Top places to visit in Rishikesh

• Laxman Jhula

  bridge · 4.5 rating · about 0.8 h · free entry

  Iconic pedestrian suspension bridge area over the Ganges, ringed by temples, cafes and markets — the bustling heart of Rishikesh's traveller scene.

• Triveni Ghat

  ghat · 4.6 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  The largest and most sacred ghat in Rishikesh town, where the famous Ganga Aarti is performed each evening amid lamps, chants and floating diyas.

• Ram Jhula

  bridge · 4.5 rating · about 0.7 h · free entry

  Landmark suspension bridge linking Sivananda Ashram and Swarg Ashram across the Ganges, with sweeping river views and a constant flow of pilgrims.

• Neelkanth Mahadev Temple

  temple · 4.5 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  Revered hilltop Shiva temple about 32 km from town, set amid dense forest, marking where Shiva is said to have drunk the poison from the ocean of milk.

• Parmarth Niketan Ashram

  ashram · 4.6 rating · about 1 h · free entry

  Rishikesh's largest ashram on the Ganges, renowned for its serene riverside Ganga Aarti each evening and its yoga and meditation programmes.

• Shivpuri

  adventure-hub · 4.4 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate

  The adventure hub 16 km upriver, the launch point for white-water rafting, riverside camping, bungee jumping and other thrills around the Ganges.

• Beatles Ashram (Chaurasi Kutia)

  ashram-ruins · 4.4 rating · about 1.5 h · entry ₹600

  Atmospheric abandoned ashram where the Beatles stayed in 1968, now covered in psychedelic murals and graffiti amid forest — a magnet for music fans and photographers.

• Kunjapuri Devi Temple

  temple · 4.5 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  Hilltop Shakti Peeth temple famed for spectacular sunrise views over the Himalayan peaks and the Doon valley, about 25 km from Rishikesh.

• Tera Manzil Temple

  temple · 4.3 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate

  Striking thirteen-storey riverside temple (Trayambakeshwar) near Laxman Jhula, housing many deities and offering panoramic Ganga views from its upper floors.

• Neer Garh Waterfall

  waterfall · 4.2 rating · about 2 h · entry ₹50

  Tiered forest waterfall a short trek from Laxman Jhula, with natural pools for a refreshing dip — a popular easy nature escape.

• Rajaji National Park (Chilla)

  national-park · 4.3 rating · about 4 h · check the fee at the gate

  Sprawling Himalayan-foothills park near Rishikesh home to elephants, tigers, deer and rich birdlife, explored on jeep safaris from the Chilla gate.

• Vashishta Gufa

  cave · 4.5 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  Ancient meditation cave on the Ganges about 25 km from Rishikesh where sage Vashishta is said to have meditated; a deeply peaceful spiritual retreat.

Things to do

• Ganges White-Water Rafting Water Sports · 2.5 h · from INR 1,000 per person
• Bungee Jumping at Jumpin Heights Adventure · 2 h · from INR 3,700 per person
• Ganga Aarti Experience Cultural · 1 h
• Hatha Yoga & Meditation Session Wellness · 1.5 h · from INR 500 per person
• Giant Swing & Flying Fox Adventure · 1.5 h · from INR 3,700 per person
• Kunjapuri Sunrise Trek Hiking · 4 h · from INR 800 per person
• Neer Garh Waterfall Hike Hiking · 3 h · from INR 600 per person
• Sattvic Cooking Class Cooking Class · 2.5 h · from INR 1,500 per person

Day trips and tours

• Rishikesh Adventure & Aarti Day 8 h · from INR 2,000
• Rishikesh Temples & Yoga Day 7 h · from INR 1,500
• Kunjapuri Sunrise & Waterfall Day 8 h · from INR 1,800

Where to stay in Rishikesh

• Rajpur Road about INR 3,000 per night

  Yoga and spiritual center with ashrams and wellness retreats

• Tapovan about INR 1,500 per night

  Spiritual area near temple with guest houses and ashrams

Hotels

• Ananda in the Himalayas 5-star · INR 38,000 to INR 75,000 per night
• ShriJi Homestay 2-star · INR 1,500 to INR 2,200 per night
• Arogyadham Wellness Retreat 3-star · INR 1,991 to INR 2,700 per night
• Aloha on the Ganges 4-star · INR 8,000 to INR 15,000 per night
• Ganga Kinare - A Riverside Boutique Hotel 4-star · INR 6,000 to INR 11,000 per night
• Ima Ganga Hotel 3-star · INR 1,847 to INR 2,600 per night

