Rishikesh, the Yoga capital of India, is a popular destination for travelers seeking peace and tranquility from all over the world. As a solo female traveller, I recently embarked on a journey to explore the wonders of this beautiful place. In this blog, I will share my experience of visiting Rishikesh and provide a guide to help fellow travellers plan their trip!
Hello everyone! I am Parul Narayan, and today I am back with yet another story. This time I’ll take you with me on a solo trip to Rishikesh. I’m very excited to share my adventure with you, so without any further ado, let’s get started!
Day 1: Arrival at the Mesmerizing Rishikesh
I reached my destination by taking a train to Yognagri Rishikesh. There you can find many autos which will take you to Tapovan. After reaching my hostel, Tapovan Vatika, I checked in. The hostel was cozy and had a welcoming vibe. The hosts were great too! Their helpful and welcoming nature helped me relax a lot. I spent some time in the common area and got to know some of the other travelers. There were travelers from all around the world and that excited me a lot! We shared tips and favourite spots, exchanged our social media and talked about our shared passion for travel. After that, I headed out for lunch and explored the nearby areas. I came back to the hostel to rest before heading out to see the Ganga Aarti at Triveni Ghat. The beauty of the place left me mesmerized. I came back to the hostel, had dinner, chilled with my hostel mates for a while, and called it a night.
Travel Tip
Plan your trip in advance: Rishikesh is a popular destination, especially during peak tourist season. It is advisable to book your accommodation well in advance to avoid any last-minute hassles.
Day 2: Exploring the Yoga Capital
Next day I began early and headed out to Laxman Jhula first thing in the morning after having tea and breakfast. Laxman Jhula. The view from there was spectacular. I made a lot of videos and took a lot of pictures. It was really a one of its kind moment for me. After that, I went to Parmarth Niketan, a spiritual ashram where I meditated for a while. I explored the streets and lanes of Rishikesh and went for shop hopping. One of my favourite spots in Rishikesh is Little Buddha Cafe. The cafe has a great ambiance and delicious food. After that, I went to Ram Jhula, explored the area for a while and then had lunch at Chotiwala, which is a famous restaurant in Rishikesh. As evening started fall upon us and the sun lowered in the horizon, I made my way to Parmarth Niketan to watch the Ganga Aarti. Time stops when the aarti begins and found myself sitting by the ghats long after the aarti had concluded. I made friends with some strangers and enjoyed the nightlife of Rishikesh with my hostel mates.
Day 3: “All You Need Is Love”
On the third day, I rented a bike and rode towards Kedarnath Highway. I visited Vasistha Gufa, a cave which is believed to have been used by the sage Vasistha. Next, I went to Patna Waterfall, which was an absolutely beautiful and refreshing sight. Nature always heals a part of my soul. I spent a good amount of my time there just lost in the beauty of it. After that I made my way towards Neelkanth Mahadev, which is a gorgeous temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. After that, I went to Beatles Ashram, relived the past there and of course put on some beatles music as I walked through the beautiful trails and buildings. It was the highlight of my day. I loved everything about the place. After exploring the ashram I went to Janki Setu and had some street food at Khau Gali. I came back to the hostel in the evening and attended some weekend events, which were a lot of fun. A refreshing night stroll in the lanes of Rishikesh was all that I needed to already reminisce about my journey here. I sat by the ghats, taking in the beauty of the place.
Day 4: Saying my goodbye!
Day 4 began with an early morning breakfast at the hostel, where I bid farewell to my hostel mates who had become my friends during my stay. As I left my temporary abode, I felt a tinge of sadness at leaving behind the warm and friendly atmosphere of the place.
Taking an auto to Yognagri Rishikesh Station, I couldn’t help but reflect on the unforgettable experiences of the past few days. I looked back at my journey with a sense of fulfillment and gratitude. I had met some amazing people, tasted delicious food, and experienced the serenity and beauty of Rishikesh. I knew that I would cherish these memories forever and that Rishikesh had become a special place in my heart.
I truly believe that anyone who is looking for a journey that will help them form a deep connection to spirituality and nature should definitely come to Rishikesh. There is something different about the air here. I had discovered a new part of myself and had grown in ways that I never thought were possible. Rishikesh had opened my eyes to a whole new world, and I knew that I would always be grateful for this beautiful journey.
Budget
Details
Rishikesh is a budget-friendly destination that offers plenty of options for accommodation, food, and activities. Here are some budget details based on my experiences in Rishikesh:
- Accommodation: Rishikesh has a range of accommodation options, from budget-friendly hostels to luxury resorts. I stayed at Tapovan Vatika, a hostel in Tapovan, which cost me around INR 500 per night for a dorm bed. Private rooms are available for around INR 1000-2000 per night. There are also many guesthouses and budget hotels available, with prices ranging from INR 500 to INR 2000 per night.
- Food: Rishikesh is a food lover’s paradise, with plenty of options. Local street food, such as chaat, momos, and parathas, are available for as little as INR 50-100 per plate. Restaurants and cafes offer meals for around INR 200-300 per person. Chotiwala is a popular restaurant that serves delicious North Indian cuisine and costs around INR 300-400 per person.
- Activities: Rishikesh offers plenty of free and low-cost activities for travelers. Visiting the ghats, attending the Ganga Aarti, and exploring the local markets are all free of cost. Yoga and meditation classes are available for as little as INR 200-300 per session. Adventure activities such as river rafting, bungee jumping, and zip-lining cost around INR 1000-2000 per person.
- Transport: Rishikesh is well-connected by road, rail, and air. If you’re traveling from Delhi, you can take a train or bus to Rishikesh, which costs around INR 200-500 per person. Auto-rickshaws and shared taxis are available for local travel and cost around INR 50-100 per ride. Renting a scooter or bike costs around INR 300-500 per day.
Overall, Rishikesh is a budget-friendly destination that offers plenty of options for travelers. By choosing budget-friendly accommodation and food options and exploring the city on foot, you can easily stick to a budget of INR 500-1000 per day.
