2–3 hours on water (4–4.5 hrs door to door)
6–8 people per raft
Challenging — Grade II & III+
Mid-September to end of June
8 rapids
Grade II and III+
The 16 km run from Shivpuri to NIM Beach is where the Ganga begins to show its full power. Eight rapids, predominantly graded II to III+, take you through some of the most celebrated whitewater in India. The two headline rapids — Roller Coaster (Grade III+) and Golf Course (Grade III+) — are genuinely demanding: Roller Coaster is a relentless, churning wave train that rewards hard paddling, while Golf Course is a long, technical rapid with multiple lines and lateral currents that demand real team coordination. Both are the rapids that guests describe for months after they leave.
Between the big ones there are calmer stretches where the canyon opens up and the Himalayan ridgelines come fully into view. These breathing spaces are not just beautiful — they also give your arms a rest and let the guide position the raft correctly for what comes next. Midway through the run there's a dedicated swimming and body-surfing stop where the whole group gets into the river, life jackets on, for a few minutes of floating in one of the most scenic river corridors in the Himalaya.
The run finishes after Club House rapid (Grade III) at NIM Beach, from where the return to Tapovan is a short drive. Door-to-door the full outing takes approximately 4 to 4.5 hours. The 16 km route is the most popular upgrade for guests who completed the 12 km run and want to push a little further — it offers noticeably stronger hydraulics, longer time on the water, and a greater sense of the river's scale without requiring any prior whitewater experience.
Who should book this route: Adventurous beginners who want a proper challenge, guests who've done the 12 km route and want more, and anyone who specifically wants to paddle Roller Coaster and Golf Course — two of the most famous rapids on the Ganga. Minimum recommended age is 14; participants should be reasonably fit and comfortable in water.
Free neoprene wet suits from December to March. A dedicated safety kayaker accompanies every raft for the full 16 km. All guides hold valid whitewater certifications and have a minimum of five years' guiding experience on this specific stretch.
Depart from our Tapovan office with your gear fitted and briefing complete. The drive to Shivpuri takes 20–30 minutes. On the way your guide will point out the Shivpuri beach where yesterday's 12 km groups finish — today you're starting from here and going further downstream into progressively more powerful water.
A thorough 25–30 minute briefing at the put-in. Because this route includes Grade III+ rapids, the briefing covers additional techniques: how to hold the raft in a hydraulic, when to paddle hard versus when to brace, and how to assist a swimmer who comes out of the raft in faster current. Guides demonstrate every command before the raft touches water.
Roller Coaster is the first major test and the rapid that gives this stretch its reputation. A relentless, churning wave train that can run for over 200 metres, it requires constant forward paddling and team coordination to punch through each successive wave without stalling. The ride feels exactly like the fairground attraction it's named after — wet, loud, and deeply satisfying when you emerge out the end.
After Roller Coaster the river eases into a wide, calm pool — the perfect spot for a body-surfing stop. Guests slip out of the raft with life jackets on, drift through a small current, and clamber back aboard. There's time to drink water, swap stories, and catch your breath before the next set of rapids builds downstream.
Golf Course is the technical highlight of this stretch — a long, complex rapid with multiple lines, submerged boulders, and lateral waves that can push rafts sideways if the team loses pace. Your guide will read the water from the raft and call paddle commands in real time. Getting the line right here is one of those moments where you feel the team genuinely working together.
The run closes with Club House (Grade III) — a punchy finale with a clear wave train. Beyond it, the river mellows and NIM Beach appears on the left bank. Pull out, hand over your paddle, and board the vehicle back to Tapovan. Door-to-door, this trip takes approximately 4 to 4.5 hours.
A natural cliff jump is available at a suitable point en route. Height varies with river level. Your guide will assess safety on the day. No extra charge.
GoPro-filmed video of your raft in the major rapids. ₹1,500 per raft, shared by all passengers. Order at the office before departure.
If you'd like to combine this stretch with the Marine Drive section for a 26 km run, we can arrange it easily. Ask at the office when booking.
