Nestled at the foot of the Himalayas, Dehradun has been on the bucket list of many an Indian and non-Indian traveler. Surrounded by mountains, this holiday spot has pleasant weather for most of the year. It’s also very close to Rishikesh, where some of the best treks and white water rafting takes place.
Rafting in Rishikesh is one of the best spots because the Ganges is wide, green, and cold here. Rishikesh rafting is popular here because of the different grades of rapids on offer. While rafting in Rishikesh, depending on the section of the river you choose, you could experience everything from the milder Grade I and II, to the epic boiling stretch of the Grade IV rapids. At the end, you’ll head for a quiet stretch of the river, where you can take a dip, or try your hand at body surfing or cliff jumping.
Places to visit in Dehradun
A trekking trail here takes you through a thick canopy of deciduous forests with alpine trees, with the mountains turning gold at sunset. One of the best loved places to visit in Dehradun is the Nagtibba or Serpant’s Peak trek which is nearby. This moderately challenging trek starts at an elevation of 3500 feet and is perfect for newbies or those with some experience looking for new places to visit in Dehradun.
Places to visit in Dehradun: Valley of Flowers trek
The Valley of Flowers trek is a moderate trek and is great for both first timers as well as experienced trekkers looking to visit. Despite the ease and popularity of this trek, the beauty of the Valley of Flowers remains pure and untouched. Every few days, some blooms fade, while new buds open up, creating a rainbow of perpetually changing colour. The sight of the Valley of Flowers, full of colourful blossoms of various hues and shades, nestled between rugged Himalayan slopes, is one that you will cherish forever. Apart from this, there are waterfalls, glaciers, towering mountains, mighty rivers and quaint villages to be explored.
Places to visit in Dehradun: Kedarkantha trek
The Kedarkantha trek takes you over a beautiful ridge mountain peak in the Tons River Valley, in Uttarakhand. Because of its elevation of 12,500 feet, the summit of the Kedarkantha trek offers stunning 360-degree views of some of the highest Himalayan peaks like Bandarpoonch, Swargarohini, and Black Pearl in the Himalayas. On a Kedarkantha trek, you will pass through the Govind Wildlife sanctuary and national park, so you can expect to see plenty of flora and fauna.
Places to visit near Dehradun: Rishikesh
If you’re in Dehradun, you can make a short trip to Rishikesh too. Here you can try your hand at whitewater rafting on the most famous river in India, the Ganges. Most Rishikesh rafting packages can be combined with a night of camping in Rishikesh. Just outside the main city, all along the river and its tributaries, and in the midst of the forests around Rishikesh, there are campsites set up. Depending on your budget, you can stay in tents, cottages, or rooms. You’ll find most packages for camping in Rishikesh usually involves all meals, a campfire in the evening, and a session of white water rafting the next day.
Best season for Rishikesh rafting
The best time for rafting in Rishikesh is during the summer months of March, April and May, when the cold water is very tempting. But during the monsoon months, all the way till September or October, rafting in Rishikesh is fun thanks to the added force of the water. After that, you can still go rafting, but the water gets very cold.
Talk to an Expert
Need help?
