Rishikesh is one of the most spiritual places in India, nestled along the banks of the holy river Ganges in the foothills of the Himalayas this holy city has a special energy that’s hard to describe in words.
Rishikesh is most famous for being the ‘Yoga Capital of the World’ but it’s not just yogis that will find a lot to love about this beautiful, spiritual town surrounded by nature.
As well as staying in an ashram or learning yoga and meditation, you can also enjoy nature adventures like white water rafting and trekking, or just relax along the shore of the River Ganga at one of the many cosy cafes.
My Rishikesh Travel Guide: The Best Places to Visit, Eat and Stay in The Yoga Capital of the World
I live in India and have visited Rishikesh many times, even if you’re not really into yoga (yet!) it’s still an essential stop on any Indian adventure.
So I put together my Rishikesh travel guide to give you a quick lowdown on the best things to do, places to eat and stay in Rishikesh to help you plan your own trip to this special place.
Why I Love Rishikesh
India is the birthplace of yoga and Rishikesh has been a spiritual place for yoga and meditation since ancient times. There’s a huge number of temples and yoga ashrams here, especially along the banks of the Ganges river. This spiritual vibe, combining with the stunning mountain scenery, creates a soul stirring atmosphere that you just have to experience if you are interested in spiritualty and yoga.
In the 1960’s, The Beatles visited India and stayed at the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Ashram in Rishikesh. Since then the town has become famous worldwide as the ‘Yoga Capital of the World’ and attracts yogis and spiritual seekers from across the globe.
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If you’re looking to learn yoga Rishikesh is one of the cheapest and best places to do an authentic yoga teacher training course. There are so many opportunities to explore things you may have always wanted to, like Ayurvedic massage therapy, chakra balancing, and astrology readings.
If you’re interested in yoga and spirituality, you must make the pilgrimage to Rishikesh at least once in your life. And even if you’re not, the surrounding nature and adventure activities on offer are another reason to visit Rishikesh.
Best Places to Visit and Things to do in Rishikesh
Yoga and Meditation
As the Yoga Capital of the World of course learning yoga and meditation is one of the very best things to do in Rishikesh.
Even if you’ve never done any yoga before why not take a drop in yoga class to try out yoga for yourself. India is the birthplace of yoga and you never know – it might just change your life! There are posters all over for yoga classes, you could try a few different styles and teachers and see what you prefer.
If you’re a more experienced yogi wanting to train to become a yoga teacher there’s hundreds of yoga schools and ashrams in Rishikesh offering everything from yoga retreats and yoga teacher training programs.
Yoga in India is a lot different from the West – in India it’s not just an exercise its a complex ancient spiritual practice. There is something for everyone when it comes to experiencing yoga in Rishikesh, from luxury Ayurveda and yoga retreats to traditional yoga ashrams if you want a really authentic and spiritual experience.
One of the best ashrams in Rishikesh is Parmath Niketan Ashram. This is one of the top ashrams in India with over 1000 rooms and when you stay there you’ll get three meals and two yoga classes per day.
You can also learn more about yoga in Rishikesh in my dedicated post on the best yoga retreats in Rishikesh here, top Rishikesh ashrams here and my guide to yoga teacher training in Rishikesh here.
Explore the Temples and Ghats
Once of the best ways to experience Rishikesh is simply to walk around and soak it all up. Ancient temples line the holy river Ganges and come to life at sunrise and sunset with chanting and temple bells and the smell of flowers and incense used for the pujas and ceremonies.
One of my favourite temples in Rishikesh is Shri Trayambakeshwar, a striking 13 story Hindu Temple located by Lakshman Jhula suspension bridge. With it’s bright orange colour and wedding cake like structure on the banks of the Ganges it has become one of the iconic sights of the city and the climb to the top offers amazing views.
If you’re staying in Tapovan or Lakshman Jhula, you can easily walk over Ram Jhula bridge to an interesting area called Swarg Ashram. This is where a lot of the yoga and meditation ashrams are located, including Parmarth Niketan Ashram.
There’s also lots of little shops selling stickers, trinkets, devotional music and spiritual books and a bustling, spiritual atmosphere with sadhus (holy men) and bathing ghats. (If you take a dip don’t go in your bikini! – this is a religious place and a conversative country.)
