Rishikesh

Rishikesh is known as the ‘Gateway to the Garhwal Himalayas’ and the ‘Yoga Capital of The World’. It is a tehsil of Dehradun district of Uttarakhand state in India. It is a popular destination due to its cultural and spiritual significance, as well as its natural beauty. It attracts a large number of yoga enthusiasts and practitioners from all over the globe. Legendary rock band The Beatles had visited the ashram of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in the late 1960s to seek spirituality.

Rishikesh

Rishikesh is located at the foothills of the Himalayas, on the banks of the holy river Ganges, and is considered a sacred place in Hinduism. Many ashrams, temples, and yoga centers are located in the city, which attracts a large number of spiritual seekers and tourists who come to explore its cultural and religious heritage. It is also home to various adventurous activities such an river rafting and bungee jumping. It is famous for its various shrines and yoga ashrams.

Rishikesh Overview

StateUttarakhand, India
Famous ForYoga, meditation, and adventure activities
Nearest Major CityDehradun (47 km)
Best Time to VisitApril to June for adventure activities, all seasons for yoga and meditation
Summer TemperatureMax 38°C & Min 20°C
Winter TemperatureMax 25°C & Min 9°C
Nearest AirportJolly Grant Airport, Dehradun

Things to do in Rishikesh:


Rishikesh offers a plethora of activities for visitors to enjoy. From immersing in spiritual practices such as yoga and meditation in the ashrams and yoga centers to attending the mesmerizing Ganga Aarti ceremony at Triveni Ghat, there are ample opportunities for spiritual awakening. Adventure seekers can indulge in thrilling experiences like river rafting, trekking in the Himalayas, and bungee jumping.

Exploring the ancient temples, including the iconic Lakshman Jhula and Ram Jhula suspension bridges, and taking a dip in the holy Ganges River are also popular activities. With its vibrant blend of spirituality, adventure, and cultural heritage, Rishikesh is a destination that caters to diverse interests and promises an unforgettable experience. Here are some of the best things you can do in Rishikesh:

River Rafting

River Rafting in Rishikesh

The most popular fun and adventurous activity in Rishikesh is river rafting. Many adventurous tourists both from India and overseas visit this place to experience the adventure of river rafting. River Ganga offers excellent rafting rapids and best rafting facilities. Rafting is popular among all age groups i.e. students to families to corporate groups.

Best time for river rafting in Rishikesh: Summers are best to try river rafting in Rishikesh.

River rafting Route: Kaudiyala to Lakshman Jhula (36 km) with 13 major rapids.

Grade levels for rafting in Rishikesh: Basic (Grade I & II), Standard (Grade III) and Expert (Grade IV)

River rafting routes:

  • Kaudiyala- Marine Drive (10 km with grade III & IV)
  • Marine Drive- Shivpuri (11 km with grade II & III)
  • Shivpuri-Brahmpuri (11 km with grade I & II)
  • Brahmpuri-Lakshman Jhula (9 km with grade I)

Rafting charges in Rishikesh: 1100 – 1500 Rupees

Cliff Jumping

Cliff jumping is mostly included in the rafting package. You jump from a cliff into the River Ganga wearing a life-jacket. It is both fun and adventure. The experience is definitely going to be one that you will never forget.

The average height of cliffs: 20 feet

Cliff jumping spots in Rishikesh: Brahmapuri, 2 km before Lakshman Jhula.

Body Surfing

In body surfing, you get along with the motion of the water waves on your back and feel the movement of the body along with the tides of  the river, wearing a life-jacket.

Charges: You would enjoy it for free during river rafting.

Best time: Summers.

Bungee Jumping

Rishikesh has the highest bungee jumping spot in India. It is the only destination with a fixed platform for jumping.

Bungee jumping spots: Jumping Heights, Mohanchatti

Timings: 9:30 am to 3:30 pm

Age limit: Minimum 12 years

Weight requirement for bungee jumping: 35-110 kg

Kayaking

The Ganga river offers excellent and challenging rapids for Kayaking. People who are looking for a challenging & thrilling journey it’s an important experience to gain.

Kayaking spot in Rishikesh: Shivpuri

Camping

Bonfires are arranged during nights for the travelers to provide warmth in open cool spaces. The heat from the bonfires spread warmth in the atmosphere and creates a cozy environment for the travelers.

Best time for camping: February to May and September to November.

Some of the Best camps in Rishikesh: Camp Rapidfire, Camp Aquaforest, and Camp Gold Coast.

Trekking

Trekking hereis no doubt one of the most exciting activities to do. Walking through green meadows and pathways, you can find your way to exciting destinations.

Best time for trekking in Rishikesh: Anytime excluding monsoons.

Trekking routes: Waterfall trek, Kunjapuri Trek and Neelkanth Mahadev Trek.

Mountain Biking

Mountain biking in Rishikesh involves riding bicycles off-road and over rough terrain through the hills, which is a great experience that you just can’t compare with anything else. Explore Rishikesh riding a bike.

