20 Fun & Adventurous Things to Do in Rishikesh, India

Here are the best things to do in Rishikesh for those seeking adventure in the Land of God!

Rishikesh has long been a spiritual destination. The powerful flow of the holy Ganges has always attracted those seeking direction and inspiration from devout Hindus, yoga and meditation gurus, and even the Beatles!

After spending a few weeks in Rishikesh, I’ve nicknamed it The Adventure Capital of India. From whitewater rafting on the Ganges to jungle waterfall trekking, this Uttarakhand gem is loaded with adventure!

In this guide, I’ll be outlining some of the best things to do in Rishikesh for those of you seeking adrenaline and adventure, plus the quieter corners most visitors walk straight past. You’ll also find the practical stuff: current prices, seasons, and what’s actually open when you get there.

2. Waterfall Trekking from Rishikesh Town

While a lot of the Rishikesh adventure activities and attractions on this list involve some kind of paid tour, hikes are always a great free option. They're even better if a waterfall is involved.

Rishikesh is located in the foothills of the Himalayas. As a result of this unique rocky terrain, you'll find some spectacular limestone waterfalls on the adjacent sloping hills.

I've written a guide to the 3 Best Waterfalls in Rishikesh, which are all within walking distance of Tapovan and the Lakshman Bridge. Otherwise, here are the links to the individual posts for the top three:

• Neer Garh Waterfall
• Patna Waterfall
• Garud Chatti Waterfall

3. Cliff Jumping in the Ganges near Rishikesh

The steep banks of the Ganges River have some epic cliff-jumping spots. You'll often find groups of people launching off the large boulders and sharp embankments into pools of calm Ganga water.

There are dozens of good spots ranging from small, 3-meter drops to epic 15-meter+ jumps.

If you're inexperienced, I'd recommend getting a guide to show you the ropes. I couldn't find any Rishikesh tours that just included cliff jumping. However, if you book the whitewater rafting tour recommended above or the camping trip (below), they both include organized cliff jumps.

4. Rent a Royal Enfield and Ride to the Himalayan Foothills

Besides Bollywood and Chai, there's nothing as iconically Indian as a Royal Enfield motorbike. If you've always wanted to ride a motorbike through the hills underneath the Himalayas, then Rishikesh is the place to do it!

The best place to rent an Enfield is in Tapovan, where there are several motorbike hire places. A Royal Enfield now runs around 800 to 1,200 rupees a day depending on the model and the season, and a scooter is 300 to 600. Licensing works off of your home driver's license, which in India, is considered to cover two-wheelers.

However, you'll want to be confident to hit these roads!

If you have experience riding a heavier 500CC+ motorbike, then the Enfield is the way to go. At the end of the day, it's really quite affordable and a no-brainer tradeoff for the experience.

Once you've got your set of two wheels, either hit the road to explore or take the route to the Maa Kunjapuri Devi Temple (below) for some epic Himalayan views. Either way, exploring the mountain roads on an Enfield is easily one of the best adventures in Rishikesh you could have!

6. Cross the Ganges on Ram Jhula and the New Bajrang Setu

Lakshman Jhula, also spelled Laxman Jhula, is the red iron suspension bridge you'll see in every photo of Rishikesh. It has been closed since July 2019, when engineers found it could no longer take pedestrian loads safely, and it has not reopened. You can look at it, photograph it and walk right up to the barriers, but you can't cross it.

Its replacement is Bajrang Setu, a 132 m span carrying a glass-floored walkway down each side, built at a cost of about 69 crore rupees. Pedestrians have been crossing it since spring 2026 even though the formal inauguration hasn't happened yet. The published operating plan sets a 100 rupee adult ticket for a two-hour slot on the glass section, with the walkway open 06:00 to 22:00 and the central path open around the clock, so check on the day whether ticketing has actually started. The glass section closes during Kanwar Yatra and in bad weather.

Whichever bridge you cross, keep your wallet close and your bags zipped. The monkeys along this stretch are practised thieves and they will go through an open daypack while you're looking at the view.

Ram Jhula, downstream near Swarg Ashram, is the other pedestrian crossing and it's open and free. It's the one locals used through the whole seven years Lakshman Jhula was shut. There's also a nice spot to sit by the water near it, known as Ram Jhula Beach.

Tip: There is a beautiful temple next to Lakshman Jhula bridge in Tapovan called Tera Manzil Temple (Lakshman Temple or Trimbakeshwar Temple). You'll see this on the southern banks of the River Ganga and it's worth taking a closer look!

