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WORLD CAPITAL OF YOGA & SPIRITUALITY
HOLY GANGES & HIMALAYAN FOOTHILLS

Rishikesh Travel Guide: Yoga, the Ganges and Himalayan Adventure for International Travellers

Rishikesh sits where the River Ganges leaves the Himalaya and enters the plains. It is known around the world as the yoga capital, a town of ashrams, temples and riverside ghats. It is also India's centre for river rafting and outdoor adventure. Travellers come here to slow down, practise yoga, and enjoy clean mountain air after the busy cities.

Yoga Capital Global Hub of Ashrams & Meditation
Sacred Ganges Evening Aarti & Holy Ghats
Himalayan Gateway Pure Mountain Air & Foothills
Outdoor Adventure River Rafting & Forest Trails
Overview

Rishikesh at a glance

Detail Information
Location Uttarakhand, Himalayan foothills
Nearest airport Dehradun Jolly Grant Airport (DED), about 45 minutes by road
Ideal stay 2 to 4 nights
Best months September to November and February to April
Languages Hindi, Garhwali, English
Known for Yoga and meditation, Ganga Aarti, rafting, the Beatles Ashram
Highlights

Why visit Rishikesh

Yoga and wellness

classes and retreats for every level, from one day to one month.

The Ganges

here the river is clear, fast and green.

Adventure

rafting, hiking, bungee jumping and camping.

The Beatles

the band stayed here in 1968 and wrote many songs.

Landmarks

Top attractions in Rishikesh

Triveni Ghat

the main bathing ghat, with a large evening aarti.

Parmarth Niketan

a riverside ashram famous for its sunset Ganga Aarti.

Ram Jhula and the Lakshman Jhula area

suspension bridges, temples, cafes and bazaars.

Beatles Ashram (Chaurasi Kutia)

the abandoned ashram, now covered in murals, inside Rajaji Tiger Reserve.

Neelkanth Mahadev Temple

a Shiva temple in the forested hills, about 30 km away.

Vashishta Cave

an ancient meditation cave by the river.

Kunjapuri Temple

a hilltop temple with sunrise views of Himalayan peaks.

Activities

Unique experiences in Rishikesh

Private or group yoga and meditation sessions
Sunset Ganga Aarti at Parmarth Niketan
White-water rafting on the Ganges
Ayurvedic massage and wellness treatments
Waterfall hikes and riverside walks
Jeep safari in Rajaji National Park
Weather Guide

Best time to visit Rishikesh

September to November & February to April

September to November and February to April have the best weather.

December to June

December and January are cold but clear. May and June are warm and busy with Indian holidaymakers.

July to Mid-September (Monsoon)

July to mid-September is the monsoon. Rafting is closed and landslides can affect roads.

International Yoga Festival

The International Yoga Festival is held in Rishikesh in March.

Connectivity

How to reach Rishikesh

By air

fly from Delhi to Dehradun in about one hour, then drive 45 minutes.

By road from Delhi

about 240 km, 5 to 6 hours.

By train

fast trains run from Delhi to Haridwar, 25 km from Rishikesh.

Itinerary Duration

How many days to spend in Rishikesh

2 days

ghats, the Ganga Aarti, the Beatles Ashram and a yoga class.

3 to 4 days

add rafting, a hike and a wellness day.

7 days or more

a full yoga or Ayurveda retreat.

Accommodation

Where to stay in Rishikesh

Choose a riverside resort or a luxury spa retreat in the hills above town, such as Ananda in the Himalayas, or stay in Tapovan for cafes and yoga schools. Ashram stays are simple and follow fixed routines.

Hotel choices depend on your dates and style of travel. Please check with our team for the best options and rates.

Cuisine

Food to try in Rishikesh

Rishikesh is a vegetarian town. Enjoy North Indian thalis, fresh juices and healthy cafe food. Alcohol and meat are not served within the town.

