Ultimate 2 Day Rishikesh Itinerary: Yoga, Beatles and Sunrise Hikes

Rishikesh holds a special place in my heart as the historical and current yoga capital of the world. Oh, and as the place where many of the Beatles’ biggest songs were inspired and written! I loved Rishikesh so much that, on my first trip, I spent over two months in this central-Indian city.

I could’ve absolutely stayed longer had my visa not run out. Yet I understand that not everybody has months to spend practicing yoga and drinking chai, so here is here is my ultimate 2 day Rishikesh Itinerary for all you yogis, Beatlemaniacs and intrepid travellers. Though I imagine you will want to stay for two months like I did, there is still so much to discover in a few days!

Before you go: Everything you need to know for the ultimate Rishikesh itinerary

How to get to Rishiken

Rishikesh, also known as ‘the place of the sages’, is located in the state of Uttarakhand. It is situated at the bottom of the Himalayan Mountains, earning its name as the ‘Gateway to the Himalayas’. Rishikesh is easily accessible by both road and sky. It is an easy five hour drive from Delhi, or an hour’s flight from the capital city to Derahdun Airport (and an hour’s drive from Derahdun into Rishikesh centre).

When to visit Rishikesh

Rishikesh is a tropical city, and much like places with tropical climates, experiences a few months each year of monsoon and heavy rainfall between May and September. I made the rookie mistake of not checking the seasons, and arriving in Rishikesh mid-September. I remember that the air was so wet and thick that it was difficult to breathe! Not ideal. Don’t do what I did.

Also, heat and humidity are the perfect breeding conditions for mosquitos, and mosquito-borne diseases, such as Dengue Fever, which is endemic to India. Also, not ideal. Basically, I recommend you visit Rishikesh between March – April and September – November.

Where to stay in Rishikesh

Rishikesh is split into two sides by the Gangas River, a 2,525 km-long river sacrosanct to the Hindu tradition. The river rises at Rishikesh and passes through many other parts of India and Bangladesh. The river divides between Tapovan and Lakshman Jula, the two main touristic areas in Rishikesh.

I found moving between the two sides of the river easy. The Ram Jhula pedestrian bridge takes you between each side and, I believe, is a lot of fun to cross – but you may not agree! That’s why the little ferry boat is a great, safe and efficient alternative. It costs about 100INR / USD $1, and takes less than two minutes to travel between sides – I timed it!

My preference is to stay on the Tapovan side as it is more accessible and there is more to do. I usually spend a few nights at Antalya Resort, as on my first trip I was blown away by the luxury and the level of care (and the amazing air-conditioning!). The rooms are relatively expensive for India, but totally worth it in my opinion.

I also stayed at Tatsat Hostel for a few nights, which was a more affordable, backpacker-type accomodation. Of course, I would suggest hostel stays if you want to meet new people and make friends. Rishikesh attracts a wide and eclectic range of travellers so I have no doubt that you will meet some interesting people!

Day 1: Yoga and Spiritual Adventures

Morning: yoga time

The main attraction that drew me and thousands of other yogis to Rishikesh is its spiritual and yogic roots and offerings. It is the most popular place in the world for yoga students and curious seekers to complete their Yoga Teacher Training and a range of other courses. The mountainous streets of Rishikesh are full of hundreds of yoga schools and ashrams (spiritual hermitages).

So, it is only natural that opening your day with a yoga class is the way to do Rishikesh. There is an incredible array of yoga studios (‘shalas’) for you to explore, depending on your practice and experience. All of the schools are wonderful, and the teachers phenomenal and some of the most experienced in India. Although I spent most of my time practicing yoga in an ashram, I took a few drop-in classes in town and loved the classes I took at Om Shanti Om Yoga Ashram. There is usually no need for prior-bookings, and most classes will cost you around 500 / USD $5.

Afternoon: Ganges

The Ganges River is more than a river for the people and city of Rishikesh; it’s a central part of the identity, culture, and spirituality of the place. In fact, the Ganges River is one of the four central pillars of Hinduism, along with Gau (the cow), Gita (the Bhagavad Gita), and Gayatri (the Gayatri Mantra). The River is revered as a sacred pilgrimage site, believed to cleanse both body and soul.

It is generally safe to swim in the Ganges, depending of course on the time of year. I would always recommend checking the pollution levels before entering. I would also consider where you enter the river from – Triveni Ghat is a popular and accessible bathing spot!

Bathing in the Ganges is always a truly invigorating and enchanting experience for me, and an absolute must for visitors to Rishikesh.

