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Rishikesh itinerary for 3 days

A 3-day Rishikesh trip plan in which each day stays in one part of Rishikesh, in route order: Laxman Jhula, Tapovan and Swarg Ashram; Shivpuri rafting; and Kunjapuri sunrise and Triveni Ghat.

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
3 days
Best time
September to November and February to May
Base
Rishikesh
Region
Uttarakhand, India
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3-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.

  • Ganga rafting from Shivpuri
  • Neer Garh Waterfall
  • Riverside camp evening

Day 3: Kunjapuri sunrise and Triveni Ghat

An early start for the Himalaya from Kunjapuri, a yoga class, then the old town and the aarti at Triveni Ghat. Keep the end of the day free so the journey home is not rushed.

  • Kunjapuri Devi Temple at sunrise
  • Drop-in yoga class
  • Old town food walk

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 3 days enough for Rishikesh?

Yes. 3 days covers Laxman Jhula, Tapovan and Swarg Ashram; Shivpuri rafting; and Kunjapuri sunrise and Triveni Ghat without rushing, which is why it is the most common trip length for Rishikesh.

What is the best 3-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). Day 3: Kunjapuri sunrise and Triveni Ghat (Kunjapuri Devi Temple at sunrise, Drop-in yoga class, Old town food walk).

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.

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