If you like exploring beautiful places and like the thrill of adventure, Rishikesh is the ideal destination to visit for your next holiday. Famously known as the Gateway to the Garhwal mountains, It is famous for its mountainous backdrop with the glistening Ganges adding to the charm and also there are wonderful places to visit in Rishikesh which garnishes its essence. It is one of the most sought-after holiday destinations in India and the mesmerizing scenery presents a perfect tourist destination to revive your senses and go back with a rejuvenating experience. The serene ambiance has contributed the nickname of ‘the world capital of yoga’ to Rishikesh as it witnesses millions of tourists who come here to meditate and get closer to the ultimate goal of attaining moksha. Rishikesh is also full of nerve-wracking adventures that will keep your heart racing. The wide variety of adventure sports has given the sobriquet of Adventure Capital of India to Rishikesh. The city of Rishikesh has something for everyone with a fusion of piousness and thrill. With the best things to do in Rishikesh, you will end up craving for more of this enchanting destination.
There are so many things to do in Rishikesh for every traveler, from laid-back activities to tasks full of thrill and ecstasy. Adventure seekers can go for incredible river rafting, parasailing, kayaking, camping, Adrenaline rushing bungee jumping and flying fox in Rishikesh. The devout traveler can take a dip in the holy Ganges and explore the colorful Hindu festivals. You can shop handicrafts and famous handloom products or enjoy a sumptuous meal by the river. If you are seeking relaxation, visit or attend a yoga class and forget the worries of your life. Witness the grand evening Ganga Aarti listening to the chants of Hindu prayers that refreshes your soul or go camping in the midst of Rishikesh. As there are plenty of activities to do in Rishikesh, it truly deserves to be on your bucket list to satiate your wanderlust. Here are some of the best holiday packages compiling the most wonderful and best things to do in Rishikesh on a vacation.
Places to Visit and Things to Do in Rishikesh
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Rishikesh Top Attractions
Places To Visit In Rishikesh
Translated in the local language, Rishikund means the 'Pond of the Sage' and is one of the most important places to visit in Rishikesh. A natural hot water spring, it is believed that a pious sage named Kubz was blessed by the Goddess Yamuna who promised to stay in Rishikesh forever. Located within a close proximity to the Triveni Ghat, the most commonly believed story behind this holy pond narrates that it was once a havan kund. During the ancient times, as the holy Ganges was not flowing nearby, it created a havoc among the people. To please Mother Ganges, few pious devotees performed yagna at this place and at their request, Goddess Yamuna appeared and stayed here forever.Other stories also says that it was once the bathing place of Lord Rama; dedicated to the lord and his wife Sita, Ragunath Temple was built beside Rishikund. On a clear day, you can witness the reflection of the temple on the surface of the pond. Devotees from various parts of the world flocks this Rishikesh tourist place and offer their prayers to the Goddess Yamuna and seek blessings of the other Gods as well.
Vashistha Cave or Vashistha Gufa is an ancient cave where Sage Vashistha and his wife meditated for hundreds of years. According to Hindu mythology, Sage Vashista was a Manas Putra (human son) of Lord Brahma and one of the Saptarishi (great seven sages). The Vashishta Gufa situated in the middle of Gular trees and the sacred River Ganga is a perfect place for peace of mind and positive spiritual energy.Over the years a small ashram was built near the cave known as Swami Purushottamanand ashram as well as some rooms outside the cave, where many sadhus live there permanently.Located 25 km from Rishikesh on the Rishikesh-Badrinath road, all buses going towards Devprayag pass through this place. A flight of around 200 steps and you reach the entrance of the cave which only gets pitch dark as you go deeper.The cave is properly maintained and the floor is strewn with white mats for about 12 people. The interior of the cave is filled with some aroma of burning oil and sticks making it a peaceful and spiritual meditational sanctuary.At the end of the cave, there is a Shiv Linga where you normally find priests and other tourists engaged in worship and veneration. There is also another small cave outside the ashram called “Arundhati Cave” and an iron bridge across the river to the small yet beautiful Gular village.The beach outside the cave is a perfect setting to relax and reflect with nature after a deep meditation and silent introspection.For some thrill and adventure, you can also go to Shivpuri to indulge in the adventurous flying fox activity.
Rishikesh is dotted with some of the most popular ashrams in the country, and Omkarananda Ashram is one of them. In the year 1967, Paramahamsa Omkarananda Saraswati, a great philosopher and saint founded the ashram and it has earned a great reputation since. The ashram hosts thousands of people who stay here for days, seeking peace and spirituality through meditation, yoga, and other activities. The scenic riverside location with pristine nature all around, you are bound to feel refreshed after spending a couple of hours here. Participate in religious activities, meditate to calm your soul, and try yoga to heal yourself therapeutically. If you come for a visit, you can take a tour of the temple and get some insights into the Hindu culture. For the most rewarding experience, be here to witness evening aarti because that is a spectacle you will remember for a long time.Location: Swami Omkarananda Saraswati Road, Ganga Vatika, Muni Ki Reti, RishikeshTimings: 6 am to 9:3 pmEntry Fee: Free entry
Rishikesh Travel Guides
People Also Ask About Rishikesh Things To Do
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What is the best time to visit Rishikesh?
