After visiting the famous world wonder Taj Mahal and touring India’s pink city Jaipur I made my way north to Rishikesh. When I heard about Rishikesh being the world’s yoga capital and at the same time an adventure destination in the foothills of the Himalayas I knew I had to visit. Little had I known how much I would fall in love with that town and that there were so many amazing things to do in Rishikesh.
If you’re a nature-lover who likes spirituality and enjoys an adrenaline kick once in a while, then visiting Rishikesh on your India trip is a must. Rishikesh soon became my favorite place in India!
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How to get to Rishikesh
The nearest airport is in Dehradun, which is a 40 min drive from Rishikesh. You could also fly into Delhi, which has a well-connected airport, and do the rest of the journey by bus or by car.
It takes 4-6 hours to get from Delhi to Rishikesh, depending on traffic. India has a great bus network with regular connections from Delhi to Rishikesh. I took an overnight bus which left Delhi at midnight and reached Rishikesh at around 4 am.
To book your bus ticket I recommend using 12Go.asia, that’s the only booking website that works for me. The Indian transport sites don’t work with international credit cards.
Best things to do in Rishikesh
Rishikesh is a small town, but it offers so many diverse things to do, from river rafting to bungee jumping, and from yoga to vegan cafés.
Go white water rafting on River Ganga
One of the most popular things to do in Rishikesh is river rafting on the holy river Ganga. Float down the river whilst admiring the scenic views of the nature around you.
You have options to choose between different levels of difficulty and distance. The easiest route with a distance of 6km will cost between INR 400 and 600 (EUR 5 to 8) per person.
During the trajectory you will make a stop on the riverside where you can buy tea or maggi (maggi are instant noodles that are overly hyped in India).
After having done rafting several times I have to say that the one in Rishikesh was not very adventurous. If you want adventure, don’t choose the shortest option with 6 km. That’s what I did and most of the time we were just floating on the river instead of rafting.
Go bungee jumping
Rishikesh is a perfect destination for all the adrenaline junkies. You can find India’s highest bungee jump there with an altitude of 83 meters.
Jumpin Heights is an adventure center that offers bungee jumping, zip lining, and giant swing. The price for a bungee jump is INR 3700 (EUR 43) plus INR 100 (EUR 1.20) for the entrance of the park and INR 900 (EUR 10.50) extra if you want a video of your jump. When I heard about the price and the good reviews of Jumpin Heights I knew I had to do it.
I got excited and immediately wanted to book my spot, just to see that they were fully booked for a week. So make sure to book in advance! I had to wait for a week, but it was absolutely worth it. This was my first ever bungee jump and I had the most amazing experience. The staff is very professional and made me feel 100% safe at all times. I highly recommend Jumpin Heights!
Watch the Ganga Aarti at Triveni Ghat
Every evening, there’s a religious Hindu ceremony by the river Ganga, called the “Ganga Aarti”. Hindu people pray to god by chanting and lighting candles. It’s a beautiful ceremony and one of the best things to do in Rishikesh.
The Ganga Aarti starts at 6pm (double check the timing with your hosts), but be there at least half an hour early to get a good spot.
Hike to the Secret Waterfall
Secret waterfall is a peaceful place in nature right in Rishikesh. If you’re staying in Musafir hostel (where I stayed), secret waterfall is less than a 3 km hike away. Alternatively you could take a scooter or a car to the trailhead and walk about 10-15 minutes. But be aware that the road to get to the trailhead is in a pretty bad condition and you need to be experienced to drive there.
Explore the street life of Rishikesh
I always say “Everything in India is an adventure.” And it’s true. Just go outside, watch the street life, mingle with the locals, take in all the sounds, smells, sights, the people, the animals.
Pro tip: Always keep an eye on the ground in front of you to avoid stepping into cow poo!
I took these photos near the bridge Ram Jhula on the riverside of Parmarth Niketan. This area is more local, more traditional. You don’t see many westerners and it feels more like the “real” India. I loved walking around there and observing the hustle and bustle.
Visit the Beatles Ashram
In 1968 the Beatles visited Rishikesh to study meditation in an ashram where they composed some of their most famous songs.
Now, the ashram is known as the Beatles Ashram and attracts many visitors. I haven’t been there myself but people told me that visiting the Beatles Ashram is one of the best things to do in Rishikesh, no matter if you’re a Beatles fan or not.
Try typical street food
You have to try street food to live an authentic Indian experience. And against what people told me, not even a single time did I get sick from Indian street food. I guess have developed a strong stomach through all my travels, but honestly, I don’t even know anyone who got sick from Indian street food.
My favorite Indian street food dishes are Aloo Chana Chaat, Pani Puri and Samosas. If you’re a sweet tooth you should also try Jalebi. Most of the street food is fried (maybe to kill the bacteria?) so don’t eat too much of it – it’s definitely anything but healthy.
Take a yoga class
You’re in Rishikesh, the yoga capital of the world and also known as the birthplace of yoga. Obviously, you should do some yoga while you’re there!
