Rishikesh

India

Raft in the morning, aarti at sunset — the Himalayas' most affordable adrenaline-and-ashram combo.

16 Group Tours·12 Operators·from ₹1,499

Rishikesh sits where the Ganga leaves the Himalayas and hits the plains, about 25 km upstream from Haridwar. It's a town of two halves: the spiritual circuit around Triveni Ghat, P...

Best forAdventure seekersYoga and wellness travellersBudget backpackersSpiritual seekersCollege friend groupsSolo travellersPhotographersWeekend trippers from Delhi-NCR

Easy to Moderate

|Basic fitness for rafting and short treks. Rafting at Shivpuri needs no prior experience but you must be able to swim or at least be comfortable in water, follow paddle commands, and hold on through Grade III rapids. Kunjapuri and Neelkanth involve steps and uphill walking.

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What to Expect

Expect a walkable, backpacker-heavy town where cows, sadhus, rafting guides and Israeli tourists share the same narrow lanes. Laxman Jhula and Ram Jhula are pedestrian suspension bridges — no vehicles, expect crowds and monkeys. Tapovan and Shivpuri (8-16 km upstream) are where the camps and rafting put-ins are. Food is 100% vegetarian inside the municipal limits by law; alcohol is technically banned in Rishikesh district, so no bars — if you want a drink, you go to Haridwar or a resort with a licence outside town. Group tours here are usually 2-day/1-night or 3-day/2-night packages bundling rafting, camping, bonfire, aarti and maybe a waterfall trek. Expect early starts for rafting, cold river water even in summer, and mobile networks that flicker in the camp zones.

Honest Heads-Up

Alcohol and non-veg food are banned in Rishikesh municipal limits. Don't book expecting a party scene — groups that want to drink go to Haridwar, Dehradun or a licensed riverside resort outside town.
Rafting shuts down roughly mid-June to mid-September for monsoon. If a tour operator offers you rafting in July, ask hard questions — most legitimate rafting stops when the river is in spate.
The Ganga here is fast and cold. Life jackets are non-negotiable. Every year there are drownings at spots like Shivpuri and near the bridges where people ignore warnings.
Monkeys at Laxman Jhula, Ram Jhula and Neelkanth temple are aggressive. They snatch bags, glasses and food. Don't feed them, don't stand around eating.
Camp 'luxury' in Rishikesh is a loose term. Many riverside camps are basic tents with shared or attached baths, thin mattresses and generator power. Read recent reviews, not brochure photos.

Things to Do

White-water rafting at Shivpuri

3-4 hours·₹600-1,500 per person

Group

Bungee jumping at Jumpin Heights, Mohan Chatti

2-3 hours including briefing·₹3,500-4,000 per person

Group

Ganga Aarti at Parmarth Niketan

1 hour (around sunset)·Free

Group

Neelkanth Mahadev Temple drive

Half day·₹1,500-2,500 for a shared cab

Group

Beatles Ashram (Chaurasi Kutia) visit

2 hours·₹150-300 entry

Group

Kunjapuri Temple sunrise trek

4-5 hours round trip from Rishikesh·₹500-1,000 with transport

Group

Riverside camping at Tapovan/Shivpuri

Overnight·₹1,200-3,500 per person with meals

Group

Cliff jumping and kayaking at Brahmapuri

2-3 hours·₹800-1,500

Group

Plan Your Trip

Travel Tips

1Book rafting and camps 3-5 days ahead for October-December weekends — this is when Delhi-NCR descends en masse.

2Start rafting early morning (8-9 am). Afternoon slots mean hot sun, bigger crowds and slower dam-release schedules.

3Carry ₹2,000-3,000 in cash. ATMs exist but run dry on weekends and cards fail in low-network camp zones.

4Don't skip the Ganga aarti at Parmarth Niketan — arrive 30 minutes early for a spot on the steps.

5If you want alcohol or non-veg, plan a Haridwar or Dehradun day instead of expecting it in Rishikesh.

6Neelkanth Mahadev is worth it but go early — the road is narrow and gets jammed by 11 am.

7Group tours bundling rafting + camping + aarti usually save you ₹500-1,000 per person versus booking separately, and remove the weekend booking headache.

8Avoid the Laxman Jhula area on Saturday evenings if you dislike crowds.

Local Guide

Food & DiningVeg friendly

Must try: Aloo puri and chole bhature at roadside dhabas, Garhwali thali with mandua (finger millet) roti, bhatt ki churkani and kafuli, Maggi and pakoras at riverside cafés — a Rishikesh institution, Wood-fired pizza and Israeli shakshuka in Tapovan (the backpacker belt), Lassi and fresh fruit bowls near Ram Jhula

Budget ₹150-300 per meal at local dhabas and cafés, ₹500-800 at Tapovan's nicer places. Ashrams often serve free or ₹100-200 prasad-style meals — ask politely if outsiders can join.

