Triveni Ghat aarti
The town's main evening aarti, less crowded and more participatory than Haridwar's.
Rishikesh sits where the Ganga comes out of the Himalaya, still cold and green and moving fast. Ashrams line both banks, two suspension bridges cross the river, and the hills rise straight up behind the town, which is why it has drawn seekers for centuries and backpackers for the last sixty years.
It works as both a pilgrimage stop and a break. You can spend a morning at the Triveni Ghat aarti and an afternoon rafting through grade-three rapids, and neither will feel out of place.
The town's main evening aarti, less crowded and more participatory than Haridwar's.
The two suspension bridges that define the map of Rishikesh.
The largest ashram on the riverfront, with a public aarti on its own ghat each evening.
A Shiva temple thirty kilometres up in the hills, where the poison of the churning was said to be swallowed.
The abandoned Maharishi Mahesh Yogi ashram, now covered in murals and open to visitors.
A short forest walk from Lakshman Jhula to a set of pools above the town.
Arrive from Dehradun or Haridwar, walk Ram Jhula and the ghats, and end at the Parmarth Niketan aarti.
Morning drive up to Neelkanth Mahadev, afternoon free for rafting, the Beatles Ashram or a yoga class.
A last walk along the river, breakfast at a German Bakery cafe, and onward travel.
Every itinerary is rewritten around your dates, your pace and your group. This is a starting point, not a fixed package.
Drop-in sessions at Parmarth Niketan and the Sivananda ashram, from beginner level up.
Sixteen and twenty-six kilometre stretches, open from September to June.
An early drive to a ridge temple with a clear view of the Himalayan front range.
Terrace cafes on the Tapovan side, best in the hour before sunset.
Small things that change how a day goes. Our team updates these after every season.
Ask a QuestionRafting closes during the monsoon, roughly July to mid-September.
The town is alcohol-free and vegetarian; do not expect otherwise.
Most of the riverfront is pedestrian only. Vehicles drop you at the bridge and you walk in.
Nights are cold from November to February even when the days are warm. Bring a layer.
Anything we have not covered? Message us and a planner in Varanasi will reply, usually within the hour.
Message UsNot at all. It is a full pilgrimage town with daily aartis and ancient temples, and the adventure side is simply an extra.
Twenty-five kilometres, about forty-five minutes. Almost every itinerary pairs the two.
Tapovan and Lakshman Jhula for cafes and views, the Swarg Ashram side for ashrams and the evening aarti.
Let Kashi Experts help you plan a journey that touches your soul.
