In the Shadow of the Himalayas
Rishikesh, Uttarakhand
- Location
Rishikesh, Uttarakhand
- Nearest Airports
Jolly Grant Airport (DED), Dehradun
- Nearest Railway Stations
Haridwar Railway Station (HW)
- Highlight
Traditional yoga ashrams (retreat), Himalayan treks and Ganga-side wellness retreats
- Duration
5D/4N
Sacred Stillness and Yogic Awakening in Rishikesh
In the spiritual heartland of India, the sacred river Ganga flows serenely beneath the shadows of the Himalayas. And here on the foothills, Rishikesh has slowly and rightfully emerged as the “yoga capital of the world.”
The slow pace of ashram (retreat) life, the chants of evening aarti (ceremonial worship) on the riverbank, and daily yoga and meditation sessions, in Rishikesh – healing is practiced through rituals of cleansing kriyas(activities), sattvic (pure and wholesome) meals, nature treks and deep meditative states under rustling peepal trees.
Your five-day Rishikesh itinerary blends nature walks with yoga and wellness practices. As you move through the week, your days will stretch gently between sunrise yoga, Ganga dips, ayurvedic therapies, temple visits and mindfulness walks through Himalayan trails.
Highlights of the Tour:
- Traditional ashram (retreat) stays
- Hatha yoga and guided meditation sessions
- Ganga aarti (ceremonial worship) at Parmarth Niketan
- Himalayan nature trails
- Ayurvedic treatments and yogic meals
A Five-Day Itinerary for Yoga and Wellness in Rishikesh
Day 1: Arrive in Rishikesh
Welcome to Rishikesh. Upon arrival, check into your yoga ashram or riverside wellness retreat.
In the evening, a collective prayer is performed by local priests at sunset, with chants and glowing oil lamps floating across the river. This is the Ganga Aarti at Triveni Ghat(river front). The Ganga Aarti in Rishikesh is an evening ritual held on the banks of the Ganges, where priests perform chants and offer prayers to the river. A magnificent sight guided by devotion and spirituality – not to be missed.
Day 2: Hatha Yoga
One can opt for a full-day yoga class. The wellness retreats in Rishikesh have their own drop-in schedules, so you may choose a course that suits your needs. A standard full-day yoga course begins before sunrise with a guided Hatha Yoga session in the open-air hall overlooking the Ganga. After a yogic breakfast, join an Ayurvedic consultation with the in-house doctor and receive your personalized treatment plan, perhaps abhyanga oil massages or shirodhara (an ancient Ayurvedic therapy).
In the evening, participate in a guided yoga nidra session for complete relaxation and restful sleep at night.
Day 3: Neer Garh Waterfalls
The next day is all about connecting with nature. Rise early and head on a gentle trek through the Neer Garh waterfalls trail. Neer Garh Waterfall is the confluence of three waterfalls falling as one mighty waterfall as high as twenty-five feet. There is a hike of 15 minutes to reach the first two bridges and a stream of water falling through. If you are heading that way, take the nature trail instead of the paved one and you will end up having a secluded time to yourself through the forest.
Day 4: River Rafting and Himalayan Adventures
On the fourth day, begin your morning with a thrilling white-water rafting adventure on River Ganges, from Shivpuri to Rishikesh, navigating through rapids like Roller Coaster, Golf Course, and Double Trouble.
Later, hike up to Kunjapuri Temple, perched at 1,645 meters. The short hike rewards you with panoramic views of snow-capped peaks like Swargarohini and Chaukhamba, especially magical at sunrise or sunset.
In the evening, walk around Ram Jhula or Laxman Jhula, the famous suspension bridges, connecting various ashrams and temples while offering scenic views of the river and surrounding hills.
Day 5: The Beatles Ashram & Patna Waterfalls
Choose to go sightseeing around Rishikesh. Chaurasi Kutia, more famous among the tourists by the name of the Beatles Ashram, is situated at the foothills of the Himalayas. Primarily known as the International Academy of Meditation, it adopted its later name after the Beatles stayed here for months to learn Transcendental Meditation from Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. The Ashram is in proximity to the Rajaji Forest area on a 150 feet high cliff on the hill Manikoot. And The Beatles Ashram is surely one of the best places to visit in Rishikesh.
After the ashram visit, you can head straight away to a waterfall. Situated at a distance of 6.5 km from Laxman Jhula on Neelkanth Temple Road, Patna Waterfall flows from and around massive limestone caves, accessible only by a short hike. The area is relatively untouched by commercialization, surrounded by rocky cliffs and green foliage.
How Ruhani Guides Your Trip
We at Ruhani provide self-guided packages, where you have the freedom to customize your tour according to your needs. Reach out to our team via the contact form below for more details.
Contact a Ruhani Travel Advisor Right Away
In case of any emergency, medical or otherwise, you can contact the Ruhani support team at any point in your travels. We are here to assist you throughout.
- (+1) 301-250-6943
- contact@ruhaniindia.com
100% Custom-Made
- Every itinerary can be further personalized according to your own personal needs and wants.
- Authentic slow travel experiences handpicked exclusively by our expert team.
- Prioritize your freedom and be responsible towards the environmental burdens of mainstream tourism.
- Select your preferred destination and choose for yourself how you want to experience that region.
Why Choose Ruhani?
Soulful Tour Packages
- We make India matter to women-only groups and intrepid travel-enthusiasts.
- Our tour packages portray a unique and broad perspective of India.
In-Depth Expertise & Support
- We believe in the power of soulful tourism with an all-encompassing need to gain knowledge.
- Under any emergency, medical, informational, or otherwise, our team will assist you in every way.