Rishikesh is considered as the Rafting capital of India. This is because of the flow of the Ganges in Rishikesh is ideal for first-timers and certain stretches offer challenge to even professional rafters. Most of the rafting Trips start above Rishikesh and conclude near Laxman Jhula near Rishikesh city. Rafting stretches can be divided in four major categories: Basic, Standard, Moderate and Advanced.

The basic stretch starts from Brahmpuri which is 9 kilometres upstream from Rishikesh and has mostly mild rapids. One can also do cliff jumping and body surfing during this stretch. One encounters rapids like Initiation, Double Trouble, Hilton & Terminator. These rapids are mostly Grade II or at best Grade III. Rafting down from Brahmpuri to Rishikesh is just a 2 hour trip. This stretch is ideal for children and adults looking for riskless adventure.

The Standard stretch starts from Shivpuri, 16 kilometres upstream from Rishikesh and has some famous Grade IV rapids like Roller Coaster & Golf Course. Since there is a "recovery pool" or still waters immediately after these rapids, this stretch is ideal for first timers looking for some adventure. This stretch lasts about 3 hours and is ideal for first-timers seeking adventure.

The third stretch is the moderate stretch that starts from Marine Drive, 25 kilometres upstream from Rishikesh. The cliff Jumping point is even bigger and one encounters Rapids like Cash flow, Three Blind Mice, etc. This rafting trip takes around 4 hours and is ideal if you have some experience at rafting.

The Final stretch is Advanced stretch that starts 36 kilometres upstream from Rishikesh from a place called Kaudiyala. This stretch is the advanced stretch as it has the greatest rapid on the River Ganges "The Wall". The Wall is a Grade V rapid and most of the rafts get flipped in this rapid. It takes around 7 hours to complete this 36 kilometres long stretch which includes all other stretches om the River Ganges. This stretch is only for those who have a lot of experience at rafting or know swimming as nine out of ten rafts get flipped out on 'The Wall'.

These are the 4 main stretches as far as "Rafting day trips" in Rishikesh are concerned. If you are looking for more adventurous and longer trips you can go for Alaknanda Expedition or Kali Sarda Expedition. Wildex offers river rafting in rishikesh, and organises all sorts of rafting and trekking expeditions in North India.