3 Days in Rishikesh: A Day-by-Day Itinerary for First-Time Visitors
Day one crosses Ram Jhula to the ashram side for the Beatles Ashram and the evening Ganga aarti at Parmarth Niketan. Day two is for rafting on the Ganga from Shivpuri, a quiet afternoon at the river beach and the aarti at Triveni Ghat. Day three starts before dawn at Kunjapuri temple for sunrise over the Himalaya, then a walk to Neer waterfall.
Good to Know
Estimated total per person: ₹3,200 to ₹5,500, excluding flights and hotel
Weather: Summers are hot in the valley, the monsoon from July to September brings heavy rain and swollen rivers, and winter mornings are cold.
Pack:
Quick-dry clothes and sandals for rafting
A warm layer for the Kunjapuri sunrise
Modest clothes for ashrams and ghats
A torch for early mornings
Local tips:
Rishikesh is vegetarian and alcohol is not sold in the town.
The old Lakshman Jhula bridge is closed to crossing; use Ram Jhula to cross the river.
The Ganga's current is strong even near the beaches, so only swim where it is clearly safe.
Booking tips:
Book rafting with a licensed operator; the 16 km run from Shivpuri suits first-timers.
For the Kunjapuri sunrise, book a taxi the evening before and leave around 4:30 to 5am.
Getting there (from other Indian cities):
flight: Flights to Dehradun's Jolly Grant Airport, about 20 km from Rishikesh - About 1 hour from Delhi
train: Trains to Haridwar (about 25 km away) or Yog Nagari Rishikesh - About 4.5 hours from Delhi to Haridwar by Shatabdi
car: Delhi to Rishikesh by road, about 240 km - About 6 hours
From Haridwar station or Jolly Grant airport, a taxi to Rishikesh takes 45 minutes to an hour.
Weekends from Delhi are busy; travel midweek if you can.
Day 1: Ram Jhula, the Beatles Ashram and the Parmarth aarti
The ashram side of the river: across Ram Jhula, through the forest to the Beatles Ashram, and the evening Ganga aarti at Parmarth Niketan.
Ram Jhula (morning): Start by walking across Ram Jhula, the iron suspension footbridge over the Ganga between Shivanand Nagar and the ashram side of Swarg Ashram. Morning light on the river, the temples and the hills is lovely, and the bridge sways a little as scooters and cows share it with walkers. Free Why visit: The main crossing over the Ganga in Rishikesh; Views up and down the river Know before you go: Watch for scooters on the bridge; Monkeys are bold here; keep food out of sight
The Beatles Ashram (late morning): Walk south along the river and up into the forest to the Beatles Ashram, about 20 minutes on foot. This was Maharishi Mahesh Yogi's ashram, where the Beatles stayed in 1968 and wrote many songs. Its meditation domes and halls are now covered in murals, and the forest setting is peaceful. ₹200, Indian visitors Why visit: Where the Beatles stayed and wrote songs in 1968; Murals and meditation domes in the forest Know before you go: It is inside a forest reserve; stay on the paths; Carry water; there are few shops inside
Parmarth Niketan Ganga Aarti (evening): Walk back to Parmarth Niketan, one of Rishikesh's largest ashrams, for the Ganga aarti on its riverside ghat. Around sunset, priests and children chant and sing as lamps are waved over the river, in front of a large statue of Shiva. Free Why visit: One of the best-known Ganga aartis; A calm, musical evening by the river Know before you go: Arrive early to find a seat on the steps; Dress modestly; remove shoes on the ghat
Eat: Chotiwala - A Rishikesh landmark by Ram Jhula, serving vegetarian thalis and North Indian food for decades.
Evening: The Parmarth Niketan aarti is the evening plan; arrive 30 minutes early to sit on the steps.
Budget for the day: ₹600 to ₹1,000 per person, excluding hotel
Day 2: Rafting on the Ganga and the Triveni Ghat aarti
A morning on the rapids from Shivpuri, a slow afternoon on the river beach, and the evening aarti at Triveni Ghat in town.
River rafting from Shivpuri (morning): Join a rafting trip from Shivpuri, about 16 km upstream, and paddle back towards Rishikesh through a series of rapids with names like Roller Coaster and Golf Course. Guides brief you on the bank first, and on calm stretches you may get to float in the river. ₹1,000, per person, 16 km Shivpuri run, usually including transport to the start Why visit: Rishikesh's best-known adventure; Rapids suitable for first-timers Know before you go: Rafting stops during the monsoon, roughly July to mid-September; Carry a change of clothes and leave phones behind
Goa Beach (afternoon): In the afternoon, rest on Goa Beach, a sandy stretch on the river near the Lakshman Jhula area. Locals and travellers sit on the white sand with the hills behind, and it is a good place to dry off after the morning's rafting. Free Why visit: A sandy river beach with hill views; A quiet break between busier sights Know before you go: The current is strong; paddle at the edge only; No shade at midday
Triveni Ghat Ganga Aarti (evening): Take an auto into town to Triveni Ghat, the largest ghat in Rishikesh. At sunset, the Ganga aarti here draws big crowds, with bells, chanting and lamps, and people float small leaf boats with flowers and candles on the river. Free Why visit: The town's main evening aarti; Floating flower lamps on the Ganga Know before you go: Very crowded at weekends and festivals; Keep bags close in the crowd
Eat: Little Buddha Cafe - A wooden riverside café near Goa Beach with views over the Ganga, serving vegetarian Indian and international food.
