Rishikesh Travel Guide India

Rishikesh is a land full of wonders and surprises at every corner of the city. From cute cafes, and tranquil riverbanks, to tall-standing cliffs and waterfalls and divine evening ‘Aartis’ by the Ghaat, you’ll not find a shortage of activities to enjoy.

The Beatles Ashram is one of the most famous places to visit in Rishikesh and almost everyone who plans a tour to Rishikesh has this on their bucket list. Interestingly, the temple is there for a long time but it’s in the limelight only recently after the famous band Beatles visited. In fact, the temple is not a restored or renovated one like many other famous Asian temples. The temple became famous after the Beatles’ stay here and their claim of writing one of their best pieces after a peaceful meditation session here, which is definitely not surprising if you visit once. Only a few things have changed like some recently added urban murals that are quite photogenic and touristy.

One of the most divine experiences you can have in Rishikesh besides indulging in meditation and yoga sessions is experiencing the magnificent evening aarti at Triveni Ghat. This is undoubtedly something you don’t wanna miss out on. In fact, we are sure you’ll come back every evening. The Ghat packs hundreds and thousands of locals and tourists every evening who flock together to watch the mesmerizing ‘Sandhyaarti’. The ambience that you see cannot be found elsewhere in India. Experiencing an Aarti at Triveni Ghat is on the basket list of many travellers who come to India wanting to explore the local culture. You can also take part in it by offering some flowers or ‘diya’ to the holy Ganga.

A trip to Rishikesh can never be complete without a wholesome yoga session which is considered to be an important aspect of spirituality. You can either find out a peaceful place by the side of the riverbanks to enjoy some alone time doing yoga. You can also join a class of fellow yogic practitioners and learn the art more accurately from an experienced trainer, such schools are all over the place. But if you plan on it, it’s best to get associated with some accredited schools that can help you get a valuable yoga training certificate while you enjoy your vacation. And if you really like one class, there are many schools that offer yoga teacher training courses which is even more valuable.

River rafting through the pristine waters of Rishikesh flowing through the foothills of the Himalayas is really worth experiencing once. There are two kinds of river rafting experiences that you can look for - one which is a bit more fast-paced and adventurous and the other one which is more slow-paced so that you can enjoy nature, flowing steadily through the cool breeze. Although it depends from person to person, soft rafting is mostly recommended as the water current is less strong to cause any fatalities and overall it is an amazing experience. Most hotels and resorts have arrangements for rafting packages

Getting to experience a blissful sunrise in the spiritual capital of India cannot be anything less than a blessing! Most hotels and resorts have arrangements to reach the temple which is at a higher altitude with a concrete platform where people gather to catch sunrise before 4 AM in the morning. If the sky is clear, you are bound to get some gorgeous glimpses of the sunrise. Afterwards, you can climb down and visit the temple for a quick prayer and indulge in some authentic Indian food on your way back.

Another hidden gem of Rishikesh although not so hidden anymore, the place is nothing short of mesmerizing. The trio of waterfall is located on the road down from the Kunjapuri Devi Temple and is a sight to experience. You can either trek to the location from the temple or easily catch a ride from the city. Entry to the waterfall is free and it takes approximately 1.5 hours from the city to trek there. If you want to rent a scooty, it costs an average of 300 INR a day.

This is a hanging bridge connecting two foothills of the mountain that offers a panoramic view of the Himalayas with the mighty river flowing beneath. If you are to ever visit Rishikesh, this is a must-visit site to see. Also, while you’re there, don’t forget to catch a glimpse of the Patna Waterfall which is only a 10-minutes drive from the bridge. The bridge is located in a major tourist area and is almost always habited by tourists.

Owing to the amazing weather and lower incidences of natural disasters compared to other Himalayan tourist destinations in India, Rishikesh is a perfect tourist destination all around the year. You get to experience different seasons, weather, and natural beauties in different months of the year. While the winters are chilly, the summers are pleasant and comfortable.

By bus route: The bus station in Rishikesh is only a few minutes away from the city centre so it is an ideal route if you stay in the nearby states. You can get overnight and non-stop buses from Dharamshala, Delhi, and many other cities surrounding Rishikesh.

By train: There is no railway station in the city of Rishikesh but the closest one is in Haridwar which is an hour’s journey from Rishikesh by cab. You can find cabs all around Haridwar that go to Rishikesh. So, even if you are planning a few night’s stays at Haridwar, you can book a cab to Rishikesh by talking to your hotel reception - mostly they have all contacts.

By air: if you are rather not a fan of the overnight bus journeys, Dehradun Airport is the closest domestic airport which is situated 40 minutes away from Rishikesh by road. Ford international travellers, Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport will be the nearest one for you at around 250km by road, from where you can either take a cab or book another connecting flight to Dehradun Airport.