Yoga is probably the most popular thing to do in Rishikesh. Many foreigners travel to Rishikesh to do their yoga teacher training. The entire town is full of yoga centres that offer trainings or drop-in classes for all levels. I participated in the yoga classes at the ashram Parmarth Niketan while I was staying there.
Drive up to Punjakuri Devi temple
Punjakuri Devi is a famous temple on a mountaintop at 1,676m. Even if you’re not religious it’s worth a visit. I loved the view and the energy at Punjakuri Devi temple. It’s such a peaceful place all surrounded by nature.
Visit Punjakuri Devi temple for sunset or sunrise. I did both and I loved it at both times. Even the windy road to get there has amazing views of the lush green mountains in front of you.
Once you park your vehicle in the parking lot you have to climb stairs for about 10 minutes to reach the temple.
Stay in an ashram
If you’re interested in experiencing the life in an ashram, then Rishikesh is the perfect place to do it. An ashram is the home of a spiritual guru who shares his wisdom with visitors. The idea of an ashram is to cut down on luxuries and to live a very basic life with the intention of connecting with yourself and learning from spiritual guides through yoga and meditation.
I stayed for four days at the ashram Parmarth Niketan and I absolutely loved my experience. The daily routine contained yoga in the morning and in the afternoon, meditation, evening Aarti (Hindu ceremony by the Ganga river) and Satsang (spiritual guidance). They provide basic rooms and they only charge to cover the cost.
Staying in an ashram was my favorite thing to do in Rishikesh. It’s a unique experience that allows you to focus on your inner self and distance yourself from external noise and distraction. I used my time to meditate, read, write and to be present in the here and now.
Relax in the best cafés in Rishikesh
Rishikesh has a ton of amazing restaurants and cafés that offer traditional Indian dishes and also western food. The town has been influenced by international yoga-enthusiasts, so you can find a lot of healthy and vegetarian food places.
One thing I would recommend is that if you go to an Indian restaurant, don’t order European food (pasta, greek salad, pizza,…). It might seem obvious, but many local restaurants offer European food and trust me, it will be very different to what we know and love.
Anna's Mess
Anna’s Mess serves traditional South Indian food such as dosa and idly for example. I loved all the dishes I had at Anna’s Mess.
Definitely try their Masala Dosa and their iced coffee with coconut milk. They make the coconut milk from scratch and you can taste the freshness.
Secret Garden Café
Secret Garden Café is a lovely café surrounded by nature. The café is owned by an Austrian woman who moved to Rishikesh 7 years ago. They have great coffee, which can sometimes be hard to find in more traditional places.
Little Buddha Café
The Little Buddha Café is a nice place for healthy food and smoothies. Located right above the river Ganga you have beautiful views of the river. It’s the perfect place to have breakfast with a nice view. Try to get there early to get a table with a view.
Ira's Kitchen
Ira’s Kitchen was my favorite go-to place for breakfast. Their food is fresh and tasty and you get lots of healthy options.
Try their filled omelette and their crunchy bowl with coconut cream. The portions are big enough for two, so it’s best to go in a group and share everything.
Where to stay in Rishikesh
When I was in Rishikesh I stayed at the Musafir Hostel and I can highly recommend it. It’s located in a quiet area on the hill and the views from the rooftop terrace are amazing. The busier area is only a 5 minute walk away.
If you’re on a budget, you can opt for a dorm, otherwise they also have amazing private rooms that give you the comfort of a hotel with the social atmosphere of a hostel.
How long to stay in Rishikesh
How long to stay in Rishikesh totally depends on the things you want to do in Rishikesh. If you’re just passing through and want to do the main activities, 3-4 days in Rishikesh are enough.
If you’re interested in staying in an ashram or doing a yoga course, you might want to stay 1-2 weeks or even a month.
Is Rishikesh safe?
As a female solo traveler, I always felt safe in Rishikesh. I avoided being by myself in the narrow alleys and in the area around River Ganga at night, but not for a specific reason, just to be extra cautious.
During the day I would roam around everywhere by myself and I felt safe. The worst thing that happens is that people sometimes stare at you, try to sell you something, or ask you for a selfie.
As a girl, I recommend wearing clothes that are not too revealing just to not get too much attention from Indian men.
Also check out my other blog posts about India:
January 7, 2023 at 3:32 pm
Beautiful photos! The river rafting looks so fun and I’d definitely want to visit the Beatles Ashram — I wasn’t sure where it was before this post so thanks for sharing!
October 12, 2023 at 4:29 pm
Thanks for the great vlog ! This + your post on solo travel in India is very helpful indeed! I’m planning on visiting India for the first time next year and Rishikesh is definitely one of the places that I will go to. I’m a massive Beatles fan so going there and even staying some days in an ashram would be a dream 🙂
October 17, 2023 at 8:10 pm
I’m glad my posts were helpful to you. Thanks for your kind comment and I wish you the best time in Rishikesh and the rest of India!