What is There to Do in Rishikesh? Complete Activity & Travel Guide

Rishikesh sits at the foothills of the Himalayas where the Ganga River rushes out of the mountains onto the plains — a geographical drama that has made this small city one of the world's great spiritual destinations. Called the "World Capital of Yoga" and the "Adventure Capital of India," Rishikesh is the rare destination that satisfies the adrenaline junkie, the spiritual seeker, and the curious traveller equally.

Just 240 km from Delhi, Rishikesh is one of India's most popular weekend destinations. Here is your complete guide to experiencing it fully.

Getting to Rishikesh from Delhi: EZPZ Taxi offers Delhi to Rishikesh cabs starting at ₹2,399 — call +91-9871121217 or book at ezpztaxi.com. The 240 km journey takes 5 hours via NH44 and the new Delhi-Meerut Expressway.

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1. White Water Rafting on the Ganga — #1 Activity

Season: September to June | Best: October–November and February–May

Rafting on the Ganga is the quintessential Rishikesh experience — and one of the best river rafting experiences in Asia. The stretch from Shivpuri to Rishikesh features a series of exhilarating rapids named with drama: Golf Course, Three Blind Mice, Body Surfing, Roller Coaster, and the powerful Return to Sender.

Rafting Packages:
- 9 km (Brahmapuri to Rishikesh): Grade 1–2, perfect for first-timers and families. 1.5 hours. ₹500–800 per person
- 16 km (Shivpuri to Rishikesh): Grade 2–3, the most popular. 2.5 hours. ₹800–1,200 per person
- 26 km (Marine Drive to Rishikesh): Grade 3+, for experienced rafters. 4 hours. ₹1,200–1,800 per person
- 36 km (Kaudiyala to Rishikesh): Grade 4, serious rafting. 5–6 hours. ₹1,500–2,500 per person

All packages include: Life jacket, helmet, paddles, certified guide

Top Rafting Operators:
- Red Chilli Adventure — www.redchilliadventure.com
- Aquaterra Adventures — www.aquaterra.in

Camping + Rafting packages are extremely popular — overnight camping on the Ganga beach with bonfire, rafting the next morning. ₹1,500–3,000 per person.

Important: Rafting is SUSPENDED from mid-June to mid-September (monsoon) when the Ganga is in flood. Never raft outside the safe season.



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2. Triveni Ghat — Ganga Aarti at Sunset

Location: Triveni Ghat, 1 km from Laxman Jhula Bus Stand | Time: Sunset daily (~6:30–7:30 PM)

The Ganga Aarti at Triveni Ghat is one of India's most powerful spiritual experiences. Every evening, priests perform a synchronised fire ritual with massive brass lamps, conch shells, and chanting while thousands of pilgrims, tourists, and sadhus watch from the ghats and river.

The ritual: 7 priests perform the aarti simultaneously. The rhythmic chanting, the fire, the sound of bells, the smell of incense, and the Ganga flowing in the gathering darkness creates something genuinely moving even for non-religious visitors.

Practical tips:
- Arrive 30–45 minutes early for a good spot near the water
- Bring floating diyas (small oil lamps on leaf boats) to release on the river — ₹20–30 for a set of 5
- Respectful dress (shoulders covered) is appreciated
- Photography is allowed

Morning Aarti: A less-known but very peaceful aarti also happens at sunrise — far fewer crowds and deeply atmospheric.

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3. Laxman Jhula & Ram Jhula — Iconic Suspension Bridges

Laxman Jhula: 5 km from Rishikesh | Ram Jhula: 3 km from Rishikesh

Laxman Jhula is perhaps the most photographed structure in Rishikesh — a 450-foot iron suspension bridge hanging over the Ganga, with temples, ashrams, and restaurants on both sides. According to Hindu mythology, Lakshmana crossed the Ganga here on a jute rope.

Note: In 2020, Laxman Jhula was closed for pedestrian traffic due to structural concerns. A new bridge replacement is being constructed nearby. Check current status before planning.

Ram Jhula (Shivananda Jhula) is the functioning suspension bridge nearby connecting the east and west banks of the Ganga — excellent views of the river and the ghats from the bridge itself.

On the east bank near the bridges: The 13-storey Trimbakeshwar Temple (Tera Manzil Temple) is a colourful multi-storey temple worth climbing for views.

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4. Bungee Jumping at Jumpin Heights

Location: Mohanchatti, 16 km from Rishikesh | Altitude: 83m India's highest bungee

Jumpin Heights is India's highest and most professional bungee jumping operation — an 83-metre jump above a rocky Himalayan gorge. Certified operators from New Zealand, built to international safety standards.

Activities at Jumpin Heights:
- Bungee Jump (83m): ₹3,550 per jump (includes video)
- Giant Swing (83m): ₹3,550 — a pendulum swing rather than a straight drop, slightly less terrifying for first-timers
- Flying Fox: ₹1,550 — 200-metre zip line

Booking: Essential to book in advance. www.jumpinheights.com or call +91-9897888748

Weight limit: 40–120 kg. Medical restrictions apply.

Pro Tip: Arrive by 9 AM — slots fill up quickly especially on weekends and holidays.

