Rishikesh is a river town where the Ganga leaves the hills. It is known for ashrams, yoga, the Ganga aarti and white-water rafting, and it is the main road start for Char Dham journeys. Parts of the town are quiet; the Laxman Jhula and Ram Jhula areas are crowded.
About this page: Rafting season dates conflict between sources and were not confirmed by an official notice. Other details are approximate and from general knowledge and secondary sources.
Things to see
- Ganga aarti at Triveni Ghat. Evening ritual on the riverbank.
- Ram Jhula and Laxman Jhula. Footbridges over the Ganga linking ashram and cafe areas.
- Beatles Ashram (Chaurasi Kutia). Abandoned ashram in the forest, now an art-covered site. Check entry rules.
- River rafting. Seasonal. Reports disagree on exact season dates and rafting is stopped whenever the river is high (it was halted in late June 2025), so confirm with the local tourism office. Use licensed operators who provide life jackets and helmets.
- Neelkanth Mahadev temple. Hill temple reached by road or a long walk.
How to reach Rishikesh
By road
About 230-250 km from Delhi, 5-6 hours in normal traffic; Haridwar to Rishikesh is about 25 km.
By rail
Yog Nagari Rishikesh station has limited services; most travellers arrive at Haridwar.
By air
Jolly Grant Airport is about 20 km away.
Where to stay
Ashrams, hostels and hotels around Tapovan, Laxman Jhula and the Ganga bank. Ashrams usually have rules about timings and some require advance booking.
Food
Largely vegetarian town. Cafes in Tapovan and Laxman Jhula serve many cuisines; the core area has restrictions on alcohol and non-vegetarian food.
Budget
No verified price list is published on this page. Use the budget estimator and replace its placeholder rates with real quotes. Open the budget estimator.
Season and weather
Hot in May-June. Monsoon brings high river flows and suspended rafting. Winters are mild but cold at night.
Safety
- Use only licensed rafting and bungee operators with safety gear.
- Do not swim in the Ganga in high flow.
- Watch for monkeys around the bridges.
Tips
- Stay near Tapovan or Laxman Jhula for cafes; stay further out for quiet.
- Respect ashram and temple dress rules.
Plan around Rishikesh
Itineraries that include it
- Rishikesh in one day (1 day)
- Tehri Lake day trip from Rishikesh (1 day)
- Rishikesh and Haridwar in two days (2 days)
- Rishikesh and Shivpuri rafting (2 days)
- Rishikesh, Devprayag and Tehri (3 days)
- Auli and Joshimath (4 days)
- Chopta, Tungnath and Chandrashila (3 days)
- Garhwal exploration in a week (7 days)
- Valley of Flowers and Hemkund (7 days)
- Spiritual journey: Haridwar to Rudraprayag (8 days)
- Adventure road trip (10 days)
Treks in the same district
- Nag Tibba (easy, 2 days)
Map
Approximate location at town level. Use an official or navigation map for exact directions.
Frequently asked questions
Can I raft in the monsoon?
Rafting is generally suspended during the monsoon because of high water. Check with licensed operators for the current season.
Is Rishikesh safe for solo women?
It is a popular solo destination. Use normal precautions: stay in reviewed places, avoid isolated areas at night, and keep contacts informed.
Sources and verification
Last reviewed 2026-10-25. Prices, opening dates, road status and permits change often. Confirm with an official source before you travel.