If you want something a bit less touristy Triveni Ghat is an auspicious and popular bathing ghat and place of prayer with plenty of spiritual activities going on. It’s a good place to visit to experience the local religious traditions in Rishikesh.
Visit The Beatles Ashram
The Beatles came to Rishikesh in the late 1960s and basically made Rishikesh world famous. They stayed at the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Ashram and wrote most of The White Album.
The ashram, now known as The Beatles Ashram, is now abandoned but you can still visit. It’s just south of the Swarg Ashram area and it’s really interesting to roam around the jungly abandoned ashram and explore and see the art and graffiti. It costs 600 rupees for foreigners and 150 rupees for Indians.
Watch the Ganga Aarti
Every evening at the ghats outside the Parmath Niketan Ashram at around 6:30 PM, people gather to give offerings to the river and to the Goddess Ganga. It’s a beautiful ritual with music, fire and prayers.
Yes, it’s a bit touristy, but it’s something you shouldn’t miss the chance to experience when visiting Rishikesh. You can also light a diya, a small pot with flowers and a candle, to float down the River Ganga.
Get an Ayurvedic Massage
Ayurevda is an ancient life science that, like yoga, also originated in India. A perfect way to dip your toes into the world of Ayruveda is with a relaxing Ayurveda massage, perfect to soothe any sore muscles if you’ve done a bit too much yoga! They use certain natural oils and pressure points that make these massages different from other ones you may have gotten, and they’re extremely affordable!
Go White Water Rafting
One of the most fun and thrilling ways to see Rishikesh and the surrounding nature is on the river itself! Rafting is a really popular activity in Rishikesh, you can choose between Grade 1-5, depending on the difficulty you want, and can even go for a multi day trip which includes camping in nature by the riverside. The rafting season is mid September and the end of June and trips cost around 2000 ruppees.
You can also go kayaking, or if you’re an adrenaline junkie, you can try bungee jumping!
Trek to Temples and Waterfalls
Rishikesh is also a great start point for multi day treks into the Himalayas but a short trek is still soothing for the soul. For a nice short trek you can walk along the river and you’ll find some sandy beaches where you can relax and take a refreshing dip.
You could also trek through the forest to Neer Garh Waterfall and Neelkantha Mahadev Temple, which is about a 3 hour trek from Swarg Ashram. If you don’t fancy walking but still want to visit these sites you could also rent a motorbike or take a taxi and drive there.
Day Trips from Rishikesh
Haridwar:
The spiritual town of Hardiwar is only about 30 mins from Rishikesh. It’s much more important spiritually to Indian’s than Rishikesh and worth the short trip.
Haridwar is an ancient city and important Hindu pilgrimage site and is one of the sites of the Kumbh Mela – the world’s largest ever religious gathering.
Hindu pilgrims arrive here in droves to take a dip in the holy River Ganges and every night the river comes alive with flickering candle flames as offerings are released and float down the river.
Kanjapuri Devi Temple
This is one of the best viewpoints and day trips from Rishikesh. You can rent a motorbike and drive to the temple yourself. The road winds through the mountains, where halfway up you’ll get a gorgeous view of Rishikesh and the River Ganga. Once at the top, you’ll have an aerial view of the surrounding mountains and forests.
The Valley of Flowers
While this is actually a few days trip from Rishikesh, the Valley of Flowers is something not to be missed if you’re in the area in July and August as you’ll witness a spectacular array of endemic alpine flowers in bloom in a lush green valley.
Where to Stay in Rishikesh
Rishikesh is quite spread out along the river so you’ll want to do a bit of research into where to stay in Rishikesh to have the best experience – you probably won’t see what all the fuss is about if you stay in the centre of Rishikesh city.
The best area to stay in Rishikesh is in Lakshman Jhula and Tapovan. This popular area has plenty of cafes, hostels, guesthouses and an abundance of yoga schools, on both sides of the river, which make it a great place to practice yoga, hang out and meet other travellers.
The other side of the river is more peaceful than the main Tapovan side which can get busy and noisy, especially on national holiday weekends.
There are two famous hanging bridges – Ram Jhula and Laksham Jhula suspension bridge that you’ll need to use to cross over to the other side of the river. Just be warned they can get pretty overcrowded and it’s not just pedestrians – you’ll also witness motorbikes, cows and monkeys crossing the river too! It’s an experience in itself!
