Why Honeymoon in Rishikesh
After a wedding, many couples are exhausted. Rishikesh offers a way to slow down together that feels purposeful instead of idle. Even complete beginners can join drop-in yoga classes. Many studios offer private sessions for two.
It is also more active than its spiritual image suggests. The Ganges upstream has some of the most popular white-water rafting in India. Trails lead to waterfalls and hilltop temples. Riverside beaches of pale sand are good spots for a picnic or a swim in calm water when conditions allow.
The town has a strong Western connection, too. The Beatles spent time at an ashram here in 1968. The ruins of that ashram, now covered in murals, have become one of the town's most photographed sights.
Finally, there are the wellness retreats. A handful of upscale resorts in the surrounding hills pair Ayurveda, yoga and spa treatments with Himalayan views. They make Rishikesh work for couples who want to be pampered as well as centered.
When to Go
The most pleasant times are February to April and late September to November. Days are warm and clear, evenings cool. The rafting season is in full swing. March often brings the International Yoga Festival, a week of classes and talks that draws practitioners from around the world.
May and June are hot in town, though the hills above stay milder and rafting usually continues. From July through August, monsoon rains bring landslides on mountain roads and high, muddy water. Rafting typically pauses during this period. The July Kanwar pilgrimage crowds the roads and hotels.
December and January are cold, especially at night, with temperatures dropping toward the 40s°F. Days are often sunny and fine for sightseeing. Room rates are lower. Pack warm layers if you plan an early yoga class by the river.
Where to Stay
You have two broad choices: a wellness retreat in the hills or a riverside hotel close to the action.
Ananda in the Himalayas, set in the grounds of a former maharaja's palace at Narendra Nagar above Rishikesh, is one of the best-known destination spas in India. Programs combine Ayurveda, yoga, meditation and spa therapies with views down to the valley. It is a splurge and suits couples who want a structured retreat.
Taj Rishikesh Resort and Spa, upriver at Singthali, offers a more classic resort stay with river-view rooms, a spa and quiet terraces above the Ganges. It is a drive from town, which makes it calm but less convenient for evening aartis.
In town, the areas around Tapovan and the footbridges have boutique guesthouses and yoga-focused hotels at more modest prices. Choose somewhere with a river view and good reviews for cleanliness. The cheapest ashram rooms are very basic and run on strict schedules.
Romantic Things to Do
Start with a sunrise yoga class by the river. Many studios offer private sessions for two, or join a gentle group class and spend the rest of the morning at a riverside cafe.
For something more adventurous, book a rafting trip from Shivpuri or farther upstream. Operators run half-day trips through rapids with names like Roller Coaster and Golf Course, with guides and safety gear included. Choose a licensed operator with good reviews.
In the evening, head to the Ganga aarti at Parmarth Niketan ashram or Triveni Ghat, where priests and students chant and wave lamps as the sun goes down. Float a small leaf boat of flowers and a candle on the river together.
Walk through the Beatles Ashram, also known as Chaurasi Kutia, to see its domed meditation huts and colorful murals. On another day, hike to Neer Garh waterfall or rise early for the drive up to Kunjapuri temple, which has wide views over the Himalayan foothills at dawn. Haridwar's grand evening aarti is about an hour away.
Getting There and Around
The nearest airport is Dehradun Jolly Grant Airport (DED), about 35 to 45 minutes by car, with direct flights from Delhi, Mumbai and other Indian cities. The Delhi flight takes about an hour.
Many couples drive from Delhi instead. The trip takes six to seven hours, depending on traffic. You can break it with a stop in Haridwar. Fast trains from Delhi to Haridwar take about four to five hours, with a 30 to 45 minute taxi ride from there.
In town, the riverside lanes are best on foot. Ram Jhula is the main footbridge between the two banks. Laxman Jhula, the older suspension bridge, has been closed to visitors, so check the current situation locally. Ferries cross the river near Ram Jhula. Shared auto-rickshaws and taxis cover longer hops. Expect monkeys on the bridges; keep food out of sight.
Food and Drink
Rishikesh is a vegetarian town. Alcohol is not sold within its limits. Instead, it has a lively cafe culture shaped by decades of yoga travelers. Expect smoothie bowls, wood-fired pizza, Israeli and Tibetan dishes, South Indian dosas and organic juices, often served on terraces facing the river.
Try a simple thali at a busy local restaurant for a taste of north Indian home cooking. Aloo puri for breakfast and chai at a riverside stall are small daily rituals.
If you would like a glass of wine on your honeymoon, plan it around your hotel. Luxury retreats outside town may serve drinks. Dehradun and Haridwar have more options. Otherwise, treat the stay as a short reset; it suits the place.
As elsewhere in India, drink bottled or filtered water and favor busy kitchens with high turnover.
Honeymoon Tips
- Dress modestly in town for both partners, especially at ashrams and temples. Save swimwear for the hotel pool or rafting.
- Public displays of affection are frowned upon in this holy town. Keep it low-key.
- Book rafting only with licensed operators and listen to the safety briefing. The current is strong even outside the rapids.
- Do not swim in the river except where guides say it is safe.
- Watch out for monkeys, which grab food, bags and sunglasses.
- Prices are approximate: guesthouses often run about $30 to $100 a night, upscale hotels about $150 to $400. The top wellness retreats cost considerably more.
- Avoid the July pilgrimage period, when roads and hotels are packed.
