By air
Dehradun's Jolly Grant airport is about 20 km away (40 minutes by taxi).
Uttarakhand · North India
Rishikesh travel guide
Where the Ganga leaves the mountains: white-water rafting, yoga schools, evening aarti on the ghats, and easy hikes into the foothills.
Quick facts
- Best time
- September to November and February to April
- How long
- 3–5 days
- Daily budget
- ₹1,200–2,200 backpacking
- Getting in
- Dehradun (DED) airport or Haridwar railway station
Costs are typical per-person ranges in Indian rupees, reviewed September 2026. Check current prices and conditions before you book.
Rishikesh is a pilgrimage town, a yoga capital, and an adventure base at once. It's also one of the easiest mountain escapes from Delhi, about six hours by road.
The town is vegetarian and alcohol-free by local rule, which suits its ashrams and cafés. Most travelers stay around Tapovan or near Ram Jhula.
When to go
Best time to visit Rishikesh
- Sep–NovBest
Rafting season reopens after the monsoon, with pleasant weather and clear views.
- Feb–AprBest
Warm days, full rafting season, and the International Yoga Festival in March.
- May–JunMixed
Hot, and very busy with domestic tourists at weekends.
- Jul–AugAvoid
Monsoon: rafting is suspended, and the river runs high and fast.
Getting there
How to reach Rishikesh
By train
Haridwar Junction (about 25 km) has the most trains; Yog Nagari Rishikesh station has fewer direct services.
By road
Frequent buses run from Delhi's Kashmere Gate ISBT, about 6 hours.
Budget
Rishikesh trip cost per day
| Per day | Backpacker | Mid-range |
|---|---|---|
| Stay (hostel, ashram or guesthouse) | ₹500–1,000 | ₹2,000–4,500 |
| Food | ₹350–600 | ₹800–1,300 |
| Local transport (shared auto, scooter) | ₹150–400 | ₹800–1,500 |
| Activities (rafting, yoga) | ₹300–800 | ₹1,000–2,500 |
Rafting from Shivpuri (about 16 km) typically costs ₹500–1,000 per person with a licensed operator. Drop-in yoga classes are cheap; multi-week teacher trainings are a separate budget.
Itinerary
4-day Rishikesh itinerary
- 1
Day 1: Arrive and evening aarti
Settle in, walk across Ram Jhula, and watch the Ganga aarti at Parmarth Niketan or Triveni Ghat.
- 2
Day 2: Rafting and cafés
Morning rafting from Shivpuri, afternoon at the riverside cafés in Tapovan.
- 3
Day 3: Yoga and the Beatles Ashram
Morning yoga class, then the murals of Chaurasi Kutia, the Beatles Ashram.
- 4
Day 4: Sunrise hike
Kunjapuri Temple for sunrise over the Himalaya, then Neer Garh waterfall.
Don't miss
Top things to do in Rishikesh
Ganga aarti
Lamps, chanting, and crowds on the ghats every evening.
White-water rafting
Grade II–III rapids between Shivpuri and Rishikesh.
Beatles Ashram
The abandoned ashram where the Beatles stayed in 1968, now covered in murals.
Kunjapuri sunrise
A hilltop temple with views of snow peaks on clear mornings.
Before you go
Practical tips
- Rafting safety
- Book with a licensed operator, wear the helmet and life jacket they provide, and don't swim in the Ganga outside supervised rafting; the current is stronger than it looks.
- Local rules
- Meat and alcohol aren't sold in the main town area. Dress modestly around ashrams and ghats.
- Crowds
- Weekends and long holidays bring heavy traffic from Delhi. Arrive midweek if you can.
Questions
Rishikesh FAQs
When is rafting open in Rishikesh?
Usually from about September to June. It's suspended during the monsoon, roughly July and August, when the river is dangerous.
Is Rishikesh good for solo travelers?
Yes. It has plenty of hostels, group yoga classes, and rafting groups, which make it easy to meet people.
How many days do I need in Rishikesh?
Three to five days covers rafting, the aarti, a sunrise hike, and some yoga.
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