Hotels in Rishīkesh

Stay in Laxman Jhula or Tapovan for ashrams, yoga studios, and the Ganges ghats within walking distance; Ram Jhula suits budget travelers seeking café culture near the suspension bridges; Muni Ki Reti offers quieter guesthouses a short auto-rickshaw ride from the main ghats. Most visitors stay two to four nights; Dehradun Airport (DED) is 35 km away, roughly 60 minutes by taxi.

Where to Stay in Rishikesh

Laxman Jhula is the most characterful base — guesthouses and rooftop cafés line the lanes above the Ganges, and the 1929-built iron suspension bridge (now pedestrian-only) is steps away. Tapovan, across the bridge, draws serious yoga practitioners to its dense cluster of certified schools and meditation centers. Ram Jhula (also called Shivananda Nagar) is slightly south, calmer by evening, and close to the Parmarth Niketan ashram — one of the largest in India. Muni Ki Reti, bordering Haridwar district, suits travelers who want proximity to the main ghats without peak-season crowds.

Getting Around

Auto-rickshaws and shared tempos run the 5 km stretch between Ram Jhula and Laxman Jhula. The two suspension bridges are the main pedestrian crossing points over the Ganges. Motorcycles and scooters are available for daily hire to reach trailheads toward Neelkanth Mahadev Temple (32 km) or Kunjapuri Devi (25 km).

Practical Tips

• Best season: October to early April avoids monsoon (July–September), when the Ganges runs high and some ghats flood.
• Alcohol: Rishikesh is a dry city; no alcohol is sold within municipal limits.
• Rafting: The Shivpuri to Rishikesh stretch (16 km) is the standard half-day whitewater route, graded III–IV.
• Attire: Modest clothing is expected near ghats and temples.