A Rishikesh camping trip from Delhi is the easiest way to swap the city for the Himalayan foothills in a single weekend. Rishikesh is about 240 km from Delhi, so you can leave early on Saturday, spend the night at a forest camp with a bonfire, and be home on Sunday evening. Our camping in Rishikesh stays start at ₹1,550 per person, and a camp night with Ganga rafting starts at ₹2,150.
Most Delhi groups combine the camp with a morning on the river, so our rafting and camping packages are the most popular choice for this trip. This guide, written by the team that runs our own forest camp at Goolar, gives you a 2-day itinerary, the real prices, the quickest ways to reach Rishikesh, and what to pack for a winter weekend.
Why Rishikesh Is the Perfect Weekend Camp from Delhi
Rishikesh is the closest place to Delhi where you get a real Himalayan river, forest campsites and white water rafting in one trip. Two days are enough: one afternoon and evening at camp, one morning on the Ganga, and a relaxed drive home.
- Short travel: about 5–6 hours by road, or a fast train to Haridwar plus a short taxi ride.
- Everything in one place: rafting, a bonfire night in the forest, a waterfall walk and the Ganga aarti.
- Fits a budget: a full rafting + camping package costs less than one night in many hill hotels.
- Great in winter: from November to February, the days are sunny and the nights are bonfire weather.
How to Reach Rishikesh from Delhi
| Option | Approx. time | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Own car or taxi | 5–6 hours (about 240 km) | Leave by 5–6 AM to beat traffic. Many drivers use the new Delhi–Dehradun Expressway (opened April 2026) for the first stretch. The most flexible option for groups. |
| Train to Haridwar + taxi | About 4–5 hours by train, then 45–60 minutes by road | Fast trains such as the Shatabdi and Vande Bharat run from Delhi to Haridwar. Haridwar to Rishikesh is about 25 km. Book train tickets early for weekends. |
| Bus (Volvo / state transport) | About 6–7 hours | Buses leave from ISBT Kashmere Gate, including overnight services. Good for solo travellers and students. |
Camp tip: if you can only leave on Friday after work, take an overnight bus or drive late, sleep a few hours in Rishikesh, and start the itinerary below on Saturday morning.
2-Day Itinerary: Rishikesh Camping Trip from Delhi
Day 1 (Saturday): Delhi to Rishikesh, rafting and a camp night
| Time | Plan |
|---|---|
| 5:00 – 6:00 AM | Leave Delhi by car, or take an early train to Haridwar |
| 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Reach Rishikesh. Quick lunch near Tapovan or Laxman Jhula |
| Afternoon | Ganga rafting (9, 12 or 16 km stretch), if you arrive in time. Otherwise, keep rafting for Sunday morning |
| 5:00 PM | Check in at camp. Evening tea and snacks |
| 5:30 – 7:00 PM | Outdoor games: volleyball, cricket, badminton |
| 7:30 PM onwards | Bonfire with soft music and stargazing |
| 8:30 – 9:30 PM | Buffet dinner (veg and non-veg) |
| After 10:00 PM | Quiet hours: sleep in your tent with the sounds of the forest |
Day 2 (Sunday): Morning walk, check-out and drive back
| Time | Plan |
|---|---|
| Morning | Tea and breakfast, then a short walk to the hidden waterfall or a village walk |
| 11:00 AM | Check out from camp |
| Late morning | Rafting now, if you skipped it on Saturday |
| 2:00 – 3:00 PM | Lunch, then start the drive back |
| 8:00 – 9:00 PM | Back in Delhi |
Want a slower weekend? Our 2 nights 3 days camping package works well for a long weekend. For a detailed look at the evening at camp, read our guide to night camping in Rishikesh.
Package Prices for a Delhi Weekend Trip
| Package | Price per person |
|---|---|
| Camp + 9 km rafting (1 night) | ₹2,150 |
| Camp + 16 km rafting (1 night) | ₹2,550 |
| Camp + 26 km rafting (1 night) | ₹3,550 |
| Camp + 35 km rafting (1 night) | ₹4,550 |
| 1 night forest camp only (triple / double sharing) | ₹1,550 / ₹1,800 |
| 1 night, 2 days camp with activities | ₹2,000 |
| Cottage near Shivpuri / deluxe AC cottage | ₹2,000 / ₹2,500 |
| 2 nights, 3 days camping | ₹3,500 |
The camp night includes: tent stay, evening snacks, dinner, breakfast, morning and evening tea, bonfire with soft music and outdoor games. A 30% advance confirms your booking, and groups get discounts.
First time on the river? The 16 km stretch is the favourite for Delhi groups. Compare stretches on our Rishikesh rafting page.
Transport: What’s Included and What We Arrange
- Delhi to Rishikesh and back: not included. Most guests drive or come by train or bus. If you would like a taxi from Delhi, tell us your pickup point, date and group size, and we will arrange it and send you a quote.
