Things To Do In Rishikesh: A Complete Guide

Rishikesh is one of the most popular tourist destinations in India. A haven of architectural wonders, grand temples and adventure sports of every kind—Rishikesh is full of two contrasting worlds. Since there is so much diversity here, it is never easy to choose which places to visit in Rishikesh. 

How to reach Rishikesh? 

By air: If you want to fly to Rishikesh, Dehradun’s Jolly Grant airport is the closest to Rishikesh, located 35 kilometres away. There are services from all major cities to Dehradun provided by all major airlines. You can reach Rishikesh from Dehradun by taking a taxi, cab or bus outside the airport.

 

By road: There are several major roads and national highways that connect Rishikesh to all parts of the country. There are also regular buses connecting Rishikesh with important places such as Haridwar, Dehradun, and New Delhi since it is a popular tourist destination. 

 

By train: Rishikesh is approximately 25 kilometres away from the Haridwar Junction, the nearest station. In turn, Haridwar has good connections to major cities in India, such as Delhi, Lucknow, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Varanasi. If you plan to travel to Rishikesh by train, you should take it as far as Haridwar and then either hire a taxi or take a bus. 

 

Places to visit and things to do in Rishikesh to truly enjoy the experience

Triveni Ghat

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A sacred ghat located in Rishikesh, Triveni is famous for its Aarti ceremony. Known for its positive and uplifting aroma, it is one of the biggest and most important ghats in Rishikesh. The word Triveni is the result of combining two words: “Tri” meaning three, and “Veni” meaning confluence. The ghat is where three rivers meet: the Ganga, the Yamuna and the Saraswati.  Throughout Hindu mythology, the Triveni Ghat is mentioned in epics such as the Ramayan and the Mahabharat. You can gain a better understanding of Rishikesh’s spiritual beauty by visiting this place.

 

River rafting

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An adrenaline-pumping water sport – river rafting – is a must-do in Rishikesh. Besides the wonderful natural surroundings, the place offers top-notch professional assistance. 

Several certified operators offer camping and rafting packages tailored to suit the needs of the customers in Rishikesh. For a hassle-free experience, you can leave the food, water, and rafting arrangements to the operators. Rishikesh gets fairly crowded during the peak season, so keep that in mind when planning your trip.

 

Laxman Jhula

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An iconic hanging bridge across the Ganga, Lakshman Jhula connects Jonk in Pauri Garhwal and Tapovan in Tehri Garhwal. This iron bridge measures 450 feet in length and stands 70 feet above the river. There is a large amount of interest in the Lakshman Jhula among tourists because it is believed that the younger brother of Lord Rama, Lord Lakshman, crossed the river Ganga here.

Unfortunately, it has been closed permanently due to safety and security concerns. An entirely new glass bridge is being built next to Lakshman Jhula. Pedestrians continue to use the bridge, but bikes are strictly prohibited.

Ram Jhula

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Ram Jhula is an iconic landmark over the Ganga that connects Swargashram and Shivananda Nagar. Located at the foothills of the Himalayas, the 750-foot-long bridge offers superb views of the mighty Ganges and the serene nature below. Apart from their scenic beauty, these architectural wonders are important pilgrimage sites and Rishikesh tourist places.

Flying Fox

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One of the exciting things to do in Rishikesh is the Flying Fox, another exciting adventure sport. In this sport, you are literally sent ‘flying’ on an electrical cable after being harnessed to a rope. A machine accelerates or slows your speed accordingly. With a breathtaking view in front of you, as well as below you, you can soar over the majestic Ganges and take in the majestic Himalayas.

The Beatles Ashram

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After the Beatles visited this serene place, the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi ashram received global recognition. Among Rishikesh’s best tourist attractions, this ashram is renowned for its calmness and tranquillity. Here, at one of the best Rishikesh visiting places, you can sit in silence for a while and enjoy the spiritual beauty. The colourful graffiti on the walls and the tranquillity of the getaway make it worth a visit, despite its lack of maintenance.

 

Shivpuri

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There is a picturesque town called Shivpuri, situated approximately 10 kilometres from the main town of Rishikesh. It offers a wide variety of adventure activities along the Ganges and is among the best Rishikesh places to visit. Among the main attractions in Shivpuri are the riverside camps. There are countless adventure activities one can participate in, such as river rafting, boating, and trekking, and trust us when we say a weekend stay here is absolutely worth the money.

 

Kaudiyala

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The village of Kaudiyala is located on the Badrinath route, 40 kilometres from Rishikesh. It is a beautiful camping site and a popular place for white river rafting. The zone between Kaudiyal and Shivpuri is considered to be the most challenging zone of rafting in Kaudiyala, attracting adventure enthusiasts from far away places.

