There in the foothills of the Himalayas cleansed by the holy Ganges lies Rishikesh – the land of simple joys and enchanting spectacles. The range of enchanting places near Rishikesh that are a mere few hours away gives every traveler the luxury to go out, venture the lesser walked paths, and relish the fun.
From planning a camping in Lansdowne to taking a dip in the holy Ganges to go trekking in the Tehri Garhwal region, Rishikesh has wonderful assimilation of colors and is personified by glorious hues of nature. Book a cab, take a state transport bus, or simply hitchhike, planning a short excursion to these wonderful places shouldn’t be much of a problem!
This comprehensive list of places near Rishikesh would help you figure out your next getaway!
10 Places Near Rishikesh You Must Explore
These exciting places near Rishikesh are the perfect fix of an offbeat and popular places. A perfect amalgamation of trekking spots, wildlife sanctuaries and hill station provides an ideal weekend getaway for tourists.
- Haridwar – The Ancient City And Its Rustic Charm
- Dehradun – The Gorgeous Capital City
- Kanatal – The Sleepy Frame
- Dhanaulti, Tehri Garhwal – A Date With The Finest Alpines
- Lansdowne, Pauri Garhwal – A Camper’s Sojourn
- Narendra Nagar – The Quaint Little Town Of The Royals
- Devprayag – Of Legends And Lords!
- New Tehri – It’s Nature And Views Around!
- Pauri Garhwal – An Adventurer’s Pilgrimage!
- Rudraprayag – Confluence Point Of Alaknanda & Mandakini
1. Haridwar – The Ancient City And Its Rustic Charm
Holding on to its prevalent charm of being one of the precursors of Hinduism, Haridwar is the sacred land adorned with lamps, devotees, and aarti chants! There are various fantastic places to visit in Haridwar located at the city centre. The chimes of bells, smell of burning camphor in the air, and a legion of devotees everywhere, together make this one of the popular tourist places near Rishikesh for a soulful escape.
Distance & time taken from Rishikesh to Haridwar: 20 km and 30 min
Places you mustn’t miss in Haridwar: Har ki Pauri, Mansa Devi Temple, Chandi Devi Temple, Gau Ghat, Sapt Rishi Ashram
Must Read: 13 Engaging & Thrilling Things To Do In Haridwar That You Cannot Miss Out!
Long Weekend Trips Starting @ Rs 3299/-
2. Dehradun – The Gorgeous Capital City
The capital city of Uttarakhand tucked in the Doon Valley has a lot of exciting prospects for travelers looking for must-visit places near Rishikesh. Bordered by Ganga and Yamuna rivers in the foothills of Himalayas, it is indeed a perfect getaway from Rishikesh. There are many exciting things to do in Dehradun, but to see the best of nature go for cycling around the town.
Distance & time taken from Rishikesh to Dehradun: 45 km and 1h
Places you mustn’t miss in Dehradun: Robber’s Cave, Tiger Falls, Tapovan, and Rajaji National Park
Suggested Read: Rishikesh In December: 10 Experiences You Need To Have For Embracing The Chill
3. Kanatal – The Sleepy Frame
Famed for its spectacular nature, Kanatal is located at 8500 feet above sea level. It has the rustic charm that looks nothing less than a tempting prospect to an avid traveler. With plenty of exciting views epitomized by sun-kissed peaks and coniferous alpines looming over the entire valley region, this village near Rishikesh is also a camper’s delight. Without a doubt, it is one of the best places to visit near Rishikesh.
Distance & time taken from Rishikesh to Kanatal: 80 km and 2h
Places you mustn’t miss in Kanatal: Kodia jungle, Surkanda Devi Temple, Tehri Lake, and Tehri Dam
Suggested Read: Camping In Kanatal – A Secret Himalayan Hideout – Is The Best Way To Spend Your Weekend
4. Dhanaulti, Tehri Garhwal – A Date With The Finest Alpines
Dhanaulti is one of the major travel destinations that remains at the top of every youngster’s bucket list. The location brimming with alpines and lush greenery is mostly laden with snow during winters. Some of the popular treks at this one of the best tourist places near Rishikesh are Surkanda Devi, Chandrabadni, and the sacred Shaktipeeths of Devi Darshan.
March to June is considered as the best time to visit Dhanaulti. Nature, from the rough terrains of this beauty, is calling out for you!
Distance & time taken from Rishikesh to Dhanaulti: 95 km and 3h
Activities you mustn’t miss in Dhanaulti: Rafting, mountain biking, camping, trekking, paragliding, and rafting
Suggested Read: Camping In Rishikesh Is The Perfect Dose Of Thrill For Your Weekend
5. Lansdowne, Pauri Garhwal – A Camper’s Sojourn
Known as a popular camping destination, Lansdowne has been a famous spot located at 1700 m above sea level. People from nearby cities and towns go to Lansdowne to camp with friends, take adventurous activities, make a bonfire, and experience moments like never before. This is one of the amazing places to visit near Rishikesh for a fun weekend.
Apart from camping in Lansdowne, you can also take a shot at adventurous activities like flying fox, zip lining, and trekking.