Local Crafts

Shopping in Rishikesh

Yoga mats and clothing, rudraksha beads, singing bowls, Ayurvedic products, books and gemstones.

Travel Advice

Practical tips for international travellers

Vegetarian and alcohol-free: please respect the town's religious customs.
Dress modestly at ghats and temples.
The river: currents are strong and cold. Swim only where your guide says it is safe.
Monkeys: do not carry food openly on the bridges.
Rafting: use only licensed operators with proper safety equipment.
Money: carry some cash in Indian rupees for small shops and tips. Cards are accepted at hotels and larger stores.
Water: drink only bottled or filtered water.
Staying connected: an Indian SIM or eSIM is useful for maps and messages. Our team can guide you on arrival.
Extended Journeys

Nearby places to combine with Rishikesh

Haridwar (25 km) for its great evening aarti, Rajaji National Park, Dehradun and Mussoorie (about 2.5 hours), and Jim Corbett National Park (about 5 hours).

Team Recommendations

Dream Day Tours favourites in Rishikesh

These are the experiences our own team loves most and recommends to our guests.

The Ganga Aarti at Parmarth Niketan at sunset
Sunrise at Kunjapuri with views of the snow peaks
A quiet morning at the Beatles Ashram
A private yoga session beside the river
Dream Day Tours

Why travel with Dream Day Tours

Government-approved company, founded in 2019 and based in Jaipur.
Every tour is private and customised to your dates, interests and budget.
Expert local guides and trusted company drivers.
A dedicated manager reachable by phone, message or email from your arrival to your departure.
Secure payment by credit card, bank transfer or Revolut.
Itineraries

Related Rishikesh tours

Each tour below is private and can be booked as it is or customised to your dates, hotels and interests.

Rishikesh yoga and wellness retreat
Rishikesh and Haridwar spiritual tour
Golden Triangle with Rishikesh
Golden Triangle with Varanasi and Rishikesh
Rishikesh adventure tour with rafting
Common Questions

Frequently asked questions about Rishikesh

It is known as the yoga capital of the world and as a holy town on the Ganges. It is also India's main rafting centre.
Two to three days for sightseeing and activities. A week or more for a yoga retreat.
No. Rishikesh is a holy town, and alcohol and meat are not served.
Roughly from late September to June. Rafting closes during the monsoon.
Yes. There are classes and teachers for every level.
Fly to Dehradun in about one hour, or drive in 5 to 6 hours.

Book now or customise this tour

Send us your dates and number of travellers and we will reply with a tailor-made plan.

Email: welcometoddtours@gmail.com

Phone / WhatsApp: +91 9001007171, +91 9587171554

Plan Your Rishikesh Tour With Dream Day Tours

Connect with our Himalayan & spiritual travel specialists on WhatsApp or Email for bespoke yoga retreats, white-water rafting adventures, private Delhi-Dehradun-Rishikesh transfers, and dedicated 24/7 on-trip assistance.