Evening: Ganga Arti

The ‘Ganga Arti’ is absolutely an essential attraction when visiting Rishikesh (and other holy cities in India, such as Varanasi).

Every morning and evening on the banks of the revered Ganges, an important ritual known as Ganga Aarti is performed on a large scale. Hundreds of people, locals and tourists alike, flock to the river banks each sunrise and each sunset to experience the event.

Parmarth Niketan Ashram and Triveni Ghat are the most popular tourist spots, so be sure to arrive early to secure a good viewing spot. I especially loved attending the ceremony from the Parmarth Niketan Ashram, which hosts an incredible view of the iconic Shiva statue.

You will find many children handing out small offerings, called ‘diyas’, filled with beautiful flowers, fruits, incense, spices and candles. I loved being a part of this special tradition and feeling the holiness of this ceremony.

Day 2: Sunrise Hike and Beatles Ashram

Morning: Sunrise hike

The Kunjapuri Sunrise Hike was a real highlight for me in Rishikesh. The viewpoint offers phenomenal sunrise views over the Himalayan mountain ranges at an altitude of 1600 metres.

You begin the day at around 4:30 am to account for the 1 hour drive from Rishikesh town to the base of the temple. The hike from the start point is quite steep and involves climbing a lot of stairs, but didn’t take more than 45 minutes to reach the top. I really enjoyed the silence, stillness and fresh air that this walk allowed for.

We arrived early enough to secure a front-row seat to the sunrise, which I was stoked about! Witnessing the first light crack over the mountains was simply extraordinary. And as the sun continued to rise, the skies broke out into crazy shades of red and pink. After the sun completely rose, the temple filled with lots of monkeys and vendors. This hike was so energising and an absolute must for anyone visiting Rishikesh.

Afternoon: Beatles

Okay, this was definitely my highlight in Rishikesh, and one of my highlights in all of India. The ‘Beatles Ashram’ is a relic from the 1960s’ ‘Hippie’ era. Although it is now abandoned, it was once an active ashram under the auspices of Yogi Maharishi Mahesh. Famously, this was the ashram where the Beatles studied and wrote many of their famous songs in 1968.

So it’s only obvious that this Ashram holds magical creative powers, and the spirit of the Beatles is visceral. The Ashram is a short walk from the Ram Jhula bridge, or you can easily find a Rickshaw to take you to the entrance. I actually loved the walk through the lush jungle, and we managed to spot many monkeys, horses, cows, and even signs warning of tigers.

The entrance fee for Indian nationals is 150INR / USD $1.75, and for foreign nationals is 1200INR / USD $15. The Ashram is open from 10 am – 4 pm, so if you’re keen to spend the day in an abandoned Ashram come art-gallery in the middle of the jungle, I would recommend getting there with plenty of time. The Ashram is filled with beautiful artwork and graffiti with political and spiritual messages – and of course, plenty of Beatles themed pieces.

My favourite part of the Ashram was the little meditation huts which were built for practitioners to meditate in solitude. They each have little ladders which you can climb up and soak up some really breathtaking views of Rishikesh.

I would absolutely encourage anyone visiting Rishikesh, even for a few days, to journey to the Beatles Ashram and get a little taste of what it was like to live and study like the Beatles.

Evening: Laxman Jhula

After finishing up at the Ashram, I usually stroll down to Laxman Jhula through the busy streets of Rishikesh. Lakshman Jhula offers a wide range of shops, cafes, tattoo studios, Vedic tarot readers, Ayurvedic stores and lots of action.

I love finding the many beautiful treasures and pieces of jewellery and clothing. And for any tattoo enthusiasts out there, Kalka Tattoo Parlour was an absolute hit for us. We were very pleased to find such a professional and clean studio with amazing artists and ultra reasonable prices.

Little Buddha Cafe became my favourite cafe/restaurant on this side of town. The cafe offers an awesome view over Rishikesh and has a massive menu with many healthy and fresh options (which is often a rarity in India)! I also must suggest all dessert lovers to try the ‘Hello to the Queen’, a special dessert found in places like Rishikesh, Goa and Pushkar.

As the world’s yoga capital, Rishikesh is a wonderful and expansie city with so much on offer. You can spend anywhere from a few days to a few months, depending on what you are searching for. But as you can tell, this ultimate Rishikesh itinerary has got you covered!

Travelling beyond Rishikesh? Don’t miss our ultimate 5 day Rajasthan itinerary covering all of the region’s magical highlights. Looking for the beach? We have you covered with our expert Goa guide (including the best cafes and bars).

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