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Rishikesh & Haridwar · Where the Ganga Leaves the Mountains

Raft the Ganga by day, join the aarti at Har Ki Pauri by dusk

4.6698 reviews
3 Nights / 4 Days(3N/4D)
India, Uttarakhand
easy pace
Great for friends, family, solo

Destinations: Haridwar → Rishikesh → Shivpuri

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Overview

About this Rishikesh & Haridwar trip

Rishikesh and Haridwar sit just 25 km apart but feel like two sides of the same river. This four-day trip starts with the evening Ganga aarti at Har Ki Pauri in Haridwar, the most famous ghat on the river, with an optional morning visit to Mansa Devi by ropeway. In Rishikesh you walk across the Ram Jhula footbridge, see the 13-storey Trayambakeshwar temple, take a morning yoga session by the river and attend the aarti at Parmarth Niketan. The adventure half is a 16 km white-water rafting run from Shivpuri with a night at a riverside camp — bonfire, music and stars over the Ganga.

A long-weekend mix of white-water rafting, riverside camping, yoga and the evening Ganga aarti.

Duration: 3 Nights / 4 Days
Stay: 3-star hotels & riverside camp
Transport: Private sedan/SUV from Dehradun airport or Haridwar station; raft transfers by jeep
Best time: September to November and February to May (rafting closed in monsoon)
Departures: 8 upcoming dates

Why this weekend works

Two different aartis — the grand Har Ki Pauri ceremony and the intimate Parmarth Niketan one
16 km Shivpuri–Rishikesh rafting with certified guides and safety kayaker
Night at a riverside camp with bonfire and all meals
Morning yoga session with a qualified teacher by the Ganga
Short 3N/4D format that fits a long weekend from Hyderabad
Comfortable for families and seniors who can skip the rafting

Trip highlights

Ganga aarti at Har Ki Pauri
White-water rafting from Shivpuri
Riverside camp night with bonfire
Ram Jhula and Trayambakeshwar temple
Yoga by the Ganga
Parmarth Niketan evening aarti

Itinerary

Day-by-day plan for Rishikesh & Haridwar

4 days, planned end to end

D1
- Pickup from Dehradun Jolly Grant airport or Haridwar railway station
- Check in at Haridwar and lunch
- Walk through the bazaars to Har Ki Pauri
- Evening Ganga aarti — we arrive early for a good spot on the ghats
D2
- Optional early dip at Har Ki Pauri and Mansa Devi ropeway
- Drive to Rishikesh (approx. 1 hr) and check in
- Walk across Ram Jhula; visit Trayambakeshwar (Tera Manzil) temple
- Evening aarti at Parmarth Niketan ghat
D3
- Morning yoga and pranayama session by the river
- Drive to Shivpuri for the 16 km rafting run (Grade II–III rapids)
- Lunch and beach time at the camp, optional cliff jump in calm water
- Bonfire, music and dinner under the stars
D4
- Sunrise by the river and breakfast at camp
- Stop at Beatles Ashram (Chaurasi Kutia) if time permits
- Shopping for rudraksha and Ayurvedic products
- Drop at Dehradun airport or Haridwar station

What's covered

Inclusions & exclusions

Read this before you book — no surprise add-ons later.

Included

1 night hotel in Haridwar (3-star, near Har Ki Pauri)
1 night hotel in Rishikesh (3-star)
1 night riverside camp near Shivpuri with all meals
Daily breakfast; dinner at hotels
16 km white-water rafting with certified guide, helmet and life jacket
One yoga session with a certified instructor
Private cab for all transfers and sightseeing
Guided walk to Har Ki Pauri aarti

Not included

Flights Hyderabad–Dehradun or trains to Haridwar
Lunches except at the camp
Mansa Devi / Chandi Devi ropeway tickets
Bungee jumping, flying fox or other add-on activities
Puja offerings and donations
Personal expenses and tips

Stay & travel

Hotels & transport

Hotel category

3-star hotels & riverside camp

Twin-sharing rooms with daily breakfast unless stated otherwise. Single rooms and upgrades on request.

Transport

Private sedan/SUV from Dehradun airport or Haridwar station; raft transfers by jeep

Airport and station pick-ups, sightseeing and inter-city transfers are arranged by our ground team.

Overnight stops: Dehradun / Haridwar · Haridwar → Rishikesh · Shivpuri rafting & riverside camp · Rishikesh → Dehradun

Route

Route map

6 stops from start to finish

DehradunStart
2HaridwarStop 2
3RishikeshStop 3
4ShivpuriStop 4
5RishikeshStop 5
DehradunFinish

Plan ahead

Best time & what to pack

Best time to visit

September to November and February to May (rafting closed in monsoon)

Things to carry

Quick-dry clothes and a spare set for rafting
Floaters or sports sandals with a back strap
Modest clothing for temples and ghats
Light jacket for camp evenings
Waterproof pouch for your phone
Sunscreen and cap
Torch for the camp

Questions

Frequently asked questions

Is rafting safe for beginners?

Yes. The Shivpuri stretch has Grade II–III rapids suitable for first-timers aged 14+. You'll get a safety briefing, helmet and life jacket, and a kayaker accompanies the raft.

When is rafting closed?

Usually from July to mid-September during the monsoon, as ordered by the state. In those months we replace rafting with Neer Garh waterfall and a Kunjapuri sunrise trip.

Is the Har Ki Pauri aarti crowded?

Very, especially on weekends and festival days. We reach about 45 minutes before the aarti, which begins around sunset (roughly 6–7 pm depending on season).

Are alcohol and non-veg food available?

Haridwar and much of Rishikesh are vegetarian and alcohol-free zones by local rules. All meals in the package are vegetarian.

Can seniors join?

Absolutely. Seniors can skip the rafting and stay at a hotel instead of the camp — tell us when booking and we'll adjust.

Reviews

What travellers say

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Policy

Cancellation & refunds

Refund by days before departure
When you cancel	Refund
30+ days before departure	90% refund
15–29 days before	75% refund
7–14 days before	50% refund
Less than 7 days	No refund

Cancel 30+ days before departure: 90% refund · 15–29 days: 75% · 7–14 days: 50% · under 7 days: no refund. Refunds go back to the original payment method within 7–10 working days. Cancel any time from My Trips — the refund is calculated instantly.

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