Ram Jhula
First-timersBy the bridge.
Rishikesh town guide
Things To Do In Rishikesh
The yoga capital of the world, on the Ganges where it leaves the Himalayas, with evening prayers on the river, white-water rafting and the ashram where the Beatles stayed.
80
Hostels in the city
7.7
Average, from 3,081 reviews
1968
The Beatles came
Hundreds
Of yoga schools
0
Alcohol in town
The yoga capital
Rishikesh sits where the Ganges flows out of the Himalayan foothills, a holy town of ashrams, temples and suspension bridges. It has drawn spiritual seekers for centuries, and since the Beatles came to study meditation in 1968, travellers from around the world.
It is now the yoga capital of the world, with courses from a morning class to month-long teacher training. It is also an adventure base, with rafting on the Ganges.
As a holy town, most of Rishikesh is vegetarian and alcohol-free. Three days or more is right.
Where to stay
Stay near Ram Jhula or Laxman Jhula, the two bridge areas.
Laxman Jhula
CafésUpstream.
Orange labels are neighbourhoods, dots are the 9 top-rated hostels. Map data from OpenStreetMap contributors.
Things to do
Things to do in Rishikesh
Rishikesh, on the Ganges where it leaves the Himalayan foothills, is the self-styled yoga capital of the world, a holy town of ashrams, temples and suspension bridges.
Take a yoga or meditation class, from drop-in sessions to month-long teacher trainings, in the ashrams and studios around Ram Jhula and Tapovan. The Beatles Ashram, where the band stayed in 1968, is now a ruin covered in murals, open to visitors.
Watch the Ganga Aarti at Parmarth Niketan ashram at sunset, with chanting, lamps and offerings floated on the river.
White-water rafting on the Ganges, from grade 2 to 4 rapids, runs from about September to June; the river is closed during the monsoon. Bungee jumping, camping by the river and treks to waterfalls such as Neer Garh are popular.
Haridwar, half an hour away, has the Har Ki Pauri ghat, where the evening aarti draws huge crowds. Rishikesh is also the gateway to treks and pilgrimages in the Himalayas of Uttarakhand.
Free things
Free things to do in Rishikesh
The Ganga Aarti at Parmarth Niketan, the ghats and the suspension bridges are free, and so is walking along the river.
Many ashrams offer free or donation-based meditation and talks. The Beatles Ashram charges a small entry fee.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking in Rishikesh
Rishikesh is a vegetarian town: meat, eggs and alcohol are banned within the town limits. Cafés serve Indian thalis, Israeli food, smoothie bowls and Ayurvedic meals for the yoga crowd.
A meal is €1.50 to €5.
Nightlife
Going out in Rishikesh
Rishikesh has no alcohol by law; evenings are spent at the aarti, in cafés with live music, and around riverside camp fires.
Getting around
Getting around Rishikesh
Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun, is about 45 minutes away. Trains and buses reach Haridwar, with trains to Delhi in about four to five hours. The new Yog Nagari Rishikesh station has some direct trains.
Shared autos and taxis run between Ram Jhula, Laxman Jhula and Tapovan.
Costs
What Rishikesh costs
Rishikesh is cheap. Dorms start around €5 and a careful day is €15 to €25.
A drop-in yoga class is €3 to €8, rafting €8 to €20 depending on the stretch, and a 200-hour teacher training several hundred to over a thousand euros.
The currency is the rupee (INR), at roughly 95 to 100 rupees to the euro; prices here are euro equivalents. UPI phone payments are everywhere, and some apps now accept foreign cards; carry cash for small shops, autos and markets.
Safety
Staying safe in Rishikesh
Rishikesh is safe. The Ganges is cold and fast; do not swim except at calm, supervised spots, as drownings happen. Raft only with licensed operators.
Meat, eggs and alcohol are banned in town. Monkeys steal food on the bridges.
Women travellers often face staring and comments, and sometimes groping in crowds; dress conservatively, use women's carriages on metros and trains, and book cabs through apps. Drink only bottled or filtered water, and be wary of raw salads and ice; stomach upsets are common.
