My trip to Rishikesh was for 4 full days & it remains incomplete. It aches my heart & because it remained incomplete, I miss my time there terribly. I want to quit my professional commitments & go back there. This must also tell you how lovely the place is!
Rule 2: Go alone. Rishikesh deserves a solo trip. People go there to do rafting and bungee jumping but that's absurd. You may enjoy these activities but Rishikesh is not about it. Rishikesh is about an inward journey. It is Yoga capital of the world. Yoga is union of us with everything else. To make the most of this land, go solo.
Rule 3: What do you need to pack? Get a pair of very good quality shoes. Get good quality socks. Get a light bathing dress to enjoy the water-falls. Get a slipper. Get a couple of pair of very comfortable jeans. Get a light & thin towel. Get a couple of under-pants. Get a good quality camera or a superior camera-phone.
Rule 4: How much do you need to spend? For an Indian or a foreigner - 1 week satisfying stay at Rishikesh shouldn't ideally cross USD 200 or INR 9K. This difference is mostly owing to sophisticated life-style of foreigners viz-a-viz rugged lifestyle of a solo Indian traveller. It also accounts for difference in charges levied upon an Indian in comparison to foreigners for certain activities. This cost doesn't include Rafting, bungee jumping or other activities you may want to indulge in. This includes 2 days bike rental, your economical stay, food, local travel expense, essential local shopping you must do and other unavoidable miscellaneous stuff.
Rule 5: Where you stay would matter a lot. I recommend The Hosteller near Laxman Jhula - location is fantastic & it is ideal for solo travellers. Not recommended for families though. Good for a couple as well.
Rule 6: Where to visit:
a) Visit Vashisht Gufa near Shivpuri, Neelkanth temple, Patna waterfall. These three should be reached on a bike. Do take bath at Patna waterfall. You will cherish the water massaging your body & I don't think you will easily forget the moment.
b) Dedicate a day to walk left of Laxman Jhula upto Garur Chatti & go on daily to attend near by Ganga Aarti in the evening of the day - Parmarth Niketan Aarti is a good one, try all I would say. If you involve yourself fully in these Aarti's in a transcendental sense, you will not forget these evenings for a long time.
c) Visit Neer water fall & spend some tranquil moments with the nature. Carry your bathing dress & take a bath in the natural pool & shower.
d) Attend the famous Ganga Aarti of Triveni Ghat. Camp overnight in congruence with authorised trekkers & camp organizing groups at Rishikesh.
e) Visit Kunjapuri Temple early in the morning before sunrise to enjoy the place to its fullest. It is recommended on a bike as you may want to spend hours there. You may trek for 13 kms after over-night camping or you can take a taxi early morning.
f) Keep a spare day to reflect & go wherever you want to. You will find yourself mixing up with people from across the world.
Rule 7: Switch off the internet for as long as you can in the day. I only made or attended important calls to & from important people in my life.
On your trip to Rishikesh, you must just let yourself be. Don't follow what I have mentioned in any such order or like a routine. I recommend just keeping it in mind & doing it as your heart leads you. I went quite randomly and it was the time of my life. I indeed discovered some bits & pieces of myself I never knew before.
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| Neer Waterfall |
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| Patna Waterfall |
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| From Laxman Jhula to Garur Chatti |
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| Garur Chatti |
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| Laxman Jhula |
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| Sunrise at Kunjapuri Temple |
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| Kunjapuri |
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| Bank of Ganga near Vasishtha Gufa |
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| Vasistha Gufa |
