Located in the Northern state of Uttarakhand, Rishikesh is well-known as the Yoga Capital of the world. The religious inclination by the presence of the Ganga invites devout Hindus from all parts of India. Those with a love of adventure sports visit Rishikesh for white-water rafting in the Ganga. I didn’t go to Rishikesh for any of that. I just went to find tranquillity and inner peace on the ghat of the Ganga. Although I did try to visit all the places to visit in Rishikesh in one day, not all could be covered, but I found peace surely. My Rishikesh trip constituted of strolling around the Ganga, and the ghats eating bhelpuri or gol-gappas.
On my most recent trip back, I brought along my pug — and discovered that Rishikesh is a lot more welcoming to pets than I expected. More on that below, including the resort that made it possible.
Rishikesh Trip: Lose yourself on the Ghats of Ganga
Ram Jhula
Over the river, Ganga, the suspension bridge built-in the 1980s is Ram Jhula. The bridge was built after Laxman Jhula but still is one of the most landmarks in Rishikesh. On your Rishikesh trip, I suggest a walk down the Ram Jhula towards the other side to explore the other side of Rishikesh.
There are ashrams on both sides of the river, and the Ram Jhula is one of the best ways to behold each front. After Laxman Jhula’s closing in July’19, Ram Jhula is one of the fastest means to cross the other side. The bridge is used by pedestrians and two-wheelers to cross the river. Ram Jhula is lit brightly as dusk creeps up visible from the far ends of the town.
Laksham Jhula
A short walk or quick auto ride from Ram Jhula, Lakshman Jhula is Rishikesh’s other iconic suspension bridge — the one most people picture when they think of the town. It’s nearly a century old, built in 1929, and legend has it that Lakshman, brother of Lord Rama, crossed the Ganga here on a jute rope at this very spot.
Here’s the update for anyone planning a Rishikesh trip right now: Lakshman Jhula has been closed to pedestrians since 2019 due to structural safety concerns, and as of mid-2026, it’s still closed, with no confirmed reopening date. The good news is you can still walk right up to it and admire it from the banks, and the surrounding Tapovan neighbourhood is as lively as ever — full of cafes like the Beatles Cafe and German Bakery, plus small shops selling everything from trinkets to spiritual souvenirs.
The bigger update:
A brand-new glass-floor suspension bridge called Bajrang Setu has been built at nearly the same location and has now opened to the public, effectively taking over as the pedestrian crossing here. If you want that classic swaying-bridge-over-the-Ganga experience on your Rishikesh trip, this is now the one to cross — Lakshman Jhula itself remains a photo-stop rather than a crossing, at least for now.
The Ganga Ghats
Rishikesh is well known for the Ganga River dividing the town into two parts. The ghats on the Ganga are now well-maintained and quite clean. I completely loved spending time doing nothing but just sitting on the Ganga Ghats with my feet dip in the river.
Triveni Ghat Aarti
One of the most famous ghats in Rishikesh is Triveni Ghat. It is said that Lord Krishna visited the ghat and was shot by a hunter, making it one of the most idolized ghats in the town. On your Rishikesh trip, take out time in the evening to attend the aarti here. Even when you’re not religious, the chants here mesmerize you.
The Beatles Ashram
The Beatles Ashram is one of the most popular spots in Rishikesh, and music junkies don’t miss going there on their Rishikesh trip. It was a meditation training centre, and The Beatles studied meditation here in early 1968. The ashram is located on a secluded corner of Rishikesh just near Rajaji National Park, opposite Muni ki Reti, and is now painted with graffiti tributes from fans of the band.
The ashram was closed in 1990 and was acquired by the Department of Forest and opened for the public in 2015. The ashram celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Beatles’ arrival in 2018.
If you have more than a day to spend, here are some places to visit or activities to do on your Rishikesh trip.
Vashistha Gufa
A little further out from the main town, Vashistha Gufa is one of the most peaceful stops on a Rishikesh trip — and one that gets missed by anyone rushing through a one-day itinerary. Legend has it that Sage Vashistha, one of the Saptarishis, meditated in this very cave, and it’s still used as a meditation spot today.
The cave sits right on the banks of the Ganga, about 25 km from Rishikesh, and the drive there alone is worth it — quiet roads, forest on one side, the river on the other. Inside, the cave narrows into a small chamber built around a Shivling, and there’s a second, smaller cave nearby dedicated to Sage Vashistha’s wife, Arundhati.
Unlike Ram Jhula or Triveni Ghat, this isn’t crowded. If you want a genuinely still, meditative moment on your Rishikesh trip — away from the tourist buzz — this is where to find it. Just note that it’s a bit of a trek to reach, so factor in extra time if you’re covering it alongside other places to visit in Rishikesh in one day.
