Rishikesh Tour Package — 2 Nights 3 Days
Rs.9999.00/Person
Where the Himalayas Meet the Soul, and the Ganga Tells You to Stay Rishikesh, officially known as Hrishikesh, is a sacred pilgrimage city and internationally recognised wellness destination situated in the Dehradun district of Uttarakhand, at an elevation of approximately 372 metres above sea level. Nestled at the foothills of the Garhwal Himalayas where the holy Ganga River emerges from its mountain course and begins its journey across the plains, Rishikesh occupies a geographical position of rare natural and spiritual significance. The city is approximately 24 kilometres north of Haridwar, 43 kilometres from Dehradun, and around 240 kilometres from New Delhi — making it one of the most accessible Himalayan destinations in northern India.
Rishikesh holds the distinction of being declared the Yoga Capital of the World by the United Nations, a recognition that formalised what spiritual seekers have known for millennia — that this city, with its forest ashrams, riverside meditation caves, and mountain silence, is uniquely conducive to inner transformation. Key landmarks include the iconic Lakshman Jhula and Ram Jhula suspension bridges, Triveni Ghat, Neelkanth Mahadev Temple, Trayambakeshwar Temple, the Beatles Ashram (Chaurasi Kutia), Parmarth Niketan Ashram, and the white-water rapids of the Ganga that have made Rishikesh synonymous with adventure tourism. A Rishikesh tour package brings together this rare combination of pilgrimage, yoga, adventure, and natural beauty into a single, deeply satisfying travel experience.
Rishikesh's international reputation rests on a foundation of verifiable institutional authority. The city's yoga tradition traces directly to Swami Sivananda, founder of the Divine Life Society in 1936, whose lineage produced some of the world's most respected yoga masters. Parmarth Niketan, one of India's largest ashrams, hosts the International Yoga Festival every March, drawing practitioners from over 100 countries. The Ganga Aarti at Parmarth Niketan is conducted daily under the guidance of Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji and has been recognised internationally as a living spiritual tradition of exceptional cultural value. For travellers choosing a Rishikesh tour operator, it is advisable to verify adventure activity providers hold certifications from the Indian Mountaineering Foundation or Uttarakhand Tourism's approved adventure sports licensees — safety standards in this sector matter enormously.
For Yoga & Wellness Travellers
Rishikesh is the global headquarters of authentic yoga practice. Wellness packages combine daily yoga and pranayama sessions with guided meditation by the Ganga, Ayurvedic consultations, and silent morning walks through forest paths. The eastern bank — particularly the Swargashram and Tapovan areas — is where the most reputable yoga schools and wellness centres operate, many of them registered with the Yoga Certification Board of India.
For Adventure Seekers
The stretch of Ganga between Shivpuri and Rishikesh offers Grade III and IV white-water rapids that are among the most thrilling in Asia. Certified operators provide river rafting, bungee jumping from a 83-metre platform at Mohan Chatti, cliff jumping, body surfing, kayaking, and multi-day camping expeditions. Adventure packages are best suited for travellers between 14 and 45 years of age in good physical health, and operators are required by Uttarakhand Tourism to maintain certified safety equipment and trained guides.
For Families
Rishikesh is genuinely family-friendly — the ghats are accessible, the temple circuits are manageable for children and elderly members alike, and the ropeway to Kunjapuri Devi Temple offers panoramic Himalayan views without physical exertion. Family packages balance gentle sightseeing with the cultural richness of an evening Ganga Aarti, making for a trip that is both memorable and meaningfully educational for younger travellers.
For Couples & Cultural Travellers
Few experiences match attending the Parmarth Niketan Ganga Aarti at sunset — the floating diyas, the Sanskrit chants, the reflection of lamplight on moving water — for sheer romantic and cultural resonance. Couples packages often include riverside cottage stays, private yoga sessions, sunset walks along the Ganga, and café culture evenings in Tapovan's internationally flavoured lanes.
Triveni Ghat is Rishikesh's most sacred bathing ghat, believed to be the confluence point of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the invisible Saraswati. The morning Aarti here predates the more famous Parmarth ceremony and is considered by many long-time pilgrims to carry an even more concentrated spiritual potency in the quiet pre-dawn hours.
Neelkanth Mahadev Temple is one of the most spiritually charged Shiva shrines in the Himalayan belt. Pilgrims traditionally carry Gangajal from Rishikesh to offer at the Neelkanth shivalinga — a practice that mirrors the Kanwar Yatra tradition observed by millions of Shiva devotees across north India. The forest road to the temple passes through Rajaji National Park territory, and elephant and langur sightings are not uncommon on the drive.
Ganga Aarti at Parmarth Niketan is conducted under the spiritual guidance of one of India's most respected contemporary saints and is attended by hundreds of domestic and international visitors every evening. The ceremony involves brass lamps, conch shells, flower offerings, and Sanskrit chants — and concludes with the floating of thousands of leaf diyas on the Ganga that light the river in the darkness. Pilgrims and visitors of all faiths and nationalities attend and are welcomed equally.
