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Rishikesh, Uttarakhand

Uttarakhand

Rishikesh

✓ Last verified Oct 2026

Photo: आशीष_भटनागर / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0

🛂 Your travel passport

Yoga, the Ganga, river rafting and a long weekend's worth of ghats and cafés.

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Prices and timings are estimates, so please confirm before you book. Spotted something wrong or out of date? Tell us.

Overview

Rishikesh sits where the Ganga leaves the Himalaya. It is known for yoga, ashrams and the evening Ganga aarti, and for adventure: white-water rafting, camping and bungee jumping. It is easy to reach from Delhi and works for a three-day escape or a month-long stay.

Best time to visit

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● best time · ◐ okay · ✕ best avoided (Jul, Aug)

How to reach

  • From Delhi

    5–6 h

    Around 240 km by road (5–6 hours). Trains reach Haridwar and Rishikesh; buses run all day.

  • By air

    ~1 h by road

    Jolly Grant airport (Dehradun) is about 35 km away with flights from major cities.

Where to stay

  • Laxman Jhula and Tapovan

    ₹500–3,500 / night

    Hostels and guesthouses close to cafés and the river.

  • Upstream riverside camps

    ₹2,000–8,000 / night

    Rafting camps and eco-stays; remote and calmer.

Things to do

  • Ganga aarti at Triveni Ghat

    1 h

    Evening ritual on the riverbank. Arrive early for a seat.

  • White-water rafting

    2–4 h

    Stretches range from beginner-friendly to rough. Choose a licensed operator and wear the provided gear.

  • Yoga and meditation classes

    Varies

    Day classes are widely available; for longer stays pick a centre with clear teaching credentials.

  • Neer Garh waterfall hike

    1–2 h

    Short forest walk to a waterfall; not suitable in heavy rain.

Food

  • Vegetarian cafés

    ₹150–500 / person

    Rishikesh is vegetarian-only in the main areas (and alcohol-free); there are plenty of café options.

Safety & permits

Safety notes

Commercial rafting on the Ganga is closed during the monsoon, reported as roughly July to mid-September (it usually reopens in the last days of September). Exact dates are set by the authorities each year, so check before booking, and use operators who follow certification rules. Do not swim in the Ganga near rapids. Walk carefully on narrow bridges when it is crowded.

Phone network & ATMs

Good mobile coverage and cafés with wifi.

Places in Rishikesh

Sights

  • Laxman Jhula

    Suspension bridge across the Ganga, with cafés and shops around it.

  • Triveni Ghat

    Main ghat for the evening Ganga aarti.

Activities

  • Rafting stretch from Shivpuri

    Popular stretch for beginner and intermediate rafts.

Getting around

  • Rishikesh Yog Nagari station

    Railway station for trains from Delhi and beyond.

Itineraries for Rishikesh

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Tips & questions

Quick tips, questions and photos from people who've been — or are going.

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  • QuestionKARTIK · @kartikkandari22 Oct 2026

    Planning a trip to Pauri Garhwal

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