Swarg Ashram is a peaceful place to stay but there are not so many options here, unless you stay in an ashram. There are also budget options in the High Bank area, where you can sometimes find meat on the menu. The area of Muni-Ki-Reti is also a good option.
Traditionally, accommodation in Rishikesh was mainly budget hotels and guesthouses but in recent years more upmarket options have opened along the river.
Here’s a few recommendations for the best places to stay in Rishikesh, depending on your budget.
The Best Backpacker Hostels and Budget Guesthouses in Rishikesh
Shiv Shakti Guesthouse
This hostel has comfortable air-conditioned rooms, an awesome rooftop to chill on, and free chai and water all day long. The staff are so friendly and always happy.
They have Bollywood dance nights, family dinners on Thursdays, and do sunrise and trekking tours. You’ll feel right at home the second you step in this hostel.
It’s such a great place to meet other travellers if you’re traveling by yourself. It’s in one of the best areas of Rishikesh in Lakshman Jhula.
Sonu Guesthouse:
This characterful guesthouse is located across the bridge in the Laxman Jhula area. It’s close to the main road but far enough away that you still get a quiet and calm atmosphere. They offer cold filtered water and tours to various attractions, which is great especially if you’re travelling solo!
There’s a gorgeous terrace and rooftop that’s a great place for relaxing and socializing and a yoga studio. There’s a communal kitchen too so you can cook your own meals. The staff are genuine and helpful, you’ll feel right at home in this guesthouse popular with budget travellers and solo female travellers.
The Best Mid Range Hotels in Rishikesh
Hotel Peepal Tree:
Stay here for comfortable and spacious rooms with great views. They have a rooftop restaurant that serves delicious food, air-conditioned rooms, and free Wi-Fi. It’s in a great location, only 900 meters from Lakshman Jhula and 800 meters from Ram Jhula. There’s a terrace and a homey, comfortable atmosphere.
Seventh Heaven Inn:
A newish boutique hotel in the Tapovan area that has already become super popular because of it’s fab location, high service standards and beautiful rooms. The spacious rooms have plenty of natural light and balconies with views over the forest and mountains. The decor is a blend of Indian and European styles and the hotel is run by an Indian and English partnership. There’s a fabulous rooftop restaurant as well.
Ganga Kinare:
A beautiful riverside boutique hotel with it’s own garden and ghat. The hotel is a lovely peaceful riverside retreat as its located down the river from the busier parts of Rishikesh. Most of the comfortable and well equipped rooms have views of the river.
The hotel also offers complimentary yoga, pranayama, and meditation sessions, an Ayurvedic spa and outside jacuzzi. A Ganga aarti is also performed each morning and evening at the hotel’s private ghat.
The Best Luxury and Heritage Hotels in Rishikesh
Aloha on the Ganges:
With an outdoor pool and wellness centre, this luxurious hotel has amazing views of the River Ganga, nature walks, yoga classes, and amazing staff that will make you feel right at home. Rooms are spacious and clean, and feature private bathrooms and some rooms have a mini bar. It’s in a great location, only 2 km from Lakshman Jhula.
Neemrana’s Glasshouse on The Ganges:
This heritage hotel is about 20 km from Lakshman Jhula. It’s located right next to the River Ganges in a serene setting. It offers you peace and tranquillity, since it’s just outside of Rishikesh. There’s a garden and game room on site, and a restaurant serving healthy and filling food.
Where to eat and drink in Rishikesh
Rishikesh is a hippie haven with tons of cafes and restaurants serving reasonably priced local and international dishes as well as plenty of vegan and vegetarian food perfect for yogis.
Chilling out at a cafe with views over the River Ganges is one of the most relaxing and pleasant ways to spend an afternoon and you’ll probably meet some interesting people.
Be aware that as Rishikesh is a holy city no alcohol or non-veg/ meat dishes (including egg) are served. Lakshman Jhula and Tapovan are two areas of Rishikesh known for its plethora of good restaurants and cafes.
You’ll find anything from the local northern Indian style dishes like Chana Masala and Kadai Paneer, as well as healthy salads, sandwiches, espresso coffee, pizza, pasta, and platters.
