6 Days in Rishikesh: Yoga, Himalaya Sunrises, Rafting, and Riverfront Rituals
Cradled where the Ganges River leaves the Himalayas, Rishikesh has lured sages, poets, and backpackers for centuries. Once a quiet pilgrimage town, it shot to global fame after the Beatles trained in Transcendental Meditation here in 1968. Today, you’ll find a compelling mix—ashram bells, cliffside cafes, river beaches, and forested foothills.
Known as the “Yoga Capital of the World,” Rishikesh is a sanctuary for wellness travelers and adventure seekers alike. Sunrise treks reveal snowy Garhwal peaks, daytime rafting surges through Grade II–III rapids, and evenings glow with the Ganga Aarti, a fire-light ceremony that feels both intimate and cosmic.
Practical notes: most eateries are vegetarian (alcohol is limited in this sacred city). Rafting typically runs October–June (monsoon closures vary), and safaris at nearby Rajaji National Park generally operate November–June. As of 2025, Ram Jhula and Janaki Setu are open to pedestrians; Lakshman Jhula is in redevelopment—check local updates before you go.
Rishikesh
Rishikesh unfurls along both banks of the Ganges, stitched together by pedestrian bridges and ghats where pilgrims bathe at dawn. In Tapovan and Swarg Ashram, cafes perch over emerald water, while saffron-clad sadhus drift between temples and yoga halls. It’s a place to slow down—yet it’s also India’s rafting capital, with exhilarating runs from Shivpuri and Marine Drive.
Top sights and experiences include the Beatles Ashram’s graffiti-splashed meditation domes, the sunset Ganga Aarti at Triveni Ghat or Parmarth Niketan, a sunrise at Kunjapuri Temple, forest walks to Neer Garh Waterfall, and seasonal wildlife safaris in Rajaji National Park. Between adventures, linger over masala chai and wood-fired pizza with river views.
- Where to stay (curated picks):
- Splurge: Ananda in the Himalayas (destination spa, 30–40 minutes above town in Narendra Nagar) — Check rates on Hotels.com
- Riverside resort: Aloha on the Ganges (Tapovan; yoga, pool, serene Ganga frontage) — See availability on Hotels.com
- Social + budget: Zostel Rishikesh (Tapovan; dorms and privates, trek sign-ups) — View on Hotels.com or Hostelworld
- Browse more stays: VRBO in Rishikesh | Hotels.com — Rishikesh
- How to get there:
- Fly to Dehradun (DED, Jolly Grant). From Delhi, ~1 hr flights often run $30–70 one-way. Search fares on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com.
- Airport to Rishikesh: 35–60 minutes by prepaid taxi, typically $12–25 depending on your hotel.
- By train: New Delhi to Haridwar (Shatabdi/Vande Bharat) ~4–5 hours, $8–20; then 45–75 minutes by taxi to Rishikesh. Check schedules and prices on Trip.com Trains.
Day 1 — Arrival, Riverfront Walk, and the Ganga Aarti
Morning: Travel to Dehradun (DED) via Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Aim for an arrival before midday so you can settle in. Pre-book a taxi; it’s a scenic 35–60-minute drive along forested foothills to Rishikesh.
Afternoon: Check into your stay (Ananda for spa-led serenity, Aloha for riverside yoga, or Zostel for a social base). Stretch your legs with a gentle stroll along the ghats near Ram Jhula. Pause for masala chai at Devraj Coffee Corner (German Bakery) and watch the emerald water slide past yogis and pilgrims.
Evening: Attend the Ganga Aarti—choose Triveni Ghat (a larger, devotional gathering) or Parmarth Niketan (river-facing, serene). Dine at Chotiwala (old-school thali and rajma-chawal; a local institution), or book a table at Jal & Jalebi or The Sitting Elephant (both at EllBee Ganga View) for North Indian classics with twinkling river views.
Day 2 — Beatles Ashram, Bridges, Cafes, and Markets
Morning: Join a drop-in yoga class at an ashram in Swarg Ashram or Tapovan; most start around 7–8 a.m. Breakfast at Ira’s Kitchen & Tea Room (poha, porridge, pancakes, and great coffee) or Bistro Nirvana (parathas and smoothies) in Tapovan.
Afternoon: Explore the storied Beatles Ashram with a guided walk, learning how a 1968 visit reverberated through music and meditation culture. Book: Half-Day Beatles Ashram Rishikesh: Art & Meditation Walking Tour.
