Quick answer
The best time to visit Rishikesh is October to November and February to March, when days are warm, nights are cool and rafting runs at full swing. April to June also works for rafting but gets hot and crowded on weekends. Avoid July and August: the monsoon shuts rafting and the Kanwar Yatra jams the roads.
Month-by-month at a glance
- Jan20°Good
- Feb23°Best
- Mar28°Best
- Apr34°Good
- May38°Fair
- Jun38°Fair
- Jul34°Avoid
- Aug33°Avoid
- Sep33°Fair
- Oct31°Best
- Nov27°Best
- Dec22°Good
Rishikesh weather, crowds and what to expect
| Month | High / Low | Rain | Crowds | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JanuaryGood | 20° / 7° | 45 mm | medium | Cold, foggy mornings and icy river water. In 2027, Kumbh traffic from Haridwar starts on 14 January. |
| FebruaryBest | 23° / 9° | 50 mm | medium | Pleasant days and clear evenings. Kumbh bath days in Haridwar on 6, 11 and 20 February 2027. |
| MarchBest | 28° / 13° | 35 mm | high | International Yoga Festival in the first week; warm days, cool nights. |
| AprilGood | 34° / 18° | 15 mm | medium | Warming up; strong rafting water and quieter weekdays. |
| MayFair | 38° / 22° | 30 mm | high | Hot afternoons; Delhi weekend crowds at the rafting camps. |
| JuneFair | 38° / 25° | 170 mm | high | School-holiday rush; rafting stops on 30 June as the monsoon arrives. |
| JulyAvoid | 34° / 25° | 480 mm | medium | Rafting closed; Kanwar Yatra diverts traffic on the Haridwar road. |
| AugustAvoid | 33° / 24° | 470 mm | low | Heaviest rain, muddy river, landslides on hill roads. |
| SeptemberFair | 33° / 22° | 230 mm | low | Rain eases; rafting usually reopens in the second half of the month. |
| OctoberBest | 31° / 16° | 40 mm | medium | Clear skies, warm water, full rafting season. |
| NovemberBest | 27° / 11° | 10 mm | medium | Dry and comfortable; good for camping and long ghat walks. |
| DecemberGood | 22° / 8° | 15 mm | medium | Chilly evenings; Christmas and New Year weekends fill the camps. |
Long-term monthly averages. Individual years vary — check a forecast in the week before you travel.
Festivals and events in Rishikesh
First week of March (usually 1–7 March)
International Yoga Festival
Week-long programme at Parmarth Niketan. Ashram rooms near Ram Jhula go early.
14 January–20 April 2027
Haridwar Ardh Kumbh
Big bath days include 6 and 8 March and 14 April 2027. Expect road diversions and higher room rates in Rishikesh too.
May–June (Jyeshtha Shukla Dashami)
Ganga Dussehra
Packed ghats at Triveni Ghat and Har ki Pauri; arrive early for the aarti.
July–August (month of Shravan)
Kanwar Yatra
Lakhs of pilgrims walk to Neelkanth and Haridwar. Roads are diverted; avoid driving in.
October–November
Diwali and Kartik Purnima
Ghats lit with diyas and the best weather of the year.
When is the best time to visit Rishikesh?
For most travellers it is October–November and February–March. Days sit in the mid-20s to low 30s, nights are cool, the river is clear and every rafting stretch is open. These months also suit yoga courses, the walk between Ram Jhula and Laxman Jhula, and day trips to Kunjapuri or Neelkanth.
What is the rafting season in Rishikesh?
Commercial rafting on the Ganga usually runs from mid-September to 30 June and stops for the monsoon. The exact reopening date depends on river levels and is announced by the district administration each year, so late-September plans should stay flexible. April to June brings the biggest rapids and the biggest crowds; October and November give warmer water than winter with fewer people.
Is Rishikesh too hot in summer?
May and June regularly touch 38–40°C in town. You can still raft and camp at Shivpuri, which is a little cooler, but plan sightseeing for early morning and late evening. Weekends fill with groups from Delhi, so go midweek if you can.
Why skip July and August?
Rafting is closed, the river turns brown and fast, and landslides hit the roads beyond Rishikesh. July also brings the Kanwar Yatra, when lakhs of pilgrims walk the Haridwar–Rishikesh–Neelkanth road and traffic is diverted for days.
What about the 2027 Kumbh?
Haridwar hosts the Ardh Kumbh from 14 January to 20 April 2027. Rishikesh is only 25 km away, so expect heavier traffic and firmer room rates around the main bath days. If you are not going for the Kumbh, avoid those dates; if you are, book months ahead.
Pair Rishikesh with the Char Dham. The yatra starts here, and October is good for both. See the Char Dham best-time guide.
Plan your days with our things to do in Rishikesh list and 3-day itinerary, and pick a base using where to stay in Rishikesh. For a fixed-price plan, see our India tour packages.
Frequently asked questions
Which month is best for river rafting in Rishikesh?
Is December a good time to visit Rishikesh?
Can I visit Rishikesh during the monsoon?
When is the International Yoga Festival in Rishikesh?
How we checked this page
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Written and fact-checked by the Elitech Travels editorial desk in New Delhi, drawing on our consultants' day-to-day booking work and the official sources below. Rules, fares and fees change — always confirm anything critical with the issuing authority before you travel. Our editorial policy.
