Rishikesh is a small town in the northern state of Uttarakhand, India. Scenically located where the Ganges River comes down from the Himalayas, Rishikesh catapulted to Western fame when the Beatles dropped by for a visit to Maharishi Mahesh Yogi’s ashram (now closed). The town is still known as the World Capital of Yoga.
Rishikesh is also the gateway to the Himalayas. The Northern Char Dham Yatra (Four Shrines Sacred Journey) ideally begins from Rishikesh.
The town’s center where the bus and train stations are situated is of little interest to most travelers. Further northeast is two bridges spanning the Ganges: Ram Jhula and Laxman Jhula. The main hubs of activity and interest are at the ends of these bridges.
Most accommodation options and restaurants are in Laxman Jhula, High Bank, and Swarg Ashram.
By plane
Rishikesh is about 15 km from Dehradun’s Jolly Grant Airport, a small, quiet and recently renovated airport handling four flights from Delhi. The runway is being extended and will possibly handle flights from other metros. At present, there are flights only from Delhi, although Jet Airways flies from Mumbai via Delhi too.
By car
Delhi airport to Rishikesh by car is a good option for a hassle-free traveling, especially for foreign tourists who are traveling to India for the first time. It’s a 6 to 7-hour journey. Prices vary from US$85 for an air conditioned compact car to US$125 for an air conditioned SUV (but rates are much higher if one gets these services from prepaid taxi booths at the airport).
Related Post: Why River Rafting in Rishikesh?
By train
There are many trains from Delhi to Haridwar. Some of the better are Shatabadi Express, Jan Shatabdi, AC Special Express, Mussoorie Express. A quiet branch line connects Haridwar to Rishikesh, but there are only about three slow trains daily. Normally, it is better to take the train to Haridwar and continue by bus (45 min, ₹20), by taxi (30 min, ₹650) or by shared auto-rickshaw (40 min, ₹25). However, traveling by train is recommended in peak seasons or during a ‘mela’ (fair) when bus routes are diverted in Haridwar whereas trains often run empty and the fares are low (just ₹4 for a passenger train service). You can take share rickshaws (vehicle brand name Vikram) towards Laxman Jhula (₹15) from Rishikesh station. You will have to cross Ram Jhula to reach Swarg Ashram on the other side of the Ganges.
- Passenger Trains from Haridwar to Rishikesh (approximate travel time, 1 hour):
- Haridwar – Rishikesh 05:20
- Haridwar – Rishikesh 10:30
- Haridwar – Rishikesh 17:25
By bus
From Delhi, Rishikesh is about 230 km away and is well connected with buses. A bus journey may take about 5-7 hours – depending on the traffic – and costs you about ₹130-₹350. An AC Bus will cost about ₹200-₹500. The right time to visit would be February, March, August-October. In July there is a festival called Savan where thousands of people flock to Rishikesh. Major roads are blocked and hotels are crowded. It is better to avoid traveling to Rishikesh during that time.
Get around
Auto-rickshaws (vikrams) are useful from the bus/train stations to get to either of the bridges (₹8) and for the southern side of the Ganges. Swargashram is pretty much pedestrian only, but it’s compact and walkable (as is the whole of the town). For other autorickshaw journeys, you should expect to pay around ₹15/km.
To visit the eastern bank of Ganges, you have to walk across the suspension bridges or take a ferry from Ram Jhula. Near the bank of Ganges, share jeeps and taxis are available to drop visitors at Neelkantha temple and waterfall. Overall, it’s more than 16 Km run by road to go from one side of a river to another.
Outdoor activities
Rishikesh is very popular for its rafting on the River Ganga (Ganges). September-November and March-May are ideal for rafting. The rafting goes for several kilometers, and the path is interspersed with rapids, ranging from Level 1 to Level 5, in order of difficulty. At the end of the trip, you have the option of jumping some 20 feet from a ledge into the water. There are several local travel agencies, offering these rafting trips. The package usually includes an overnight camp on the banks of the river, with a brilliant and moderate trek among the hills in the morning. If one has time, courses in rafting are also offered.
- Bungee Jump: It is a unique experience in India, a jump from 83 meters just above a natural river and have the time of your life.
- Camping at rishikesh is a recreational activity that does not have any age limit. Any individual who likes to explore new places and enjoy the beauty and serenity of nature can embark on a camping voyage. Camping in Rishikesh on the Ganga beach offer an environment to wake up with the birds and swim in the fresh water of the river Ganges. Camping in Rishikesh is a very popular activity.
- White Water Rafting. Offering rapids of Grade-I to V, this place has become a quintessential destination for the water rafting mongers.
- Cliff Jumping You are supposed to jump into freezing water from a cliff! Yes, it sounds crazy but this is one thing which everyone can brag about back home. Of course, you are wearing a life jacket and a helmet but still jumping from so high into the Ganges, which is murky so the bottom can’t be seen, unlike jumping into a swimming pool where one can see the bottom and the water is static.
Source: wikivoyage
