2 hours on water (3–3.5 hrs door to door)
6–8 people per raft
Family Friendly — Grade I, II & III
Mid-September to end of June
7 rapids
Grade I, II and III
The 12 km stretch from Marine Drive to Shivpuri is Sea Hawk Adventures' most popular entry-level rafting route — and for very good reason. Seven rapids build gradually in intensity, giving first-timers enough challenge to feel the adrenaline without being overwhelmed. The stretch opens with gentle Grade I riffles and progresses through Black Money (Grade II), a long wave train that gets every paddler grinning, then into the more assertive Three Blind Mice (Grade III) — three consecutive holes that arrive in quick succession — and the big finale, Crossfire (Grade III), where two powerful channels of the Ganga collide in a spectacular burst of standing waves and whitewater.
Between the named rapids the river is surprisingly calm. The Himalayan canyon opens up, the water turns deep blue-green, and the only sounds are paddles in water and occasional birdsong from the forest on the banks. These quiet stretches are when most guests realise just how far from the city they feel — despite being only 45 minutes from Rishikesh town.
Roughly halfway through the run every raft stops at a dedicated body-surfing and swimming spot. Life jackets stay on, and guests slide into the river to let the current carry them feet-first through a gentle rapid — it's the single moment most people mention when they describe the trip afterwards. Non-swimmers are equally welcome; the Type V PFD keeps everyone fully buoyant, and the spot is chosen specifically because the current is swift but not violent.
Logistics are simple. The day starts at our Tapovan office, where you collect gear and attend a 20–30 minute safety and paddle briefing. The drive upstream to Marine Drive takes 30–45 minutes and already gives you your first views of the river canyon. Two hours on the water later, you step out at Shivpuri Beach — which is just 5 minutes from our office. Door-to-door, including the drive and briefing, the entire outing takes roughly 3 to 3.5 hours.
Free neoprene wet suits are provided from December to March so cold water never limits the experience. A dedicated safety kayaker accompanies every raft for the full 12 km — they are certified swift-water rescue professionals, not just guides, and they're the ones who get to you first if anything unexpected happens. All life jackets are imported Type V PFDs inspected and replaced on a regular maintenance schedule.
This route is ideal for: first-time rafters, families with children aged 14 and above, corporate groups looking for a shared adventure, and anyone who wants to experience the Ganga in motion without committing to a full day on the river.
Your day starts at our Tapovan office where you collect your gear, receive a detailed safety and paddle briefing, and board the vehicle. The drive along the Ganga upstream to Marine Drive takes 30–45 minutes and already offers stunning views of the river canyon. Use this time to ask your guide any questions — they know this stretch better than anyone.
At the put-in, the crew inflates the rafts and runs a comprehensive 20–30 minute briefing covering paddle commands (forward, back-paddle, get down, hold on), swimmer position in whitewater, how to re-enter the raft, and what to do if you find yourself in a rapid. No experience is needed — the briefing is designed so that complete beginners feel confident before the first stroke.
The run opens with two gentle Grade I–II riffles that let you warm up your paddle strokes and learn to read the water together as a team. Then come the named rapids: Black Money (Grade II) — a long, bouncy wave train; Three Blind Mice (Grade III) — three consecutive holes that hit fast; and Crossfire (Grade III) — the highlight of the stretch, where two river channels converge in a satisfying chaos of standing waves. Between rapids the river is calm, blue, and surprisingly wide — ideal for paddling in silence while the Himalayas tower above you on both sides.
Midway through the run your guide will anchor the raft at a calm eddy and invite the group into the water with life jackets on. Body surfing means letting the current push you through a small rapid feet-first — one of the most memorable few seconds of the whole trip. You can also simply float on your back in the eddy and stare up at the canyon walls. Non-swimmers are welcome; the life jacket keeps you fully buoyant at all times.
The run ends at Shivpuri Beach, just 5 minutes from our office. You'll pull the raft onto the beach, change if needed (basic changing area available), and be back at our Tapovan office within minutes. The whole outing — from leaving our office to returning — takes approximately 3 to 3.5 hours.
A natural cliff jump (approximately 15–20 ft) is available en route. Your guide will assess conditions on the day and offer the jump if safe. No extra charge.
A GoPro-filmed video of your raft going through the rapids is available for ₹1,500 per raft (shared across all passengers). Order at the office before departure.
October–November and March–May offer the most consistent conditions: clear water, moderate flow, and comfortable temperatures. Monsoon months (July–mid-September) are closed for safety.
