Haridwar, the “Gateway to the Gods,” is one of India’s oldest living cities and a major pilgrimage stop on the Ganges. For millennia, pilgrims have bathed at Har Ki Pauri’s sacred steps, believing a dip here can wash away past karma. Today, the evening Ganga Aarti—flames, hymns, and a river of marigolds—remains one of India’s most stirring rituals.

Beyond the ghats, Haridwar rewards slow travel: hilltop shrines reached by ropeway, bustling bazaars perfumed with ghee and incense, and ashrams offering quiet corners for reflection. It’s also wonderfully budget-friendly: most temples are free, street snacks are delicious and inexpensive, and e‑rickshaws make zipping around easy.

Practical notes: Dress modestly for temples and ghats, remove footwear where required, and keep valuables close in crowds. Alcohol and non‑vegetarian food are restricted near the sacred center. The best time to visit is October–March, with cooler evenings and crystal-clear aarti views.

Haridwar

Set at the Himalayan foothills in Uttarakhand, Haridwar mixes living mythology with daily life—mendicants, bells, and the buzz of old bazaars. Top sights include Har Ki Pauri, Mansa Devi and Chandi Devi Temples (linked by ropeways), Kankhal’s Daksheshwar Mahadev, and the peaceful Sapt Rishi Ghat.

Food is half the fun. Start your day with aloo‑puri and kachori‑jalebi, sip kulhad chai by the river, and end with a hearty North Indian thali. Don’t miss a second look at the Ganga Aarti from another angle—every evening feels different.

Getting to Haridwar

• By air: Fly into Dehradun (DED, Jolly Grant Airport), then taxi 60–90 minutes to Haridwar. Search fares on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Typical domestic one‑way fares from Delhi start around $25–$80.
• By train: Direct trains from Delhi take ~4.5–6 hours depending on class and service. Expect roughly INR 200–900 ($2.50–$11) for 2S/Chair Car/3A. Book via Trip.com Trains.

Where to stay (budget-first, river-close)

• Browse deals and homestays: VRBO Haridwar | Hotels.com Haridwar
• Good-value pick near the ghats: Hotel Krishna Ji (clean, reliable rooms; easy rickshaw access).
• Midrange riverside with aarti views: Ganga Lahari.
• Spa splurge in the hills (not budget): Ananda in the Himalayas.

Tip: For budget travelers, areas around Upper Road/Jassa Ram Road or near the railway station offer simple stays and quick access to the old city.

Day 1: Arrival, First Dip into the Ghats, and Ganga Aarti

Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Stretch your legs with an orientation walk along Subhash Ghat to Har Ki Pauri. Grab a late snack—try aloo‑puri at Mohan Ji Puri Wale (pillowy puris, spiced potato curry) or kachori‑jalebi at Mathura Walo Ki Pracheen Dukaan near the ghats. Expect INR 60–150 per plate.

Evening: Join a guided walk that culminates at the Aarti for context and the best vantage points: Guided Haridwar Walk with Ghats & Evening Ganga Aarti. It weaves history, temple etiquette, and hidden lanes into a compact experience before the lamps are lit.

Night: Dinner at Hoshiyarpuri (since 1930s; comforting thalis, dal makhani, stuffed parathas). For dessert, grab rabri or malai peda at Brijwasi Sweets. Wander Bara Bazaar for prayer beads, copper diyas, and Ganga jal bottles; it’s lively but safe—just mind your pockets.

Day 2: Hilltop Temples by Ropeway, Temples & Ashrams by Tanga

Morning: Catch sunrise on the river—Birla Ghat is a little quieter than Har Ki Pauri. Breakfast on kachori‑jalebi or a steaming glass of kulhad chai. Ride the Udan Khatola ropeway to Mansa Devi Temple (round‑trip ticket typically in the INR 200–400 range; queues move fastest before 9 am). Views sweep across the old city and Ganges plain.

Afternoon: Continue to Chandi Devi Temple via ropeway (or a combined ticket when available). Return for a simple, affordable lunch: The Big Ben near the railway station serves dependable vegetarian North Indian plates, tandoori breads, and quick dosas—good value and fast service. If you have extra time, step into Bharat Mata Mandir (eight floors dedicated to India’s spiritual and cultural heritage).

Evening: See Haridwar the classic way—by horse‑drawn tanga—with a guide who ties it all together and gets you back to the river by dusk: Haridwar Tanga Tour: Temples, Ashrams, Ghats & Ganga Aarti. It’s a photogenic, low‑stress circuit ideal for first‑timers.

Dinner: Try Dada Boudir Hotel (a beloved vegetarian stop for Bengali‑style thalis—simple, hearty, and kind to your wallet) or return to Hoshiyarpuri if you’re craving seconds. Night chai on the promenade makes a soothing nightcap.

Day 3: Kankhal, Quiet Ghats, Street Food Finale, and Departure

Morning: Take an e‑rickshaw to Kankhal (15–20 minutes). Visit Daksheshwar Mahadev Temple, linked to the legend of Sati and Lord Shiva. If time allows, detour to Sapt Rishi Ghat, a serene bend in the river popular for meditation and unhurried dips.

Afternoon (pre‑departure): Celebrate your last hours with an expert‑led tasting walk that keeps things hygienic and local: Haridwar Street Food Tour: Famous Local Eats & Traditional Sweets. Expect crunchy aloo tikki, dahi bhalla, saffron‑tinged lassi, melt‑in‑the‑mouth pedas, and seasonal sweets.

Departure: Trains to Delhi usually run in the afternoon and evening—check Trip.com Trains for a 4.5–6 hr ride. Prefer a door‑to‑door car? Book a private transfer: Private Transfer from Haridwar to Delhi.

Budget tips for Haridwar

• Target spend (excluding hotel): INR 800–1,500/day covers simple meals, e‑rickshaws (INR 10–30/ride), and ropeways.
• Carry small notes for offerings and lockers; photography may be restricted at certain shrines.
• If you want to see the Aarti twice, watch it from the ghats one night and from the bridge or opposite bank the next—different angles, different chants, same magic.

Optional add‑ons (time and budget permitting)

• All‑day city overview by car with aarti pickup/drop: Haridwar Guided Sightseeing Tour with Ganga Aarti By Private Car.

Three days in Haridwar deliver a rich rhythm: sunrise on the Ganges, temple bells, and evenings lit by a thousand flames. With this itinerary, you’ll experience the spiritual essentials, favorite local eats, and easy transport—without straining your budget.

Leave with marigold-scented memories, a calmer heartbeat, and a promise to return for a longer Himalayan wander.