Located at the foothills of the Himalayas in the state of Uttarakhand, the city of Rishikesh is a tourists' delight! It is a paradise for all the adventure junkies as there are numerous adventurous things the city has to offer. Culturally, Rishikesh also leads in hosting a large number of ashrams, temples, and many other places of worship. Known as the 'Yoga capital of the world, Rishikesh is considered the birthplace of this art that engages the mind, body, and soul in enrichment. The gigantic bit of tranquil river that flows through the city, the lush landscapes, and the snow-capped mountains make this a perfect place for any kind of meditation or mental wellbeing retreat. If you still find yourself in two minds, read on as we have curated 'The Ultimate Rishikesh Travel Guide' for you! Make sure you cover all the places/activities included here to make the most out of what Rishikesh has to offer.
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6 Things You Need To Include in Your Rishikesh Travel Itinerary
1. Witness The Ganga Aarti
Be it a believer or a non-believer, the Maha aarti at Triveni Ghat is a must-see for everybody. The kids who learn the history and study the form are the ones conducting the aarti. The atmosphere created is indescribable with the chants, instruments used, incense sticks, and all of this by the banks of the river Ganga. The videos online don't do justice to the actual atmosphere that is created. Rishikesh also acts as a gateway to the popular Chardham Yatra of Kedarnath, Badrinath, Yamunotri, and Gangotri.
2. Hit Pause At A Yoga Center
Rishikesh, being the world's yoga capital, has immense to offer to the lovers of this art. The city is at the forefront when it comes to achieving peak health or fitness. The entire state of Uttarakhand is referred to as the 'Land of Yoga and Ayurveda'. There are plenty of yoga centers, yoga retreats, etc taking place in Rishikesh. What better place to do yoga than on the banks of a calming river?
3. Get Daring With Rishikesh's River Rafting
A trip to Rishikesh is incomplete without river rafting! Their rafting starts from Shivpuri and you can avail of half or a full rafting experience. The full rafting stretches as far as 16 km. If it's the first time for you, a half raft journey might be the best fit. Wear comfortable attire that is light and dries off easily. Avoid wearing gloves, socks, and thermals as they will become super heavy after contact with the river water. For all the real adrenaline junkies, there is a spot for cliff jumping in the middle of your ride where they also serve lip-smacking noodles, tea, and some snacks.
4. Get An Adrenaline Kick With Adventure Sports
Rishikesh has a variety of sports and adventure activities for its tourists. Paintball, camping, bungee jumping, cliff jumping, kayaking, hiking, rappelling, and waterfall trekking and some of the many offered. The local markets have gaming zones and there is ziplining and cable cars to check out as well.
5. Visit The Ram And Laxman Jhula
The highlights of the city are perhaps the Ram Jhula and Laxman Jhula. These two bridges are built across the mighty river and are a tourist attraction to marvel at! They are almost an unmissable part of Rishikesh.
6. Tune In At The Beatles Ashram
For any fans of the Beatles, visit the Beatles ashram where the five had stayed a long time ago. With vibrant graffiti walls, the ashram is also a good location for photography. Make sure you shop your heart out in the local markets, the street shopping here is a big hit! Local, colorful, hand-stitched bags are a fascination as well.
So, when are you heading to Rishikesh now?
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