First, 2 nights in Rishikesh
Taj Rishikesh Resort & Spa
A Taj resort on a forested Ganges bend at Shivpuri, upstream of Rishikesh — river-view rooms, an infinity pool, a spa, and an on-site rafting base.
Rishikesh · Resort · Premium★★★★★
Premium Accommodation8 NightsPremiumAdventure
Uttarakhand Adventure & Rafting — Premium
About This Journey
Uttarakhand Adventure & Rafting — Premium
Uttarakhand Adventure and Rafting pairs the state's best-known outdoor activity with its wildlife reserve, running eight nights from Rishikesh's white water through Nainital's hills to two safari days at Corbett — the trip built around getting outdoors rather than around monuments or towns.
- 01
Rafting on the Ganges, first thing
The itinerary opens with a rafting run on the Ganges at Rishikesh, followed that evening by the aarti — the outdoor half of the trip's name delivered early, before the drive up into the hills.
- 02
Nainital as an active stop, not just a lakeside town
Beyond the lake and temple, the Snow View Ropeway and Mall Road give the Nainital leg its own outdoor variety en route to Corbett.
- 03
Two safaris at Corbett to close the trip
A morning jungle safari and a second safari with riverbank time make Corbett the trip's second adventure anchor, not an afterthought tacked onto a hill-station holiday.
Chapter Two — Where You'll Stay
3 Real Stays, In Order
Handpicked along your own route — not a hotel chain repeated city to city.
Next, 3 nights in Nainital
Manu Maharani, Nainital
A tiered lakeside hotel at the quieter Mallital end of Naini Lake — lake and garden view rooms, a spa, and an easy walk to the temple and the boat jetty.
Nainital · Hotel · Premium★★★★
Finally, 3 nights in Corbett
Aahana — The Corbett Wilderness
A rustic riverside jungle lodge on the Kosi near Corbett — stone-and-wood cottages, some with plunge pools, a communal pool, and naturalist-led safaris.
Corbett · Resort · Premium★★★★
Chapter Three — Day by Day
Real Uttarakhand Attractions in This Itinerary
7 of your 9days — the full itinerary follows below. Scroll to travel the route.
Day 2 · Rishikesh
Rishikesh — Rafting and the Evening Aarti
A morning of white-water rafting on the Ganges, a run of roughly two to three hours through named rapids from Shivpuri or Marine Drive down toward the town, grade two to three and suited to first-timers. The afternoon is free, or given to a yoga class at one of the riverside ashrams. The evening returns to the ghats for the aarti, either at Triveni Ghat or the quieter Parmarth Niketan.
Day 3 · Rishikesh → Nainital
Rishikesh to Nainital — Direct via the Kumaon Foothills
A direct transfer of around seven hours, skirting the plains through Haldwani and Kathgodam before climbing into the Kumaon hills. It is the route used on itineraries that go straight from Rishikesh to the lakes and Corbett without a Mussoorie stop. You arrive at Nainital in the late afternoon or early evening, with time for a first walk beside the lake before dinner.
Day 4 · Nainital
Nainital — the Lake and the Naina Devi Temple
A morning on Naini Lake itself, a rowed or pedal-boat outing past the Mall Road promenade to the far shore and back. The Naina Devi temple at the lake's northern end, rebuilt after the 1880 landslide that reshaped the town. The afternoon is free for the lakeside cafes, or a walk out to the quieter Sattal or Bhimtal lakes nearby if there is time.
Day 5 · Nainital
Nainital — Mall Road and the Snow View Ropeway
A morning ropeway ride up to Snow View, for a wide Himalayan panorama that takes in Nanda Devi and Trishul on a clear day, best done early before the haze rises. The rest of the morning is Mall Road, the bazaar of woollens, walking sticks and candle shops that lines the lake's eastern edge. The afternoon is unhurried, or given to Tiffin Top or Land's End for a quieter viewpoint away from the main ropeway crowds.