Evening: Watch sunset from the river steps, then grab dinner at 60’s Beatles Café (river-view mezzanine; thin-crust pizza and Indian mains) or Bistro Nirvana (North Indian tikkas, Himalayan trout alternatives, and warm lighting). Cap the night with hot gulab jamun at a local sweet shop near Triveni.
Day 3 — White-Water Rafting and Slow Afternoon
Morning: Tackle the Ganges on a classic Shivpuri-to-Rishikesh run (Grade II–III; typically October–June). Guides kit you out with helmets, life jackets, and safety briefings. Reserve: Half Day Rafting in Rishikesh - 26 Km.
Afternoon: Refuel at Little Buddha Café (treehouse vibes; thalis, momos, and salads) or A Tavola Con Te (brick-oven pizza, handmade pasta, and tiramisu). Spend the rest of the day unwinding—book a traditional Ayurvedic abhyanga at a reputable spa, or wander the Swarg Ashram lanes for rudraksha beads, copper lotas, and ashram-made soaps.
Evening: Catch the aarti if you missed it yesterday. For dinner, try Pure Soul Café (at Dewa Retreat; hearty bowls, smoothies, and beetroot hummus) or Ayurpak (home-style Uttarakhandi plates like kafuli and pahadi dal when available).
Day 4 — Kunjapuri Sunrise Trek and Neer Waterfall Adventure (Day Tour)
Rise well before dawn for panoramic Himalayan views from 1,650 m at Kunjapuri Temple, then descend on a scenic trail past villages and forest to Neer Garh Waterfall for a refreshing dip. Book: Kunjapuri Sunrise Trek and Neer Waterfall Adventure.
Day 5 — Temples, Local Eats, and an Ayurvedic Cooking Class
Morning: Visit Bharat Mandir (the town’s oldest temple site) and walk the lanes of Rishikesh Main Market for incense, prayer beads, and brass diyas. Breakfast at Madras Café (crisp ghee dosas and strong filter coffee) or at The Sitting Elephant (rooftop buffet with views).
Afternoon: Dive deeper into the city’s culinary soul with an immersive cooking session—learn sattvic principles, spice tempering, and how to build balanced thalis before sharing the meal with your hosts. Book: Ayurvedic Cooking Class in Rishikesh, Cook & Dine With Locals.
Evening: For a celebratory final dinner, head to A Tavola Con Te for wood-fired margherita and sage-brown-butter ravioli, or return to Bistro Nirvana for smoky tandoor platters and chai. If you’re up for a low-key nightcap, many cafes serve excellent saffron-infused hot milk and fresh-baked apple crumble.
Day 6 — Slow Morning and Departure
Morning: Savor one last sunrise walk along the river. Coffee and light breakfast at Ira’s Kitchen or Devraj Coffee Corner. If time allows, browse for a pashmina or a handloom shawl in Tapovan’s boutiques.
Afternoon: Depart for Dehradun Airport (allow 1.5–2 hours door-to-gate). Search outbound flights on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Alternatively, head to Haridwar for an afternoon train to Delhi via Trip.com Trains (4–5 hours).
Optional Add-Ons (If You Have Extra Time)
- Rajaji National Park safari (Ranipur/Chilla ranges; generally Nov–Jun): Early-morning or late-afternoon jeep safaris with chances to spot elephants, leopards, deer, and birdlife. Allow 4–5 hours round-trip from Rishikesh.
- Devprayag day trip (2–2.5 hours each way): See the jade Alaknanda and silty Bhagirathi merge to form the Ganga at a dramatic confluence, then visit Raghunath Temple above the meeting of the rivers.
Booking shortcuts for this itinerary:
- Stays: VRBO — Rishikesh | Hotels.com — Rishikesh | Ananda in the Himalayas | Aloha on the Ganges | Zostel Rishikesh
- Transport: Trip.com Flights | Kiwi.com Flights | Trip.com Trains
- Activities used in this plan (with images above):
Six days in Rishikesh gives you a restorative rhythm—sunrise on temple ridges, daylight on rapids and trails, and dusk in a swirl of lamps and mantra. Between ashrams and cafes, you’ll find a timeless river town that invites you to breathe deeper, move slower, and carry a little Himalayan hush back home.