Alaknanda rushed from the Himalayas to meet Bhagirathi, to become Ganga for imparting wisdom at the banks of Rishikesh.
Rishikesh, known for spirituality, meditation, yoga, adventure, and natural beauty, is a beautiful tourist place in Uttarakhand. This Rishikesh travel guide will help you discover the charm of this peaceful destination that attracts people from all over the world to feel its divine energy. The name Rishikesh comes from Lord Vishnu, the protector. “Rishika” means senses and “Isa” means Lord, together meaning “Lord of the Senses.” Maa Ganga, the main attraction here, enters the plains through this calm town and flows towards Haridwar. Devotees come to wash away their sins and purify their souls to reach salvation. The sound of holy chants and Ganga Aarti at Triveni Ghat fills the air with peace and beauty, making it a highlight of any Rishikesh tourist guide.
Table of Contents
Details About Rishikesh
Topography
Rishikesh is the holy city of Uttarakhand in India, in the Tehri and Dehradun districts of the Garhwal Himalayas. It is elevated at 340 meters or 1,120 ft. on the foothills of the Himalayas, where the Ganga begins its voyage to the northern plains. The town has hilly terrain, hillocks, lush meadows, and valleys with well-connected roads. Haridwar is an adjacent city to Rishikesh, from where the Ganga flows. This is the only vegetarian and non-alcoholic city in Uttarakhand.
Centre of Yoga and Meditation
The Yoga Capital of India, Rishikesh is widely known for yoga centres and meditation spots. Attaining wisdom and mind clarity besides ‘Ganga Kinare’, adds positivity to life and mental well-being. Domestic and international visitors often practise yoga near the banks hearing the rhythm flowing of Ganga, a bliss to body and mind both. For years, saints and sages have practised meditation and yoga to connect with the supreme Lord and receive knowledge of worldly affairs. Even the Beatles, an English rock band, visited this holy city to meditate and attain mindfulness in Maharishi Mahesh Yogi’s Ashram in 1969. Many visitors even come here to study Yoga as practitioners. You will find many centres that help you learn yoga and become an instructor.
Religious Sites and Temples
Home to numerous ancient temples like Trimbakeshwar Temple and ashrams like Parmarath Niketan, devotees stay here to indulge in the evening Aarti at Triveni Ghat. The Ram Jhula, Lakshman Jhula and Janki Setu are some prominent sites which Rishikesh is famous for. The incredible scenic spots and green lush hills are key features of it.
Gateway to Adventure Hub
Apart from yoga and meditation centres, Rishikesh is popular as an adventure hub for many enthusiasts. Nestled in the Garhwal Himalaya region, it provides adventure opportunities for wanderers to experience thrills in the natural landscape. Seeking water sports like river rafting, canoeing, body surfing, kayaking, swimming, etc. in the tranquil waters of the sacred Ganges. The hillocks of Rishikesh offer thrilling activities like bungee jumping, flying fox, rock climbing, rappelling, giant swing, jungle safari, etc. It’s an ideal location for passionate photographers and nature enthusiasts. It is also called the “Adventure Capital of India”.
What You Can Do in Rishikesh?
Rishikesh is a package of holy sites, yoga centres, food, amazing landscapes, temples, ghats, dense forests, sightseeing, waterfalls, adventures and hillocks. This place is loaded with numerous things that will flood up your camera memories and experiences. Here is a list of activities you can do in Rishikesh with your family and friends to make your trip memorable:
- Visit Triveni Ghat for Ganga Aarti and darshan. In this Ghat, sacred rivers like Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati converge to form Triveni Sangam at Prayag in Uttar Pradesh.
- Also explore other ghats like Parmarath Niketan Ghat, Sai Ghat, Purnanand Ghat, Vishwanath Ghat, Gita Bhawan Ghat, Muni ki Reti Ghat, Shatrughan Ghat, Swarg Ashram Ghat, Kaudiyala Ghat
- Laxman Jhula and Ram Jhula are bridges that offer scenic views over Ganga
- Visit Beatles Ashram, where the famous Rock Band Beatles spent their time during meditation.
