12 Best Things to Do in Rishikesh – From Adrenaline to Peace

# 12 Best Things to Do in Rishikesh – From Adrenaline to Peace

Rishikesh is one of those rare places where two completely different types of travellers — the thrill-seeker and the soul-searcher — both leave satisfied. On any given day in this town, you can be shooting down Grade 3 rapids in the morning and sitting in silence at a riverside temple by evening.

Here's a complete list of the best things to do in Rishikesh, whether you have one day or five.

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## Adventure Activities

### 1. River Rafting
The single most popular thing to do in Rishikesh. The 16 km Shivpuri-to-Rishikesh stretch takes you through multiple rapids — Roller Coaster, Golf Course, Club House — with a certified guide and safety equipment. Suitable for beginners and experienced rafters alike.

**Duration:** 2–3 hours | **Price:** Starting ₹600
[Book river rafting →](https://explorerishikesh.com/river-rafting-rishikesh)

### 2. Bungee Jumping
India's highest fixed-platform bungee jump is in Rishikesh — 83 metres at Mohan Chatti. Takes 30 seconds. Stays in memory forever. Minimum age 12, weight between 40–110 kg.

**Duration:** 30–60 mins at site | **Price:** ₹3,000
[Book bungee jumping →](https://explorerishikesh.com/bungee-jumping-rishikesh)

### 3. Camping by the Ganges
Spend a night in a Swiss tent on the sandy banks at Shivpuri. Bonfire, riverside dinner, stars above, and the sound of the Ganges putting you to sleep. One of the most underrated experiences in all of Rishikesh.

**Duration:** 1 Night / 2 Days | **Price:** Starting ₹900
[Book camping →](https://explorerishikesh.com/camping-in-rishikesh)

### 4. Cliff Jumping
At a few spots along the Ganges — particularly near Marine Drive and Shivpuri — there are cliff jumping points ranging from 10 to 25 feet. Usually done as part of a rafting trip or as a standalone activity. No equipment needed beyond basic swimming comfort.

### 5. Kayaking
A quieter alternative to rafting. Kayaking lets you navigate the Ganges at your own pace in a solo or tandem kayak. Available from several operators in Shivpuri and Marine Drive. Good for people who want water time without the group dynamic.

### 6. Scooty Ride to Neelkanth Mahadev Temple
Not just a temple visit — the drive itself is the experience. Rent a [scooty in Rishikesh](https://explorerishikesh.com/scooty-rental-rishikesh) and take the 22 km mountain road through dense forest to one of Uttarakhand's most sacred Shiva temples. The views on the way up are spectacular.

**Duration:** Half day | **Scooty rental:** ₹800 (weekday)

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## Sightseeing & Culture

### 7. Ganga Aarti at Triveni Ghat
Every evening at sunset, priests perform the Ganga Aarti — a fire ritual offering light to the river. At Triveni Ghat it's intimate and genuine. At Parmarth Niketan Ashram it's large-scale and visually spectacular. Both are free. Both are worth attending.

**Timing:** 6–7 PM (varies by season) | **Cost:** Free

### 8. Laxman Jhula & Ram Jhula
The two iconic suspension bridges over the Ganges. Walk across, watch the monkeys, look down at the water, and take in the temples on both banks. Laxman Jhula is the older, narrower, more atmospheric one. Ram Jhula is wider and slightly less crowded.

**Cost:** Free to walk across

### 9. Beatles Ashram (Chaurasi Kutia)
Where the Beatles came in 1968 to study Transcendental Meditation with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. Now a fascinating abandoned complex covered in murals, with jungle growing through the buildings. Open to visitors for a small entry fee.

**Timing:** 9 AM – 5 PM | **Entry:** ₹150 (Indians), ₹600 (foreigners)

### 10. Parmarth Niketan Ashram
The largest ashram in Rishikesh. Drop-in yoga classes, meditation sessions, spiritual discourses, and the famous evening Ganga Aarti. You don't need to be staying here to attend — most sessions are open to visitors.

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## Nature & Day Trips

### 11. Neer Garh Waterfall
A 3.5 km hike through jungle from Laxman Jhula leads to this two-tiered waterfall. The trail is straightforward — good for beginners — and the waterfall pool at the end is clean enough for a swim. Best visited in the morning before it gets crowded.

**Distance from Rishikesh:** 5 km | **Cost:** Free (small forest entry fee)

### 12. Day Trip to Haridwar
Only 25 km away — an hour by road. Haridwar's Har Ki Pauri ghat and the evening Ganga Aarti there is a completely different scale from Rishikesh. Take a [scooty](https://explorerishikesh.com/scooty-rental-rishikesh) or hire a cab, spend 3–4 hours, and be back for dinner. One of the most rewarding half-day trips from Rishikesh.

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## Quick Planning Guide

| Activity | Duration | Best For | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| River Rafting | 2–3 hrs | Everyone | From ₹600 |
| Bungee Jumping | 1 hr at site | Thrill-seekers | ₹3,000 |
| Camping Shivpuri | 1 Night | Groups, couples | From ₹900 |
| Ganga Aarti | 1 hr | Everyone | Free |
| Laxman Jhula | 30 mins | Everyone | Free |
| Beatles Ashram | 1–2 hrs | History lovers | ₹150 |
| Neer Garh Waterfall | 2–3 hrs | Nature lovers | Free |
| Scooty to Neelkanth | Half day | Adventure | ₹800 rental |

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## How to Fit It All in a Weekend

**Day 1:** Laxman Jhula → Beatles Ashram → Ganga Aarti at Triveni Ghat → Dinner

**Day 2:** [River rafting](https://explorerishikesh.com/river-rafting-rishikesh) in the morning → [Bungee jumping](https://explorerishikesh.com/bungee-jumping-rishikesh) → Evening scooty ride to Shivpuri → Bonfire at [camp](https://explorerishikesh.com/camping-in-rishikesh)

**Day 3 (if you have it):** Scooty to Neelkanth Mahadev → Neer Garh Waterfall → Head back

For a fully sorted trip with hotel, scooty, rafting, and dinners all in one booking — check the [Rishikesh Weekend Packages](https://explorerishikesh.com) starting ₹3,999.

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[Plan your Rishikesh trip with ExploreRishikesh.com →](https://explorerishikesh.com)

Also check: [River Rafting Rishikesh](https://explorerishikesh.com/river-rafting-rishikesh) | [Bungee Jumping Rishikesh](https://explorerishikesh.com/bungee-jumping-rishikesh) | [Camping in Shivpuri](https://explorerishikesh.com/camping-in-rishikesh) | [Scooty Rental](https://explorerishikesh.com/scooty-rental-rishikesh)

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