Evening: After the aarti, walk the lanes near Triveni Ghat for street sweets and chai.
Budget for the day: ₹1,600 to ₹2,100 per person, excluding hotel
Day 3: Kunjapuri sunrise and Neer waterfall
An early drive up to Kunjapuri temple for sunrise over the Himalaya, then a short walk to Neer waterfall.
Kunjapuri Temple sunrise (sunrise): Leave by taxi before dawn for Kunjapuri, a hilltop temple about 25 km away. Climb the steps to the top for sunrise, when on clear days the snow peaks of the Garhwal Himalaya turn pink, with the Ganga valley far below. Free Why visit: Sunrise over the Himalaya on clear days; A hilltop temple with valley views all round Know before you go: It is cold at dawn even in spring; bring a warm layer; Expect a few hundred steps to the top
Neer Waterfall (late morning): On the way back, stop at Neer, a village about 5 km from Lakshman Jhula, and walk up to Neer waterfall, about 20 minutes on a rocky path. The water falls in tiers into cool pools that are good for a paddle. Small entry fee at the gate Why visit: A short, easy walk to a pretty waterfall; Cool pools on a hot day Know before you go: Rocks are slippery; wear shoes with grip; Busy at weekends
Eat: Rajasthani Jalpan Grih - A popular, simple vegetarian restaurant in the main town for a late lunch.
Evening: Join an evening yoga or meditation class at one of the ashrams, many of which take drop-in visitors.
Budget for the day: ₹1,000 to ₹2,400 per person, excluding hotel
Want a Different Pace?
Add a jungle safari: Jeep safari in Rajaji Tiger Reserve (Chilla zone, near Haridwar): Elephants, deer and birdlife close to Rishikesh. (Trade-off: Open roughly mid-November to mid-June; safaris are booked per jeep. - Costs more)
Longer rafting run: Rafting from Marine Drive (about 26 km) instead of Shivpuri: More rapids for confident rafters. (Trade-off: Takes most of a day. - About ₹500 more per person)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 3 days enough for Rishikesh?
A 3-day Rishikesh itinerary like this one works well for First-time visitors, Yoga and spiritual travellers, Travellers who want light adventure. It's not the best fit if You are visiting in July or August, when rafting stops for the monsoon or You want nightlife; Rishikesh is a vegetarian, alcohol-free town.
How much does a 3-day Rishikesh trip cost per person?
Budget about ₹3,200 to ₹5,500 per person for entry tickets, food and local transport on this 3-day Rishikesh itinerary. Flights and hotel are extra.
What's the best time to visit Rishikesh?
The best time to visit Rishikesh is October to April.
How do I reach Rishikesh from other Indian cities?
Common options are flight (About 1 hour from Delhi), train (About 4.5 hours from Delhi to Haridwar by Shatabdi), car (About 6 hours). From Haridwar station or Jolly Grant airport, a taxi to Rishikesh takes 45 minutes to an hour.
What are the must-see places in Rishikesh in 3 days?
Day 1: Ram Jhula, The Beatles Ashram and Parmarth Niketan Ganga Aarti. Day 2: River rafting from Shivpuri, Goa Beach and Triveni Ghat Ganga Aarti. Day 3: Kunjapuri Temple sunrise and Neer Waterfall.
Which Rishikesh attractions are free?
On this itinerary, Ram Jhula, Parmarth Niketan Ganga Aarti, Goa Beach, Triveni Ghat Ganga Aarti and Kunjapuri Temple sunrise are free to visit (some charge for special exhibitions or inside visits).
How much are entry tickets in Rishikesh?
The Beatles Ashram: ₹200; River rafting from Shivpuri: ₹1,000. Prices are for Indian adult visitors; check the official site before you go.
When is the Ganga aarti in Rishikesh?
Every evening around sunset at Triveni Ghat and at Parmarth Niketan; the time shifts with the season, so arrive 30 to 45 minutes before sunset.
When is rafting open in Rishikesh?
Rafting usually runs from about mid-September to June and stops in the monsoon months of July and August, when the river is too high. The 16 km Shivpuri run costs about ₹1,000 per person.
Where to Eat in Rishikesh
The Sitting Elephant - A Rooftop Restaurant Overlooking River Ganga - ★4.6 - Hotel EllBee Ganga View, 355, Haridwar Rd, Palika Nagar, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand 249201, India
Bistro Nirvana - ★4.3 - Swami Omkarananda Saraswati Rd, Near Green Valley Cottage, Tapovan, Rishikesh, Jonk, Uttarakhand 249192, India
GANGA VIEW CAFE - ★4.4 - Ganga View Cafe, near 13 Stories Temple, Laxman Jhula, Rishikesh, Jonk, Uttarakhand 249302, India
The FoodLoft - ★4.7 - Shop no 9A, 4th floor, complex, Aiims Road, near SBI bank, near or Seema dental, Aam Bag, IDPL Colony, veer Bhadra, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand 249203, India
Hungry Bird Cafe Rishikesh - ★4.9 - Hungry Bird Cafe, shop no, Gayatri Complex, 12 A, Railway Station Rd, near Kothari Medical Store, Doctor Colony, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand 249201, India
Babylon Restaurant, Pumpernickel German Bakery - ★4.2 - Laxman Jhula Rd, near Post Office, Laxman Jhula, Rishikesh, Jonk, Uttarakhand 249302, India