Some of the best restaurants in Rishikesh Include :
Little Buddha: This restaurant serves vegan and vegetarian food in a large open café with beautiful views of the Ganga. Their portions are huge and affordable, and their food is some of the best in all of Rishikesh.
Free Spirit Cafe: a small place near to Laksham Jula with river facing tables, relaxed atmosphere, lovely staff and reasonably priced but great quality food cooked with love. Try the falafel burger and pancakes.
Beatles Café: Playing music from the 60s and 70s all day long, some of their specialties include lasagne and burgers. It’s the place to visit after exploring the Beatles Ashram.
Royal Café: This café has delicious vegan smoothie breakfast bowls, coffee, and a comfortable seating area on a balcony overlooking the Ganga River.
Pumpernickel Bakery: Some of the best desserts in all of Rishikesh with a lot of places to sit and relax. Make sure you try their vegan Reese’s Balls and vegan chocolate banana pie!
Ramana’s Organic Garden Cafe: Everything here is fresh, healthy, organic and super tasty. It’s a chilled out place with awesome views plus you’ll be helping out the kids at the school next door as well as having a delicious meal!
Pure Soul: Lovely, modern, clean, Western cafe and organic kitchen with plenty of gluten free and vegan options. There’s a great juice and smoothie menu and decent wifi so its a good place to get some work done. As well as delicious food and great views Pure Soul is eco friendly and supports local farmers and sustainable agriculture.
How to get to Rishikesh
Rishikesh has a train station but Haridwar train station, half an hour taxi or rickshaw ride away from Rishikesh, has many more connections to other places in India such as Delhi and Varanasi.
The nearest international airport to Rishikesh is Delhi Airport (DEL) From Delhi the fastest trains take about 4 and a half hours to Haridwar. You can also take a bus but it takes longer (about 8 and a half hours)
You can also fly from Delhi to Dehra Dun Jolly Grant Airport which is only 20 mins away from Rishikesh by taxi. You can take an overnight bus from Dharamshala to reach Rishikesh, which takes about 14 hours. You can use Rome to Rio to check the details and don’t forget to get your Indian visa before traveling!
Best time to visit Rishikesh and how long to stay
Rishikesh is situated in the foothills of the Himalayas so the town is cooler than other places in India like Delhi. but it does get a bit chilly in the winter.
The best time to visit Rishikesh is from September to November, or March to April, when the weather is pleasant and comfortable. The monsoon, or rainy season, falls between July and September.
The Rishikesh International Yoga Festival is held in March making it a great, but busy, time to visit so make sure you book your travel and accommodation in advance.
You should spend around 3-5 days in Rishikesh if you just want to check it out but you’ll need to stay much longer if you want to take a yoga or meditation course, most last about 1 month.
Where Next:
Dharamkot, the hippie village in the Himalayas, above Dharmashala and McCleod Ganj
Manali, the most popular mountain hangout
Read More:
10 comments
Nice ! Very deep and very informative blog … we hope you continue to post such info !!
I glad to be here see this great blog,This is very interesting article. The pictures are really beautiful and the way you explained about the places to visit. Thank for share with us.
Thank you for sharing peaceful information, I acknowledge to blogger for awesome travel blogs. for more information visit on the website.
Wow what a nice blog , thanks for sharing , Rishikesh is beautiful part in india .
Impressive article and pics！Thanks for the post. Keep doing the good work.
Thanks for sharing the informative post…
Haridwar and rishikesh are a great place to visit. The truely Himalayan range has a lot of places worth a visit. Ganges , Meditation , Yoga and White water rafting are some of the great excursions. The Well Explained article from you is kind of virtual visit to these places. thank you for such information.
great great article. I came across this just when I needed it the most. It just make me want to come to rishikesh more and more.
thanks for this write up.
[…] along the coast of the Arabian Sea, plus everything in between. The world capital of yoga – Rishikesh is located in India, the Buddha attained enlightenment in Bodhgaya, India and the tropical South […]
[…] Rishikesh – This holy city in the northern state of Uttarakhand sits on the bank of the sacred Ganges River in the foothills of the Himalayas. This river plays an essential role in Hindu philosophy as it is believed to be the personification of the Goddess Ganga. Indian pilgrims come to this river to wash away their sins and advance their spiritual practice. The town has numerous temples and is considered the yoga capital of the world – more on that later. […]