Things to Do in Rishikesh, Uttarakhand

A short, practical guide to Rishikesh in Uttarakhand: what is worth your time, how long it takes, and when to go.

Why Rishikesh is worth the stop

Rishikesh sits where the Ganga leaves the Himalaya, and it works as two towns at once: a pilgrimage centre and a yoga and rafting hub.

Things to do in Rishikesh

• Triveni Ghat evening aarti.
• Beatles Ashram, with its painted domes and murals.
• White water rafting on the Shivpuri to Rishikesh stretch.
• Neer Garh waterfall, a short walk out of town.
• A drop-in yoga or meditation class in Tapovan.

A sensible one-day plan

• Morning yoga class in Tapovan.
• Cross the river on foot and walk to the Beatles Ashram.
• Afternoon rafting or a riverside cafe.
• Evening aarti at Parmarth Niketan or Triveni Ghat.

Getting around

Walking plus shared autos. The pedestrian bridges connect the two banks; scooters are handy for Neer Garh and Shivpuri.

What to eat here

Vegetarian only in the core town, with no alcohol or meat sold. Aloo puri breakfasts and German bakery style cafes dominate.

When to come

The comfortable window is September to November and February to May. Avoid July and August unless you handle heat or heavy rain well. Nearest airport: Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun (DED). A mid-range day in Rishikesh, covering a room, food and local transport, runs about 1,800 to 4,500 rupees.

One thing most visitors miss

Rafting operations pause during the monsoon when the river runs too high, so a July trip means no rafting at all.

Common questions