Rishikesh is a city in India’s northern state of Uttarakhand, located in the Himalayan foothills alongside the Ganges River. A perfect tourist hotspot for domestic & international travelers coming by cheap tickets to India. The river is revered, and the city is well known as a yoga and meditation center. Temples and ashrams (centers for spiritual study) surround the eastern bank at Swarg Ashram, a traffic-free, alcohol-free, vegetarian enclave upstream from Rishikesh town.
Rishikesh, known as the “Place of the Sages,” is a well-known spiritual destination on the banks of the Ganga. It has a significant cultural and spiritual value for its guests because it is surrounded on three sides by the Shivalik range of the Himalayas. It is said that when Raibhya Rishi performed hard penance, God appeared in the shape of “Hrishikesh,” and this place became known as Rishikesh.
It is the beginning point for the Hindu Char Dham pilgrimage, which includes Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath, to seek spiritual redemption. Rishikesh is a beautiful destination not just for pilgrims but also for travelers coming by last minute flights interested in spirituality, yoga, and other aspects of traditional practices.
Sacred rivers and mountains provide an ideal setting for yoga and meditative treks. Rishikesh is also known as the “Yoga Capital of the World.” Rishikesh is the beginning point for tours and trips with cheap tickets to India to the Himalayan peaks for daring travel enthusiasts.
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How to land in Rishikesh
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By Air
The nearest airport to Rishikesh is Dehradun’s Jolly Grant Airport, roughly 35 kilometers away. Popular carriers such as Air India, Spice Jet, and Jet Airways frequently operate daily flights from New Delhi. Aside from Delhi, there is a flight from Lucknow to Dehradun. Once you arrive at the airport, you may take a conventional cab or bus from Dehradun to Rishikesh. Rishikesh’s second closest international airport is in New Delhi, which is well-connected with cities all over the world, especially for Canadian Travelers coming this winter by flights from Toronto to Delhi.
- By Train
The nearest train station to Rishikesh is Haridwar, around 25 kilometers away. Haridwar, in turn, is connected to major Indian cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Lucknow, and Varanasi. Popular trains include the Shatabadi Express, the Jan Shatabdi, the AC Special Express, and the Mussoorie Express. Those traveling to Rishikesh should take the train to Haridwar and then take a bus or rent a cab to Rishikesh. While the bus would take around 45 minutes, the cab would take you to Rishikesh in about 30 minutes.
- By Bus
Rishikesh, as a major tourist destination, has an excellent transport network linking it to significant destinations like Haridwar, Dehradun, and New Delhi. Every day, buses travel from the Kashmere Gate ISBT in New Delhi towards Rishikesh in the morning and late evening. You have the option of taking a normal, deluxe, or opulent coach.
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Best staycations in Rishikesh
Before you are planning your vacation to Rishikesh via last minute flights, make sure you acquire the best & affordable staycations to make your traveling experience more appreciable. You may either stay at the Laxman Jhula bridge region, which is the main tourist area of Rishikesh, or in the local heart, which is calmer and a 30-minute drive away from the bridge area. In either case, you’ll have lots of alternatives to pick from, whether you want a villa, resort, hotel, hostel, dormitory, ashram, or something else. Tourist regions are the busiest, so if you want to spend some alone time in isolation, motels distant from city centers may be the best option. You can also stay in an ashram, as there are various ashrams in Rishikesh that accommodate visitors.
Some of the best accommodations: Holy water Hotel by Ganga Kinare, Sterling Palm Bliss, Sanskriti Vedic Retreat, The Vilana, Neer Ganga Resorts, Live Free Hostel Rishikesh, Green View by Green Tree Hotels, Hotel Ganga Ashoka Rishikesh, Hotel Ishan – A Riverside Retreat, Bunk Stay Co-Working Hostel, Kunwar Residency, Hotel The Great Ganga, Aloha- the Ganga Bliss
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Best time to travel to Rishikesh
Rishikesh, located in the foothills of the Himalayas, is a wonderful place to visit during the hotter months. As a result, the ideal months to visit are March and April, as well as September and October. Temperatures increase in May. Rishikesh is best avoided during the rainy season, which lasts from July through August. Rafting is also closed at this time. Winter, which lasts from November to February, is chilly but mostly pleasant. So bring some woolen. Many people believe that a couple of months following the monsoon is the greatest time to come since the countryside is vibrant, green, and peaceful. On flyopedia.com you can get amazing and cheap deals for your next international adventure.
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Things to do in Rishikesh
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In the evening, attend an Aarti Ceremony at Triveni Ghat
Aside from meditation and yoga sessions, one of the most wonderful experiences you may have in Rishikesh is witnessing the stunning evening aarti at Triveni Ghat. Numerous international travelers explore this enchanting city especially Canadian travelers arriving via Canada to India flight to seek spirituality, and meditiation & fondly love the Aarti Ceremony.
The most important thing you surely don’t wanna miss out on. In fact, we are confident that you will return every evening. Every evening, hundreds of thousands of villagers and visitors go to the Ghat to see the enchanting ‘Sandhyaarti.’ The atmosphere you observe here is unique to India. Seeing an Aarti at Triveni Ghat is on the bucket list of many visitors to India who wish to learn about the local culture.
- Enjoy a Fabulous Yoga Session
A journey to Rishikesh would be incomplete without a healthy yoga practice, which is regarded as a fundamental component of spirituality. You can either locate a quiet spot along the riverbanks to practice yoga alone. You may also join a class of other yoga practitioners and study the skill more precisely from an expert teacher; such schools can be found all over the area. However, if you intend to do so, it is important to connect with some reputable institutions that can assist you in obtaining a beneficial yoga training certificate while you enjoy your holiday while you land by last minute flights.
If you truly enjoy a particular session, several institutions offer yoga teacher training courses, which is even more beneficial.
- Go River Rafting in the Ganges
River rafting across the pure streams of Rishikesh running through the Himalayan foothills is really unforgettable. Choose from two types of river rafting experiences: one that offers a fast-paced and thrilling adventure, and one that allows you to appreciate nature while drifting gently through the cool wind. While it varies from person to person, we generally advise opting for gentle rafting since the water current lacks the power to cause any deaths, making it a fantastic experience. Most hotels and resorts offer rafting packages.
- Trekking to the Neer Garh Waterfall
Another Rishikesh hidden treasure for international travelers landing by cheap tickets to India, while no longer so secret, the setting is nothing short of breathtaking. The trio of waterfalls is located on the route down from the Kunjapuri Devi Temple and is a sight to see. You may either walk there from the temple or take a taxi from the city. The waterfall is free to enter, and the journey from the city takes around 1.5 hours. Renting scooter costs around 300 INR per day.
Rishikesh is a beautiful combination of adventure and spirituality, with its tranquil mountains, sacred rivers, and immaculate sands along the riverbanks. Dip into the hallowed waters of the Ganga or wander along the contemplative alleyways of Beatle Ashram to discover the tranquility you’ve been seeking. You may even go off the beaten path and discover some hidden jewels in the heart of the Himalayas.
