Rishikesh - Tours and Excursions
Immerse your senses with an Indian vacation package
As we all know Rishikesh has been a center for spiritual and religious activities since ancient times. The city is located in the foot hills of Himalayas beside the river Ganges. It is also known as Yoga capital of the world, attracting visitors from all over the world for its shrines and yoga Ashram. The town is also famous for Beatles ashram and places like Laxman Jhula and ram Jhula. Rishikesh is also an interesting place for adventure lovers as they have options for trekking to white water rafting. The location on the foothills gives it a pleasant weather throughout the year.
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Dharamsala Things to do
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Divine Dharamsala
Indrahar Pass
The distinctly varying altitudes of the trekking trail to this mesmerizing location allow you to witness the scenic beauty of various forest ranges.
Dal Lake
The distinctly varying altitudes of the trekking trail to this mesmerizing location allow you to witness the scenic beauty of various forest ranges.
St. John In The Wilderness
The church of St. John in the wilderness is an old Anglican church situated in the beautiful valley of McLeodganj
Chamunda Devi Temple
Chamunda Devi Temple, or the 'Chamunda Nandikeshwar Dham,' is one of the most prestigious and renowned holy shrines of the Hindus.
Best Hotels & Resorts to Stay in Dharamshala
Stay at
Hotel Triund Heights
Bhagsunag, Mcleodganj, Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, INDIA - 176219
D'Polo Club & Spa Resort
Near, Dharamsala Rd, Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh 176215
Hotel Navya Heights
Bhagsu Nag, McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh 176219
Rishikesh – Place of Sagas
As we all know Rishikesh has been a center for spiritual and religious activities since ancient times. The city is located in the foot hills of Himalayas beside the river Ganges. It is also known as Yoga capital of the world, attracting visitors from all over the world for its shrines and yoga Ashram. The town is also famous for Beatles ashram and places like Laxman Jhula and Ram Jhula. Gateway to Garhwal Himalayas Rishikesh is also a pilgrimage town and one of the holiest places for Hindus. Rishikesh is also an interesting place for adventure lovers as they have options for trekking to white water rafting. The location on the foothills gives it a pleasant weather throughout the year.
Highlights of Rishikesh:
- Holy River Ganges leaves the mountains and enters the plains.
- Rishikesh is known as gateway to Char Dham. (Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri)
- Rishikesh is the Yoga Capital of the world.
- Rishikesh is the place where spirituality meets the adventure.
- Gateway to Garhwal Himalayas.
- Unmatched adventure activities like White water rafting, bungee jumping, zip line etc.
- First bunjee jumping destination.
- It is a vegetarian and alcoholic free city.
Tourist places in and around Rishikesh:
Triveni Ghat :
Triveni ghat is a sacred ghat in Rishikesh famous for the Ganga Aarti. Triveni derives from two words Tri(three) and Veni (confluence) meaning confluence of three. It is one of the biggest and must visit Ghat of Rishikesh known for its auspicious and spiritual aroma. Triveni ghat is where all the three rivers meet the Ganga, the Yamuna and the Saraswati. The revered bathing spot is said to be the holiest places in the town snuggled in the lap of Himalayas along the river Ganga.
Triveni Ghat is famous among pilgrims to take a holy dip in sacred River Ganga. One can participate at Ganga Aarti by contacting Ganaga Seva Samiti by paying a nominal fee. The same money is used for management of Triveni Ghat such as cleanliness, facilities and festivals etc.
Visitors can also take a boat ride in River Ganga from Triveni Ghat. The boat ride service is offered by Swami Mission Society on nominal cost per person. Triveni is even used by devotees to perform the last rites and rituals of their loved ones. The Ghat is famed for the Ganga Aati performed to the chants of the Vedic hymns. The sight of oil leaves, filled with diys and petals which are released in River Ganga is a sight to behold. On the bank of Triveni Ghat, one can visit the Gita Mandir, Triveni Mata Mandir and Laxminarayn Temple.
Triveni Ghat is famous among pilgrims to take a holy dip in sacred River Ganga. One can participate at Ganga Aarti by contacting Ganaga Seva Samiti by paying a nominal fee. The same money is used for management of Triveni Ghat such as cleanliness, facilities and festivals etc.
Visitors can also take a boat ride in River Ganga from Triveni Ghat. The boat ride service is offered by Swami Mission Society on nominal cost per person. Triveni is even used by devotees to perform the last rites and rituals of their loved ones. The Ghat is famed for the Ganga Aati performed to the chants of the Vedic hymns. The sight of oil leaves, filled with diys and petals which are released in River Ganga is a sight to behold. On the bank of Triveni Ghat, one can visit the Gita Mandir, Triveni Mata Mandir and Laxminarayn Temple.