7. Visit the "Beatles Ashram"

Even for the non-religious, taking a stroll down to the Ganges River evokes some pretty powerful and spiritual emotions. Anyone who's ever been to Rishikesh could easily understand why the Beatles chose the place to seek inspiration for their "White Album" in the 1960s. And, it seems it was exactly what Lennon and McCartney needed since the hit later went on to sell 24 million copies, the third highest-selling album in history.

During that time, The Beatles studied Transcendental Meditation with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi at a then, quaint forest Ashram on the Ganges shoreline.

Now, the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Ashram is no longer teaching yoga or meditation but is instead a "museum-like" destination named The Beatles Ashram.

Getting here from Rishikesh takes roughly 30-40 minutes of leisurely walking and entry is 1,200 rupees for foreigners and 200 rupees for Indian nationals, up from 600 when I first visited, and it's open 10:00 to 16:00. Worth knowing before you commit: the site has been under restoration through 2025 and 2026 with parts of it fenced off, so a fair few visitors have come away feeling 1,200 rupees was steep for what's currently open.

8. Ashram Hopping - Practice Yoga in the Yoga Capital of the World

Okay, Rishikesh has more than just two colloquially recognized names. Another, perhaps more often used, is Yoga Capital of the World - and that's a pretty big name to live up to.

There are dozens of well-known and highly respected Ashrams in Rishikesh and you'll be hard-pressed to find a hotel or cafe that doesn't offer yoga classes. I hadn't done too much yoga myself before visiting Rishikesh. But, since my hostel offered free rooftop yoga in the mornings, I thought it was the perfect chance to try something new.

If you've ever wanted to become a Yogi, or Yoga instructor, there are also dozens of reputable schools in Rishikesh. Due to the competition, Rishikesh is also one of the cheapest places to do the course! Below is a list of the best ashrams to check out in Rishikesh:

• Swarg Ashram
• Sivananda Ashram
• Parmarth Niketan Ashram

10. Go Bungee Jumping

Rishikesh wouldn't be a world-class adventure destination without a resident bungee jump. So, if you're looking to unlock your inner adventure junkie, you have to try Bungy in Rishikesh!

Located at the same place (Jumpin Heights) as the Giant Swing, the Rishikesh Bungee Jump is also India's tallest bungee at 83 meters over the Ganges River. It's also 3,700 rupees, and the flying fox runs 2,000 rupees tandem or 3,500 solo, with video packages on top at 900 to 1,800 rupees.

If you're keen on trying the giant swing, a bungee, and the flying fox, you can check out this combo package. Alternatively, you can book the bungee separately using the same link.

11. Camping in Rishikesh

After the hustle and bustle of Indian backpacking and travel, getting back to nature in Rishikesh is always a welcoming change of pace. If you're looking for an epic multi-day trip exploring the best of Rishikesh and camping with like-minded travelers in the jungles beside the holiest River on earth, then I've got you covered.

You can book camping with Camp White World Expeditions, which runs an amazing experience 21 km from Rishikesh in a beautiful valley near the Ganges. This is a really top-rated bookable experience in Rishikesh and even has a Badge of Excellence on Tripadvisor. One rule worth knowing before you book: the National Green Tribunal banned camping on the Ganga banks in 2015 and lifted it conditionally in 2017, and the compromise is that legal camps now sit at least 100 m back from the water at approved sites only. Anything still advertising "beach camping" on the sand is either using the phrase loosely or operating outside the rules. Since 2026 every camp also has to be registered with the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board and display a QR-coded certificate, which is an easy thing to ask to see.

After all the epic adventure activities in Rishikesh like sightseeing tours, bungee, giant swing, water sports, whitewater rafting, and cliff jumping– the best way to slow down and meet new people is to go jungle camping.

If you'd prefer to camp independently, you could check out the "Camp River Zone" or alternative tour companies camping near Marine Drive.

I wouldn't recommend freedom camping by yourself in the forests beside Rishikesh as herds of elephants and even tigers (apparently) could be present in the jungle.

12. Rock Climbing

Of course, Rishikesh wouldn't be an adventure travel destination without rock climbing! The truth is, there are several great rock climbing locations in the Ganga Valley worth checking out.

There are also a few adventure travel tour companies offering rock climbing and repelling trips.

Update: Unfortunately, the tour company I went with on my first trip to Rishikesh has now shut down. However, if you do a search you'll be able to find some. Alternatively, just walk around Tapovan and there are plenty of tour offices where you can book a rock climbing adventure.

