Rishikesh itinerary for 2 days
A 2-day Rishikesh trip plan in which each day stays in one part of Rishikesh, in route order: Laxman Jhula, Tapovan and Swarg Ashram; and Shivpuri rafting.
Rishikesh does two things at once: it is the river adventure capital — rafting, bungee, cliff jumping — and a long-standing yoga and meditation town. Both fit in a weekend, with rafting in the morning and the Ganga aarti at Triveni Ghat in the evening.
- Trip length
- 2 days
- Best time
- September to November and February to May
- Base
- Rishikesh
- Region
- Uttarakhand, India
2-day Rishikesh itinerary, day by day
Day 1: Laxman Jhula, Tapovan and Swarg Ashram
Arrive. The walkable stretch along the Ganga: the bridges, the Beatles Ashram, the cafes above the river and the evening aarti at Parmarth Niketan.
- Laxman Jhula and Ram Jhula
- Tera Manzil Temple
- Beatles Ashram (Chaurasi Kutia)
Day 2: Shivpuri rafting
Rafting runs from about September to June and pauses in the monsoon. The 16 km stretch from Shivpuri has grade III rapids and a cliff jump. Keep the end of the day free so the journey home is not rushed.
- Ganga rafting from Shivpuri
- Neer Garh Waterfall
- Riverside camp evening
The app times each stop for your dates and shows the driving distance between stops and the cab cost for each day.
Where to stay
Stay around Tapovan or Laxman Jhula for cafes and the river, Swarg Ashram for ashrams and the aarti, or a riverside camp at Shivpuri if rafting is the point.
When to go
September to November and February to May are the rafting seasons, with safe water levels and comfortable weather. Rafting is suspended during the monsoon from late June to August, and January mornings are cold.
Getting there
Jolly Grant Airport (DED) is 35 km away; Haridwar is the nearest major railhead, about an hour by road, and Delhi is a six-hour drive.
Frequently asked questions
Is 2 days enough for Rishikesh?
2 days covers Laxman Jhula, Tapovan and Swarg Ashram; and Shivpuri rafting. It is a short trip for Rishikesh: 3 days is the most common length, and adds Kunjapuri sunrise and Triveni Ghat.
What is the best 2-day itinerary for Rishikesh?
Day 1: Laxman Jhula, Tapovan and Swarg Ashram (Laxman Jhula and Ram Jhula, Tera Manzil Temple, Beatles Ashram (Chaurasi Kutia)). Day 2: Shivpuri rafting (Ganga rafting from Shivpuri, Neer Garh Waterfall, Riverside camp evening).
Where should I stay in Rishikesh?
Stay around Tapovan or Laxman Jhula for cafes and the river, Swarg Ashram for ashrams and the aarti, or a riverside camp at Shivpuri if rafting is the point.
What is the best time to visit Rishikesh?
September to November and February to May are the rafting seasons, with safe water levels and comfortable weather. Rafting is suspended during the monsoon from late June to August, and January mornings are cold.
How do I get to Rishikesh?
Jolly Grant Airport (DED) is 35 km away; Haridwar is the nearest major railhead, about an hour by road, and Delhi is a six-hour drive.
Rishikesh for a different length of stay
Rishikesh itineraries by trip type
Places and attractions in Rishikesh
- Ganga Arti Ghat Rishikesh
- Har Ki Pauri
- Ganga Aarti Sthal, Haridwar
- Jim Corbett National Park
- Yamunotri
- Triveni Ghat
- Rafting Camping In Shivpuri Rishikesh
- Kempty Fall Road
- Maa Mansa Devi Temple, niranjani akhada, Haridwar
- Lakshman Jhula
- Mahadev Mandir
- Gun Hill, Mussoorie
- Shri Maa Chandi Devi Temple, Haridwar
- Parmarth Niketan Ashram
- The Beatles Ashram
- Kunjapuri Temple