Best time for mountain biking: Anytime excluding monsoons.

Flying Fox

The Flying Fox is an exciting adventure sport in Rishikesh. You would enjoy the gravity and the air flow as you fly like a free bird over the mountain range of the Himalayas and the holy river Ganga.

Minimum age required: 12 years

Charges of Flying Fox: 1200 – 1500 Rupees

Flying Fox spots in Rishikesh: Shivpuri.

Rock Climbing and Rappelling

Rock climbing is an activity of climbing up, down or across natural or artificial rock walls. While rappelling is an adventure activity that involves coming down a rock or artificial climbing wall with the help of ropes and other equipment.

Ayurvedic Massage and therapies

India is home of Ayurvedic therapies. There are a number of institutes in Rishikesh that offer proper Ayurvedic massage.

Ayurveda therapies and massage centers in Rishikesh: Hemadri Ayurveda Centre, Ayurveda Bhavan, Ananda in the Himalayas and Braham Yoga and Healing are some of the well-known Ayurvedic massage centers in Rishikesh.

Paragliding

Take an incredible experience of flying over the Himalayas, Ganga River, green forests, dams and in Rishikesh.

Best time for paragliding in Rishikesh: Anytime excluding monsoon season.

Yoga and Meditation

Gain the inner peace with excellent yoga and meditation centers in Rishikesh. Boost your mental health with the help of world-class yoga and meditation experts.

Best ashrams for yoga and meditation: Parmarth Niketan Ashram, Omkarananda Ganga SadanSivananda Ashram and Shree Mahesh Heritage School are among the top Rishikesh ashrams.

Hot Air Ballooning

4 or 5 people can enjoy the ride together, flying over the beautiful mountains at the height of 100 ft to 500 ft depending on weather and wind flow.

Best time for hot air ballooning: Winters.

Ganga Arti at Triveni Ghat

The most popular attraction of Triveni Ghat is the incredible Ganga Aarti, where River Ganga is worshiped every evening. This devotional prayer (Arti) is also termed as Maha Aarti. This huge, amazing and memorable event is attended by a large number of devotees.

Ganga Aarti timings: 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM

Ganga Arti place: Triveni Ghat.

its yoga scene is vibrant and diverse. Many yoga schools, ashrams, and meditation centers have set up shop in Rishikesh, attracting people from all over the world who come to learn and practice yoga and meditation.

There are numerous yoga teacher training programs and retreats that offer different styles and levels of yoga, from Hatha to Ashtanga to Kundalini. Many of these programs are certified by the Yoga Alliance and provide students with a comprehensive education in yoga theory, practice, and philosophy.

In addition to the formal yoga schools and retreats, there are also many informal opportunities to practice yoga in Rishikesh. Many ashrams and temples offer free or donation-based yoga classes, and there are also numerous private yoga studios and teachers who offer classes to visitors.

Overall, the yoga scene in Rishikesh is a major draw for many visitors, who come to the city seeking to deepen their practice or learn more about yoga and meditation.

Visit The Beatles Ashram

The Maharishi Mahesh Yogi ashram or The Beatles Ashram is situated in a beautiful place within the Rajaji National Park. The holy river Ganga flows behind it. It got the world’s attention when the band members of the legendary English rock band The Beatles came here to learn meditation and yoga in February 1968.

Places to Visit

Yoga Scene in Rishikesh

The city’s yoga and meditation scene is vibrant and diverse. Many yoga schools, ashrams, and meditation centers have set up shop in Rishikesh, attracting people from all over the world who come to learn and practice yoga and meditation.

There are numerous yoga teacher training programs and retreats that offer different styles and levels of yoga, from Hatha to Ashtanga to Kundalini. Many of these programs are certified by the Yoga Alliance and provide students with a comprehensive education in yoga theory, practice, and philosophy.

In addition to the formal yoga schools and retreats, there are also many informal opportunities to practice yoga in Rishikesh. Many ashrams and temples offer free or donation-based yoga classes, and there are also numerous private yoga studios and teachers who offer classes to visitors.

Overall, the yoga scene in Rishikesh is a major draw for many visitors, who come to the city seeking to deepen their practice or learn more about yoga and meditation.

How to reach Rishikesh

By Air

The nearest airport to Rishikesh is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun, which is about 35 kilometers away. The airport has regular flights to and from major cities in India like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore.

By Road

Rishikesh is easily accessible by road as it lies on the National Highway 7. Buses and taxis are available from nearby cities like Delhi, Dehradun, and Haridwar. The distance from Delhi to Rishikesh is around 240 kilometers, and it takes about 6-7 hours to reach by road.

By Train

Rishikesh has its own railway station, which is well-connected to major cities in India like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai. Some popular trains that run between Delhi and Rishikesh are Shatabdi Express, Jan Shatabdi Express, and Mussoorie Express.