Popularly known as the ‘Gateway to the Garhwal Himalayas’ and the ‘Yoga capital of the world’, this city in the northern state of Uttrakhand, lies on the foothills of Himalayas besides Ganges River.
Since May June here is quite hot, late September to mid-November and March to early May is the best time to visit.
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Where is Rishikesh? How can I reach Rishikesh from Delhi? What is the distance?
Rishikesh is located in the foothills of the Himalayas, in the northern state of Uttrakhand. It is 242 km from Delhi via NH 334. It is 25 km north of Haridwar and 43 km southeast of the state capital Dehradun. You can reach Rishikesh by air, train or bus.
- Air: Jolly Grant is the nearest airport to Rishikesh, approximately 15 km away. Multiple direct flights are available from Delhi, making it affordable and faster to fly to the area.
- Train: From Delhi it is an 8-10 hour journey to Haridwar and then continue on by bus/taxi for about 45 min. A quiet route connects Rishikesh to Haridwar and there are just three slow trains daily, therefore making it a little difficult.
- Road: From Delhi, it is a 6-7 hour journey and the city is about 230 km away. It is well connected by buses or you can even choose to drive down.
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What all things I must carry while visiting Rishikesh?
- Men must carry swimming trunks, while women need not because they can bathe in full clothes in the Ganga River
- For both extremes of temperature here, you must carry a down jacket, warm pullover, warm pants, light loose cotton pants, warm windproof jackets, cotton full sleeve Tees, thermals, light tennis shoes or light rubber sandals.
- Don’t forget to carry a cap, towel and a washing kit.
- Tevas, chacos, old sneakers or water shoes for river rafting
- Proper shoes or hiking boots
- Sunhat, sunscreen, sunglasses(optional)
- Reusable shopping bags (it’s a no “plastic bag town”)
- Water proof camera
- Flash light with extra batteries
- Personal first aid kit
- Insect repellant
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What is the ideal duration for a holiday in Rishikesh to do various activities?
Depends on what activities you want to pursue. This charming city on the foothills of Himalayas, offer adventure lovers a plethora of exciting activities amidst the tranquility and gushing sound of crystal clear waters.
A week would be enough if you want to try most of the adventures activities in Rishikesh like river rafting, cliff jumping, rappelling, kayaking, bungee jumping etc and you’re not hard pressed for time.
However, if you’re in a hurry, one day is enough to touch the most important sites. I’d suggest you should enjoy your stay here for 2-3 days, visiting various temples and ashrams, in this revered religious destination.
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What places should I visit in Rishikesh?
From adventure activities to temple pilgrimages and a quiet life for travellers, there are many tourists attractions in Rishikesh that will excite you.- TriveniGhat for Ganga Aarti
- ParmatNiketan Temple
- LakshmanJhula
- Ram Jhula
- NeelkanthMahadev
- Kunjapuri Devi Temple
- The Beatles Ashram
- NeerGarh Waterfalls
- Jumpin Heights
- GeetaBhawan
- Byasi
- Kaudiyala
- Bharat mandir
- Rishi Kund
- Terahmanzil temple
- Vashishtha cave
- Shivananda ashram
- Nirmal ashram
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What different activities can be done in Rishikesh?
- River Rafting
- Bungee Jumping
- Luxury Camping
- Camping
- Flying Fox
- Air Safari
- Giant Swing
- Body Surfing
- Rock Climbing
- Kayaking
- Rappelling
- Mountain biking
- Yoga
- Beach volleyball
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Can we river raft in Rishikesh? Where can we do it?
Yes, you can do river rafting in Rishikesh. Over here, it’s a fantastic opportunity to raft down river Ganga. Experiencing distinctive thrill, savoring the gentle touch of shining blue water, enjoying the freshness of the surrounding woods while moving across the unstable rapids, gives you your dose of adrenaline and an experience to cherish forever.
It can be done at Camp River Zone, Rishikesh River Rafting Tours, Hill Wars Adventure, Outbound Adventure etc. Famous rafting sites are from Kaudiyala, Marine drive, Brahmpuri and Shivpurito Rishikesh.
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How much will river rafting in Rishikesh cost?
750/- per person for 24 kms and 1850/- per person for 36 kilometers which includes cliff jumping and body surfing. Rates may vary w.r.t. the organization you’ve contacted.
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Is it safe to do River rafting in Rishikesh? How many people are there on the raft?
90% of the times, yes! The remaining 10% is highly unpredictable and beyond human control or predictions.
A normal raft can easily handle up to 6-8 people. However, it totally depends on the size of the raft and the route you to choose.
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Are there any camping opportunities in Rishikesh?
Yes, there are plenty. Since camping brings you an opportunity of staying amidst the emerald beauty and tranquility of nature, you should definitely try it.