Rajaji National Park
The Rajaji National Park, a renowned tiger reserve in Uttarakhand came into existence in 1983 when 3 national parks were merged into one. There are almost 20 tigers in the park, so you might spot one on a safari.
River Rafting
Most people visit Rishikesh for white water rafting on the Ganga. River rafting takes almost 3-4 hours and is an extremely tiring activity. If you’re on a short Rishikesh trip, you might not be able to do anything else after rafting.
Adventure Sports at Jumpin Heights
If you love adventure sports, then Jumpin Heights should be your pick. Located just outside of the town, the zone is one for adventure junkies. They offer bungee jumping, flying fox, and giant swing, run by ex-army officers. The best part is that the officers are trained in New Zealand and the hub is of international standard.
Rishikesh with My Pug: Finding a Pet-Friendly Resort
Traveling with a pet in India still comes with its share of uncertainty — will the hotel actually be okay with it, or just tolerate it? On this trip, I stayed at Riverline Gold Resort in Rishikesh, and it turned out to be exactly the kind of pet-friendly stay I’d been hoping to find.
There was no extra pet fee or deposit, which already put it ahead of a lot of places I’d researched. But what really stood out was the staff — genuinely warm and welcoming toward my pug from the moment we checked in, not just polite tolerance. There was no hesitation, no awkward “let us check with the manager” moment that pet parents are all too familiar with in India. The team went out of their way to make sure he was comfortable too.
If you’re planning a Rishikesh trip with your dog or cat, I’d point you straight to Riverline Gold Resort. It’s a rare find in a town that’s still mostly geared toward yoga retreats and backpacker hostels — and it made this trip with my pug completely stress-free.
Is Rishikesh a Pet-Friendly Destination?
Beyond this one resort, Rishikesh as a whole is more pet-friendly than its “spiritual retreat” reputation suggests. A few things worth knowing if you’re considering bringing your pet along:
- The ghats and riverside walks are open, outdoor spaces that make for pleasant leashed walks, especially early morning or evening when they’re quieter.
- Hotel policies vary widely — ashrams and yoga-focused stays are usually not pet-friendly, but independent resorts and boutique properties (like Riverline Gold Resort) increasingly are. Always confirm directly with the property before booking rather than assuming from listing sites.
- Cafes are hit-or-miss — some of the riverside cafes are relaxed about pets sitting with you outdoors; it’s worth asking rather than assuming either way.
- Crowded religious sites (like the Triveni Ghat aarti in the evening) can get dense and aren’t the easiest with a pet in tow — plan those visits without them if your pet gets anxious in crowds, we skipped it this time.
- Vet access is quite limited in town even for the basic needs, better to carry your pet’s essentials with you rather than relying on finding specialty supplies locally. My pug didn’t like hilly roads, he wasn’t eating well, puked multiple times. Finding a vet was actually a struggle for us. We packed essentials and survived on curd rice/roti for him from the hotel.
Where to stay in Rishikesh
There is no dearth of places to stay in Rishikesh, hotels, hostels, Airbnb and even ashrams. When I visited Rishikesh Solo for a night but surely wanted to stay by the Ganga ghats, so I chose Yog Niketan by Sanskriti. I was thrilled that I booked the moment I checked in the room, the Ganga was right in front of the room. The balcony gave me the perfect view of the river that I expected. The best part was the hotel exited right on the ghats of Ganga. The bright room with elegant interiors, the hotel will make your stay remarkable.
If you’re visiting Rishikesh for Yoga, then you’re in luck, Yog Niketan by Sanskriti offers daily Yoga sessions too. With a house restaurant with ample food options and an included breakfast, you’ll feel right at home.
If you like, you may book the hotel here.
Where to eat in Rishikesh
During your Rishikesh trip, eat local, the town has numerous wonderful cafes. Don’t forget to eat street food when you’re taking a walk on the Ganga ghats.
How to commute in Rishikesh
Public transport is almost non-existential in the town like any major city. But there are auto rickshaws available all over the town. They are shared but also available as personal but cost a tad high than the former. You may also rent a bike or scooter if you like more freedom, but it’s not easy to drive in the mild hilly roads.
So, this is my Rishikesh Travel Guide with all the must-see places to visit in Rishikesh. Tell me what all things you’d like to do on your Rishikesh trip.
HAVE YOU TRAVELED TO RISHIKESH? HOW MANY DAYS DID YOU SPEND AND WHAT PLACES YOU VISITED? IF YOU PLAN TO TAKE A RISHIKESH TRIP, WHAT ARE THE PLACES YOU’D LIKE TO SEE? TELL ME IN THE COMMENTS BELOW!
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