FAQs

Is alcohol allowed in Rishikesh?

No. Rishikesh is a holy city and alcohol sale/consumption is banned within municipal limits. Some riverside resorts and camps outside the boundary have licences, but don't count on it. If drinking matters to your group, base yourself in Haridwar or Dehradun.

Can I do rafting in monsoon?

Generally no. Rafting shuts roughly mid-June to mid-September because the Ganga is in spate and dam releases make it unsafe. Some operators run during this window — that's a red flag, not a bargain.

How many days do I need in Rishikesh?

Two days if you want rafting + aarti + one temple. Three days if you add camping, Neelkanth Mahadev and a waterfall trek. A week only makes sense if you're doing a yoga course.

Is Rishikesh safe for solo female travellers?

Broadly yes — it's one of the more solo-friendly towns in North India, with a large foreign and backpacker population. Standard precautions apply: avoid isolated ghats after dark, don't accept drinks/food from strangers, and stick to lit areas around Tapovan and the main ghats at night.

Which is better — Laxman Jhula side or Ram Jhula side?

Laxman Jhula/Tapovan side has more cafés, hostels and backpacker energy. Ram Jhula side is calmer, closer to Parmarth Niketan and the main ashrams. Groups usually stay in Tapovan for rafting access.

Do I need to book rafting in advance?

On weekdays you can walk up and get a slot. On weekends and long weekends in October-December, book 3-5 days ahead — good operators sell out. Group tours usually pre-book, which is a real advantage here.

What's the difference between Brahmapuri, Shivpuri and Marine Drive rafting stretches?

Brahmapuri (9 km) is the beginner stretch. Shivpuri (16 km) is the most popular — Grade II-III rapids, about 3 hours. Marine Drive (26 km) is longer and includes bigger rapids like The Wall. Kaudiyala (34 km) is for experienced rafters.

Is the Ganga water safe to drink or bathe in?

Do not drink it untreated. Bathing at the ghats is a religious practice and most people do it, but avoid swallowing water, especially downstream of towns. Bottled or filtered water only for drinking.

Can I get non-veg food in Rishikesh?

Not inside municipal limits — it's a vegetarian-only zone by law. You'll find eggs and meat in Tapovan outskirts and in Haridwar, but most cafés are pure veg.

Is Rishikesh good for a bachelor party or a friends' trip?

It's great for an adventure trip — rafting, bungee, camping, bonfire — but not for a drinking/party trip. If your group's idea of fun is bars and late nights, pick Goa, Kasol or Dehradun instead.

Group Trips to Rishikesh

Rishikesh group tours have become the default weekend escape for Delhi-NCR twenty-somethings, and it's easy to see why. A two-day Rishikesh tour package typically bundles white-water rafting at Shivpuri, an overnight riverside camp with bonfire and dinner, and a stop at the Ganga aarti — all for ₹2,500-5,000 per person, which is hard to beat anywhere else in India. If you're searching for Rishikesh trip packages from Delhi, most operators run Friday-night departures and Sunday-night returns, so you lose zero leave days. Adventure-focused Rishikesh tour packages add bungee jumping, cliff jumping, kayaking and the Kunjapuri sunrise trek, while spiritual and wellness group tours lean into yoga sessions, ashram stays and temple circuits including Neelkanth Mahadev. The best time for a Rishikesh group trip is October to November or February to April — rafting is in full flow, the weather is comfortable and the post-monsoon hills are green. Book early for long weekends, because camps sell out fast. Budget group tours start around ₹1,499 for a day trip and go up to ₹8,000-plus for premium riverside resorts with private tents. Whether you want a rafting weekend with friends, a yoga retreat, or a quick spiritual break from the city, Rishikesh group tour packages cover it — just remember, no alcohol and no non-veg inside town.

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Rishikesh

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Upcoming trips (15)

Rishikesh Adventure: River Rafting & Ganga Aarti

Rishikesh Spiritual Escape - 2N/3D Yoga Retreat

Rishikesh 4 Nights 5 Days Couple Package

BRAHMATAL TREK

Haridwar & Rishikesh One-Day Getaway

Rishikesh Trip

CHOPTA-TUNGNATH CHANDARSHILA trek

Rishikesh Weekend 1 Night 2 Days Package

Past trips (1)

When to Go

Explore Nearby

Trips by Departure City

What to Expect

Things to Do

Plan Your Trip

Local Guide

FAQs

Group Trips to Rishikesh