-While rafting boats are carved out from buoyant materials, Rishikesh kayaking boats are fully plastic in their origin. -
How do you kayak for beginners?
Here are the best tips for beginners to enjoy their Rishikesh kayaking tour experience in the best possible way –
-Accomplish a kayaking lesson from a professional kayaking trainer.
-You have to dress up for being in the water and not according to the weather conditions.
-Acquaint yourself with the selection of the right boat choice.
-Always put on your buoyancy aid while kayaking.
-Learn how to sit correctly throughout your kayaking experience
-Learn to hold your kayaking paddles in the right way.
-Get yourself acquainted with the basic techniques of rescuing yourselves from all the possible kayaking risks.
-Lastly, if you are at a beginner’s level, it is always better not to kayaking alone. -
Is Whitewater kayaking fun?
Yes, whitewater kayaking is more than a fun-filled adventure to enjoy on your go. Paddling is one of the most critical aspects involved in kayaking that help with strengthening and toning your muscles inside out. You get to experience the different elements and aspects of Mother Nature while quietly paddling down the water currents.
Some of the kayaking adventures are organised across deep jungles, inaccessible canyons, and remote stretches of waters. Last but not least, it is a great way to relax your body, mind and soul to bounce back. -
Is kayaking easy?
Rishikesh Kayaking is an easy activity to perform if you execute it flawlessly. While the beginners might find it a bit difficult, yet under the right coaching attitude, everything is at ease. You can sign up for a tutor or a coaching institute to get thorough with the basics of kayaking.
Also, to ensure that you accomplish your kayaking perfectly, you need to essential kayaking gear and proper clothing. A professional kayaking guide will help you at his best to train you for the activity from scratch. -
Is kayaking safe?
Kayaking cannot be called a completely safe water sport. Here are some of the common risks associated with kayaking-
-Incorrect use of the PFD
-Excessive exposure to sun rays
-Dehydration
-Severe weather conditions accompanied with lightning
-Cold shock and hypothermia
-Undercut rocks -
Do you get wet kayaking?
No. You do not get wet kayaking as there are backrests and footrests to keep you in the desired position for accomplishing kayaking perfectly.
-
Should I know how to swim for kayaking?
No, swimming is not a mandatory requirement for kayaking. However, understanding necessary swimming skills will work out wonders for you in case of emergencies. Besides, with a PFD, you can easily float out of your sinking kayak and re-enter once it stabilizes back in motion.
-
Is kayaking bad for your back?
Kayaking is bad for your back for the following two reasons –
-Non-ergonomic position or the traditional kayaking position.
-Even after a few hours of kayaking, if you fail to switch your current position.
The reason behind this is quite simple – the kayaking position is not inclined with your routine position. There are backrests and footrests in kayaking for maintaining the required kayaking position for safety of the adventure enthusiast. This body posture is strictly managed to prevent your body from falling either backwards or sliding forward.
Also, as you paddle for long hours, your legs are constantly pushing in a direction opposite to kayak’s footrest and your lumbar spine. This is from where the pressure arises, and you experience a backache. -
What clothes to wear while kayaking in Rishikesh?
There is no fixed dress code requirement as such for participating in the kayaking in Rishikesh. The only thing you need to do is to be in comfortable clothing for enjoying the adventure to your fullest.
Men can dress in shorts or trousers or tees while women can follow the same. Floaters, tennis shoes, sandals, water shoes will work well but not your regular flip flops. Do not forget to carry your personal towel with you on your adventure.

- 2D/1N
- Rishikesh

- 2D/1N
- Rishikesh

- 2D/1N
- Rishikesh

- 2D/1N
- Rishikesh
Rishikesh Top Attractions
Places To Visit In Rishikesh
Lakshman Jhula happens to be one of the famous hanging bridges across the holy river Ganga. The jhula is a link in between two important villages in Rishikesh. It connects the Tapovan village in Tehri Garhwal and Jonk village in Pauri Garhwal. The bridge is made up of iron and it is almost 450 feet long, which is suspended at an elevation of almost 70 feet above the river. Lakshman Jhula has been one of the centres for tourist attraction since its inception for its amazing association of the Hindu Mythology. As per the popular Hindu mythology, Ramayan, it is believed that Lord Ram and his brother Lakshman had crossed the Ganga river at the same place, where the bridge has been built. The bridge was opened for public in the year 1929. In recent times, in order to boost the tourist footfall, many other developments have been carried out around the famous Lakshman Jhula. Tourists now love to spend a considerable amount of time in these places in the course of their Rishikesh Trip. You can not only visit the Lakshman Jhula, but you can also spend time in some of the other nearby tourist attractions like Tera Manzil Temple, Ram Jhula, and Lakshman temple. Let us get to know more about this religious place of worship.History of Lakshman Jhula- Lakshman Jhula has its significance in the most popular Hindu Mythology, Ramayana. As per the tales, Lord Ram and Lakshman had crossed the river Ganga at this place. The duo crossed the river Ganga with the help of just two ropes. In order to praise this act of fearlessness, Lakshman Jhula was built. This 284 feet long suspended bridge was the main point of contact between the villages until the year 1889. However, one of the floods in the year 1924 completely washed away the bridge. Initially the Lakshman Jhula was made up of jute, however, after the floods, it was replaced by a much stronger and sturdier iron bridge in the year 1939. The reconstruction was instigated in the same place and the name of the bridge was also not changed as per the significances. The bridge now stands tall above the river Ganga and happens to be one of the major tourist attractions in the tourism corridor of Rishikesh. However, the Lakshman Jhula is no more used for communication from 12th July 2019 for safety concerns. This bridge is almost 96 years old and it is not capable of handling the load of the current traffic. In order to preserve this iconic tourist attraction, one more bridge has been built and the Lakshman Jhula stands as a mere tourist attraction near to it.

