Planning a trip to the north this summer? Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, famous as the world’s Yoga Capital, is the perfect destination to calm your nerves and chill your brains out. Doesn’t matter if you’re an adventure junkie or someone who prefers tranquility; Rishikesh has activities and attractions to keep you enthralled for a good number of days! Here’s a splendid 3-day-long Rishikesh itinerary that includes bits for every mood and promises a trip the traveler will cherish forever! The best part- this trip won’t burn a hole in your pocket.
Reaching Rishikesh, Uttarakhand
Rishikesh is a breathtaking tehsil in Uttarakhand that lies in the foothills of the mighty Himalayas. There’s hardly a person who hasn’t heard of this adventure seeker’s heaven. Thanks to its massive popularity, the small town is well connected by roads, trains, and airplanes.
Road: Rishikesh stands at a distance of 20 km from Haridwar, 45 km from Dehradun, 223 km from Chandigarh, and 238 km from Delhi. It takes less time to reach the town in one’s own car. However, if it isn’t available, one can easily find and hop onto UTC buses or private cabs for Rishikesh.
Train: Haridwar’s railway station falls closest to Rishikesh. The second closest is Dehradun’s. Cabs and buses directed to Rishikesh are easily available at these railway stations.
Air: If one’s traveling by air, they’ll have to get off at Dehradun’s airport and find a bus or taxi that’ll take them to Rishikesh.
Day 1 in Rishikesh
Lakshman Jhula: Begin your trip with Rishikesh’s poster boy, the Lakshman Jhula. Did you know that close to the Lakshman Jhula hangs its twin named Ram Jhula? Well, now you do.
According to the folklore, Ramayana’s Lakshman crossed the Holy Ganga at this very spot using two jute ropes. The 450 ft long iron suspension bridge was built in 1929 to honor the same. It connects Pauri to Tehri.
Ram Jhula: As you move about 2 km ahead, you’ll come across a replica of Lakshman Jhula, only a little bigger in size. This bridge was built by Uttar Pradesh’s Public Works Department, with the help of the folks at Sivanand Ashram.
Lakshman Mandir: This ancient temple was built by Kashmir’s King a few centuries ago. The temple still stands intact in a pretty impressive shape.
Kailash Niketan Temple: This temple is popular by the name Terah Manzil Mandir (a 13-story temple in Hindi). The premises hold numerous temples dedicated to different deities. The temple is also decorated with attractive murals and sculptures.
Triveni Ghat: Proceed towards this tranquil ghat once the sun begins to set. Reserve the evening to participate in the very famous Ganga Aarti.
Thousands of tourists gather to witness this grand event; hence it’s advisable to reach a little early and reserve the best spot for yourselves.
Day 2 at Rishikesh
Wake up as early as you can and throw on your activewear. Today, you’re headed for some exhilarating adventures.
Yoga by the Ganga Ghat: For many, Rishikesh is synonymous with yoga. It’s an absolute must to indulge in a session of yoga with a captivating view of the holy river when in town. There are numerous camps and classes taking place by the river early in the morning.
Remember not to snooze your alarms, okay?
Bungee Jumping: This is when you’ll find out why Rishikesh also happens to be famous as the adventure capital of India. Bungee jumping would cost you around INR 3550. This excludes the INR 100, which you’ll have to pay as an entry fee. Some very important things to make a note of before you enroll yourselves for the plunge are-
- You won’t be allowed to jump if you’re wearing a skirt, a saree, a lungi, or similar other things. It’s mandatory to wear jeans, tights, shorts, or other similar bottoms, and comfortable shoes in order to perform this activity.
- The activity might be postponed if the weather is unfavorable.
- You won’t be allowed to participate if you aren’t carrying your photo ID. Also, PAN cards are not considered acceptable proof of identity.
- The area is closed on Tuesdays. Hence, no bungee jumping on that day of the week.
The list of other similar activities includes the Flying Fox ride. Anyone above the age of 12 can enroll. It costs around INR 1800 per person.
You can book your slots online on Jumpin Heights’ official website. PS, they also provide Dare to Jump certificates! 😀 😀
Neelkanth Temple: This temple dedicated to Lord Shiva sits at the altitude of 4363 ft. If vibrance is your aesthetic, you’ll surely be captivated by the colorful entry to this temple. The gate also showcases a number of tiny sculptures that you’d love to capture on your camera.