Day 6 · Nainital → Corbett
Nainital to Corbett
A drive of about three hours down from the hills to the Corbett buffer zone near Ramnagar, dropping back through forest and farmland. You check into a riverside lodge on the Kosi by early afternoon, with time for a look around the grounds before the day's light fades. Safari permits and zone allocations are usually confirmed the evening before, so the first full safari begins early the next morning.
Day 7 · Corbett
Corbett — Morning Jungle Safari
An early start for the day's first safari slot, into one of Corbett's permit zones by open jeep with a naturalist. The three-hour drive covers sal forest, grassland and river crossings, reading pug marks and alarm calls for signs of tiger and elephant, with deer, langur and a wide range of birdlife seen along the way regardless. The afternoon is free at the lodge, by the river, before a second safari or a quiet evening on the riverside deck.
Day 8 · Corbett
Corbett — a Second Safari and the Riverbank
A second safari, usually in the afternoon slot and often into a different zone from the first, to widen the chances of a sighting and see the park in different light. The rest of the day is spent at the lodge on the Kosi or Ramganga riverbank, watching for birdlife and, on the far bank, sometimes elephants coming down to drink. Many lodges end the day with a bonfire and dinner by the water.
Chapter Four — The Full Itinerary
9 Days, In Full
Every day, start to finish — including the transfers the day-by-day chapter above skipped.
Rishikesh
Arrive in Rishikesh
The usual way in is a drive from Dehradun's Jolly Grant airport, about forty-five minutes, or from Delhi, about five and a half hours by road. The Dehradun–Haridwar rail line also stops close by. You settle in by the Ganges in the afternoon. The evening is for a first walk across Laxman Jhula and along the ghats, ending at Triveni Ghat for the aarti as the light drops.
Rishikesh
Rishikesh — Rafting and the Evening Aarti
A morning of white-water rafting on the Ganges, a run of roughly two to three hours through named rapids from Shivpuri or Marine Drive down toward the town, grade two to three and suited to first-timers. The afternoon is free, or given to a yoga class at one of the riverside ashrams. The evening returns to the ghats for the aarti, either at Triveni Ghat or the quieter Parmarth Niketan.
Rishikesh → Nainital
Rishikesh to Nainital — Direct via the Kumaon Foothills
A direct transfer of around seven hours, skirting the plains through Haldwani and Kathgodam before climbing into the Kumaon hills. It is the route used on itineraries that go straight from Rishikesh to the lakes and Corbett without a Mussoorie stop. You arrive at Nainital in the late afternoon or early evening, with time for a first walk beside the lake before dinner.
Nainital
Nainital — the Lake and the Naina Devi Temple
A morning on Naini Lake itself, a rowed or pedal-boat outing past the Mall Road promenade to the far shore and back. The Naina Devi temple at the lake's northern end, rebuilt after the 1880 landslide that reshaped the town. The afternoon is free for the lakeside cafes, or a walk out to the quieter Sattal or Bhimtal lakes nearby if there is time.
Nainital
Nainital — Mall Road and the Snow View Ropeway
A morning ropeway ride up to Snow View, for a wide Himalayan panorama that takes in Nanda Devi and Trishul on a clear day, best done early before the haze rises. The rest of the morning is Mall Road, the bazaar of woollens, walking sticks and candle shops that lines the lake's eastern edge. The afternoon is unhurried, or given to Tiffin Top or Land's End for a quieter viewpoint away from the main ropeway crowds.
Nainital → Corbett
Nainital to Corbett
A drive of about three hours down from the hills to the Corbett buffer zone near Ramnagar, dropping back through forest and farmland. You check into a riverside lodge on the Kosi by early afternoon, with time for a look around the grounds before the day's light fades. Safari permits and zone allocations are usually confirmed the evening before, so the first full safari begins early the next morning.
Corbett
Corbett — Morning Jungle Safari
An early start for the day's first safari slot, into one of Corbett's permit zones by open jeep with a naturalist. The three-hour drive covers sal forest, grassland and river crossings, reading pug marks and alarm calls for signs of tiger and elephant, with deer, langur and a wide range of birdlife seen along the way regardless. The afternoon is free at the lodge, by the river, before a second safari or a quiet evening on the riverside deck.