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5. Beatles Ashram (Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Ashram)

Location: East bank, across Laxman Jhula | Open: 9 AM – 5 PM | Entry: ₹600 Indians, ₹1,000 foreigners

In February 1968, The Beatles — John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr — came to Rishikesh to study Transcendental Meditation with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. They stayed for several weeks and composed many songs that would appear on the White Album.

The ashram (officially called Chaurasi Kutia, meaning "84 huts") was abandoned in the 1990s and reclaimed by the jungle. The forest overgrowth adding to the ruins creates a uniquely atmospheric location — part spiritual heritage, part Romantic ruin.

What to see:
- The meditation caves where The Beatles meditated
- Buildings covered in vivid murals by local and international artists
- Beatles Memorial and graffiti walls — bring a marker and add your message
- Maharishi's bungalow
- The concert hall where they jammed

Photography: Excellent location for creative photography — jungle, ruins, and spiritual art.

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6. Neelkanth Mahadev Temple

24 km from Rishikesh via winding mountain road | Open: 6 AM – 7 PM | Entry: Free

Neelkanth Mahadev is one of the most powerful Shiva temples in North India, sitting at 1,330m altitude deep in the Rajaji National Park forest. According to legend, this is where Lord Shiva consumed the poison (halahala) that emerged during the churning of the cosmic ocean — his throat turned blue (Neela = blue, Kanth = throat).

The temple is particularly crowded on Mondays (Shiva's sacred day) and Mahashivratri. The forest drive to the temple is beautiful — chances of spotting deer, peacocks, and langur monkeys.

Getting there: Taxi from Rishikesh ₹400–600 return. The narrow forest road is manageable for small cars.

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7. Yoga & Meditation — The Heart of Rishikesh

Rishikesh has more yoga schools per square kilometre than anywhere else on earth. The International Yoga Festival held every February (first week) draws practitioners from 100+ countries.

Top Ashrams and Yoga Centres:

Parmarth Niketan — India's largest ashram, 1,000 rooms, world-famous for its Ganga Aarti. Offers yoga and meditation courses from 1 day to 1 month. Website: www.parmarth.org

Sivananda Ashram — Founded by Swami Sivananda, offers traditional Vedanta and Hatha Yoga. Very structured, disciplined environment. www.sivananda.org

Rishikesh Yog Peeth — Popular for teacher training courses (200-hour, 300-hour). www.rishikeshyogpeeth.com

Yoga Vidya Mandiram — Good for shorter stays and drop-in classes.

Drop-in classes: Many centres offer single-session yoga and meditation classes — ₹200–500 per session. Perfect for travellers.

Yoga Festival: www.internationalyogafestival.com — held every March in Rishikesh.

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8. Kunjapuri Temple — Sunrise Himalayan Views

25 km from Rishikesh via Narendra Nagar | Best: Sunrise, clear days

Kunjapuri Devi Temple at 1,676m offers what many consider the finest sunrise viewpoint in Uttarakhand accessible by road. On a clear morning, you can see an unbroken panorama of snow-capped Himalayan peaks including Kedarnath (3,583m), Chaukhamba (7,138m), and Gangotri peaks — a spine-tingling view spread over 200 km.

Depart Rishikesh by 4:30 AM to reach by sunrise. The temple is also a significant Shakti Peeth.

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9. Camping on Ganga Riverside

Shivpuri, Byasi, Brahmpuri — 15–30 km from Rishikesh | October to May

Camping on the Ganga riverside between October and May is one of India's great outdoor experiences. Wake up to the sound of the river, cold mountain air, Himalayan peaks visible upstream, and the Ganga sparkling in the morning sun.

Typical camping package (per person per night):
- Tent accommodation (twin sharing, sleeping bag)
- All meals (dinner + breakfast)
- Campfire
- Optional: volleyball, rafting, nature walk
- Cost: ₹1,200–2,500 per person per night

Top rated camps: Camp Bandana (Byasi), Rishikesh Wonders, Dew Drops Camp (Shivpuri)

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10. Neergarh Waterfall Trek

2 km from Laxman Jhula | Easy trek: 1–1.5 hours return | Entry: ₹50

An easy and very rewarding short trek through forest to a beautiful 25m waterfall. The trail is shaded and pleasant even in summer. Best visited in September-October when waterfalls are at their fullest post-monsoon.

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Rishikesh Food & Where to Eat

The Rishikesh food scene is famously vegetarian — the city follows strict rules and no meat, fish, or eggs are served anywhere in the city area.

- Chotiwala Restaurant (Swarg Ashram side) — legendary thalis since 1958, the mascot sitarist in orange outside is iconic
- Little Buddha Café (Laxman Jhula area) — Israeli-influenced menu, great breakfast
- Café de Goa — traveller favourite for pancakes and banana lassi
- Oasis Restaurant — excellent Indian food near Ram Jhula

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Practical Information

Where to Stay:
- Budget: Zostel Rishikesh, Bunk Rishikesh (₹400–1,500)
- Mid-range: Rishikesh Marriott, The Glasshouse on the Ganges (₹4,000–8,000)
- Ashram stay: Parmarth Niketan (₹500–2,000 donation based)

Uttarakhand Tourism: www.uttarakhandtourism.gov.in

Delhi to Rishikesh with EZPZ Taxi:
Fixed fares, no surge, 24/7 support. Call +91-9871121217 or book at ezpztaxi.com.

Have you experienced the Ganga Aarti or rafted the rapids? Share your most memorable Rishikesh moment below!