13. Ganga Aarti at Triveni Ghat - Best Thing to do in Rishikesh at Night

One of the best things to do for sunset in Rishikesh is to head to the Triveni Ghat to watch the famous Ganga Aarti. This is a sacred Hindu fire offering ceremony specific to the Ganges River. It is also present in other holy places such as Varanasi and Haridwar.

The Ganga Aarti is performed every night during sunset as well as every morning for sunrise. The timings work off the sunrise and sunset times. Therefore, it will vary by season. In practice that means roughly 17:30 in winter and 18:30 in summer at Triveni Ghat, with the morning aarti around 05:45. Parmarth Niketan, up at Swarg Ashram, runs about half an hour earlier. Both are free. I'd recommend getting to the Ghat about 40 minutes before sunset.

Allow about an hour if you want to walk 5 kilometers from Tapovan. Otherwise, a rickshaw or blue Vikram won't cost more than 150 rupees for the trip.

Tip: Also don't miss the Raghunath Temple where there are regular religious ceremonies performed.

14. Rajaji National Park Safari

Like me, if you missed out on a Ranthambore Safari booking, you're in luck if you make it to Rishikesh. There are a select few safari tours heading to Rajaji National Park, and the Chilla zone is the closest to Rishikesh at about a 30 km circuit over two to three hours. Set your expectations on elephants rather than tigers. Rajaji holds well over 300 elephants and the tiger population is being rebuilt through translocation from Corbett, so a tiger sighting is genuinely rare. The park runs 15 November to 15 June and closes for the monsoon.

This safari tour includes a professional wildlife guide who upholds strict viewing rules to not disturb the tigers and other animals in the park. In terms of wildlife and nature, this Safari Tour has to be one of the most underrated and epic things to experience in Rishikesh!

Book a Rajaji National Park Tiger Safari online for the best deal. Foreigners pay 600 rupees entry plus 4,500 for a foreign-registered gypsy seating up to six, and a guide is mandatory at 300 rupees.

15. Parasailing and Paragliding Above Rishikesh

Chasing the best possible view of the incredible Rishikesh landscapes? Pocket your drone, there's no better way to get a real birds-eye view than to go parasailing and paragliding. If you want the best possible views of the Himalayan foothills around the Rishikesh mountains, this is your best experience!

In my opinion, a paragliding experience is one of the best adventurous things to do in Rishikesh. Like most things in India, the options are also fairly cheap in comparison to places like Switzerland.

17. Visit the Neelkanth Mahadev Temple (Shiva Temple)

The Neelkanth Mahadev Temple is another beautiful Hindu temple worth visiting when exploring Rishikesh and the surrounding area.

It takes roughly one hour to get here if you rent a motorbike in Tapovan. However, similarly to the Kunjapuri Devi Temple, the journey itself is well worth the ride.

Neelkanth is associated with Lord Shiva. And, according to Hinduism, this is the very place where Shiva ingested all the poison from the ocean and placed it in his throat. This, in turn, made Shiva's throat turn blue.

18. Watch Sunset on the Ganges

After a long day of adventure-fueled adrenaline, it's always great to sink into the Rishikesh "chill" for sunset.

Head down to the river banks, hostel rooftop, or any of the hundreds of cafes near Lakshman Jhula and finish the day off with an incredible Uttarakhand sunset.

Things to Do in Rishikesh at Night

Rishikesh after dark is not what most people expect, because alcohol is banned across the whole municipal area. There's no bar strip and no club scene, and anyone arriving expecting one will have a flat evening. What there is instead is arguably better, and it starts at sunset.

The Ganga Aarti is the anchor. Triveni Ghat runs the big public version, roughly 17:30 in winter and 18:30 in summer, and Parmarth Niketan up at Swarg Ashram does a smaller, more musical one about half an hour earlier. Both are free and neither needs booking. Get there 30 to 45 minutes early if you want to sit anywhere near the front, and stay on afterwards at Parmarth for the satsang, which most visitors leave without realising is happening.

The newest thing to do after dark is the Bajrang Setu glass walkway, lit and open until 22:00. Standing over the Ganges on a glass floor at night is a different experience to crossing it at midday with the crowds.

After that it's a cafe town. The rooftop places around Tapovan and Laxman Jhula stay open late and most do a decent chai and a view of the river. Ram Jhula and the Swarg Ashram side wind down earlier and go quiet after about 21:00, so if you want life around you, stay on the Tapovan side. The Triveni Ghat market is the busiest place in the city in the hour after aarti.