- Rishikesh to the camp: on request. For camp guests we arrange a vehicle from Rishikesh for ₹1,500 one way. If you have your own car, you can drive straight to the camp; we will share the location when you book.
Forest Camp vs Shivpuri Cottages
| Forest camp (Goolar) | Cottages near Shivpuri | |
|---|---|---|
| Distance from Rishikesh | 21 km, on Pawki Devi Road | About 16 km, near the main rafting area |
| Stay | 25 Alpine deluxe tents in a forest valley | Cottages, including deluxe AC rooms |
| Washrooms | Clean shared washrooms | Check when booking |
| Vibe | Quiet, cool, close to nature, great for stars | Comfortable and close to rafting points |
| Best for | Friends, couples, college and office groups | Families and anyone who prefers walls on cold nights |
See the full comparison in our Rishikesh camping guide.
Sample Weekend Budget (Per Person)
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Rafting + camping package (16 km) | ₹2,550 |
| Rishikesh to camp vehicle (₹1,500 one way, shared by your group) | Depends on group size |
| Delhi to Rishikesh and back | Your own fuel and tolls, train or bus fare, or a taxi quote from us |
| Lunches and snacks on the way | Your choice |
Travelling as a group of four or more by car usually works out the cheapest per person, because the fuel, tolls and camp transfer are shared.
What to Pack for a Winter Weekend
- A warm jacket, a fleece or sweater, and a cap: nights at the forest camp get cold from November
- Thermal inners from December to February
- Quick-dry clothes and strapped sandals or floaters for rafting
- A spare set of clothes and a small towel
- Comfortable shoes for the waterfall walk
- A torch and a power bank (mobile network is patchy at the forest camp)
- Personal toiletries and medicines
- A government photo ID for every guest
Tips from Our Camp Team
- Book by Wednesday for the weekend. Saturdays from October to February fill up fast with Delhi and NCR groups.
- Reach before dark. The drive to the forest camp is easier in daylight, and you get to see the valley.
- In winter, raft around midday. The sun is warmest then, so the cold Ganga feels much easier.
- Don’t drink before rafting. Guests may bring their own alcohol to camp, but keep it for after the river.
- Start back early on Sunday. Leaving Rishikesh by 3 PM helps you avoid the worst of the evening traffic into Delhi.
Why Trust This Guide
This guide is written by Bheem Singh Chauhan, founder of White World Expeditions, with our camp team at Goolar. We run our own camp and rafting trips, so the timings, inclusions and prices come from our own operations. Travel times are typical estimates and can change with traffic, weather and train schedules. White World Expeditions is a government-registered adventure company in Tapovan, Rishikesh, rated 4.9★ from 919+ Google reviews and licensed for the 2026-27 rafting season.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Rishikesh from Delhi for a camping trip?
Rishikesh is about 240 km from Delhi. By road it usually takes 5–6 hours depending on route and traffic. By train you can reach Haridwar in about 4–5 hours and then take a 45–60 minute taxi to Rishikesh.
Is 2 days enough for a Rishikesh camping trip from Delhi?
Yes. Leave Delhi early on Saturday, go rafting and check in to camp at 5 PM, enjoy the bonfire and dinner, then check out at 11 AM on Sunday and drive back. For a slower trip, choose our 2 nights 3 days camping package.
What is the price of a Rishikesh camping package from Delhi?
Our packages start at the Rishikesh end: a forest camp night costs from ₹1,550 per person and rafting + camping from ₹2,150 (9 km) to ₹4,550 (35 km). Travel from Delhi is not included.
Is pickup from Delhi included in the package?
No. Delhi pickup and drop are not included. On request we can arrange a taxi from Delhi and send you a quote based on your pickup point, date and group size.
How do we get from Rishikesh to the camp?
You can drive yourself and we will share the camp location when you book. If you need a vehicle, we arrange one from Rishikesh to the camp for ₹1,500 one way.
What are the camp check-in and check-out times?
Check-in at our forest camp is at 5:00 PM and check-out is at 11:00 AM.
Can we do rafting and camping on the same weekend from Delhi?
Yes. Raft on Saturday afternoon if you arrive by late morning, or raft on Sunday after check-out. Rafting + camping packages include both the river trip and the camp night.
Which is the best time for a camping trip to Rishikesh from Delhi?
October to March is best, with dry weather, clear skies and cool nights. Camps are closed in the monsoon, usually from July to mid-September.
Is the forest camp cold in winter?
Yes, nights at the forest camp get cold from November to February. Bring a warm jacket and thermal inners; the bonfire and dinner keep the evening cosy.
Is a Rishikesh camping trip from Delhi good for college or office groups?
Yes. Groups get discounts, and the forest camp has outdoor games, a bonfire and space for the whole group. Share your group size and dates to get a quote.
Plan Your Rishikesh Camping Weekend from Delhi
Rafting + camping from ₹2,150 per person, or a forest camp night from ₹1,550. Send us your dates and group size, and tell us if you need a Delhi taxi quote.