Lose Yourself in the Wild Beauty of River Ganges the Right Way by Camping at Rishikesh: 10 Campsites for an Adventurous Camping Experience!

Rishikesh is also known as the Yoga Capital of the World, as it’s been the spiritual centre of India for thousands of years. It is considered one of the holiest cities in India. Thousands of students visit Rishikesh from across the globe every year and enrol themselves in Yoga Classes, Yoga Courses and Yoga Teacher Training to become certified yoga teachers. Rishikesh is blessed to be located on the banks of the holy Ganga River which is considered sacred by Hindus and nestled in the foothills of the mighty Himalayas. Rishikesh covers a small area of 11.5 sq. km and is situated at an altitude of 1220 ft.

The abode of many temples and surrounded by emerald jungles, pristine nature and hidden waterfalls, the name of Rishikesh translates to ‘City of Saints’. This place hogged the attention of the world in the 1960s, when popular British Band, the Beatles came to study and seek knowledge from their guru, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in Rishikesh. There are dozens of yoga centre imparting knowledge of peace, solace and health to their students. Millions of Hindu pilgrims visit here every year to perform puja, yagya and other religious practices. Apart from being a spiritual centre, Rishikesh also attracts thousands of adventure seekers who come here to participate in water sports, hiking, trekking and camping activities.

Any time of the year is a good time to visit Rishikesh as you won’t face extreme temperatures or snowfall. But for camping purpose, the summer season (Apr to June) is the best time as there are minimal chances of rain and the temperature is mild and the weather is pleasant. However, the upper temperature can touch up to 38 degrees during daytime and nights can be little cold at 18 degrees, thus taking a light blanket and sun protection accessories and gear is advised. Winters too, are not freezing and the mild cold ranging between 9 degrees to 21 degrees creates a wonderful atmosphere for camping. So if you like cold weather, then you can plan to camp in Rishikesh between Nov to Feb.

Get ready to be refreshed and rejuvenated in the serenity of hills, forests, waterfalls and the raging Ganga River. Camping in Rishikesh is just not another outing, but a trip to be remembered for life and the moments spend here would keep you energized for a long time. Rishikesh offers you an opportunity to capture innumerous sceneries and selfies which later become a part of your personal album and also framed to flaunt in your living room. We have selected 10 best places for camping in Rishikesh from a plethora of options and these camping sites would provide you with the best possible amenities, hospitality and comfort in the coarse conditions and cold weather.

A riverside jungle camp located in the heart of Rajaji National Park where visitors get the opportunity to witness the exotic Himalayan birds for the most part of the year. Located at a distance of just 14 km from Rishikesh and 6 km from Laxman Jhula, the Camp doesn’t have a lot of tents so it’s a less crowded place. For those of you who want to seek some solace while camping, this is one of the best places near Rishikesh. The camp is open across the year and visitors can enjoy rafting from September to June.

This beautiful place surrounded by greenery and pleasant sound of the lively river flowing nearby creates a soothing environment. The camp provides amenities like proper bedding, neat and clean Indian / Western-style toilets with flush & running water, electricity with power backup and buffet meals in the central dining area and there are various activities for fun and leisure which include bonfire and barbeque in the night, river rafting on the Ganges, cliff jumping and body surfing, rock climbing, rappelling, nature walks, trek to the waterfall and outdoor games like cricket, badminton, volleyball etc. You can check more details on their website wildex.in.

One of the best locations for camping and rafting, Camp River Zone is located in Shivpuri in Rishikesh and is a beachside area. The zone has 40 camps to serve its guests and well-known water sports in River Ganga like roller coaster, golf course, hilton and terminator, cross flame, blind mice, daniels dip, sweet sixteen dark monkey, clubhouse and double trouble to entertain the visitors are part of the trip. On-demand activities such as trekking, mountain biking, repulsing, rock climbing, cycling and kayaking etc. are also available for the adventure lovers. If you looking for some quiet and relaxing time, then yoga and meditation classes are also available. Please check further details at campriverzone.com.

Camp Panther is situated at around 16 km from the focal point of Rishikesh in Shivpuri town, at the lower regions of Himalayas. It’s spread across 5 acres of land and has 8 newly built AC rooms and 37 different tents. You can enjoy activities like rock climbing, nature walk, rafting and bird watching in outdoor activities. The camp is surrounded by thick Sal forest which provides an enigmatic view of the lush green landscape.

Each tent is provided with comfortable beds, linen, mineral water and towels etc. and guests are treated with delicious Indian, continental and Chinese dishes prepared under the supervision of an ex Taj employee. Adventure lovers can opt for the Rajaji Wildlife Safari which is a 3-day and 2-night trip into the National Park. Camp Panther puts special emphasis on the safety and security measures and they use state of the art equipment which are inspected before the start of every season. You can check more details about them at snowleopardadventures.com.

Located on the banks of the mighty Ganga River, Camp Ganga Riviera is nearby the Rishikesh - Badrinath highway. It’s a 30-minute walk on the old pilgrim’s path to Badrinath and one has to cross a suspension bridge to reach this camp. The view while crossing the bridge is mesmerizing and this huge property has 2 beaches, a green field and a waterfall nearby the campsite. There are large tents and accommodation is on a twin sharing basis, guests are entitled to bed, linen, independent toilets and hot and cold showers. Yoga sessions can be planned upon request in collaboration with specialists from Rishikesh for beginners as well as for the expert practitioners, check more details about this place on campgangariviera.com.

