Yearning for some peace and quiet? Need a quick escape from your day-to-day life? Rishikesh is the answer. Spend a weekend here, and you’ll definitely feel rejuvenated and relaxed.
We went to Rishikesh during Christmas with few of our friends, and it had such a different vibe in the winter months. Most people, because of the long holiday season, don’t usually come here at that time, so it was peaceful and far less crowded than usual. We stayed in Tapovan, in a cozy hostel surrounded by the hills.
Day 1: Ganga Aarti and Riverside Evenings
We started from Delhi in the morning and reached Rishikesh by evening, with a few lunch and chai breaks along the way. We had planned to see the Ganga Aarti in the evening, so we left for Triveni Ghat soon after reaching. After a short auto ride, we reached the ghat just as the aarti was starting. There was quite a crowd gathered, and after a few minutes of searching for a good spot, we finally managed to find one. The aarti was beautiful: the chanting, the ringing bells, and the sight of lamps floating on the river created such a peaceful atmosphere. After it ended, we floated our diyas in the Ganga as well.
Triveni Ghat
After the aarti, we went to Beatles Café for dinner, and later we headed to Pebble’s Beach to enjoy the night views of the Ganga and the Rishikesh skyline. It was mesmerizing and incredibly peaceful. We did nothing but sit by the river, listen to the sound of the water, and watch the city slowly go to sleep.
Day 2: Bike Rides, Mountain Air, and Cafés
The next day, we planned to hire bikes and explore around Rishikesh. The idea was simple just ride through the mountains, enjoy the fresh air, the open roads, and the views of the Ganga. And that’s exactly what we did. We had initially planned to visit Neelkanth Mahadev Temple, but the road was too crowded and traffic was barely moving. So, we turned back and chose wider roads with less traffic to simply enjoy the ride.
We eventually reached Neem Beach Viewpoint, where we stopped for Maggi and chai. We sat on the rocks, dipped our feet in the cold water, and spent some quality time just being there.
Neem Beach Viewpoint
We decided to explore the other side of Rishikesh, Lakshman Jhula. This side is known for its famous cafés like Little Buddha Café, and we chose to go there. The vibe was unmatched. We spent 2–3 hours there, ordering food, playing games, chatting, and enjoying the stunning river views. The food was great too.
Little Buddha Café
We also visited Musafir Ghat, which is right across from Pebble’s Beach. After that, it was time to return the bikes, so we rode back, and for dinner, we had some delicious wood-fired pizza.
Day 3: A Dip in the Ganga
The next morning, we woke up early and went back to Pebble’s Beach to take a dip in the Ganga because why not? The cold water was refreshing and energizing, and taking a dip in the river felt so pure. It was actually my first time taking a dip in a river, and the experience was unforgettable.
Pebble's Beach
Wrapping Up
So, that was a wrap on our Rishikesh trip in December. It was peaceful, refreshing, and just what we needed to end the year on a calm note.
If you’re looking for a weekend getaway from Delhi that combines nature, calm, and a touch of adventure, Rishikesh is the perfect choice.
Google map for our itinerary, click on top right button to view on google maps -
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