River Rafting In Kullu: Prices, Stretches, Grades & Best Time (2026)

If you want the whole answer in one place, here it is. The table sums up the three main stretches on the Beas at Pirdi, plus the beginner put-ins near Raison and Babeli, with distance, duration, rapid grade and the 2026 price band per person.

Prices are indicative per-person rates and shift with season, group size and add-ons. Confirm the current rate with your operator when you book.

Kullu is one of the more affordable rafting spots in Himachal, which is a big part of why the Pirdi stretch stays busy through the season. What you pay depends on three things: how long the stretch is, how many rapids it packs in, and whether you add a video or a camping night on the riverbank.

As a rule of thumb, a short beginner ride sits under Rs 900, a medium ride lands between Rs 900 and Rs 1,500, and the full long run to Bajaura pushes into the Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,500 band. Walk-in rates at the Pirdi kiosks are often lower per head than pre-booked marketplace listings, but the marketplace price usually bundles photos and insurance, so read what is included before you compare.

Group and school bookings usually get a lower per-head rate, and the smaller Grade I to II runs near Raison can start as low as Rs 400 for a quick 20-minute paddle. If you want the full range of adventure add-ons around the valley, our guide to 

Kullu is not only about rafting. See our roundup of other adventure sports in Kullu for paragliding, zorbing and trekking prices in the same valley.

Rafting difficulty is measured on the international I to VI scale, where Grade I is gentle moving water and Grade VI is unrunnable. The Beas through Kullu sits comfortably in the beginner-to-intermediate band, which is why families and first-timers can raft here safely while thrill-seekers still get real waves during peak flow.

Grade IV and above are not run commercially on this section of the Beas, so you will not be pushed beyond your comfort. Here is how the named stretches actually paddle:

Pirdi to Samshi (short, about 4 km)

The starter run, and the one most walk-in visitors take. It lasts 25 to 30 minutes over easy Grade II water, long enough to feel a couple of real rapids without a long commitment. Good for kids over the operator’s minimum age and anyone testing the water for the first time.

Pirdi to Sharabai (medium, about 10 km)

The sweet spot for most fit adults. Around an hour on the raft, mixing calm pools with Grade II to III sections. You pass the point where the Parvati River joins the Beas after roughly 8 km, which noticeably lifts the volume and the ride.

Pirdi to Bajaura (long, 14 km and up)

The full experience, about 1.5 hours end to end. This is the longest commercial stretch in Kullu and strings together the most rapids, so save it for when the flow is strong and your group has a run or two behind them.

Beginner and family put-ins: Raison, Babeli and Jhiri

If you are rafting with young children or you simply want a gentler taste, ask for the Grade I to II runs launched from Raison or Babeli, upriver of Pirdi. These are shorter, calmer and cheaper, and they are the sensible pick for a first-ever raft. Some operators also run short overview stretches around Pirdi to Jhiri for a quick 20 to 30 minute paddle.

There are two clear windows, and this is where the old advice for Kullu often falls short by naming only spring.

• Spring and early summer (March to June): snowmelt from the higher ranges swells the Beas, so the rapids are at their liveliest. Air temperatures sit around 10 C to 25 C, which is pleasant on the water. This is the busiest window, so book ahead on weekends.
• Post-monsoon autumn (September to October): once the monsoon eases, the river drops to a safe level and runs clear and cool. Fewer crowds, softer light for photos, and reliable Grade II to III water. This is peak season right now and an underrated time to go.

Avoid July and August. The monsoon can push the Beas into dangerous high water, and operators frequently suspend rafting on safety grounds. From November to February the water turns bitterly cold and most stretches close for the winter.

The Pirdi rafting base is about 3 km south of Kullu town, right on the Kullu-Manali highway, so it is easy to reach from either town. Here is the quickest way in from each direction.

1. By air: fly into Bhuntar (Kullu-Manali airport, code KUU), roughly 10 km from Pirdi. From there a taxi or local bus reaches the put-in in about 20 to 30 minutes. Bhuntar has limited flights, so many travellers fly to Chandigarh instead and drive up.
2. From Manali: Pirdi is about 40 km south, a 1.5-hour drive down the valley. Any Kullu or Bhuntar-bound bus or taxi drops you close to the rafting base.
3. By road from Delhi: about 500 km, 12 to 14 hours. Overnight Volvo and HRTC buses run to Kullu and Bhuntar; get down at Kullu and take a short local hop to Pirdi.
4. By train: the nearest broad-gauge railhead is Chandigarh, about 270 km away, then a 7 to 8 hour drive. The narrow-gauge line to Joginder Nagar is scenic but slow.
5. At Pirdi: rafting kiosks line the riverbank. You can pre-book online or walk in, sign the safety form, collect your gear and start within the hour on a normal day.

Kullu rafting is well suited to beginners, and the safety setup is standard across reputable operators. Every commercial raft goes out with a trained river guide, and a safety kayaker usually shadows the group on the busier stretches.

• Non-swimmers can raft. You will wear a buoyant life jacket at all times, so swimming ability is not required for the Grade II to III stretches.
• Minimum age is commonly 14 on the main Pirdi stretches, though some operators take children from 10 to 12 on the gentle Grade I to II runs near Raison. Upper age is usually around 65 to 75 if you are in good health.
• A standard raft carries six to eight paddlers plus the guide. Very heavy paddlers may be seated by the guide for balance.
• Included gear: life jacket, helmet, paddle and, in colder months, a splash jacket. Confirm what is provided when you book.
• Listen to the pre-launch briefing. Your guide teaches a few paddle and brace commands before you push off; following them is the single biggest safety factor on the river.

You get wet, and you get wet fast, so pack for it. A few small choices make the difference between a great run and a shivery one.

• Quick-dry shorts or a swimsuit under light clothing. Skip cotton, which stays cold and heavy once soaked.
• Sturdy footwear with a strap, such as sport sandals or old sneakers. Flip-flops float away.
• A hat with a brim and sunglasses on a retainer strap; the mountain sun off the water is strong.
• Sunscreen and a small dry bag or waterproof pouch for your phone and cash for the counters.
• A change of dry clothes and a towel waiting in the car for afterwards.

For add-ons, most Pirdi operators offer a GoPro or action-cam video of your run for Rs 500 to Rs 2,000, and several bundle rafting with a night of riverside camping from around Rs 1,500 per person. If you are building a longer trip, it is easy to fold rafting into a wider itinerary; browse our 

Planning a full trip? Our Himachal tour packages can bundle Kullu rafting with Manali sightseeing, and the Himachal travel guide covers the wider valley if you want more than a day on the water.

Kullu gives you real Beas rapids at a beginner-friendly grade and a price that rarely tops Rs 2,500, which is a rare combination in the Himalayas. Pick the short Pirdi stretch for a first try, the long Bajaura run when the flow is strong, and go in spring or early autumn for the best water. When you are ready to build the rest of the trip around it, our Himachal tour packages and our roundup of places to visit in Kullu make it easy to turn a day on the river into a full mountain holiday.