17 Best Things to do in Rishikesh

River Rafting is an activity that involves sailing on rapids on a rubber boat. It’s an adventure filled activity that has gained a popular momentum in the Indian adventure sports scene. Rishikesh’s proximity to the upper Himalayas along with the passing of the Ganges through this city makes it a very popular spot for River Rafting.

People flock to Rishikesh for this activity due to the virtue of its location. If you are visiting and want to go on an adrenaline-pumping activity, do put river rafting on your bucket list of things to do in Rishikesh.

Best Season: Summers and monsoon are the best time for this activity because the stream is stronger.

Approximate Cost: Ranges Between 1500 to 3000 Rs.

Bungee Jumping is a fun activity that involves jumping from a tall structure like a vertical rail, building or cliff while suspended from a rope harness. The fun lies in the jump and the recoil one encounters when they are bounced back and the rope is completely stretched out.

It’s a very unique activity in India, having been introduced to Rishikesh a few years previously.  For those who enjoy an adrenaline filled activity, this is one should be on your list of things to do in Rishikesh.

Best Season: This activity can be availed throughout the year.

Approximate Cost: Between 2000 to 4000 Rs.

Difficulty Level: It’s a slightly demanding activity as physical fitness is an absolute requisite for this activity. People with conditions such as blood pressure or diabetes should consult a doctor before indulging in this activity.

Flying Fox is basically another name for zip lining. Zip lining is an activity that involves sliding through a horizontal rope while attached to the rope through a harness. The starting point is generally located at a higher altitude than the ending point in order to allow one to slide through the rope.

The speed of sliding through a valley or between two cliffs is reason enough to try this at least once. It is an activity for all ages and is a lot of fun to participate in. You can also check here the list of thrilling & adventurous activities in Rishikesh.

Best Season: This activity can be availed throughout the year.

Approximate Cost: Ranges Between 2000 to 5500 Rs.

Difficulty Level: This is an activity that can be availed by anyone who meets general physical fitness levels. For those who have heart conditions, blood pressure or diabetic, consult a doctor before participating in this activity.

Also, Check here some of the amazing packages for flying fox adventure in Rishikesh.

Much like Bungee Jumping, giant swing works on the same principle. But unlike Bungee Jumping which is a free fall, on a giant swing, a person’s rope harness is connected to a holding point from where he swings. To put it simply, imagine the person being a pendulum ball and swinging from one end to another.

It is usually conducted at the same spot as Bungee Jumping because of the similarity between the activities. The distance covered in a Giant Swing adventure ranges between 1 - 1.5 km. It’s a thrilling activity that is sure to tickle your adventure bone.

Best Season: This activity can be availed throughout the year.

Approximate Cost: Ranges Between 2000 to 6000 Rs.

Difficulty Level: This is an activity that can be availed by anyone who meets general physical fitness levels. For those who have heart conditions, blood pressure or diabetic, consult a doctor before participating in this activity.

The beautiful mountain scenery along with the old world feeling of Rishikesh makes it a camper’s delight. Rishikesh is one of those places which seems to be stuck in a time limbo, not overly modern but not completely dwelling in the past.

A place such as this has a lot of stories to be discovered making it the perfect spot to camp under the stars and marvel at the sight and sounds of the surroundings and the city. Camping here will have a transcendental effect and is sure to delight you. Make your trip a memorable one at some of these best camps of Rishikesh.

Best Season: Summers and spring are the best time because of the pleasant weather.

Approximate Cost: Ranges Between 1000 to 6000 Rs.

Kayaking is a water activity, much like canoeing, that involves paddling across on water on a kayak. A kayak is a canoe-like boat but unlike a canoe, you sit facing the front. Kayaking is a fun activity especially on the streams of Rishikesh because of the clear waters and the rapids that make for a bumpy and fun activity.

Go kayaking on the Ganges and meander through rough patches along the stream and truly take in the rush and force of the water as it charges downhill. For anyone looking for things to do in Rishikesh, look no further and try kayaking in this beautiful city.

Best Season: Summer and Spring are the best time because of the pleasant weather and the force of the water.

Approximate Cost: Ranges Between 600 to 2000 Rs depending on the size of a group.

Difficulty Level: This is an activity that can be availed by anyone with basic physical fitness.

Imagine Majestic Mountains, freshwater rivers and streams, picturesque valleys and beautiful flora and fauna. Picture trekking through them and basking at the glory of all of these. If this is something that interests and excites you then Rishikesh is the perfect spot for you to go trekking.

Being at the foothills of the upper Himalayas, this is the ideal spot for anyone to trek in. Rishikesh’s proximity to places such as Gangotri, Yamunotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath makes it an ideal place to trek in or start trekking from. For a trip through nature and its preciousness, do put it on your bucket list of things to do in Rishikesh.

Best Season: Summer, Autumn and Spring are the best time because of the pleasant weather.

Approximate Cost: Ranges Between 3000 to 10000 Rs depending on the location of the trek.

Difficulty Level: This is an activity that can be availed by anyone with basic physical fitness.

Much like the name suggests, cliff jumping involves jumping off a cliff ranging from 20 to 50 feet into waters. It’s a fierce activity and not to be taken trivially as it requires a strong will to jump into cold waters. You could do it for the sport or as a hobby but it’s an activity that is sure to delight and excite you.

Rishikesh is the perfect spot to indulge in this. So, take charge and take the leap of glory as you crash into the water and come out with a ton of good memories.

Best Season: Summer- because of the pleasant weather and the ideal water temperature.

Approximate Cost: Ranges Between 1750 to 4000 Rs.

