Day 1:
Mode of Transport: Scooters are available for rent at Rishikesh. Scooters are an ideal mode of transportation for solo travelers and for people traveling in small groups. If traveling with family or a large group, you save time and money by hiring a cab for the day’s sightseeing.
Morning view of the Ganga
06:00 AM – 12:00 PM
An ideal way to kick off your Rishikesh itinerary is by paying an early morning visit to the Ram Jhula.
Everyone who comes to Rishikesh doesn’t miss taking a stroll on Ram Jhula. This has become a landmark of the sacred town. Taking a walk early in the morning when the number of pedestrians is less makes it a memorable experience. Standing on the bridge and listening to the music of flowing Ganga, along with the magical sight of the sunrise, brings out the spiritual aspect of Ram Jhula. If you love yoga, this is the spot for you.
Time duration: 2 – 3 hours
Chotiwala is a famous restaurant at the end of Ram Jhula and on the bank of the River Ganga.
Opposite the restaurant is the Gita Bhawan.
As the name suggests, Gita Bhawan is all about the teachings of Lord Krishna in the battle of Mahabharata. This is predominantly an ashram complex providing shelter and food for devotees. Meditation and Satsang programs are carried out by the devotees. This is a global learning center for Bhagavad Gita. There are 6 Gita Bhawan scattered across the Swargashram region in Rishikesh.
Time duration: 1.5 – 2 hours
Adjacent to Gita Bhawan is the Parmarth Niketan Ashram.
The largest ashram in Rishikesh, Parmarth Niketan Ashram is dedicated to Lord Shiva. A 14-ft pratima of Lord Shiva sits on the edge of the River Ganga. At this very spot, evening aarti takes place every day. Quite similar to Gita Bhawan, you will find Satsang rooms, Yoga hall, and book and medicine store here. Numerous international disciples and tourists pay a visit to this ashram.
For more info about Parmarth Niketan Ashram, visit: www.parmarth.org
Time duration: 1.5 – 2 hours
After this, you can head back to your hotel and get some and have your lunch.
Beatles Ashram and Ganga Aarti
03:00 PM – 07:00 PM
Post lunch, head towards the Beatles Ashram.
In February 1968, the world-famous English band ‘The Beatles’ made a visit to this ashram for spiritual awakening. Since then, this ashram has been a major attraction for many music lovers across the world. The ashram has been abandoned since1970s. The meditation hall, accommodation rooms all have been empty and silent for more than 50 years, but you still get to see the artistic paintings and captions on the walls of the ashram. This is definitely an Instagrammable place. The gates are closed at 04:00 PM.
Time duration: 1 – 1.5 hours
The final stop for the day will be Triveni Ghat for the Maha-Aarti.
From Beatles Ashram, it takes 30 min to get to Triveni Ghat. The Maha-Aarti begins around 06:00 PM. To get the best views for photography, try to reach here by 05:00 PM. Maha-Aarti is an auspicious event and countless pilgrims and devotees turn up to witness the event.
Time duration: 2 – 2.5 hours
That ends your day 1!
Also read: Best Area To Book your Hotel in Rishikesh
Day 2:
Mode of Transport: Scooters are available for rent at Rishikesh. Scooters are an ideal mode of transportation for solo travelers and people traveling in small groups. If traveling with family or a large group, you save time and money by hiring a cab for the day’s sightseeing.
Adventurous Activities
08:00 AM – 04:00 PM
Your second day in Rishikesh is all about adventure and that begins at Neergarh Waterfall.
Neergarh or Neer Gaddu waterfall takes around 30 mins from the center of the sacred town. The waterfall flows in tandem through the natural vegetation and dense forest cover. You have to trek a distance of 1 km from the parking area. The second waterfall is at a higher altitude and the trail is 2 km long. At the foot of both the waterfalls, there’s a natural pool for visitors to take a dip.
Time duration: 2.5 – 3 hours
After trekking through the forest, get ready for River Rafting and Cliff Jumping.
River rafting in Rishikesh is very popular. The rafting point and the price of rafting depend on the distance you choose. 16-km rafting begins at Shivpuri and 36 km rafting begins at Kaudiyala. There is an 8-km rafting ideal for beginners. There are many groups and agents that offer a combo package of river rafting and cliff jumping. You can book your packages online or can contact your hotel reception.
Time duration: 2.5 – 3 hours (for a 16-km river rafting)
The rafting ends at Laxman Jhula. Here you find plenty of cafes and restaurants where you can have your lunch. Little Buddha Café is quite popular.
Laxman Jhula has been closed permanently due to safety reasons. It is not safe to walk on the suspension bridge. You can take a stroll along the river bank or head back to your hotel and call it a day.
Day 3:
On the third day, you can choose to either explore the Neelkanth area or pay a visit to Devprayag.
Option 1:
Devprayag is 80 km from Rishikesh and takes around 2 hours. Devprayag is a spiritual center in Uttarakhand. The literal meaning of ‘Devprayag’ is holy confluence. The confluence of the Bhagirathi and the Alaknanda rivers gives birth to the sacred River Ganga. The point of confluence is named Devprayag Sangam. There are a number of temples to offer prayers and seek blessings. A round trip from Rishikesh to Devprayag will take 5 – 6 hours. The ideal mode of transportation would be to book a taxi for a day.
Option 2:
Neelkanth is famous for Neelkanth Mahadev Temple. The location of the temple is believed to be the spot where Lord Shiva consumed poison during the famous Samudra Manthan episode. Consumption of poison turned his throat blue and thus Lord Shiva is known as Neelkanth.
On your to Neelkanth Mahadev Temple, you must explore Patna Waterfall.
Patna Waterfall is a hidden natural gem. To reach the point of the fall you have to trek for 1 km. This is not frequently visited by tourists. Hence you get to experience a pristine form of nature.
20 km from Neelkanth Mahadev Temple, is the famous and most adventurous place of Rishikesh, Jumpin Heights.
Jumpin Heights organizes some of the extreme and thrilling experiences for tourists visiting Rishikesh. Bungy jumping, giant swing, flying fox are the most thrilling activities. If you love adventure, you must try this. Not recommended for faint-hearted.
For more info, visit: www.jumpinheights.com