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Tiffany P
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An absolutely wonderful experience from start to finish! We couldn’t be happier with the trip organized by Dreamday Tours. The service was impeccable, and we felt supported and well taken care of from the very beginning to the very end. Ashfaq was extremely responsive, helpful, and always available whenever we had a question or needed anything. The hotel he booked for us was perfect, and the restaurant at the hotel was also excellent. Everything was very well organized, which allowed us to simply relax and enjoy the experience without having to worry about the logistics. The two safaris were absolutely incredible and were definitely highlights of our trip. Of course, when it comes to wildlife, there is always an element of luck involved — something no agency can control or guarantee. But in terms of organization, communication, and overall service, Dreamday Tours was outstanding. We felt that we could completely trust them throughout the whole trip, and that made the experience even more enjoyable. It’s clear that they genuinely care about their clients and want everything to go smoothly. We highly recommend Dreamday Tours to anyone looking for a reliable, professional, and attentive agency. We are extremely happy with everything they organized for us and would absolutely book with them again!
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Shyam S
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Udaipur trip Had an amazing experience on my Udaipur trip! Everything was well organized and the overall experience was smooth and enjoyable. Udaipur is absolutely beautiful, with stunning lakes, palaces, and scenic views. The trip was memorable, relaxing, and full of wonderful moments. Really happy with the overall arrangements and service. Highly recommended for anyone planning a trip to Udaipur! ❤️
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John C
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Dream Day Tours Golden Triangle and Tiger Safari Tour is definitely worth booking! Review of Dream Day Tours - Golden Triangle plus Tiger Safari Tour This past June my wife and I traveled to India with one of my wife’s colleagues to visit her husband’s hometown in Assam, India. It was great seeing a part of India from the perspective of a family that lived there, but since this was my wife’s first time to India, we decided to book a tour to show her some other beautiful sites. And so, we booked a lovely tour through Dream Day Tours, which is based in Jaipur. It was called the Golden Triangle Tour with Tiger Safari. It was just the two of us on the tour, so Dream Day Tours catered everything to our needs and desires. To begin, we flew into Delhi and Dream Day arranged for a driver to bring us from the airport to the Welcomehotel by ITC in Dwarka. Excellent hotel with very good food. The next day, we started our tour with the driver that was assigned to us, Jeetu Singh. Jeetu was great and transported us to our various destinations for the entire tour. We were also provided with a local guide for Delhi, Aarif Sheikh. Aarif was an excellent guide. He gave us a lot of historical and cultural information and took us to Jama Masjid, which was a spectacular mosque built in the time of the Mughals in the 1600’s, and still used for prayer today. We also got a bicycle rickshaw ride in Chandni Chowk, which is a lively and colorful market nearby. We were also taken to a grand Sikh Temple and learned of the generosity of the Sikh’s to their pilgrims and temple visitors. We appreciated the visits to the monuments and museums that were made around the life and death of Mahatma Gandhi in Delhi. The next morning Jeetu brought us to Agra to see the Taj Mahal. We were met there by our guide Vipin. The Taj is spectacular, and basically was the only site we visited in Agra. Vipin brought us to various places to see the Taj under different views and at sunrise and sunset. We had total access to the Taj and its grounds, and Vipin, an amateur photographer took many beautiful and romantic photos of us with the Taj as a background. In fact, he took such a beautiful photo of us that we both use it as our most recent FB profile page. He definitely has talent as a photographer! On our way from Agra to Jaipur, Jeetu had us visit Fatehpur Sikri, which was the capital of the Mughal empire under Emperor Akbar in the 1500’s. This was certainly worth the visit. And we also stopped at a step well, which was a structure that was used historically to provide water to the inhabitants of the area. It was really different, fascinating, and ingenious! In Jaipur, the Pink City, we were again provided with a guide that was very versed in Indian culture and history, Mr. Raghuveer. He immediately brought us the Hawa Mahal, or Wind Palace, which is an incredibly beautiful structure overlooking a large busy square. We were again brought there by the Dream Day Tours owner, Ashfaq, in the evening, to see its beauty at night. Phenomenal! We had stressed that, besides seeing traditional tourist sites, we wanted to get an experience that showed us some of what really goes on in Jaipur streets, so Mr. Raghuveer took us to the flower market, where we were showered with flowers. This seemed especially appropriate for us since we had just celebrated our 40th anniversary. It was wild, and the flowers were beautiful, and an Indian friend of ours said it was like we were getting married! Then we visited the extraordinarily ornate and expansive Amber Fort, which was built in the 1500s by a Hindu Raj that had a political alliance with the Muslim Moghul Emperor Akbar. Beyond beautiful! Didn’t think that could be topped, but then we were brought to the City Palace, which was