Back to Schemes
Travel & Tourism; Business & Entrepreneurship

Operation of River Rafting / Kayaking Activities

The scheme aims to promote safe & regulated adventure tourism in the state by allowing licensed rafting companies to operate & issuing certifications to qualified river guides. Under this scheme, rafting companies are granted permission to operate, and licenses are issued to qualified river guides.

Authority

State/ UT

Region

Uttarakhand

Status

Verified 2026

Updated

March 2026

What you get

Rafting companies are permitted to operate, and licenses are issued to river guides, providing revenue benefits to the state and economic benefits to tourism businesses.

Who can apply

The applicant must be a resident of Uttarakhand for at least ten years or a native of the state.; The applicant should possess advanced practical and technical knowledge of aero sports.

Required Paperwork

  • Aadhaar Card
  • PAN Card
  • Income Certificate
  • Residence Proof (Domicile)

Common Questions

Who is eligible to apply for operating a rafting or kayaking firm?

Applicants must be residents of Uttarakhand for at least ten years or native to the state and should have advanced practical/technical knowledge of adventure sports.

Who can apply to become a certified river guide?

Individuals aged 18–50, in good health, capable of swimming, with a minimum education of 10th class, and holding a valid First Aid Certification.

When can applications be submitted?

Applications for the River Ganga are accepted from 1st July to 31st July, while applications for other rivers can be submitted throughout the year.

Is there any application fee?

Yes, the application fee for running a firm is ₹1000/- as per rules.

Who evaluates the applications?

The applications are first scrutinized by the Department of Tourism and then placed before the Technical Committee for inspection.

How long does it take to receive approval?

Applicants are informed of the permission and reasons by the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board within 45 days of the Technical Committee’s inspection.

Is prior experience required to run a rafting/kayaking firm?

Yes, applicants must have at least three years of experience in adventure activities.