Essential Budget Rishikesh: Spiritual Heritage & Adventure

Begin the trip with sunrise yoga along the riverbank, explore iconic suspension bridges and surrounding markets, and conclude with the Parmarth Niketan Ganga Aarti.

1. 06:00|07:30
   

   Outdoor

   Sunrise Yoga at the Banks of Ganges

   06:00 – 07:30

   Join an early morning yoga session beside the flowing waters of the Ganges.

2. 08:00|09:00
   

   Food

   Breakfast at Little Buddha Cafe

   08:00 – 09:00

   Enjoy a healthy and affordable breakfast with views of the Ganges.

3. 09:30|10:45
   

   Sightseeing

   Visit to Lakshman Jhula

   09:30 – 10:45

   Walk across the famous iron suspension bridge offering views of the river and surrounding mountains.

   • entryFree
4. 11:00|12:15
   

   Sightseeing

   Trimbakeshwar Temple Visit

   11:00 – 12:15

   Explore the multi-story temple located near Lakshman Jhula.

   • entryFree
5. 12:30|13:30
   

   Food

   Lunch at Chotiwala Restaurant

   12:30 – 13:30

   Savor a traditional vegetarian North Indian thali at a famous local eatery.

6. 14:00|15:30
   

   Shopping

   Laxman Jhula Markets

   14:00 – 15:30

   Browse budget-friendly stalls for handicrafts, prayer beads, and clothing.

7. 15:45|17:15
   

   Sightseeing

   Explore the Beatles Ashram

   15:45 – 17:15

   Walk through the serene ruins where the Beatles studied transcendental meditation in 1968.

   • entryINR 600
8. 17:30|19:00
   

   Sightseeing

   Ganga Aarti Ceremony at Parmarth Niketan

   17:30 – 19:00

   Witness the evening devotional light ceremony held on the river ghats.

   • entryFree
9. 19:30|20:30
   

   Food

   Dinner at The Sitting Elephant

   19:30 – 20:30

   Dine on vegetarian dishes overlooking the illuminated river.

Combine a nature hike to Neer Garh Waterfall with afternoon ashram walks and evening meditation.

1. 06:00|07:30
   

   Sightseeing

   Visit to Parmarth Niketan for Morning Meditation

   06:00 – 07:30

   Start the morning with quiet contemplation in the peaceful grounds of Parmarth Niketan.

   • entryFree
2. 08:00|09:00
   

   Food

   Breakfast at Freedom Cafe

   08:00 – 09:00

   Have a light breakfast with river views.

3. 09:30|11:30
   

   Outdoor

   Hiking to Neer Garh Waterfall

   09:30 – 11:30

   Trek up through forest trails to reach a natural multi-tiered waterfall.

4. 12:00|12:45
   

   Sightseeing

   Leisure Walk Across Ram Jhula

   12:00 – 12:45

   Cross the historic Ram Jhula bridge connecting key ashram areas.

   • entryFree
5. 13:00|14:00
   

   Food

   Lunch at Bistro Nirvana

   13:00 – 14:00

   Enjoy affordable global and Indian vegetarian cuisine.

6. 14:30|15:45
   

   Sightseeing

   Explore Gita Bhawan

   14:30 – 15:45

   Visit a large complex known for its murals depicting Hindu epics.

   • entryFree
7. 16:00|17:15
   

   Outdoor

   Relaxation by the Ganges at Swarg Ashram

   16:00 – 17:15

   Spend time resting on the river banks near Swarg Ashram.

8. 17:30|19:00
   

   Sightseeing

   Evening Meditation at Sivananda Ashram

   17:30 – 19:00

   Participate in guided evening meditation at Sivananda Ashram.

   • entryFree
9. 19:30|20:30
   

   Food

   Dinner at Madras Cafe Rishikesh

   19:30 – 20:30

   Sample fresh South Indian dosas and filter coffee.

Trek up to Kunjapuri Temple for early morning views, brave the rapids on a rafting excursion, and unwind with an evening on the beach.

1. 05:30|07:30
   

   Outdoor

   Hike to Kunjapuri Temple

   05:30 – 07:30

   Hike up to Kunjapuri Temple for sweeping views of the Himalayan foothills.

2. 08:00|09:00
   

   Food

   Breakfast at Devraj Coffee Corner

   08:00 – 09:00

   Enjoy fresh coffee and breakfast baked goods near Lakshman Jhula.

3. 09:30|12:00
   

   Outdoor

   White Water Rafting Adventure

   09:30 – 12:00

   Navigate the rapids of the Ganges with experienced local river guides.