Where to eat

• Chotiwala Restaurant North Indian, South Indian, Vegetarian · about INR 300 per person
• Little Buddha Cafe Continental, Italian, Cafe · about INR 500 per person
• Devraj Coffee Corner Cafe, Bakery, Continental · about INR 350 per person
• Beatles Cafe Continental, Cafe, Italian · about INR 450 per person
• Ramana's Organic Cafe Healthy, Continental, Cafe · about INR 450 per person
• The Sattvik North Indian, Asian, Continental · about INR 500 per person
• Freedom Cafe & Pizzeria Italian, Mexican, Israeli · about INR 450 per person
• 60's German Bakery Bakery, Cafe, Continental · about INR 300 per person

Getting to Rishikesh

Airport: Rishikesh (via Dehradun) (DED)

How visitors arrive in Rishikesh

• Bus from Delhi or Dehradun By road from Delhi / Dehradun · common

  The ISBT is north of the centre and buses are well connected; agents near the ashrams sell luxury seats. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Train to Haridwar or Rishikesh By train from Haridwar · common

  Many expresses stop at Haridwar and a few continue to Rishikesh or Yog Nagari station. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Flight to Dehradun Jolly Grant By air from Delhi · possible

  The airport is about 15 km away, with flights from Delhi and other cities. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

From the airport to the centre

• Taxi from Jolly Grant Airport (Dehradun)

  Dehradun's Jolly Grant Airport is the nearest air gateway; taxis, including prepaid booths at the airport, run on to Rishikesh. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

From the railway station to the centre

• Train to Yog Nagari Rishikesh or Haridwar

  Rishikesh has two stations, Yog Nagari Rishikesh and the older Rishikesh station. Many visitors stop at Haridwar and continue by bus, taxi or shared auto. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

From the bus terminal to the centre

• Bus to Rishikesh ISBT

  The ISBT bus terminal north of the centre has connections from Delhi and Dehradun; other regional buses use the main bus station near Chandrabhaga bridge. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

Getting around

• Auto Rickshaw
• Taxi

  Private and shared taxi services run between Rishikesh and major north Indian cities such as Delhi, Chandigarh and Shimla.

• Walking

Safety and scams to avoid

• Pre-paid taxi "broken meter"

  Airports, train stations, popular squares

  Driver insists meter is broken, quotes ~3x the fair price; or detours via "shopping" stops earning commission.

  How to avoid it: Use pre-paid taxi counter at airport, or Uber/Ola/Rapido apps. Insist on meter or agree price upfront.

Best time to visit Rishikesh

• Jan 17°C
• Feb 22°C
• Mar 29°C
• Apr 35°C
• May 39°C
• Jun 38°C
• Jul 33°C
• Aug 32°C
• Sep 32°C
• Oct 30°C
• Nov 25°C
• Dec 20°C

More in India

• New Delhi
• Agra
• Jaipur
• Panaji
• Mumbai
• Varanasi

Frequently asked questions about Rishikesh

What are the top-rated places to visit in Rishikesh?

The highest-rated places in our Rishikesh guide are Triveni Ghat, Parmarth Niketan Ashram, Laxman Jhula, Ram Jhula, Neelkanth Mahadev Temple.

Where should I stay in Rishikesh?

Our guide covers these areas to stay in Rishikesh: Rajpur Road, Tapovan.

How do I get around Rishikesh?

Ways to get around Rishikesh covered in our guide: Auto-rickshaw, Taxi, Walking.

What scams should I watch out for in Rishikesh?

Scams reported to us for Rishikesh include Pre-paid taxi "broken meter". Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.

What is the weather like in Rishikesh?

Average daytime highs in Rishikesh run from 17°C in Jan to 39°C in May.

Which airport is nearest to Rishikesh?

The nearest airport to Rishikesh has the code DED.