Ram Jhula is one of the most iconic places in Rishikesh and if you are planning a pilgrimage to the city, or just visiting for a holiday, you must stop by this iconic bridge. It is a suspension bridge, built entirely out of iron and the length of the bridge is around 450 feet. It was constructed in the year 1986, by the PWD. The bridge is located over the holy Ganga river and it connects Sivananda Nagar in Muni Ki Reti, in the district of Tehri Garhwal in the west to Swargashram in the district of Pauri Garhwal, in the east.This bridge can be found in the state of Uttarakhand, approximately 3 kilometres away from the main town of Rishikesh. It is a comfortable walking distance from Rishikesh, and if you like long walks in the midst of stunning scenery then you can walk the length of the bridge as well. People can also traverse the bridge with bikes or cycles. A number of holy ashrams and Hindu religious centres and temples can be found lining the side of the bridge. These ashrams encompass the true essence of Rishikesh, with their peace, hospitality and piety. Another well-known bridge in the area is the Lakshman Jhula, which is lengthier than Ram Jhula and is situated 2 kilometres upriver, on the banks of the Ganga. One of the most memorable experiences you can enjoy at the Ram Jhula is overlooking the holy city of Rishikesh from the bridge itself in all its natural and historical glory, surrounded by the river and the mighty mountains. History of Ram JhulaThe famous Ram Jhula was initially a bridge made of very strong jute ropes, tightly intertwined to give it strength and to help it bear the weight of passers-by. It did not have any pillars to provide structural support in the beginning. Later, it was re-constructed with iron in the year 1986 by the PWD under government supervision. Since it is located in the spiritual and holy city of Rishikesh, the name of the bridge is derived from the Aryan King- Lord Ram- the protagonist of the epic Ramayana. The other famous bridge on the river is the Lakshman Jhula. The story goes that in the era of Ram’s reign, Lakshman had crossed the Ganga with the help of two ropes. To commemorate this mythological event, the Lakshman Jhula was constructed with ropes, in the year 1889. Therefore, a gesture of sibling love and camaraderie between the two brothers- Ram and Lakshman, the second bridge was named ‘Ram, indicative of the divine bond between the two brothers. About Ram Jhula MarketKeeping in mind the vast number of tourists and pilgrims who visit the place every year, there are innumerable shops and markets near the starting and ending point of the bridge. The Ram Jhula Market can be found in the point where the bridge ends, where you can find shops selling everything imaginable- from groceries to mementoes and religious tokens. You can find religious sculptures, statues and framed pictures of different gods and goddesses, dress materials, jewellery and other artefacts available in the markets. One can buy authentic semi-precious stones and gems at reasonable prices from here as well. Shoppers can choose from beautiful, ethnic, locally sourced handicraft items to bright and comfortable cotton clothes like sarees, lehengas and cholis, all at reasonable prices.

Adventurers know Rishikesh as the land of river rafting as it is one of the most popular destinations for this activity anywhere in India. So if you are planning a trip to Rishikesh, make sure not to skip this adrenaline-pumping adventure of rafting through the blustery waters of River Ganga. As your raft glides along with the swift river, you will also have a chance to catch the undiluted charm of the Himalayan foothills.Three different stretches of the river, ranging from 9 km to 26 km, are open for rafting. These stretches feature grade 3, grade 4, and grade 5 rapids, so whether you are seeking hardcore adventure or you are a beginner, rafting in Rishikesh is ideal for all. To give a boost to your adrenaline rush, the rafting experience also offers opportunities for cliff jumping and body surfing.Highlights: Long stretches, various rapid grades, and beautiful scenery.Timings: 7 am to 10 pmPrice: INR 600 per person
More Rishikesh Attractions
Rishikesh Travel Guides




















More Things to do in Rishikesh
More on Rishikesh Tourism
Popular Kayaking Destinations