- Take a peaceful sneak at Sivananda Ashram, Swarg Ashram, Omkarananda Ashram, Parmarth Niketan Ashram, Swami Dayananda Ashram, and other ashrams.
- Keep your body and mind fit at Yoga centres and meditation spots in the tranquil region of Tapovan.
- Seek darshan at Neelkanth Mahadev Temple, Bharat Mandir, Trayambakeshwar Temple, Laxman Temple, Vashishta Gufa Temple
- Trek to cascading waterfalls such as Neergarh Waterfall, Patna Waterfall, Him Shail Waterfall, Neelkanth Waterfall, Secret Waterfall, Garud Chatti Waterfall and Himnish Waterfall
- Visit Shivpuri for river rafting and camping
- Take a wildlife tour at Rajaji National Park
- Try India’s longest zip-lining spot, Flying Fox at Shivpuri
- Visit beaches like Pink Beach and Secret Beach for lively exposure
- Enjoy other thrilling sports like Bungee Jumping, kayaking, river canoeing, cliff climbing, trekking, etc.
- Try cafe hop and enjoy authentic cuisines
- Take bikes on rent for an exclusive ride through Rishikesh terrains
Best Time To Visit Rishikesh
Know the best time to visit Rishikesh to make your journey seamless and worthwhile. Perched on the Himalayan foothills at high elevation, weather conditions may affect your visit. Consider the month-wise data given below that will assist in deciding when you should travel to Rishikesh:
- Summer: Beginning from March to May, experiences a hot and humid atmosphere. This time is crowded due to festivals and ideal for water sports. Temperature ranges from 20℃ to 40℃.
- Monsoon: The rain showers from June to September make the environment wet and slippery leading to floods and landslides. This season is normally avoided due to its location in hilly terrains and hazards.
- Autumn: The Autumn season begins in October and November, after monsoon downpours. The shedding of leaves narrates the story of the fleeting beauty of Rishikesh, preparing itself for winter. This season is ideal for all outdoor activities and exploring
- Winter: Chilly winds blow from December to February, the coldest season in rishikesh. Covered in misty bliss, looks ethereal, ideal for trekking, nature walks, camping and exploring religious sites and ghats. Temperature ranges from 10℃ to 16℃ in daytime and drops 5℃ at night.
The best times to Visit Rishikesh are in March, April, May, October, November, and December.
Staying Options In Rishikesh
In Rishikesh, you will find a lot of staying options like ashrams, dharamshalas, government tourist houses, hotels, resorts, homestays and lodges. Its important to search for a better stay that fits your budget, comfort and safety concerns. Below are few stay options that are popular in Rishikesh:
| Accommodations | Features |
| Raj Resort | Beautiful ambience with scenic views of lush meadows, yoga room, happy hour, fitness space and massage facility |
| The Neeraj Ganga Cottages | Riverside cottage near Ganga, wellness retreats and soothing ambience |
| The Hosteller Rishikesh | Dormitory rooms, good staff and food |
| Oscenox Roomstay | Clean and amazing rooms with good staff and food |
| Ganga Resort – GMVNL | 3-star stay with airy rooms and good service |
| GMVN Rishikesh | 2-star stay with budget stay services |
Finding a comfortable accommodation during your tour to Rishikesh is a crucial decision. However, being new to Rishikesh or not having proper knowledge about the place may lead to confusion, overpaying and choosing a room that does not meet your comfort. For all your travel queries, only one solution: Travel Acharya.
Travel Acharya is the leading travel agency in Uttarakhand, offering tour packages with personalised guidance, expert recommendations, accommodations and transportation services.
Located in Haridwar, we are close to Rishikesh and have great knowledge about the city and the best places to visit. We will look after your accommodation needs for a seamless tour experience. Rely on us for all your bookings and travel plans to Rishikesh.
