Haridwar travel guide
Holy city
Haridwar is one of India’s holiest cities, located on the banks of the Ganga, renowned for sacred ghats, daily Ganga Aarti, ancient temples, ashrams, and spiritual traditions that attract millions of pilgrims, devotees, and cultural travelers seeking religious experiences and ritual immersion.
Best time to visit Haridwar
Oct–Mar is best, with cool dry weather. Apr–Jun is very hot, and Jul–Aug is wet with huge Sawan pilgrim crowds.
| Month | Verdict | Temperature | Rain | Crowds | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | best | 10–21 °C | 35 mm | medium | Cool days; cold, foggy mornings can delay trains |
| February | best | 12–25 °C | 35 mm | medium | Mild and dry; good for the ghats and temple climbs |
| March | best | 16–30 °C | 35 mm | medium | Warm days, pleasant evenings; heat builds by month end |
| April | mixed | 22–36 °C | 25 mm | medium | Hot afternoons; do temple climbs early in the morning |
| May | avoid | 26–40 °C | 45 mm | high | Severe heat; Ganga Dussehra draws bathing crowds |
| June | avoid | 28–40 °C | 160 mm | high | Hot and humid; monsoon arrives late in the month |
| July | avoid | 26–34 °C | 410 mm | high | Heavy rain; Kanwar Yatra crowds block roads and fill hotels |
| August | mixed | 25–31 °C | 350 mm | medium | Humid and wet; Sawan crowds can still fill the town |
| September | mixed | 23–31 °C | 190 mm | low | Humid; rain easing; the river runs high |
| October | best | 19–29 °C | 25 mm | medium | Dry and warm; pleasant evenings at Har Ki Pauri |
| November | best | 15–26 °C | 5 mm | high | Cool and clear; Kartik Purnima brings large bathing crowds |
| December | best | 11–22 °C | 10 mm | medium | Cool and dry; foggy mornings possible |
How many days to spend in Haridwar
Two days cover Har Ki Pauri and the evening Ganga Aarti, Mansa Devi, Chandi Devi, Maya Devi and Daksheshwar Mahadev; a third adds Rajaji Tiger Reserve or Rishikesh.
How to reach Haridwar
- By air: Dehradun/Jolly Grant (DED) — 34 km, about 50–75 min by road. Nearest airport with scheduled flights
- By train: Haridwar (HW) — 3 km, about 5–15 min by road. Main railhead, close to Har Ki Pauri
- By road: From Delhi — 230 km, about 3.5–5 h. The usual road route; buses run from Delhi's ISBTs
Getting around
The centre is walkable. Cycle rickshaws, autos and taxis wait at the stations; hire a taxi for the hill temples, ashrams and Rajaji.
Things to do in Haridwar
- Ganga Arti Ghat Rishikesh — Aarti (1 h · Free entry)
- Har Ki Pauri — Ghat (1.5 h · Free entry)
- Ganga Aarti Sthal, Haridwar — Aarti (1.5 h · Free entry)
- Jim Corbett National Park — Park (3.5 h · ₹3,380 (day safari permit, Jhirna/Bijrani))
- Triveni Ghat — Ghat (1 h · Free entry)
- Rafting Camping In Shivpuri Rishikesh — Rafting (4 h · Paid entry)
- Kempty Fall Road — Falls
- Maa Mansa Devi Temple, niranjani akhada, Haridwar — Temple (2 h · Free entry)
- Mall Road — Market
- Lakshman Jhula — Bridge
- Mahadev Mandir — Temple (1 h · Free entry)
- Gun Hill, Mussoorie — Hill (1.5 h · Paid entry)
- Shri Maa Chandi Devi Temple, Haridwar — Temple (2.5 h · Free entry)
- Bijrani Range — Safari
- Parmarth Niketan Ashram — Ashram (1.5 h · Free entry)
- The Beatles Ashram — Ashram (1.5 h · Paid entry)
- Kunjapuri Temple — Temple (2 h · Free entry)
- Kaudiyala Rafting Start Point — Rafting (4 h · Paid entry)
- Lal tibba — Peak (2 h)
- Maya Devi Temple, Haridwar — Temple (45 min · Free entry)
