A pilgrim town on the bank of the river Ganga, Rishikesh in Uttarakhand, is also an excellent base for outdoor activities, including white water rafting. The post monsoon rafting season is already open. The tributaries of the Ganga, the Alaknanda and the Bhagirathi, along the upper reaches of the Himalaya, are expedition-level rivers. The tributaries meet at Devprayag to form the Ganga; the 35 km stretch from Devprayag to Kaudiyala and then another 35 km from Kaudiyala to Rishikesh are a mix of easy to difficult rapids, which makes for some thrilling white water rafting adventures, especially for first timers. You can also go swimming and body surfing at some points on this route.
Not only that, you can try kayaking in the bay area of any riverside camp on the Ganga, catch a game of volleyball, hike on the 1,000-year-old trail along the Ganga River, or simply watch the river flow from the cosy confines of your tented accommodation.
What: White water rafting
Where: Rishikesh, Uttarakhand
When: Starts in October
Contact: uttarakhandtourism.gov.in