Quick answer
Three days in Rishikesh is enough for the town's highlights. Day 1: arrive, walk Ram Jhula to Swarg Ashram, see the Beatles Ashram and the Parmarth aarti. Day 2: raft the Shivpuri stretch, add bungee or Neer Garh waterfall, and spend the evening in Tapovan. Day 3: sunrise at Kunjapuri, a yoga class, then Har ki Pauri in Haridwar on the way out.
The route
- Delhi
- Rishikesh (Ram Jhula)
- Shivpuri
- Kunjapuri
- Haridwar
- Delhi
Day-by-day plan
- 1
Day 1
Arrive, Swarg Ashram and the Parmarth aarti
Morning: Leave Delhi early. By road it is about 240 km and 6–7 hours; by train, go to Haridwar and take a taxi for the last 25 km; by air, Dehradun's Jolly Grant airport is about 20 km away.
Afternoon: Check in, then cross Ram Jhula on foot to Swarg Ashram. Walk to the Beatles Ashram and give it 1.5 hours.
Evening: Ganga aarti at Parmarth Niketan at sunset, then dinner at a vegetarian café on the east bank.
Stay: Ram Jhula–Swarg Ashram or Tapovan
Taxis can't cross Ram Jhula. Choose a hotel your driver can reach, or pack light.
- 2
Day 2
Rafting at Shivpuri and an evening in Tapovan
Morning: Raft the 16-km Shivpuri–Rishikesh stretch, about 2–3 hours. Most operators pick you up from your hotel.
Afternoon: Lunch at Shivpuri. Then choose one: bungee or the giant swing at Mohan Chatti (pre-book), or the short climb to Neer Garh waterfall.
Evening: Walk the Laxman Jhula area, see the 13-storey Tera Manzil temple and settle into a Tapovan café.
Stay: Tapovan, or a riverside camp at Shivpuri
Leave phones and valuables at the hotel when rafting. Most rafts carry a dry bag, but space is tight.
- 3
Day 3
Kunjapuri sunrise, yoga and Haridwar
Morning: Leave at 5 am for Kunjapuri temple, about 25 km uphill, for sunrise over the Garhwal ranges. Back by 8.30 am for a drop-in yoga class.
Afternoon: Visit Triveni Ghat, check out and drive 25 km to Haridwar.
Evening: Aarti at Har ki Pauri, then drive back to Delhi or take an evening train from Haridwar.
During the Ardh Kumbh (14 January–20 April 2027), skip Har ki Pauri on bath days. Traffic around Haridwar is diverted for hours.
Is three days enough for Rishikesh?
Yes, for a first visit. Three days covers the two aartis, a rafting run, the east-bank walk, the Beatles Ashram and one sunrise trip. You would only need more time for a yoga course, a longer rafting stretch such as Kaudiyala, or the Char Dham.
How should you get there?
- By road from Delhi: about 240 km and 6–7 hours. A car with driver costs roughly ₹9,000–12,000 for three days.
- By train: Delhi to Haridwar takes about 4.5–5 hours, then a 45-minute taxi.
- By air: Dehradun's Jolly Grant airport is about 20 km from Rishikesh. Useful from Mumbai, Bengaluru or Kolkata.
What does this itinerary cost?
From about ₹9,000 per person on land, twin sharing, in a 3-star hotel near Ram Jhula or Tapovan. That includes two nights, a car for transfers and the sunrise trip, and a Shivpuri rafting run. Bungee, camping upgrades and flights are extra.
Changes for different travellers
- Families with young children: skip rafting and bungee. Do the Beatles Ashram, Neer Garh and a short boat crossing instead.
- Groups of friends: swap Day 2 night for a Shivpuri camp.
- Senior citizens: stay near Swarg Ashram, where most sights are on flat walking paths.
Rafting runs from mid-September to 30 June. In July and August, replace Day 2 with Neelkanth Mahadev and a cooking or yoga workshop.
Check the best time to visit Rishikesh, the full list of things to do in Rishikesh and where to stay in Rishikesh. Going further? See the 10-day Char Dham itinerary or ask us to plan it through the enquiry form.
Frequently asked questions
Can I do Rishikesh as a weekend trip from Delhi?
Is the Shivpuri rafting stretch suitable for first-timers?
Where should I stay for this 3-day plan?
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.