4. 12:30|13:30
   

   Food

   Lunch at Beatles Cafe

   12:30 – 13:30

   Refuel with hearty vegan dishes and healthy juices.

5. 14:00|15:30
   

   Sightseeing

   Explore Vinyasa Yoga School

   14:00 – 15:30

   Visit a traditional yoga school to learn about local practitioner programs.

   • entryINR 300
6. 15:45|17:00
   

   Sightseeing

   Ayurvedic Spa Session

   15:45 – 17:00

   Relax with an affordable Ayurvedic wellness therapy.

   • entryINR 30
7. 17:15|18:45
   

   Outdoor

   Relaxing Evening at Ganga Beach

   17:15 – 18:45

   Sit along the sandy banks of the Ganges as the sun sets.

8. 19:30|20:30
   

   Food

   Dinner at Pyramid Cafe

   19:30 – 20:30

   Eat homemade meals under pyramid-shaped outdoor tents.

Discover local temples, stroll the main Rishikesh market, and attend the central evening Aarti at Triveni Ghat.

1. 06:00|07:30
   

   Outdoor

   Sunrise Meditation at Rishikund

   06:00 – 07:30

   Meditate near the ancient sacred pond of Rishikund.

2. 08:00|09:00
   

   Food

   Breakfast at Cafe De Goa

   08:00 – 09:00

   Have a simple, tasty breakfast before exploring the city centre.

3. 09:30|11:00
   

   Sightseeing

   Visit to Rishikesh Temple Complex

   09:30 – 11:00

   Tour the central temple complex and observe local religious customs.

   • entryINR 500
4. 11:15|12:30
   

   Sightseeing

   Rishikesh Walking Tour and Local Market Exploration

   11:15 – 12:30

   Take a walking tour through the bustling streets of old Rishikesh.

   • entryFree
5. 12:45|13:45
   

   Food

   Lunch at Rajasthani Sweets & Restaurant

   12:45 – 13:45

   Enjoy cheap local street eats, samosas, and thalis.

6. 14:15|16:00
   

   Shopping

   Shopping at Rishikesh Market

   14:15 – 16:00

   Shop for spices, tea, wooden crafts, and textiles at local prices.

7. 16:15|17:30
   

   Sightseeing

   Visit to Triveni Ghat

   16:15 – 17:30

   Explore the prominent confluence ghat prior to the evening ceremony.

   • entryFree
8. 17:45|19:00
   

   Sightseeing

   Triveni Ghat Aarti

   17:45 – 19:00

   Watch the chants, lamps, and musical worship at Triveni Ghat.

   • entryUSD 10
9. 19:30|20:30
   

   Food

   Dinner at AALAYAM Indian Restaurant

   19:30 – 20:30

   Dine on vegetarian dishes in a relaxed setting.

Travel upstream to Vashishta Cave, visit the forest-encircled Neelkanth Mahadev Temple, and end with an ashram walking tour.

1. 06:00|08:00
   

   Outdoor

   Vashishta Cave Meditation Experience

   06:00 – 08:00

   Experience deep quiet inside the natural cave used by ancient sages.

2. 08:30|09:30
   

   Food

   Breakfast at Pure Soul Cafe

   08:30 – 09:30

   Eat an organic vegetarian breakfast with river views.

3. 10:00|11:30
   

   Outdoor

   Relax at Vashishta Cave

   10:00 – 11:30

   Unwind along the peaceful river bank adjacent to Vashishta Cave.

4. 12:00|13:30
   

   Sightseeing

   Visit to Neelkanth Mahadev Temple

   12:00 – 13:30

   Drive into the hills to visit the ancient Shiva temple surrounded by dense forest.

   • entryUSD 20
5. 13:45|14:45
   

   Food

   Lunch at Street Food Stalls near Swarg Ashram

   13:45 – 14:45

   Try local street items like aloo poori and kachori.

6. 15:15|16:45
   

   Sightseeing

   Guided Tour of Ashrams along the Ganges

   15:15 – 16:45

   Learn about the spiritual history and architecture of nearby riverside ashrams.

   • entryINR 300
7. 17:00|18:30
   

   Sightseeing

   Ram Jhula Walk

   17:00 – 18:30

   Take a final evening stroll across Ram Jhula as lights turn on along the ghats.

   • entryFree
8. 19:30|20:30
   

   Food

   Dinner at The 60's Cafe Beatles

   19:30 – 20:30

   End the journey with dinner at a themed music cafe.