Ram Jhula :
Ram Jhula is one of the most iconic places in Rishikesh. It is an iron suspension bridge located over the holy River Ganga. One of the most memorable experiences you can enjoy at the Ram Jhula is overlooking the holy city of Rishikesh from the bridge itself in all its natural and historical glory, surrounded by the river and the mighty mountains.
There are innumerable shops and markets near the starting and ending point of the bridge. One can buy authentic semi-precious stones and gems at the reasonable prices.
There are innumerable shops and markets near the starting and ending point of the bridge. One can buy authentic semi-precious stones and gems at the reasonable prices.
Lakshman Jhula :
Lakshman Jhula happens to be one of the famous hanging bridges across the holy River. The Jhula is a link in between two important villages in Rishikesh. It connects Tapovan village in Tehri Garhwal and Jonk village in Pauri Village.
As per the Hindu Mythology Ramayan, it is believed that Lord Ram and his brother Lakshman had crossed the Ganga River at the same place where the bridge has been built. The bridge was opened to public in the year 1929. In order to boost the tourist many other developments have been carried out around the area. Initially the Lakshman Jhula was made up of the jute, however after the floods it was replaced by a much stronger and studier iron bridge in the year 1939.
One can indulge in various things near the Lakshman bridge like visit Tera manzil Temple, Gems shopping at Arihant Gems, indulge in the Vedic treatments at Prakriti Vedic Spa, Meditate is Geeta Bhawan, Yoga sessions etc.
As per the Hindu Mythology Ramayan, it is believed that Lord Ram and his brother Lakshman had crossed the Ganga River at the same place where the bridge has been built. The bridge was opened to public in the year 1929. In order to boost the tourist many other developments have been carried out around the area. Initially the Lakshman Jhula was made up of the jute, however after the floods it was replaced by a much stronger and studier iron bridge in the year 1939.
One can indulge in various things near the Lakshman bridge like visit Tera manzil Temple, Gems shopping at Arihant Gems, indulge in the Vedic treatments at Prakriti Vedic Spa, Meditate is Geeta Bhawan, Yoga sessions etc.
Parmarth Niketan :
Parmarth Niketan is a true spiritual haven lying on the Holy Banks of mother Ganga in the lap of lush Himalayas. It is the largest Ashram in Rishikesh, providing its thousands of pilgrims who come from all corners of the earth with a clean, pure and sacred atmosphere as well as abundant, beautiful gardens. The Parmarth Niketan is located in Swargashram, just on the banks of the sacred Ganges River.
The daily activities at Parmarth Niketan include daily yoga specializing in Vinyasa yoga, general Hatha yoga and yoga nidra. Daily activities include morning universal prayers and meditation classes, daily satsang and mediation programs, Ganga arti at the sunset. Parmath Niketan is also the home to 14 feet Shiva statue on the banks of Ganges. The divine tree of heaven kalpavirksha was planted at the premises of this ashram by Vijay Pal Baghel of Himalaya Vahini.
There are frequent camps in which pilgrims come from all across the world r=to take part in the intensive courses in yoga, meditation, prayanama, stress management, acupressure, reiki and other ancient Indian sciences. Parmarth Niketan is open to all visitors with no discriminations on the basis of race, nationality, religion, caste or creed. The daily events and activities at Parmarth make every minute every moment prayer, connecting us to the Divine.
The daily activities at Parmarth Niketan include daily yoga specializing in Vinyasa yoga, general Hatha yoga and yoga nidra. Daily activities include morning universal prayers and meditation classes, daily satsang and mediation programs, Ganga arti at the sunset. Parmath Niketan is also the home to 14 feet Shiva statue on the banks of Ganges. The divine tree of heaven kalpavirksha was planted at the premises of this ashram by Vijay Pal Baghel of Himalaya Vahini.
There are frequent camps in which pilgrims come from all across the world r=to take part in the intensive courses in yoga, meditation, prayanama, stress management, acupressure, reiki and other ancient Indian sciences. Parmarth Niketan is open to all visitors with no discriminations on the basis of race, nationality, religion, caste or creed. The daily events and activities at Parmarth make every minute every moment prayer, connecting us to the Divine.
The Beatles Ashram :
Beatles Ashram also known as Chaurasi ashram is an ashram close to Rishikesh in the state Uttrakhand. It sits on a 150 feet high cliff overlooking the River Ganges, on a hill known as Manikoot and comprises of 14 acres of Land surrounded by jungle. The facility was built in 1963 with a $100,000 gift from American heiress Doris Duke.
