Activity
Things to do in Rishikesh
12 sights, walks and activities, 5 of them free.
- Things to do
- 12
- Free
- 5
- Best months
- Oct–Dec, Feb–Apr
- Ideal stay
- 2 nights
Things to do in Rishikesh
White-water rafting Shivpuri–Rishikesh 16 km
₹700–₹900 per person3 hours · Season Oct–Jun
White-water rafting on the Ganga from Shivpuri, through rapids and quiet stretches towards town.
Representative photo · Sumita Roy Dutta · CC BY-SA 4.0
Bungee jump at Mohan Chatti
₹3,700–₹4,700 per personHalf day
Representative photo · Aniketrana8321 · CC BY-SA 4.0
Drop-in Hatha yoga class
₹400–₹500 per person1.5 hours
Representative photo · Ken Wieland from Philadelphia, USA · CC BY-SA 2.0
Ganga Aarti at Parmarth Niketan
Free1 hour
The evening Ganga aarti at Parmarth Niketan, with chanting, fire lamps and a large Shiva statue in the river.
Photo: Ken Wieland · CC BY-SA 2.0
Evening aarti at Triveni Ghat
Free1 hour
Rishikesh's main bathing ghat, where pilgrims gather by the river and lamps are floated at dusk.
Photo: Bhuvi Uniyal · CC BY-SA 4.0
Walk across Ram Jhula to Swarg Ashram
Free2 hours
An iron suspension footbridge over the Ganga, crossing to the ashrams and temples of Swarg Ashram.
Photo: Bhuvi Uniyal · CC BY-SA 4.0
Beatles Ashram (Chaurasi Kutia)
₹150–₹200 per person1–2 hours
The ruins of the ashram where the Beatles stayed in 1968, with meditation domes covered in murals.
Photo: Athulvis · CC BY-SA 4.0
Neer Garh waterfall walk
₹30–₹50 per person2 hours
A short trail to a multi-tiered waterfall with clear pools in a forest gully near Laxman Jhula.
Photo: Wittystef · CC BY-SA 4.0
Giant swing, Mohan Chatti
₹3,700–₹4,700 per personHalf day with the drive
Representative photo · Thevellichord · CC BY-SA 4.0
Flying Fox zipline
₹2,000–₹2,500 per person2 hours
Representative photo · Thevellichord · CC BY-SA 4.0
Good to know
- Laxman Jhula has been closed since 2019; cross by Ram Jhula or Janki Setu.
- Commercial rafting stops around 1 July and resumes around late September once the district clears it (27 Sep in 2025).
- Permits: No permit needed.
Questions
What are the best things to do in Rishikesh?
White-water rafting Shivpuri–Rishikesh 16 km; Bungee jump at Mohan Chatti; Drop-in Hatha yoga class; Ganga Aarti at Parmarth Niketan; Evening aarti at Triveni Ghat; Walk across Ram Jhula to Swarg Ashram.
What can you do for free in Rishikesh?
Ganga Aarti at Parmarth Niketan; Evening aarti at Triveni Ghat; Walk across Ram Jhula to Swarg Ashram; Neelkanth Mahadev Temple; Sunrise at Kunjapuri temple.
Can you do adventure activities in Rishikesh?
Yes: White-water rafting Shivpuri–Rishikesh 16 km (₹700–₹900); Bungee jump at Mohan Chatti (₹3,700–₹4,700); Giant swing, Mohan Chatti (₹3,700–₹4,700); Flying Fox zipline (₹2,000–₹2,500).
What is the best time to visit Rishikesh?
Oct–Dec, Feb–Apr. Avoid Jul–Aug.
How many days do you need in Rishikesh?
2 nights covers the main sights at an easy pace; from Delhi that fits a long weekend or a Friday-to-Sunday trip.