Difficulty Level: This is an activity that can be availed by anyone with basic physical fitness.

Not a lot of places in Rishikesh can boast the peace and calm that one experiences at Triveni Ghat and that is saying a lot. Ganga Aarti at Triveni Ghat is a tranquil and peaceful experience that is sure to fill you with a sense of calm and quiet introspection.

The Ganga Aarti is performed as a mark of respect and devotion to Goddess Ganga and is attended by hundreds and thousands of locals and tourists every day. After sunset, the ghat lights up with the light from the lamps that are set afloat on leaf boats after the Aarti.

It is truly a sight to behold and the power of spirituality can be truly understood and experienced making it a must thing to do in Rishikesh. And also there are many beautiful places to visit in Rishikesh near the Triveni Ghat.

Best Season: The Aarti is performed throughout the year.

After you have discovered so much in and around Rishikesh, surely you would need some rest and relaxation. And what better than an Ayurvedic massage. It is one of the best things to do in Rishikesh, to make your body feel special and cared for. I will quote a well-known saying- “If you take care of your body, it will take good care of you”. That’s the case with about everyone.

We in our daily lives, go through tremendous pressures, tensions, workload, etc. that we get fatigued out. We start craving for a break, one that will rejuvenate, refresh and heal us. Ayurvedic massage in some of the best massage centres of Rishikesh is just what you need.

They will treat you with fragrance-filled, herbal and ayurvedic oils, that will not only free the tension and pressure out of your mind and body; but will also loosen up and relax your tense muscles.

What do Beatles have in common with India? It’s The Beatles Ashram in Rishikesh. The Beatles are most renowned for their universal appeal and their flare but they are also popular for their travels to Rishikesh.

The Beatles Ashram is a beautiful testament to the grandeur that was John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Ringo and George Harrison’s Beatles and has a lot of memoirs and artefacts that give information about their time in India and their interaction with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. 

It was also the spot where they formulated a lot of their songs and some albums were even created there. For Beatles fans or fan of their genre of music, this is a definite place to add to their list of things to do in Rishikesh.

Best Season: The Aashram can be visited throughout the year.

If you are in Rishikesh and don’t try your hand in Yoga, that would be like going to Delhi and not indulging in the local food. Rishikesh is the Yoga capital of the world and has a lot of people who practice and teach this ancient exercise and meditation activity.

Yoga helps in attending physical and mental prowess and calmness and is a very relaxing activity to indulge in. A lot of places in Rishikesh offer Yoga classes for you to choose from. So, warm up and loosen those muscles as you take part in this ancient Indian tradition.

Best Season: This activity can be availed throughout the year.

Approximate Cost: Ranges Between 900 to 2000 Rs.

Once you have travelled across the length and breadth of Rishikesh, you can hop-in to one of the many cafeterias that line its streets. It’s not just about having a coffee, it’s about having coffee in a café near the banks of river Ganga, or about having the same in the lap of Himalayas or yet, about enjoying a hot mug of coffee in the downtown across LakshmanJhula.

One of the famous downtown cafes is the ‘Beatles Cafe’. It is said that ‘The Beatles’ band members visited this café, and ended up making lyrics of a new song in this café. Since then this café got a new name- The Beatles’ Café. Having coffee here should be on your list of things to do in Rishikesh.

The flavours are many, right from regular to choco latte to cold coffee to choco-ice-cream or the black coffee, and so on.

Also, check here the curated list of luxurious resorts in Rishikesh to make your stay a comfortable one.

One of the famous national parks of India is Rajaji National Park, located in Uttarakhand. The park has 3 different entry points, one of which is near Rishikesh and is known as Chilla range. One of the best things to do in Rishikesh is to take a safari along with a local guide, across Rajaji National Park.

The park is known to have the maximum number of elephants across India. It also has a wide variety of wild animals such as Sambar deer, barking deer, Antelopes like Nilgai and Goral, tiger, leopard and monkeys. Adding to this kitty, there is a huge variety of Himalayan birds, numbering up to 400 species.

Some of the most sought-after birds by tourists and bird-watchers include Scaly Thrush, Rusty Treecreeper, Snowy-browed Flycatcher, Bush Warbler, Leaf Warbler, Black-necked Stork and Blue Magpie.

One of the best things to do in Rishikesh is eating your heart out at Chottiwala restaurant and spoil yourself in food outing. Located on the banks of river Ganga, this restaurant opened way back in 1958. Since then it has been serving traditional Indian cuisine food items of north India, at very affordable prices.

The restaurant is known for not just it's tasty, but also nutritious and healthy food. The best part is that despite being crowded, you don’t have to wait for more than half an hour to get your order on your table. The Chottiwala restaurant also serves many South Indian, Garhwali and Chinese dishes.

Foreigners need not worry, because Chottiwala also serves Continental food in which you can have the required amount of spices in your platter, as you like, to spoil your taste buds. It also offers many sweet dishes and other delicacies to spoil yourself.

There is still one big thing left out for all those of you, adventure seekers and thrill lovers. And that thing is Hot Air Ballooning over the skies of Rishikesh. It should be at no.1 on your list of things to do in Rishikesh as the kind experience and excitement it brings with it, is comparable to none.

You will get to sit in an air balloon, which will be tied to, lifted up, and floated by a light aircraft to get you to the required heights. Once you have reached the correct altitude, you can enjoy the panoramic view of the valley and mountains, with birds chirping close to you in the sky.

You will feel like flying, free from all the hullabaloo of the world that dwells below. This ride is counted as Air Safari, one of the best ways to enjoy the natural scenic beauty of Rishikesh.

Important: Currently the hot air ballooning is banned in Rishikesh.