Rishikesh Weekend Trip from Delhi: Route, Rafting Season and Plan

Why Rishikesh works for a weekend

Rishikesh sits where the Ganga leaves the hills, in Uttarakhand. It is close enough to Delhi for a one or two-night break, and it mixes adventure - river rafting, camping and short treks - with temples, ghats and yoga.

How to get there from Delhi

• Distance: roughly 240 km by road, about 6-7 hours depending on traffic.
• By train: trains run to Haridwar, about 25 km away, then a taxi to Rishikesh.
• By bus or car: leaving early morning or overnight saves a day.

When to go

• October to April: comfortable weather and the main rafting months.
• May and June: hot in the town but still busy with rafting and camping.
• July to September (monsoon): the river runs high and commercial rafting is usually stopped, so check before you plan around it.

Things to do

• River rafting on the Ganga, with stretches of different lengths for beginners and the more confident.
• Watch the evening Ganga aarti at Triveni Ghat or Parmarth Niketan.
• Walk across Ram Jhula and explore the cafes and markets on both banks.
• Riverside camping, bonfires and a yoga session in the morning.

A simple 1-night plan

Day 1: leave Delhi early, reach by afternoon, check in and go to the evening aarti. Day 2: morning rafting, lunch at a riverside cafe, drive back to Delhi.

Tips

• Rafting should only be booked with licensed operators who provide life jackets and helmets.
• Rishikesh is a holy town: alcohol and non-vegetarian food are generally not served in the main areas.
• Weekends are crowded - leave Delhi early to avoid the worst traffic.

Book it as a package

Treeo Hotels and Travels runs a Rishikesh 1-night trip with pickup from Delhi, Gurgaon, Chandigarh or Jaipur. See all our holiday packages or message us on WhatsApp at 90566 87913.

Photo: VK1983, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.