On safety, Rishikesh is one of the easier Indian cities to walk around at night, and the alcohol ban is a large part of why. The two things to actually watch are the roads, which have no footpaths and plenty of unlit two-wheelers, and the monkeys, which do not go to bed. Bring a torch for the stretches between Tapovan and Laxman Jhula where the lighting gives out completely.

One thing that isn't a night activity, whatever a few listings suggest: rafting, bungee and the giant swing all finish by late afternoon, and rafts have to be off the water by 17:00.

Where to Stay in Rishikesh

When is the Best Time to Visit Rishikesh?

Rishikesh has three main seasons; Summer, winter, and the monsoon.

Monsoon months: July to September

Summer: March to May

Winter: October to February

I recommend that the best time to visit Rishikesh is between the months of September to June. This avoids the monsoon months, where you can avoid torrential rainfall.

These months offer the best adventure opportunity in Rishikesh, from safe whitewater rafting to pristine hiking conditions.

Also, note that April and May can also get a little hot. So, if you’re a bit shy of the heat, try visiting between September to March. March is also the time when the yoga festival kicks off, so this is easily the most popular time to visit Rishikesh.

How Much Does it Cost to Travel in Rishikesh?

Your travel budget will vary greatly depending on the things you do in Rishikesh and how you want to be accommodated. Below I've averaged the costs on both sides of the spectrum

• Budget: $20 USD per day
• Luxury: $200 USD per day

On average, I spent about $25 a day in Rishikesh including all of my food, accommodation, and adventure activities. However, this is an average amount. Some days when I just walked to waterfalls and sat in cafes, I spent less than $10. On the flip side, things like trekking tours and bungy jumps boosted that well above $60 a day.

However, I am conscious of the fact that I'm used to "budget" and "backpacking" travel. I stay in cheap shared dorm rooms, eat street food, and usually walk long stretches rather than paying for a lift. I choose to travel like this because I enjoy the simplicity of frugal travel.

Although, I do understand that other travelers get to spend less time exploring, and want to treat themselves. If that sounds like you, you could easily spend $200 a day on a fancy hotel, fine dining, and private tours.

How Many Days Should I Stay in Rishikesh?

Since the beautiful city of Rishikesh has so much variety in terms of activities and things to see, recommending how long to spend here is difficult.

If you're visiting Rishikesh for adventures like hiking, waterfalls, or river rafting, I'd recommend staying here for at least a week.

For people looking for more spiritual things to do in Rishikesh including yoga and meditation retreats, it's popular to spend at least 2 weeks here. With that said, I met many people who were planning to spend a couple of days and ended up staying for months!

This city draws you in. And, with some of the best yoga schools and ashrams in the world, many people stay to do their yoga teacher's course or simply stay in a retreat.

Can You Eat Meat in Rishikesh?

Rishikesh is considered a "Holy City" in India. This means that the sale and consumption of meat and alcohol is forbidden. If you respect those customs, then you'll be rewarded with some of the best vegetarian food in the world.

The ban isn't a custom, it's law. The Supreme Court upheld the prohibition on public trade in meat, fish and eggs inside the municipal limits of Rishikesh, Haridwar and Muni Ki Reti in 2004, and Tapovan and Laxman Jhula both sit inside Muni Ki Reti, so there's no loophole in the tourist strip. Alcohol is banned across the Rishikesh municipal area on the same footing. You'll occasionally see something non-vegetarian on a menu, but plan on a fortnight of very good vegetarian food rather than assuming you can eat around it.

Final Note: More Things to Do in Rishikesh

Been through this list of fun things to do in Rishikesh and looking for more travel inspiration? Considering this Land of Gods is also packed with adventure sports, water sports, and adrenaline activities, you'd expect there to be even more!

Below are some more activities that you can do in this amazing adventure and yoga destination.

• Get an Ayurvedic massage
• Go hot air ballooning - varies by season
• Mountain biking
• Visit Bharat Mandir Temple
• Visit the Raghunath Temple

I really hope that my adventure travel guide to Rishikesh has been useful in planning your adventures and itinerary. If you have any more suggestions that you feel deserve a spot on the list, leave me a comment and I'll gladly check it out during my next visit.

For more travel guides and adventure inspiration from India, take a pick from the list of posts below.

• Epic 1-month India Itinerary - the ultimate India travel itinerary covering the best places to go and things to see.
• Taj Mahal View Locations - best spots to see & photograph the Taj Mahal.
• Training & HMI Darjeeling - my experience completing my Basic Mountaineering Course in Darjeeling.