Neelkanth Mahadev Temple

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The Neelkanth Mahadev Temple is located in the wooded forest at 1670 meters, 12 kilometres from Rishikesh. In addition to being one of the most important Shiva shrines in India, the temple is also one of the greatest religious tourist places in Rishikesh. One of the main attractions here is the tomb inside, which depicts the saga of Samudramanthan. Moreover, the temple has a freshwater spring that draws many devotees to take a bath.

How to reach: There are good road networks and conditions that make driving on the road easy and quick. You can hire a cab or rent a car from Ram Jhula to access the well-connected roads.

Cliff jumping

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The thrilling activity of cliff jumping is also available in Rishikesh. It basically involves jumping down into a river from a considerable height, for example, from a high cliff. This is one of the top things to do in Rishikesh, as it is considered one of the most thrilling water sports. 

Rishikesh, located along the banks of the Ganga River and in the lower Himalayas, has some dizzying cliffs. Probably the most famous cliff-jumping site in the region is just 2 km before Laxman Jhula, in the Lower Brahmapuri Stretch.

Jadh Ganga Trek

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One of the most challenging and strenuous treks in north Uttarakhand is the Jadh Ganga Trek. The climb begins with a traverse along Aglar valley, followed by a climb over Nag Tibba ridge, and finally a descent into Nelang in Jadh Ganga. Many adventurers go on to the Mana Pass and Saraswati Tal and finally end their trip at Badrinath Temple to make it more exciting.

How to reach: To get to the Jadh Ganga base camp, one can easily take a bus or cab from Rishikesh. There are also jeeps and tempos available for hire in Rishikesh that will take you to the base camp.

 

Kuari Pass

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Known around the world as an alpine meadow pass, the Kuari Pass is often visited by backpackers and hikers. There are three beautiful camping grounds along the way: Gulling, Chitrakantha, and Tali. Taking the trail from Tali Top to Kuari Pass has the feeling of taking part in a full-scale Himalayan alpine expedition loaded with snow.

How to reach: Dhak Village is the base camp of Kuari Pass Trek. You can reach the village from Rishikesh via a shared cab or a car.

 

Neer Garh Waterfall 

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A visit to this awe-inspiring waterfall, two kilometres from Laxman Jhula, is one of the greatest sights in Rishikesh. Overall, this is the ideal place for a much-needed break from the busy travel schedule. Neer Garh Waterfall is one of the most popular tourist places in Rishikesh, attracting many wandering photographers as well. Several of Rishikesh’s best resorts are also located around this place.

How to reach: From the Rishikesh railway station, these waterfalls are about 9 km away. A 250-metre hike from the road brings you to the first waterfall, which can be reached by car, scooter or bike rental.

Muni Ki Reti

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The pilgrim centre of Muni ki Reti near Rishikesh is considered the gateway to the Char Dham pilgrimage. The pilgrims can, therefore, get basic facilities at the ashrams in order to help them on their spiritual journey.

 

Geeta Bhawan

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In Swargashram, on the banks of the Ganga, lies Geeta Bhawan, an ashram renowned for its spaciousness and beauty. Because it houses the Gita, a representation of the Hindu Vedas and epics, it is regarded as an important institution for preserving Hindu literature. Every year, thousands of people visit Geeta Bhawan.

 

Bungee Jumping

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Bungee Jumping is one of the most thrilling adventure sports to do in Rishikesh. The act consists of jumping off a very tall structure (usually a building), and then soaring in the air before being taken down. Alternatively, hot air balloons or helicopters can perform this activity.

Rishi Kund

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Rishi Kund is an ancient hot spring pool considered sacred by Hindus. According to legend, Lord Rama bathed in the Rishi Kund during his exile, and the Ganges and the Yamuna meet at this location.

 

Bharat Mandir

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One of Rishikesh’s most famous and sacred temples, the Bharat Mandir was built by Adiguru Shankaracharya in the 12th century. Here, Lord Vishnu is carved from a single piece of Saligram as the presiding deity. A Shree Yanthra adorns the interior canopy of the temple.

Byasi

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The tiny village of Byasi in Uttarakhand is 30 km from Rishikesh and is located along the banks of the Ganges river. Water sports and adventure tourism are popular in this quaint little village, thanks to its demography, clean white sands for lazing and camping, and a favourable flow of the river that is conducive to kayaking and camping.

 

FAQs 

What are some adventure activities I can do in Rishikesh?

The most popular activities in Rishikesh are river rafting, cliff jumping, riverside camping, bungee jumping, flying foxes, body surfing, mountain biking, rock climbing, and trekking.

How do I get to Rishikesh?

Dehradun's Jolly Grant Airport is the closest airport to Rishikesh (21 km), while Haridwar Railway Station is the nearest station (21 km). It is possible to travel to Rishikesh by bus or taxi from both gateways and nearby cities.

What are some of the best yoga ashrams in Rishikesh?

Among the most popular yoga centres in Rishikesh are Parmarth Niketan, Sadhana Mandir, Yoga Niketan, Sivananda Ashram, and Rishikesh Yogpeeth.