Situated on the banks of River Ganga, Rishikesh is an amalgamation of sacred and adventure. Bearing both old-world spiritual feel and an awesome inventory of adventure options, it is a perfect destination that will not leave you disappointed. Welcome to a city that enchants and overwhelms at the same time!

HOW TO REACH RISHIKESH

By flight: The nearest airport to Rishikesh is the Jolly Grant Airport at Dehradun, located 35 kilometers away. The taxi from the airport to Rishikesh will cost around INR 1000 minimum.

By train: The nearest railway station is in Haridwar, 20 kilometers away from Rishikesh. One can take bus, cab or auto to reach Rishikesh from Haridwar.

By bus: Rishikesh has a good network of buses connecting it to important places such as Haridwar, Dehradun and New Delhi. This is by far the most convenient and cheap way to reach Rishikesh.

By car: Rishikesh is connected to other cities via the National Highway 58, which is in a good condition for most of the year. So travelling by road can also be considered.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

Located in the Himalayan foothills, Rishikesh experiences a cool weather for most of the months. It acts as a great escape during the hotter months of March and April, and September to October. It is best avoided during the monsoon months of June to August due to heavy rainfall. Most of the activities are also closed during this period. For those who like a cold and pleasant getaway, Rishikesh can also be visited during the winter months of November-February. So, the best time to plan an adventure trip to Rishikesh is from March to May and September to November.

THINGS TO DO IN RISHIKESH

Rishikesh is a wonderful place to wander around and explore! While at Rishikesh, indulge in the adventure activities or simply venture down to the Ghats and relax. You can also take a boat ride across the river and visit the Ram Jhula and Laxman Jhula. Cross the suspension bridge and fall in love with the magnificent view of the river and the town. A major crowd puller in Rishikesh is the evening aarti at Parmarth Niketan ashram. Every evening, people gather here to experience the Ganga Aarti, which is an Aarti with fire.

Attain peace by enrolling in free Yoga classes conducted in meditations centers and temples! If you are an adventure seeker, indulge in the most thrilling experiences Rishikesh offers – bungee, giant swing, white water river rafting, cliff jumping, waterfall trekking, and so on.

 WHERE TO STAY IN RISHIKESH

Rishikesh has a wide range of accommodations available – from budget hostels and camps to luxurious resorts and luxury camps. It has something for every budget and need!

Now that we have your Rishikesh trip sorted, here are a few tips and tricks that might come in handy if you’re travelling to Rishikesh.

1. Rent a two-wheeler for less than 300 bucks per day

After reaching Rishikesh, the most convenient way to explore the city is by renting a two-wheeler. The reasons being – All the major places of attractions are situated quite close to each other, yet the autowallahs charge a lot; And, the lanes are so narrow that other means of commute don’t enter them, and you end up walking half the way to your destination. Oh, and, it’s super fun to ride through those narrow lanes and hilly terrains!

It costs around 250-300 for a scooter/activa, around 500-700 for bikes and 800-1000 for bullet. They’re easily available at all travel agencies, and can even be pre booked online.

2. Do not book water sports via agents

Instead of booking water sports via travel agents or online websites, it is suggested that you go to the adventure sites and book directly from there. It’s way cheaper that way, especially when it comes to mass booking. Ask around for the address or simple Google the address of the various adventure camps to reach there.

3. Stay at camps rather than hotels – bargain

Camping in Rishikesh is an amazing experience. One can stay in a hotel in any part of the world, but staying in tents situated amidst nature, surrounded by hills and river on all sides is an entirely different experience. The camps generally charge per person per night. There rates are not very stringent, so do not forget to bargain! Check the rating and reviews of the camps or any accommodation for instance before booking. The campsites are mostly managed by localites, who are very polite. Ask them to organize bonfire or trekking for you, and more often than not, they will happily do so.

4. Carry your own booze to the camp sites

The campsites are located quite far from the main road and it becomes difficult to get booze. You either have to travel all the way back to the main road to buy them or pay a very large amount to the working staff at your campsite, for them to arrange for you. So it’s advisable to carry your own booze.

5. Eat at the river facing cafes

Prefer eating at the small cafes located at the river Ghats instead of proper restaurants. They provide a great view, and hospitable environment. Also, the food is simply delicious! Being a holy town, it’s a little hard to find eggs or fish there.

6. Be safe

Adventure activities in Rishikesh do involve certain degree of risk as there are circumstances that might go under human control. Nobody is strong enough to deal with the current of River Ganga. Therefore, do not be over-confident! Always listen to your instructor before performing any activity.

7. Pack all the necessary items

If staying at camps, make sure to pack the following items:

1. Medicines and first aid box, and most importantly Allegra – Yes! There will be insects.
2. Sports shoes – to reach some camps you have to trek up or down the hill.
3. Extra clothes for water activities.
4. Power bank – unless you’re staying at luxury camps where there are power points.
5. Cash instead of card – not that there isn’t any ATM but keeping cash in hand is much more convenient in towns like Rishikesh.
   

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This is a sponsored post and all information to be verified before making any bookings with the travel operators mentioned here. The post contains links to the sponsor and all views expressed here are theirs.