- Ganga Ghat — Ghats (1 h · Free entry)
- Haridwar market — Market (1.5 h · Free entry)
- Jhirna — Safari
- Lohachaur Tourism Zone,Corbett National Park,Durga Devi Gate. — Safari (4 h · ₹3380 day safari permit (Durga Devi gate))
- Peak View Hotel — View
- Chopta — Meadow
- GUCCHUPANI ROBBERS CAVE — Cave (1.5 h · Paid entry)
- Ram Jhula — Bridge
- Rajaji Tiger Reserve — Wildlife (4 h · ₹150)
- Patna Waterfall — Falls (1.5 h · Free entry)
- Aastha Path Rishikesh — Path (1 h · Free entry)
- Camels Back Road — Walk
- Atal Udhyan Mussoorie — Garden (1.5 h · Paid entry)
- Jharipani Waterfall — Falls (2 h)
- Benog Wildlife Sanctuary — Wildlife (3 h · Paid entry)
- Chardukan Mussoorie — Cafes (1 h · Free entry)
- Bharat Mata Temple, Haridwar — Mandir (1.5 h · Free entry)
- Shree Daksheshwar Mahadev - Daksh Prajapati Temple — Temple (1 h · Free entry)
- Jungle Safari Rajaji National Park — Safari (4 h · ₹1,800 per person (5-hour tour))
- Forest Research Institute — Museum
- Tapkeshwar Mahadev Mandir — Temple (1.5 h · Free entry)
- Indira Market Dehradun — Market (1.5 h · Free entry)
- TerraMD India — Temple
- Vashishtha Gufa Ashram — Cave (1.5 h · Free entry)
- Mussoorie Lake — Lake (1.5 h · ₹30)
- Clouds End View Point — Forest (1.5 h)
- Bhatta falls — Falls (1.5 h)
- Nag Tibba — Trek (10 h)
- Adventure Park Mussoorie with Paragliding, Zip Line, Camping, Nature Walk, Wildlife safari , Bungee Jump, Forest Bath — Adventure (4 h · Paid entry)
- Yagyashala, Shantikunj Haridwar — Ashram (1.5 h · Free entry)
- Saptrishi Ashram, Haridwar — Ashram (1 h · Free entry)
- Saptarishi Ghat — Ghat (1 h · Free entry)
- Vaishno Devi Temple (Mata Lal devi Ji) — Temple (45 min · Free entry)
- Kalagarh dam — Dam (1.5 h · Free entry)
- Uttarkashi - Gangotri Road — View
- Sahastradhara — Falls
- Mindrolling Monastery — Monastery (1.5 h · Free entry)
- Lachhiwala Range — Picnic
- Clock Tower — Tower
- Tibetan Buddhist Temple — Temple (1 h · Free entry)
- Shri Bilvkeshwar Mahadev Temple Niranjani Akhada — Temple (45 min · Free entry)
- Yog Niketan Ashram — Ashram
- Pawan dham — Temple (1 h · Free entry)
- Ganga Beach — Riverbank (2.5 h · Free entry)
- Mahaseer Fishing Camps — Fishing
- Barkot — Town
- Dehradun Zoo — Park (2 h · Paid entry)
- Landour Bakehouse — Market (45 min · Free entry)
Food to try in Haridwar
- Chole baturey — Spiced chickpeas with fried bread, a classic breakfast, often with lassi
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Haridwar?
Oct–Mar is best, with cool dry weather. Apr–Jun is very hot, and Jul–Aug is wet with huge Sawan pilgrim crowds.
How many days are enough for Haridwar?
2–3 days. Two days cover Har Ki Pauri and the evening Ganga Aarti, Mansa Devi, Chandi Devi, Maya Devi and Daksheshwar Mahadev; a third adds Rajaji Tiger Reserve or Rishikesh.
How do I reach Haridwar?
By air: Dehradun/Jolly Grant (DED) — 34 km, about 50–75 min by road. Nearest airport with scheduled flights. By train: Haridwar (HW) — 3 km, about 5–15 min by road. Main railhead, close to Har Ki Pauri. By road: From Delhi — 230 km, about 3.5–5 h. The usual road route; buses run from Delhi's ISBTs.
What are the top things to do in Haridwar?
Ganga Arti Ghat Rishikesh, Har Ki Pauri, Ganga Aarti Sthal, Haridwar, Jim Corbett National Park, Triveni Ghat, Rafting Camping In Shivpuri Rishikesh.
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Guide checked on 2026-10-06.