unbelievable in its majesty! Other things that made the trip a super experience were seeing a real snake charmer and having a hands-on interaction with an elephant, which was very weird, very exciting, and a little unnerving! We were definitely in India, far from home! And since we were so far, my wife wanted to go on a tiger safari, which we did at the Ranthambore National Park. We were lucky enough to spot some tigers in their natural environment, and we also saw other wildlife like bears, crocodiles, wild boars, a slew of peacocks and peahens, and other big birds and wildlife! It was all good, and Ashfaq at Dream Day Tours made it all possible for us by coordinating our itinerary, providing us with excellent guides, great hotels (with dinners and breakfasts included most days), and providing us with our beloved driver, Jeetu, who got us to every site and more, and then to the airport in ample time to catch our flight home! Thank you, Dream Day Tours!
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Menager S
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Tour Safari This agency helped me organize a safari tour in Ranthambore; they are very professional and accommodating. I highly recommend them!
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Elena T
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An experience made possible only by them, fantastic in every way! I am truly happy to recommend this tour operator who has been incredibly accommodating towards me from the very beginning. They made the impossible possible, in the sense that I had little time but wanted to see too many things. With them, it was possible. Transfers and guides all for me, as I was traveling alone, and they were super friendly and efficient. They had breakfast ready for me in the car after a visit, they accommodated me in every way, and I arrived at the airport more punctual than ever despite the traffic to catch my return flight. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, especially to Ashfaq who personally welcomed me and was so, so patient. If you want to travel without worries and safely, choose this tour operator. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for my unforgettable experience. ❤️
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thomas b
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Better than we could have imagined! This was the most well organised trip we could have asked for! Ashfaq and the team couldn't have done more to make the trip better - hotel was stunning, lifts to and from Safari on time (and aircon!) and the best Safari, 2 groups and 1 private ( we saw 7 Tigers). This was a trip tailored to us, made very special! Highly recommend Dream Day Tours if you want the best trip of a life time at a great price!
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Julius H
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Good Experience We had a great experience. My friend and I booked the trip just two weeks before arriving in India, and they responded quickly and made everything possible. We shared what we wanted to see, and they created a plan around it. We also had a fantastic driver who was very kind and always made sure we had everything we needed, including water, soda, and beer.
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William M
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Saw Tigers and Crocodiles! We did 3 safaris, on the first two we saw lots of wildlife including monkeys, deer, hyenas, peacocks and other birds, but no tigers… And then on the third, we were lucky enough to see on four separate occasions a tiger casually strolling through its natural habitat. We got close enough to take good photos and one even walked straight past the Jeep! We also saw a couple of crocodiles by the lake which topped it off. Very enjoyable experience!
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Esmeralda M
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FANTA Hola!! Hi!! My husband and I went to India for 9 days and we couldn't have made a better choice than Day Dream Tours! They put together an incredible tour for us, with a guide in our language at each location, and they made sure everything was perfect! The safari in Rathambore was amazing and we even saw tigers! If you're planning a trip to India, don't hesitate to book with them. Besides having an incredible experience, you'll make some lifelong friends! Thank you!!!!!
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Daniel N
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Incredible India Our organized round trip through India with Ahmed was absolutely perfect and exceeded all our expectations! The itinerary including Delhi, Jaipur, Ranthambore National Park, and Agra was perfectly designed. We were able to experience India’s fascinating culture, impressive architecture, and breathtaking wildlife to the fullest. Every stop was a highlight in its own way! The hotels selected for us were excellent – very comfortable, clean, and thoughtfully chosen. It was clear that Ahmed places great value on quality and guest satisfaction. A very special thank you also goes to our driver, Malik. He was always punctual, professional, friendly, and drove very safely. We felt comfortable and well taken care of at all times. Ahmed was always available and responded immediately to all of our wishes. Even last-minute requests or spontaneous changes were arranged quickly and smoothly. This outstanding level of service truly made our journey extra special. Thanks to Ahmed and his team, we had a wonderful and unforgettable time in India. We are incredibly grateful for the perfect organization and can highly recommend this tour to anyone. Thank you so much for everything!
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