The year is young. But if you’ve been feeling it’s time for a breather, you’re not alone. We hear you. Well, Rishikesh is here with an antidote for your blues — a festival that celebrates ‘nothingness’, adventure gigs that spike your adrenaline, and food so delicious you’re bound to go for third helpings.
“But I just have a weekend to spare,” did you say? Well, you’re in luck with our itinerary charted with this in mind. Here’s to a trip that will guarantee you some amazing visual souvenirs to carry back home.
Where to stay in Rishikesh?
1. Tiny Farm Fort
A stay here is almost like squeezing into the gap between reality and fairytales. The modern myth is that travel has devolved into a fast-paced rendezvous that takes its toll on the planet. But this beautiful plot, designed by brothers Raghav and Ansh Kumar, is an exception. The duo moved to the mountains in 2021, keen to build a homestay reflective of their sustainable ideologies.
Elaborating on how they achieved this with cob, Raghav shares, “We chopped wheat and rice straw, put it on a tarp, and then invited the group to dance on it until it formed a burrito-shaped dough. Once stable, the dough does not break and can be used as a building material.” The ‘group’ Raghav is referring to isn’t a team of contractors, but instead, 90 people from 18 countries across the world who volunteered to build Tiny Farm Fort.
Address: Dhunar Gaon, Neelkanth Road, near Phoolchatti Ashram, Gram, Kota, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand – 249304.
Book your stay here.
2. Aashraya on the Ganga
Depi Chaudhry (56) wanted his daughters to grow up to love nature. This sparked the idea of building three cottages on this beautiful parcel of land that is (thankfully) isolated from Rishikesh’s touristy side. Named Alaknanda, Bhagirathi, and Ganga, the cottages are built using natural methods while being equipped with modern amenities.
Depi cautions, however, that getting here might be an intrepid adventure. “It takes a beautiful 2.2 km, one-hour moderate trek. The trek takes you across a river bridge and then through a forest and a village. A good fitness level is required to walk this stretch comfortably. Our staff will receive you at the starting point of the trek and help you out with your luggage. Mules can be hired on prior request at Rs 300 per mule (to be paid by guests).”
For a town where the tension between responsible tourism and tourism for tourism’s sake is a familiar story, Depi’s homestays come to the rescue. The land boasts over a thousand trees and takes its commitment to nature very seriously, having integrated sustainable farming and waste management practices.
Address: Mahadev Chatti, Chandpur, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand – 249192.
Book your stay here.
3. The Foresterie
The homestay is cocooned between the Ganges and the sal forests of Rishikesh, offering guests a breathtaking view, that deems to be accompanied by a cup of chai (tea) and good conversation. While it encourages a sedentary lifestyle — blame the good food and the uninterrupted views — there are also adventure activities to enjoy.
Dinners at the homestay are elaborate, blending traditional classics with choices that cater to modern palates. The locals prepare popular dishes from the Garhwali cuisine — cuisine specific to the Garhwal region in Uttarakhand, India — and we hear the most loved ones are chausa (ground dal) and jhangoora kheer (millet porridge).
Address: Milestone 30 Badrinath Road, P.O Byasi, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand – 249192.
Book your stay here.
Where to eat in Rishikesh?
1. Chotiwala Restauarant
The legendary restaurant’s popularity is woven into the city’s social fabric. Chotiwala Restaurant was started by a brother duo Dinesh and Sailesh Agarwal in 1958. Perhaps it’s the consistency or their knack for perfecting their flavours that has put this spot on the bucket list of many travellers.
Every dish of theirs, right from the kafuli (a dish made with spinach and fenugreek leaves) and aloo ke gutke (potato with roasted red chillies and jambu leaves) to the singodi (a local dessert made with coconut and condensed milk), is phenomenally prepared.
Address: Swarg Ashram Swargashram, Rishikesh – 249304.
2. Desi Dhaba
What is the cost of good, delicious food? At this dhaba (roadside eatery), the menu starts at a nominal rate of Rs 100. Touted as one of the most budget-friendly spaces in Rishikesh, Desi Dhaba prides itself on a selection of South Indian, North Indian, and local classics.
We hear the laccha paratha (multi-layered Indian flatbread) with pickle, malai kofta (fried dumplings in a creamy sauce), and ‘deluxe thali fix’ — which includes butter naan (Indian flatbread), butter roti, jeera rice, shahi paneer (creamy North Indian dish of cottage cheese cubes in a spiced tomato gravy), sabji (vegetable), dal makhani (a rich and creamy North Indian dish of black beans and other pulses cooked in spiced butter and cream), along with salad, papad (thin crispy flatbread), kadi (yoghurt based curry), pickle, and ice cream — are winners.
Address: King’s Residency, Badrinath Rd, Tapovan, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand – 248008.
3. The Sitting Elephant
Why settle for chai with a view when you could have an entire meal instead? Your table at The Sitting Elephant is a vantage point from where you can enjoy glorious views of the River Ganges and the Rajaji National Park — a tiger reserve in Dehradun — while gorging on their lip-smacking spread that features delicacies from Indian, Chinese, international, and local cuisines.
Address: Hotel EllBee Ganga View, 355, Haridwar Rd, Palika Nagar, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand – 249201.
Where to explore the heritage of Rishikesh?
Rishikesh is known for blending street culture with asceticism, and this fusion is best experienced through walks across the town. While there are numerous guided walking tours, you could opt for a solo one too. The locals are all storytellers and will be more than happy to regale you with their myths and legends.
Some of the most compelling spots to visit are Lakshman Jhula — a suspension bridge across the River Ganges that is said to have been used by Lord Ram’s brother Lakshman to cross the river; the street markets of Rishikesh where you’ll find a treasure trove of precious stones, handicrafts, books, and more; the Ganges for the aarti (Hindu prayer ceremony); the Beatles Ashram — a popular place among the fans of The Beatles, who visited the Maharshi Mahesh Yogi Ashram in 1968. And of course, there’s Kyarki Sunset Point, which lives up to its name.
What are the popular adventure activities in Rishikesh?
For a city that urges people to relax, Rishikesh lays equal emphasis on intrepidity. There are numerous treks, hikes, and water sports that honour the town’s adventurous spirit.
Some of the most popular activities include white water rafting on the Ganges, where the rapids add to the thrill; a trek to Neelkanth Mahadev Temple; and another one to Neer Garh Waterfall, which is touted to be one of the largest waterfalls in Rishikesh. You can also explore Rajaji National Park.
Other activities to try include bungee jumping at Shivpuri in Tapovan or an evening of ziplining at Mohan Chatti. If you’d like to settle for something simpler, a picnic and bonfire in the scenic village of Kaudiyala sounds like a good idea.
How to add value to your trip?
Now for the relaxing part. This year, the Shoonya Festiva (in Hindi, shoonya translates to ‘zero’ or ‘nil’) is set to take place in Rishikesh. What’s the schedule, you ask? Well, nature will dictate it.
At Shoonya, the usual metrics of time don’t play out. It encourages its guests to simply ‘be’, reconnect with nature, and get in touch with their roots. There are mindfulness sessions, self-discovery workshops, impromptu jams, river dips, and “a whole lot of hugs” that will occupy your time.
Dates: 14 February 2025 to 16 February 2025.
For more details, click here.
Edited by Khushi Arora
