Two holy towns 25 km apart - one famous for its grand aarti, the other for yoga and white water. Here is how to combine Haridwar and Rishikesh in a relaxed long weekend.
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Where the Ganga leaves the Himalayas and enters the plains, two very different holy towns sit just 25 km apart. Haridwar is ancient, crowded and intensely devotional; Rishikesh, upstream among forested hills, is the Yoga Capital of the World and an adventure hub. Together they make a perfect long weekend.
Haridwar: Gateway to the Gods
Har Ki Pauri & the Ganga Aarti
The heart of Haridwar is Har Ki Pauri, the ghat where Lord Vishnu is said to have left his footprint. Take a holy dip at Brahma Kund in the morning, and return at sunset for the Ganga Aarti - thousands of devotees, towering flames and leaf-boat diyas floating down the river make it an unforgettable sight.
Mansa Devi & Chandi Devi
Two hilltop temples guard the town. Ropeways climb to Mansa Devi, the wish-fulfilling goddess on Bilwa Parvat, and to Chandi Devi on Neel Parvat, with sweeping views over the river.
Rishikesh: Yoga, Temples & White Water
The bridges and the temples
Walk across Ram Jhula and the newer Janki Setu, the suspension bridges that link the ashrams on either bank. Near Laxman Jhula rises the many-storeyed Trimbakeshwar temple, known as Tera Manzil, its colourful tiers stacked above the river.
The evening aarti
Rishikesh has two beautiful evening aartis: the intimate, musical ceremony at Parmarth Niketan, with its riverside Shiva statue, and the larger aarti at Triveni Ghat.
Yoga and the Beatles Ashram
Drop in for a yoga class at one of the many ashrams, and visit the atmospheric ruins of the Beatles Ashram (Chaurasi Kutia), where the band stayed in 1968, now covered in murals.
River Rafting on the Ganga
From roughly mid-September to June, rafting trips run on the Ganga above Rishikesh. The most popular stretch, from Shivpuri down to Rishikesh, is about 16 km with Grade II - III rapids - exciting but suitable for beginners. Longer stretches from Marine Drive or Kaudiyala offer bigger water.
A Relaxed 3-Day Plan
- Day 1: Arrive in Haridwar, holy dip and evening Ganga Aarti at Har Ki Pauri.
- Day 2: Mansa Devi ropeway, then drive to Rishikesh; evening aarti at Parmarth Niketan.
- Day 3: Morning rafting or yoga, Ram Jhula and Tera Manzil, then depart.
Good to Know
- Both towns are strictly vegetarian and alcohol is not sold in the holy areas.
- The nearest airport is Jolly Grant, Dehradun, about 35 km from Haridwar and 20 km from Rishikesh.
- September to November and February to April are the most pleasant months.
- Add Neelkanth Mahadev, a forest temple about 30 km from Rishikesh, if you have a spare morning.
Our Haridwar - Rishikesh Tour follows this plan with comfortable hotels and a private car throughout.
Nepal Trip Holiday Travel Desk
The same team that plans and operates our tours across Nepal, India and Bhutan. Questions about this guide? Call or WhatsApp us on +91 63071 02408 - we are happy to help.
