The world's yoga capital in the Himalayan foothills

In the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand, Rishikesh straddles the Ganges, linked by suspension bridges and flanked by the green foothills of the Himalayas.

Long a holy site of pilgrimage for Hindus, sages and saints have visited in search of higher knowledge, meditating on the sandy banks of the river and immersing themselves in its sacred water. It’s also a gateway to a number of remote temples in the mountains beyond and the revered Chota Char Dham circuit.

Rishikesh is regarded as the ‘Yoga Capital of World’, famous in the west as the place where, in 1968, The Beatles visited Maharishi Mahesh Yogi’s ashram to learn advanced transcendental meditation. It was during this incredibly productive period that they wrote 18 songs that appear on the White Album. Today, it draws many people wanting to learn about yoga and meditation on wellness trips, with numerous centres to learn, improve and master a range of practices and techniques.

An unforgettable sight occurs each evening. As dusk descends and bells across town ring in the breeze, the population congregates on the river bank to perform the Ganga Aarati ceremony, where floating ‘diya’ dishes with lit candles and flowers are floated downstream as an offering to Goddess Ganga.

The fast flowing Ganges has also attracted white water rafters, with the season spanning March to September, with a full range of adventure activities such as mountain biking, rock climbing and zip lining cropping up to satiate thrill seekers. This is also a good place to begin a number of spectacular Himalayan hikes.

Luxury accommodation in Rishikesh

There are many incredible places to stay in Rishikesh. Here are some of our favourites, handpicked by our travel designers:

Rishikesh

Ananda in the Himalayas
On a 100-acre princely estate in the forested Himalayan foothills overlooking Rishikesh, the Ananda is an award-winning spa retreat, and perhaps India’s finest wellness escape. The royal palace has been restored in a way that is common throughout the Ananda – a simple combination of the traditional and the best of the new. 78 rooms, suites and villas are classically elegant, with hints of colonial hill station architecture to make the most of the surroundings, and offer panoramic views of the valley or palace from private balconies and exquisite bathrooms. Four suites enjoy their own private gardens and the three luxury villas have their own pool. Traditional Ayurveda, yoga and Vedanta techniques compliment international wellness experiences and healthy organic cuisine to restore and harmonise. There are personalised programmes to meet individual needs and goals – de-stressing, detoxification and cleansing, relaxation, anti-ageing and weight loss – while also offering guidance in the areas of nutrition and fitness. Wellness continues into the cuisine, with fresh natural foods and special care menus offered in consultation with the in-house Ayurvedic doctor. These can be enjoyed at the top deck restaurant, tea lounge or private dining venues across the estate. Away from the resort, enjoy the surroundings on nature walks or guided mountain treks, or try rafting the white waters of the Ganges. You can also head down into Rishikesh to see ancient ceremonies performed, or spot wild elephants, incredible birdlife and possibly tiger on safari in the nearby Rajaji National Park.
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Trip Inspiration

Get inspired with our Rishikesh example trips and then get in touch to plan your own adventure

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11-Day Trip

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Seek enlightenment in Rishikesh before visiting the ancient cities of Amritsar and Varanasi
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We craft trips deeply personal, delightfully surprising and entirely one of a kind. Every Jacada journey begins in conversation with a travel designer, a specialist in their destination of expertise. Behind each journey is a wealth of insight, gathered over years of on-the-ground exploration.

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