5 Amazing Activities to do in Rishikesh

Rishikesh, located in India, is a place of pure spirituality. It is the home to the birthplace of yoga and hosts the International Yoga Festival every year. There are no parties or traffic here. Hoards of tourists don’t show up in big buses. There are many beautiful things to do here that are tranquil and put you close to nature. However, there is plenty to do for adrenaline junkies. These are our top 5 picks of activities to take part in when you come to Rishikesh

Spiritual Pursuits

gita bhawan ashram rishikesh

If you came to Rishikesh to get in some spirituality, you wouldn’t run out of beautiful experiences to take part in. Many will come here to do their yoga teacher training because of the high caliber of teachings so close to the source of yoga. There are also beautiful places that will offer meditation teachings. Parmarth Niketan Ashram is one of the main ashrams you can visit. There is the Triveni Ghat where you can observe devotees taking a bath so they can be cleansed from their sins. This place is where three rivers join together and are considered very spiritual. There is also the Gita Bhawan, which is a riverfront ashram. The myriad of yoga studios, ashrams, and meditation halls allow you to fully experience many different places and teachings.

Trekking

trekking rishikesh

Rishikesh has many beautiful places to explore. Being that it’s at the Himalayan foothills, you have great access to hikes that you’ll never forget. They can be quite thrilling with challenges but always some form of jaw-dropping beauty, making it all worthwhile. The trekking trails from Rishikesh will lead you to lush greenery, incredible valleys that seem endless, and refreshing waterfalls where you can take a break. There is usually some little snack shack on the trailside too, which is a cool part of the whole experience.

Some interesting things are happening on the trails here too. They can be quite busy while pilgrims make way to temples around Rishikesh. You make allowances of course as they’re on a holy journey. There are other trails that are peaceful, and it’s best to go from October to March if you want to take part. Some might even go for the late winter season and do some trekking through snow.

Some of the most well-known treks include Roopkund Trek, Valley of the Flowers, the trip to Kunjapuri Temple, and Nag Tibba. There are treks to waterfalls in the Rajaji National Park where you can take in a few different falls. You can even camp on some of the longer treks, which is a magical, once-in-a-lifetime experience.

River Rafting

river rafting rishikesh

There are many places you can river raft around the world but to be able to do this on the beautiful Ganges river is a gift. She is known as the living mother Goddess of India. When you are in touch with the river, it’s considered that you in touch with wisdom. You’ll get to see beautiful temples and watching the simple life exist around the river as you enjoy rapids.

There are overnight tours where you’ll raft for a bunch of the day and then camp by the river and close the jungle. The rafting adventures are close to 20 km long, and you’ll also be able to take part in some trekking where you’ll end up at stunning waterfalls. There’s also cliff jumping, rock climbing, and body surfing involved.

Adrenaline Rush Activities

There are adrenaline rush activities available in Rishikesh. You can take part in Bungy Jumping, Flying Fox, and Canyon Swings. Jumpin Heights offers some crazy rides for those who like that feeling of adrenaline. The Flying Fox is an extreme ride that has you flying 140 km. The bungee jumping location is a short walk, and you’ll be among the hilly terrain of Uttarakhand. The walk is beautiful, and you’ll be among the stunning wilderness here. It’s probably one of the coolest places you’ll jump off an 83-meter cliff. There’s an 83-meter giant swing too. You can do Tandem with this activity and share the fun with your travel mate.

Absolutely Nothing

Rishikesh is a wonderful place just to chill and do nothing. There are many cafes that are interesting. Take the Buddha Café. It is a busy restaurant that is styled like a treehouse. The top floor invites visitors just to hang out and lounge for hours. The food is great, and the whole restaurant overlooks the Ganges River. There are many cafes like this looking out to the river. You can also just go spend some time by the river. Bring a blanket, bring food, and spend the day. You can end it by watching the sun set. Rishikesh is a such a spiritual place, so it makes sense to spend some time in peace just being instead of doing anything.

absolutely nothing rishikesh

Rishikesh is a diverse place to visit, and you’ll be glad you did. You can meditate by morning, jump off a cliff mid-afternoon, and have a picnic at sunset in the evening. There’s always plenty of people who will invite you on their trips and tours. Going on tours, yoga classes, or just hanging out at the cafes will allow you to meet friendly like-minded people when you come here. Whatever your reasons for making it to Rishikesh, they are all the ultimate version here.

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Meera Watts
Meera Watts is the owner and founder of Siddhi Yoga International. She is known worldwide for her thought leadership in the wellness industry and was recognized as a Top 20 International Yoga Blogger. Her writing on holistic health has appeared in Elephant Journal, CureJoy, FunTimesGuide, OMtimes and other international magazines. She got the Top 100 Entrepreneur of Singapore award in 2022. Meera is a yoga teacher and therapist, though now she focuses primarily on leading Siddhi Yoga International, blogging and spending time with her family in Singapore.

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