In 1997, however, it got deserted, until recently on 8th December 2015 , Uttrakhand’s Forest Department reopened this Beatles ashram and turned it into a tourist place. One of the main reasons why this ashram is famous is because of its Graffiti artwork. The ashram gained international attention between February and April 1968 when the English rock band the Beatles studied meditation there along with other celebrities such as Donavan, Mia Farrow and Mike Love. It is now known as Beatles Ashram and held an exhibition in February 2018 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Beatles arrival in Rishikesh.
In 1997, however, it got deserted, until recently on 8th December 2015 , Uttrakhand’s Forest Department reopened this Beatles ashram and turned it into a tourist place. One of the main reasons why this ashram is famous is because of its Graffiti artwork. The ashram gained international attention between February and April 1968 when the English rock band the Beatles studied meditation there along with other celebrities such as Donavan, Mia Farrow and Mike Love. It is now known as Beatles Ashram and held an exhibition in February 2018 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Beatles arrival in Rishikesh.
Gurdwara Shri Hemkund Sahib : Sacred Pilgrimage
The Shri Hemkund Sahib Gurdwara is located at the highest altitude of 4329 mts. It is located in Chamoli district of Uttrakhand near Valley of flowers. This Holy shrine got his name from the Glacial Lake Hemkund, whose literal meaning is the ‘Lake of Snow’.
Hemkund Sahib is significant for Sikhs as it is believed to be the place where Guru Govind Singh, the tenth Guru meditated in his previous life. The site is also dedicated to Tenth Sikh Guru and is one of the most important pilgrimage sites for Sikhs.
The St John Church in The wilderness Dharamsala may not have the grandeur of the Churches in Goa or Karnataka but it has strange timeless beauty that merges harmoniously with its setting in the middle of beautiful Dhauladhar ranges.
River Rafting :
River Ganga in Rishikesh is one of the safest rivers for rafting in India. It is also known as pool and drop river which means after every rapid there is a long calm section.
Shivpuri is an ideal place for rafting camping in Rishikesh. October to February is the best time for rafting as the average temperature is 19 c to 27 c. Some of the well known rapids faced by the rafter are Golf course, Roller coaster, club house etc. There are different types of rafting and is the easiest and the shortest one is of 9 km from Brahmpuri Club house to Rishikesh NIM Beach. It is grade 1 rafting expedition and is meant for beginners. The stretch is best for family and student group.
The Kaudiyala to Rishikesh is 36 km long rafting stretch, full of excitement and awe. This is one of the longest and adventurous route for rafting in Rishikesh.
Shivpuri is an ideal place for rafting camping in Rishikesh. October to February is the best time for rafting as the average temperature is 19 c to 27 c. Some of the well known rapids faced by the rafter are Golf course, Roller coaster, club house etc. There are different types of rafting and is the easiest and the shortest one is of 9 km from Brahmpuri Club house to Rishikesh NIM Beach. It is grade 1 rafting expedition and is meant for beginners. The stretch is best for family and student group.
The Kaudiyala to Rishikesh is 36 km long rafting stretch, full of excitement and awe. This is one of the longest and adventurous route for rafting in Rishikesh.
Location: Rishikesh India Population: 66390
12°C Feels like 10°C
1017hPa 44% 0% 3m/s 50deg
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Must Know Before You Visit Rishikesh
- Don’t forget to visit Shri Bharat Mandir in Jhanda Chowk, dedicated to the deity from which the city gets its name, Lord Hrishikesh Narayan.
- If you don’t like the crowd, avoid visiting in peak season, from March to June.
- Make sure you pack proper woolen clothes from November to February.
- You should stay near Laxman Jhula or Ram Jhula, as most attractions are around these iconic landmarks.
- If you’re coming for rafting, make sure you check the official site for knowing the status. Rafting is closed in extreme winters and the rainy season.
FAQs on Rishikesh
Why is Rishikesh famous?
Rishikesh is famous worldwide as the Yoga Capital because it has many yoga and meditation centers. Apart from that, Rishikesh is also known as the adventure capital of India as it offers rafting, cliff jumping, bungee jumping, and many other adventure activities.
How many days are enough for Rishikesh?
Three to five days are enough to explore Rishikesh, enjoy adventure activities, and enjoy some time in solitude near a bank of the Ganges.
How to reach Rishikesh?
Yoga Nagari Rishikesh (YNRK) is the nearest railway station connected to major train stations in India. The nearest airport, Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun, sits about 21 km away. And you can get regular government buses to Rishikesh from the national capital Delhi’s Kashmiri Gate ISBT.
When to visit Rishikesh?
You can visit anytime from December to June. Please note that avoid visiting in December, January, and February if you can’t bear the cold environment.