Wild Hawk Adventures is located along the banks of river Hues in the lap of majestic Himalayas and is an adventurous location for enthusiasts and for those who need a break from their hectic life. Enjoy camping at Phoolchatti amidst a panoramic scenic beauty which will surely rejuvenate your senses. Try water rafting, which is also known as ‘white water rafting’ due to the rapid water turning into froth which looks white. Indulge in trekking to the waterfall, which is an exciting activity for the thrill-seekers.

Few famous waterfalls are Neergadhu Waterfall which is about 3 km from Laxman Jhula and also has a small pool for bathing, Garud Chatti Waterfall which also has a famous temple dedicated to God Garud and the Patna waterfall named after a small hamlet. The entire camping area is under CCTV surveillance and parking is available inside the camp, you can explore details about this camp on wildhawkadventures.com.

Looking for an economic camping option at Rishikesh! Then, the Himalaya Nature Camp is certainly an option worth considering as they have pocket-friendly, yet adventurous tours for their guests. You can enjoy an unforgettable experience along the Heul River in the fascinating foothills of the Himalayas. Outdoor activities like trekking, rappelling, rock climbing and river rafting etc. can be experienced by the adventure-seeking souls with facilities like comfortable stay in safari tents, dining area, Indian / Western-style toilets with running water; while activities and games like body surfing and cliff jumping, campfire in the evening and nature walk ensure that you are entertained. Satiate your taste buds with delicious Indian meals and they also provide welcome drinks, morning tea/coffee with biscuits, breakfast, lunch, evening snacks and dinner. All the meals include veg as well as non-veg meals on the platter. More info and packages can be checked at himalayanaturecamp.com.

Located at Byasi, Rapid Runner Camps provide one of the best scenic locations near Rishikesh. The camp provides best facilities like 12 by 12 feet double-layered camps with personal bathroom and toilets, 24 x 7 electricity and hot/cold water, internet connectivity and ample parking space. Guests are served with hot and fresh meals which are prepared from vegetables and food products grown in the nearby village. The freshness can be sensed in the meals and both veg and non-veg options are available as per your choice.

Each camp has 2 beds with blankets and portable drinking water is provided to the guests. This place is a delight for photographers as they are spoilt for choice while clicking pics and the thrill-seekers get a chance to enjoy river rafting under the supervision of licensed and experienced professionals. Outdoor games like volleyball, badminton and bonfire in the evening keeps you engaged and entertained during the camping. Contact them via river-rafting-rishikesh.in for bookings and further details.

Camp Sahaja Retreat is well known for its scenic beauty and is surrounded by lush green forests, a perfect place for nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts; this camp offers you adventure activities like riverside jungle camping, bungee jumping and river rafting. The campsite is cradled by Rajaji National Park and is home to more than 350 different species of birds; so get ready to be delighted by their chirps and engage in some bird watching and shoot some stunning photographs.

And, if you are looking for a soulful and spiritual retreat then options of yoga sessions, meditation, healing sessions and nature walk are also available in the Camp Sahaja Retreat. They provide tents with neat and clean bedding and hygienic Indian / western style toilets with running water and flush while your meals are taken care well with buffet food in a large dining area. For people with a religious leaning, Satsang (spiritual lessons) and spiritual discussions are being organized and it can be joined to engage in introspection and self-discovery. You can enquire about the details and packages by visiting their official website sahajaretreat.com.

A little secluded place located at a distance of 26 km from Rishikesh on the Badrinath Highway, but one of the most tranquil camps which is jewelled by nature and greenery; Marine Drive Beach Camp is an ideal camping area for families. The adventure activities which can be enjoyed here are cliff jumping, body surfing, river rafting and jungle trekking etc and those who want to play simple outdoor games; volleyball, badminton and bonfire in the night are the options available in this camp. They provide hygienic food with various options and a different menu every single day; more overall the food is vegetarian and freshly cooked.

Mineral water is used for drinking as well as cleaning purpose and you can choose your lunch and dinner menus if booking in groups. Some of the splashing water rapids like body surfing, three blind mice, return to sender, crossfire, sweet sixteen, tea off, roller coaster, golf course, cash flow, clubhouse, double trouble, initiation and hilton are part of the packages and you also get to see different ashrams, ghats and temples during the trip. All the details and packages can be checked at riverraftinginrishikesh.co.

Located in the buffer zone of Rajaji National Park, Aspen Adventure Camp is at the foothills of Himalayas. It is spread in an area of 6 acres and provides a complete view of the Rajaji National Park. This place overlooks the white water river stream of River Huel. Some of the adventure activities offered by Aspen Adventure Park are cliff jumping, rappelling, waterfall treks and jungle safari. They have 20 premium camps and 6 luxury cottages for the guests. The property has earned many accreditations over the years and more details about aspen adventure camp can be checked at aspenadventures.in.