Most visitors need an Indian e-Visa, applied for online before travel. Since 1 April 2026, all foreign nationals flying in must also submit the free e-Arrival Card online within 72 hours before landing; screenshot or download the QR code, as it cannot be retrieved later.
Emergency number is 112.
Day trips from Rishikesh
Holy cities and the Himalayas.
Haridwar
The Har Ki Pauri aarti.
Himalayan treks
Treks in Uttarakhand.
What's on
What is on while you are there
The International Yoga Festival fills the town in March.
Staff pick
11–20 October
Shardiya Navratri (Autumn)
Shardiya Navratri in Rishikesh, India, is a deeply spiritual celebration honoring the nine forms of Goddess Shakti over nine days, culminating with Dussehra. Devotees…
18 Aug – 31 Dec
Open Kirtan Nights Class
Nada Yoga School opens its doors twice weekly for evenings of mantra chanting and community connection. Every Tuesday and Thursday at 6 PM, you…
21 Aug – 25 Dec
Open Mic
Every Friday evening, Rishikesh's open mic scene invites performers and listeners alike to share music, poetry, or comedy in a relaxed, community-driven atmosphere. You…
12 Sep – 3 Oct
Live Music
Talented artists take the stage at goSTOPS, playing everything from soulful melodies and indie tracks to acoustic sets and crowd favorites. The atmosphere balances…
25–31 October
Vedantic Path to Self-Realisation 1
This week-long course explores the teachings of Vedanta through the study of Tattva Bodha, guiding you toward self-realisation and liberation. You will engage in…
15 Jun – 11 Dec
Yin Yoga Classes
This Yin Yoga class offers a meditative, slow-paced style that focuses on deep stretching and relaxation, targeting the body's connective tissues to improve flexibility,…
1 Jul – 27 Dec
Back Bending Classes
The Back Bending class is a rejuvenating experience that focuses on opening and strengthening the front body, counteracting the negative effects of prolonged sitting…
1 Jul – 27 Dec
Traditional Yoga Classes
This traditional yoga class is rooted in classical approaches, similar to Hatha or Vinyasa practices. It offers a balanced practice of asanas (yoga postures),…
Hostels
Where to stay in Rishikesh
The top-rated places to stay in Rishikesh right now, live from Hostelworld.
Joey's Hostel Rishikesh
Dorms from €3 a night
See dates and book
Joey's By The Ganges
Dorms from €5 a night
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Indian Culture
Dorms from €3 a night
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Live Free Hostel
Dorms from €4 a night
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Madpackers Rishikesh Laxman Jhula
Dorms from €9 a night
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Blue Jay Hostel Rishikesh
Dorms from €5 a night
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Back Stayz Hostel
Dorms from €3 a night
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Skyard Hostel Rishikesh (Laxman Jhula)
Dorms from €2 a night
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Shalom Backpackers Rishikesh
Dorms from €4 a night
See dates and book
When to go
September to November and February to May. Rafting stops in the monsoon.
Jan
Cool
Feb
Good
Mar
Yoga Festival
Apr
Good
May
Hot
Jun
Hot
Jul
Monsoon
Aug
Monsoon
Sep
Rafting reopens
Oct
Excellent
Nov
Good
Dec
Cool
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs.
What your trip will cost
Pick how you travel. Per person per night, in euros.
Prices are in rupees locally; these are euro equivalents. Excludes yoga courses and rafting.
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- Beds—
- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
- Doing things—
Rishikesh travel questions
The ones we get asked most.
When is rafting season?
About September to June; closed during the monsoon.
Is alcohol available?
No, meat, eggs and alcohol are banned in town.
Can I swim in the Ganges?
Only at calm, supervised spots; the river is fast and cold.
Where is the Beatles Ashram?
In the forest near Swarg Ashram, open with a small fee.
How many days do you need?
Three or more; many stay for weeks.
When is the best time to visit?
September to November and February to April.
How do I get there?
By train or bus via Haridwar, or by flight to Dehradun.
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