Corbett
Corbett — a Second Safari and the Riverbank
A second safari, usually in the afternoon slot and often into a different zone from the first, to widen the chances of a sighting and see the park in different light. The rest of the day is spent at the lodge on the Kosi or Ramganga riverbank, watching for birdlife and, on the far bank, sometimes elephants coming down to drink. Many lodges end the day with a bonfire and dinner by the water.
Corbett
Corbett — Departure
A last early safari if the timing allows, or a relaxed morning on the riverbank. Corbett is reached from Delhi in about six hours by road, or via Ramnagar's rail link, or a short flight connection through Dehradun or Pantnagar depending on the route. It is the usual last stop on an Uttarakhand circuit before flying or training onward.
Guest Stories
What Our Travelers Say
Real words from real journeys — rated 5.0 across 310 Google reviews.
Verified
Guest
Guest
“
An absolutely flawless experience. We felt like royalty from the moment we landed in Delhi until our departure.
Sarah & James
United Kingdom
Verified
Guest
Guest
“
Truly exceptional — Brijesh, our tour planner, was incredibly attentive, professional, and meticulous in organizing a flawless itinerary.
Milly Witcomb
United Kingdom
Mentions guide Brijesh
Verified
Guest
Guest
“
Nothing short of magical. Brijesh crafted a seamless itinerary that balanced sightseeing, culture, and relaxation, making our journey truly special.
Shakira Tabizi
United States
Mentions guide Brijesh
Verified
Guest
Guest
“
Everything went beyond our expectations. Our driver Rajesh kept us comfortable in every city, and Vicky was endlessly knowledgeable.
Melissa
Australia
Mentions guide Rajesh & Vicky
Verified
Guest
Guest
“
From the moment we landed until we left, our driver Manish made us feel so taken care of — he made the trip even more memorable.
Rossen Milanov
United States
Mentions guide Manish
Verified
Guest
Guest
“
Brijesh is a super good man! A comfortable journey through six cities, exactly to our desires and limits.
Michelle de Matheu
United States
Mentions guide Brijesh & Manish
Verified
Guest
Guest
“
Excellent hotels and tour guides. Our driver Manish was superb in every way — reliable, and full of local knowledge.
James Boochame
Australia
Mentions guide Manish
Chapter Five — Terms & Conditions
Straightforward, In Writing
Cancellation windows, refund timing, and rescheduling terms for this journey follow our one sitewide policy — nothing package-specific to dig through.
Read the Return & Refund PolicyFrequently Asked
Before You Book
Is rafting experience required?
No — the Rishikesh rafting run is suitable for first-timers, with safety briefings and equipment provided on the day.
How is this different from the Corbett Wildlife Safari itinerary?
Both run the same Rishikesh-Nainital-Corbett route over the same nights; this version is framed around the active, outdoor elements — rafting and safaris — rather than wildlife as the sole focus.
Chapter Six — Similar Journeys
More of Uttarakhand, Privately
Before you go
Planning Uttarakhand
Travel Tips
Private Tour or Group Tour in India? An Honest Comparison
First-Time IndiaPlanning GuideTravel Tips
Travel Tips
Getting Around India: Trains, Flights or a Private Car?
First-Time IndiaPlanning GuideTravel Tips
Travel Tips
Eating Well in India Without Getting Ill: A Practical Guide
First-Time IndiaFood & CulturePlanning Guide
Why Choose Us
The Same Trust, Sized to This Trip
01
Planning, Built Around You
This route was shaped around Uttarakhand's real places, not lifted from a fixed template.
13 years — Brijesh Sharma, Bespoke Itinerary Specialist
02
Handpicked Hotels
Every stay on this trip was chosen in person, not off a ratings page.
3 real stays, 4–5★
03
A Private Fleet, Always Yours
One driver, air-conditioned, for the whole route — no shared shuttle.
Premium sedans & SUVs · One driver, the whole trip
Kashmir to Kanyakumari
Get In Touch
Start Planning Your Uttarakhand Adventure & Rafting — Premium Journey
Tell us your travel dates and group size — we'll confirm availability and refine this itinerary around you.