Rishikesh is where the Ganga breaks out of the Himalayan foothills, and where the road to the Valley of Flowers begins. A town of ashrams, yoga schools and riverside temples, it is vegetarian and alcohol-free by rule and has drawn seekers for generations — the Beatles among them, in 1968. For trekkers it is the place to meet the group, buy last-minute gear and get a night’s sleep before the long drive.
It deserves more than a night. A day here, before or after the mountains, is one of the pleasures of the trip.
What to see and do at Rishikesh
Attend the Ganga Aarti
At dusk, lamps are offered to the river with chanting and song — at Triveni Ghat in the town and at the Parmarth Niketan ashram across the river. Arrive half an hour early for a place on the steps.
Cross the bridges
The suspension footbridges of Ram Jhula and Lakshman Jhula are the symbols of the town. Lakshman Jhula, the older of the two, has been closed to the public on safety grounds in recent years while a replacement is built alongside — check what is open.
Visit the Beatles Ashram
The abandoned ashram of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, inside the Rajaji Tiger Reserve, is now a ticketed site of meditation cells and murals among the trees.
Raft the Ganga
The stretch from Shivpuri down to the town is India’s classic white-water run. Rafting is normally suspended through the monsoon — roughly July to mid-September — so it suits trekkers at the very start or end of the valley season.
Join a guided walk or day trip
A heritage walk, a sunrise hike to Kunjapuri temple or a day trip to Devprayag fills a spare day well.
How to get to Rishikesh
- By air: Dehradun’s Jolly Grant Airport is about 20 km away, 30–45 minutes by taxi.
- By rail: trains run to Rishikesh and the newer Yog Nagari Rishikesh station; many more serve Haridwar, about 25 km away.
- By road from Delhi: around 240 km, typically five to seven hours by car or bus.
Practical tips
- Buses and shared jeeps for Joshimath leave very early — around 4 to 6 am. Book your seat or car the day before.
- Buy rain ponchos, dry bags and any missing warm layers here; choice thins out fast up the valley.
- Meat and alcohol are not sold in the town.
Best treks & tours for Rishikesh
These packages are the easiest way to see Rishikesh with a guide, transport and lodging sorted:
Guided walking tour from US$35 Rishikesh: Cultural Heritage Tour with Ganga Aarti
The best-reviewed Rishikesh experience in our list: a guided day through the ghats, ashrams and lanes that ends with the lamps of the evening aarti on the river. An easy, rewarding way to spend the day before your drive into the mountains.
- Ghats, ashrams, temples and back lanes on foot
- A guide who explains what you are looking at
- The evening Ganga Aarti to finish
Guided sunrise hike from US$40 Rishikesh: Kunjapuri Sunrise Trek
An early start, a drive up into the hills and a short walk to the Kunjapuri temple for sunrise over the snow line. It is a gentle leg-stretcher at modest altitude before the bigger climbs to Ghangaria and Hemkund. Every review so far is five stars.
- Sunrise from the hilltop Kunjapuri temple
- Views of the Garhwal snow peaks and the Ganga valley
- A scenic drive and a short trek
Rafting from US$8 Rishikesh: White-Water Rafting Trip for All Levels
Rishikesh is India’s rafting capital, and this product lets you pick a stretch to suit your nerve. Note that rafting on the Ganga normally stops during the monsoon — exactly the Valley of Flowers season — so it works best at the very start or end of the trekking months. Check that it is running on your dates.
- Stretches from gentle beginner water to Class IV rapids
- Several trip lengths to choose from
- A very low starting price
Guided walking tour from US$12 Rishikesh: Walking Tour of Ashrams and Ghats
Two hours on foot along the Ganga with a local guide — ashrams, ghats and the famous footbridges. Short enough to fit into the evening you arrive, and one of the cheapest things you can book.
- The riverside ashrams and bathing ghats
- The suspension bridges over the Ganga
- A short, inexpensive introduction
