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Rishikesh Travel Guide: How to Reach, Best Time and Adventures to Book
Rishikesh sits where the Ganga leaves the Himalayan foothills, about 240 km north of Delhi. It is India's best-known base for white-water rafting, and within an hour of town you can also bungee jump, zipline across a valley and camp on a river beach. This guide covers how to get there, when to go, and how to plan a weekend that mixes adventure with the calmer side of Rishikesh.
How to reach Rishikesh
- By air: Jolly Grant Airport (Dehradun) is about 20 km away, roughly 40 minutes by taxi. There are direct flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and other cities.
- By train: Yog Nagari Rishikesh station has a few direct trains. Haridwar Junction, about 25 km away, has many more, including the Shatabdi from Delhi. Buses and shared taxis run from Haridwar to Rishikesh all day.
- By road: Delhi to Rishikesh is 5 to 7 hours depending on traffic. Uttarakhand Roadways and private Volvo buses run overnight from Delhi's ISBT Kashmere Gate.
Most adventures happen upstream of town. Shivpuri, about 16 km up the river, is the rafting and camping hub. Mohan Chatti, about 25 km away in the hills, is where the bungee jump and zipline are. Your booking page shows the exact meeting point.
Best time to visit
| Months | What to expect |
|---|---|
| October to November | Clear skies, pleasant days, good water levels. One of the best times for rafting and camping. |
| December to February | Cold mornings and cold water, quieter river. Rafting still runs; bring a warm layer for after. |
| March to June | Peak season. Warm weather, the strongest demand for rafting. Book weekend slots early. |
| July to mid-September | Monsoon. River rafting is usually suspended because of high water. Bungee and zipline may still run on dry days. |
Adventures to book
River rafting
The two most popular stretches are Shivpuri to Rishikesh (16 km), about 2 to 3 hours with Grade II and III rapids, and Marine Drive to Rishikesh (26 km), a longer half-day run with more big rapids. Not sure which to pick? Read our 16 km vs 26 km rafting guide.
Bungee jumping and zipline
Mohan Chatti has an 83 m bungee platform over a river gorge and a long valley zipline. Both have weight and age limits, which are listed on each adventure page. Our first-timer's bungee guide covers what the day looks like.
Riverside camping
Camps around Shivpuri set up tents on the river beach or in the forest just above it, usually with a bonfire, dinner and breakfast. Many people pair a camp night with a morning rafting slot.
Things to see nearby
- Triveni Ghat Ganga aarti: the evening prayer ceremony on the riverbank, every day around sunset.
- Ram Jhula and the Laxman Jhula area: the old suspension-bridge neighbourhoods, full of cafés, temples and small shops.
- Beatles Ashram (Chaurasi Kutia): the ruined ashram where the Beatles stayed in 1968, now covered in murals. It is inside the Rajaji Tiger Reserve and has an entry fee.
- Neelkanth Mahadev Temple: a hilltop Shiva temple about 30 km by road, busy during the Shravan month.
- Kunjapuri Temple: a short drive and climb for one of the best sunrise views of the Himalaya near Rishikesh.
A simple two-day plan
Day 1: Reach Rishikesh by noon, check in to a camp at Shivpuri, do an afternoon rafting slot, then bonfire and dinner by the river. Day 2: Drive to Mohan Chatti for a morning bungee or zipline, come back to town for lunch, walk the Laxman Jhula area and catch the evening aarti at Triveni Ghat before heading home.
Frequently asked questions
Things to do in Rishikesh
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Riverside Camping with Bonfire – Shivpuri
Bungee Jump (83 m) – Mohan Chatti