Places like Shivpuri, Brahmpuri, Marine Drive and Kaudiyala offer the most wonderful camping sites in Rishikesh, where you may enjoy quality time with family and friends while enjoying the scenic beauty and reconnecting with nature.
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Are there any river beach camp locations in Rishikesh?
Yes, there are many. This tourist attraction has recently become very popular for beach camping at locations like: Marine Drive, Brahmpuri, Byasi, Shivpuri, Kaudiyala and Sinthali.
These camps let you enjoy white water rafting, rock climbing, jungle walk, cliff hanging, mountain trekking etc.
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What kind of tents will be provided to us?
- Dome Tent
- Quick Pitch Tent
- Inflatable Tent.
- Geodesic Tent.
- Large Family Tent.
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What kind of trekking options are there in Rishikesh? Which all treks are a must do?
Camping Trek, Tea house trek are the common types of treks in Rishikesh.
- Waterfall Trek
- KedarNath Trek
- Gaumukh Trek
- Pindari Glacier
- Kunjapuri Temple trekking
- Sukanda Devi Trek
- Kuari Pass trek
- Valley of Flowers trek
- Roopkund trek
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Can we do Rappelling in Rishikesh? Where we can do it?
Yes. Rishikesh isn’t just a holy town where pilgrims throng, but is renowned among adventure seekers.
Rappelling is a very exciting and exotic adventure sport, in which you’ll be descending the terrain from a height. You’ll need a good instructor and best equipments for a safe, fun-filled experience.
The best place for rappelling in Rishikesh would be the famous Shivalik Himalayas which have steep cliffs and a charming landscape.
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Can we do Rock Climbing in Rishikesh? Is it safe? Do they train you before Rock Climbing session?
Yes, the Himalayan town of Rishikesh is a preferred destination for rock climbing in India. Yes, it’s safe as it's done in the supervision of technically qualified extreme adventure sports experts with a proper gear to ensure safety.
Yes, before the take you out for rock climbing, a basic session is organized which helps you understand the basic techniques of this adventure sport. Rock climbing isn’t just about physical strength but it’s about controlling your mind. The basic training includes top roping, easy bouldering and lead climbing.
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Where is Bungee Jumping done in Rishikesh? How much it will cost us?
Jumping from a tall structure while being connected to a large elastic cord, is one of the most exciting adventure sport, Rishikesh is famous for. The thrill comes from free falling and the rebound.
You can do Bungee jumping at Mohan Chatti near Rishikesh. It’s the highest fixed platform for Bungee Jumping. Jumping Heights Bungee Bridge is another famous spot.
Normal Bungee Jumping costs around 3500 per person while the cost of combos like bungee with swing and bungee with flying fox ranges from 4500-6000.
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Is Bungee Jumping advisable for the faint hearted?
No, you’d do it at your own risk and it’s obviously not advisable. Further, you’re prohibited from jumping or flying if you have heart conditions, back or neck injury, recent fracture or dislocation, high BP, neurological disorders, epilepsy, osteoporosis etc. and any other relevant condition.
Especially above the age of 40, you’re obliged to inform the crew and may be allowed to jump at their discretion.
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What things need to kept in mind before doing a bungee jump?
- Be Confident
- Don’t Believe In the myths
- Choose your surroundings with a picturesque environment
- Wear Comfortable clothes
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Can we do kayaking in Rishikesh?
Yes, you can do kayaking. In fact kayaking in Rishikesh has achieved much admiration among adventure freaks from all over the globe. River Ganges tenders many superb rapids to commence on the kayaking expedition.
So with the essential apparatus(life jacket, kayak boat, helmet and paddle) you can easily do it. Kayak School and Expeditions and Red Chilli Adventure etc. arrange kayaking experiences.
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What all activities can be done by kids in Rishikesh?
Children may do mountain biking, flying fox, bungee jumping, Giant Swing and River Rafting etc. It’s safe and is done under expert supervision.
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Which are some nearby places to visit from Rishikesh?
Haridwar, Kanatal, TehriGarhwal, Devprayag, Rajaji National Park, Dhanaulti, Chamba.
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Is it safe to travel Rishikesh for solo female travelers?
Yes, it’s really safe to travel solo. Lots of solo women travel here and there have hardly been any complains of eve-teasing etc.
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Where can we see evening aarti in Rishikesh?
ParmarthNiketan Ashram and TriveniGhat are famous for evening aarti.
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Can we swim in Ganges?
Yeah, you can swim if you want to just be careful because the flow of water is high. You’ve travelled closer to the origin of Ganga where water is extremely clear.
Pollution in the mountains is far less than the city (almost negligible) so there are no reasons to avoid taking a dip in holy waters of Ganga that are believed to purge your soul.
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Which are the famous yoga ashrams in Rishikesh?
- ParmarthNiketan
- Sivananda Ashram
- Omkarananda Ganga Sadan
- Shree Mahesh Heritage Meditation School
- Yoga Niketan Ashram
- Himalayan Yoga Ashram
- SaadhnaMandir Ashram
- Natur-O-ville Vedic Retreat
- Anand Prakash yoga ashram
- Phoolchatti