How to Reach Rishikesh?
By Road:
- Buses are regular from Delhi to Haridwar(245 km)
- Buses from Delhi to Rishikesh(265 km)
By Airway:
- Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun at 39.7 km
By Railway:
- Haridwar Junction Railway Station at 26 km
Rishikesh can conveniently travel via Haridwar at 25 km interconnected by the holy River Ganga. Known as the “Twin National Heritage Cities” these cities are culturally and geographically linked as Rishikesh is situated upstream and Haridwar downstream.
We, Travel Acharya, a Haridwar-based travel agency, have years of experience rendering excellent travel services. Naturally, we are situated near the adjacent city to Rishikesh which makes us more accessible to it. Our expertise in planning detailed itineraries and arranging transportation facilities with experienced drivers will ensure you make the Rishikesh tour comfortable. Travelling with us offers safety standards and friendly staff services to guide you in every mile of your Rishikesh tour.
Rishikesh Packages and Tips
Rishikesh Travelling Tips
- Pack and wear clothes according to the season. If you are visiting Rishikesh in summer and autumn season, wear comfortable light-weight clothes to travel comfortably.
- Take personal hygienic kit that includes toothbrush, toothpaste, body wash, clean wipes, face care products, sunscreen, etc.
- If you are travelling in winters, wear warm woollen clothes and moisturizer to protect from chilly winds.
- Carry national ID cards like driving license, aadhar card, or any other identity card for bookings and registration purpose, if required.
- Take some cash when dealing with local people while purchasing, otherwise use electronic pays, if available there.
- Wear humble or ethnic clothes to visit the temple and holy sites.
- Respect the customs and rituals of the locals.
- If you are planning to trek, either bring your own equipments or rent them from local shop. Equipments include backpack, trek boots, trekking poles, sleeping bags, healthy snacks and water.
- Be polite and avoiding using harsh language.
- Avoid alcohol and smoking.
- Take care of your surroundings and don’t litter.
Rishikesh Tour Packages
Travel Acharya brings exclusive travel-friendly Rishikesh Tour Packages for you to experience the divine magic of this incredible city. Connect with us and explore the different tour packages of Rishikesh that are specially tailored by our expert travel planners. Its our responsibility to arrange experienced drivers and transportation facilities, along with comfortable stay. Our friendly guides will be there to tell you about Rishikesh and assist you in every possible way. Choose any of these packages for solo, friends or family trip to Yoga Capital, Rishikesh:
Rishikesh-Haridwar Tour Package
Explore the Holy Twin Cities near the bank of the Ganges and experience the divine energy of the holy cities— Rishikesha and Haridwar.
Rishikesh Pilgrimage Tour Package
Take a holy dip in the tranquil waters of sacred Ganga and visit the nearby temples like triyambakeshwar, Neelkanth Mahadev, Bharat Mandir, etc. Also, visit other religious sites and ashrams for yoga and meditation.
Rishikesh Adventure Tour Package
For adventure lovers, photographers, and nature enthusiasts, Rishikesh offers best sites to witness some exotic experiences that will last forever.
Rishikesh Pilgrimage+Adventure Tour Package
For people who want to experience spirituality and thrill both, this package is perfectly tailored for solo and group travellers.
Customized Rishikesh Tour Package
This package offered by us provides freedom to choose your preferred itineraries and travel options to make your journey smooth.
One-Day Rishikesh Tour Package
Want to discover Rishikesh in a day, this package gives you a quick overview of Rishikesh in a limited time of one day and a half.
| Note:- The budget of tour packages depends upon the place of departure, selected itineraries, chosen accommodations, number of travellers (solo, family or group) and services opted. |
Grab the Limited Offers on Rishikesh Tour Packages with your reliable Travel Acharya. Call us @ +919193048051 or +918979484629 to book your package today.