Indian folklore tells that this is the spot where Lord Shiva consumed the poison that emanated from the sea.
His throat turned blue as a consequence, and thus, he got the name Neelkanth.
Day 3 at Rishikesh
River Rafting in Rishikesh: Who visits Rishikesh and doesn’t go for river rafting? That’s like having pizza without cheese. Rafting in this tehsil starts from INR 600 (9 km), and goes up till INR 2500 (35 km), depending upon the distance and route you choose. The best months to go for river rafting are from February to June. It closes down in the monsoon season and resumes sometime in the middle of September.
For those who’re concerned, it’s very safe if you follow the instructor’s instructions carefully.
Click here to book your river rafting package online.
Neer Garh Waterfall: Looking for a view untouched by civilization? Put visiting this waterfall on top of your bucket list. Neer Garh Waterfall is situated amid the lush green woods in the Shivpuri area, almost 6 km away from the main city. A trek from the Lakshman Jhula to the falls shouldn’t take more than 1 hour. The entry ticket to the falls costs around INR 40 per person. Do carry a set of spare clothes. The water may invite you inside. One can also enjoy a piping hot bowl of Maggi along with some chai by the breathtaking view.
Beatles Ashram, a.k.a. Chaurasi Kutia: How old were you when you discovered that an Indian yogi inspired THE BEATLES to study yoga and meditation in his ashram? Yeah, right! The legendary Beatles stayed at Maharishi Mahesh Yogi’s ashram in Rishikesh, away from the paparazzi for three long months, to find inner peace.
We deem this stay very productive as the Beatles composed around 40 brilliant songs in these three months. Upon entering, one can find several quotes and lyrics painted on the walls.
Locals have to pay INR 150-200 to enter this hard-to-find attraction. The premises has around a hundred meditation rooms, decorated with vibrant graffiti, and 84 huts, where the disciples must have stayed once upon a time.
Where to eat in Rishikesh?
Considering the town’s popularity, numerous *good* eateries have opened in Rishikesh. Here, we’ve compiled a few restaurants in Rishikesh that experience the maximum footfall.
The Little Buddha Cafe, Tapovan: Enjoy the sound of whooshing waters while you’re eating? How about the charm of rustic interiors? Little Buddha Cafe offers it all. The eatery boasts of an extra-large vegetarian menu, and almost everything served is finger-licking good. It’s a must-visit restaurant in Rishikesh!
60’s Beatles Cafe, Tapovan: Beyond-amazing dishes and beverages, and furniture that’ll remind you of a doll’s house – this is how we’d describe this very famous eatery of Rishikesh. Some of the highly recommended dishes are kinds of pasta, sandwiches, and pizzas.
OM Freedom Cafe: Tourists on a budget can find the best food at OM Freedom Cafe. You shouldn’t expect very fancy interiors, but the eatery does boast a mesmerizing view. From crepes to paranthas, pizzas to falafels, there’s nothing that this famous cafe in Rishikesh doesn’t serve.
Ganga View Cafe: Ganga View Cafe is another great eatery in the Tapovan area where you can enjoy a breathtaking view, along with an array of dishes. The low-kept prices will leave you tempted to order a lot more than you can finish.
Ira’s Kitchen and Tea Room: Looking for a place where you can click artsy pictures to post with intellectual captions? Well, this is the place to be. The food is obviously delicious, and the portion size is good, claim some starving bellies.
A Tavola Con Te: This restaurant specializes in freshly made pizzas straight out of the wood fire oven. The whole experience at this restaurant can qualify as a connoisseur’s delight.
Some other great places that you can totally grab a bite at are Jal Jalebi & Beyond, and Bistro Nirvana.
Treebo’s Rishikesh Hotels
Rishikesh has a number of aesthetically pleasing, couple-friendly Treebo hotels that promise a comfortable and absolutely safe stay. They’re beautifully furnished and packed with the choicest amenities to cater to all your needs.
Our list of awesome offerings includes a wholesome complimentary breakfast and free access to the hotel’s wifi.
Sounds nice, doesn’t it? Explore the town without a worry in the world. Book yourself a comfy and super-safe room at Treebo’s Rishikesh Hotels today!
More attractions on your mind? We’re all ears! Tell us about your fave spots and restaurants in Rishikesh in the comments section!