Distance & time taken from Rishikesh to Lansdowne: 126 km and 3.5h
Places you mustn’t miss in Lansdowne: Bhulla Tal, Tip N Top
Suggested Read: 6 Absolutely Enticing Places Near Dehradun For A City Break
6. Narendra Nagar – The Quaint Little Town Of The Royals
Located amidst all the greenery and looming mountain ranges, Narendra Nagar is a picturesque town tucked in charming and revitalizing environs close to nature. Come here to go for nature walks or behold the exciting views. Narendra Nagar is the perfect escape from Rishikesh to rewind and rejuvenate.
Things you mustn’t miss in Narendra Nagar: Ananda Spa, Kunjpura, spa treatment, and nature walk
Distance & time taken from Rishikesh to Narendra Nagar: 15 km and 20 min
7. Devprayag – Of Legends And Lords!
Devprayag is the last Prayag which happens to be the confluence of Alaknanda and Bhagirathi. The sacred place is famed for its piousness and has relevance to the followers of Hinduism. This is a spot where people take a dip in the holy water, supposedly to cleanse themselves.
Chandrabadani Temple dedicated to goddess Sati is another popular attraction for devotees coming to visit the temple. The iron suspension bridges over river Alaknanda and Bhagirathi is another attraction in the region that must be visited.
Distance & time taken from Rishikesh to Devprayag: 73 km and 2h
Suggested Read: Trekking In Rishikesh Makes A Perfect Day Out In The Lap Of Nature In 2019
8. New Tehri – It’s Nature And Views Around!
With exceptional views of imposing peaks and popular picnic spots around, New Tehri is one of the famous tourist places near Rishikesh that must be explored. Tehri Dam being one of the Asia’s largest and highest dam offers enchanting views of nature around and it is indeed a pleasure to watch. Also, there are adventurous nature trails to keep the travel enthusiasts occupied and thrilled. Temples in New Tehri make for a religious sightseeing tour in the region.
Places & activities you mustn’t miss in New Tehri: Tehri Dam, Ghansali, and water activities in Tehri Lake
Distance & time taken from Rishikesh to New Tehri: 76 km and 2h
Suggested Read: 12 Majestic Temples In Rishikesh 2019 That Are All About Architectural Grandeur
9. Pauri Garhwal – An Adventurer’s Pilgrimage!
A popular tourist place near Rishikesh, Pauri Garhwal is a beautiful and engrossing tourist hotspot. While the climate remains pleasant throughout the year, winter gets extreme cold after receiving snowfall. The popular pilgrimage is also an adventurer’s delight.
Binsar Mahadev trek, the Tara Kund Trek, and the Dudhatoli trek are the popular treks taken by adventure enthusiasts in the region.
Places you mustn’t miss in Pauri Garhwal: Chaukhamba viewpoint, Nagdev Temple, and Satpuli
Distance & time taken from Rishikesh to Pauri Garhwal: 139 km and 4h
Suggested Read: 10 Places To Visit In Haldwani On Your 2019 Trip To This Gem In Uttarakhand
10. Rudraprayag – Confluence Point Of Alaknanda & Mandakini
Of all the popular places near Rishikesh to visit, Rudraprayag is the holy town stationed at an altitude of 900 meters. The place is known for being the confluence point of two of the most sacred rivers in the Hindu mythology. It is also believed that this was the place where lord Shiva turned Narad Muni into Rudra Avatar.
The place believed to be the true abode of gods also has rich biodiversity around.
Distance & time taken from Rishikesh to Rudraprayag: 141 km and 4h
Activity you mustn’t miss in Rudraprayag: A dip in the holy waters of Rudraprayag
Further Read: 13 Places To Visit In Rishikesh On Your Next Getaway To This Religious City
A strong wanderlust with a little bit of planning is all you need to go around and cover these places near Rishikesh. And they are closer than you would have ever thought. Take your pick from the range of Uttarakhand tour packages!
Frequently Asked Questions About Places Near Rishikesh
A. If you’re a spiritual person, you could tag along with your family to Haridwar. You could also do the Jadh Ganga trek if you’re feeling adventurous. If you’re looking for solitude, there’s no better place to be at than Chakrata to pursue some of the best things to do in Rishikesh.
A. What makes Rishikesh a good place is to visit is its natural wonders and charms. It is also home to several architectural marvels and pilgrimage spots, like the famous Trayambakeshwar temple, Ram temple, and Laxman temple.
A. If you’re keen on river rafting, there’s no better place than Rishikesh. It is also home to several cafes overlooking the river where you will feel at peace. It is a great place to visit with family since there are many temples and pilgrimage spots in the area.
A. From watching the aarti at Triveni Ghat, hanging out at Laxman Jhula, visiting renowned German bakeries to enjoying a bonfire on the riverside, there is no dearth of fun and exciting things to do in Rishikesh at night.
A. Kedarnath is 105 km away from Rishikesh. The minimum time a bus takes to reach Kedarnath from Rishikesh is 5 hours.
A. Lansdowne is 130 km away from Rishikesh. The minimum time a bus takes to reach Lansdowne from Rishikesh is 3 hours.
A. You can buy woollen clothes, art and craft items, stationery items, and souvenirs from Rishikesh at Gole Market, Ram Jhula Market etc.
A. 1-2 days are enough for Rishikesh.
Long Weekend Trips Starting @ Rs 3299/-
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