Highlights
- Sacred dawn bath and Aarti at Triveni Ghat — where the spiritual energy of the Ganga is most concentrated
- Soul-stirring evening Ganga Aarti at Parmarth Niketan — one of the most photographed spiritual rituals in India
- Darshan at Neelkanth Mahadev Temple — the sacred cave shrine of Lord Shiva deep in the forest above Rishikesh
- Iconic walk across Lakshman Jhula and Ram Jhula suspension bridges over the Ganga
- Yoga and meditation session by the riverside — the original spiritual purpose of Rishikesh
- White-water river rafting on Grade III–IV rapids between Shivpuri and Rishikesh
- Exploration of the Beatles Ashram (Chaurasi Kutia) — where the Fab Four famously stayed in 1968
- Visit to Bharat Mandir — the oldest and most historically significant temple in Rishikesh
- Visit to Bharat Mandir — the oldest and most historically significant temple in Rishikesh
- Optional sunrise trek to Kunjapuri Devi Temple for panoramic 180° Himalayan views
Included and Excluded
- Accommodation for 2 nights in guesthouse, ashram, or hotel as per chosen package tier
- Daily breakfast and dinner
- Private cab for all transfers and sightseeing including Neelkanth Mahadev and Kunjapuri (Delhi–Rishikesh–Delhi or station / airport transfers)
- Guided temple tour including Triveni Ghat, Neelkanth Mahadev Temple, Bharat Mandir, and Trayambakeshwar Temple
- Evening Ganga Aarti arrangement at Parmarth Niketan with assisted access
- One white-water river rafting session (16 km stretch, Shivpuri to Rishikesh) with certified operator and safety equipment — for adventure package
- Entry to Beatles Ashram (Chaurasi Kutia)
- Morning yoga session with a certified instructor (one session, riverside)
- All applicable road, parking, and entry tolls
- GST as per Govt norms
- Airfare or train tickets to / from Rishikesh or Haridwar / Dehradun
- Lunch on all days of the tour
- Personal puja, special archana, or abhishek charges at temples
- Donations and offerings at temples and ashrams (personal discretion)
- Bungee jumping, cliff jumping, kayaking, or additional adventure activities beyond the included rafting session
- Extended yoga retreats or Ayurvedic treatment packages (available at additional cost)
- Travel insurance — strongly recommended and available as an add-on
- Camera and videography charges at Beatles Ashram and certain temple premises
- Alcohol and non-vegetarian food — note that both are strongly discouraged in Rishikesh's sacred zones and prohibited in several areas near the ghats
- Any expenses arising from weather disruptions, road closures, or force majeure events
- Tips and gratuity for guides, drivers, and temple staff
Tour Plan
Day 1 — Arrival, First Steps by the Ganga & Evening Aarti
Delhi / Dehradun / Haridwar → Rishikesh
Depart from Delhi by early morning road or take the overnight train to Haridwar, followed by a scenic 45-minute cab ride through the Rajaji forest corridor into Rishikesh. Arrive by late morning, check into your accommodation, and resist the urge to immediately rush into sightseeing — Rishikesh rewards those who first simply sit by the Ganga and let the city come to them.
After a light vegetarian lunch, begin your introduction to the city with a walk across Ram Jhula, pausing at the midpoint to watch the river below and the ashram-lined eastern bank ahead. Explore the winding lanes of Swargashram — where cows, sadhus, bookshops, and chai stalls coexist in cheerful sacred disorder — and visit Trayambakeshwar Temple for an afternoon darshan. As evening approaches, make your way to Parmarth Niketan Ashram and find your place among the gathering devotees at the riverfront. The Ganga Aarti here, conducted as the sun sets behind the western hills, is an experience that transcends whatever expectations you carried into the city. Float a diya on the river as it catches the current and carries your offering downstream. Overnight at Rishikesh.
Day 2 — Sacred Temples, Forest Trek & Adventure
Full Day in Rishikesh
Rise before dawn for the morning Aarti and sacred bath at Triveni Ghat — the point where the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati are believed to spiritually converge. The pre-sunrise atmosphere here is intimate, cold, and profoundly moving in a way the busier evening Aartis cannot quite replicate. After a warm breakfast, begin the day's main spiritual journey — the trek or cab ride to Neelkanth Mahadev Temple.
Located approximately 32 kilometres from Rishikesh through dense Himalayan forest, Neelkanth Mahadev Temple is one of the most sacred Shiva shrines in Uttarakhand, built at the site where Lord Shiva is believed to have swallowed the poison Halahala that emerged during the churning of the cosmic ocean (Samudra Manthan). The temple sits at 1,330 metres and is surrounded by forest so thick and fragrant that the journey itself becomes part of the pilgrimage. Allow two to three hours at the temple and surroundings before returning to Rishikesh.
The afternoon offers a choice based on traveller preference — adventure seekers can opt for a whitewater rafting session on the Ganga (Grade III rapids, approximately 16 km stretch from Shivpuri), while those preferring a cultural afternoon can visit the Beatles Ashram, where the ruins of meditation domes and Maharishi Mahesh Yogi's famous retreat are beautifully overtaken by forest, and the walls are covered in vivid street art. Both experiences are genuinely memorable and representative of Rishikesh's dual identity. Overnight at Rishikesh.
Day 3 — Sunrise at Kunjapuri, Lakshman Jhula & Departure
Rishikesh → Delhi / Dehradun / Onward
For those willing to wake at 4:30 AM, the sunrise trek to Kunjapuri Devi Temple is among the finest experiences available in the entire Uttarakhand region. The temple sits at 1,676 metres, approximately 25 kilometres from Rishikesh, and on a clear morning the view encompasses the entire Garhwal Himalayan range — Bandarpunch, Kedarnath peak, Chaukhamba, and Gangotri's snows — in a single sweeping panorama. The goddess Kunjapuri is one of the three visible Shakti Peethas of Garhwal (along with Surkanda Devi and Chandrabadni), and her temple carries authentic spiritual significance beyond its considerable scenic appeal.
Return to Rishikesh for a final breakfast, a last walk across Lakshman Jhula, and any remaining bazaar shopping — Rishikesh is particularly known for its genuine rudraksha malas, handmade Tibetan singing bowls, Ayurvedic herbal preparations, and yoga textbooks. Check out from your accommodation and begin the journey back to Delhi, Dehradun, or your onward destination, arriving by early to mid evening.