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!
16 Places Near Rishikesh You Must Explore
These exciting places near Rishikesh are the perfect mix of an offbeat and popular places. A perfect amalgamation of trekking spots, wildlife sanctuaries and hill station provides an ideal weekend getaway for tourists. If you are planning for a weekend escape from Delhi, this list of places to visit near Rishikesh will you help you choose your destination.
- Haridwar – The Ancient City And Its Rustic Charm
- Dehradun – The Gorgeous Capital City
- Kanatal – The Sleepy Frame
- Dhanaulti – A Date With The Finest Alpines
- Lansdowne – 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
- Shivpuri – Abode Of Lord Shiva
- Byasi – Unexplored And Beautiful
- Chamba – For Breathtaking Valley Views
- Mussoorie – The Queen Of Hills
- Kotdwara – An Offbeat Destination
- Chakrata – An Ideal Weekend Getaway
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. This is one of the most amazing tourist places near Rishikesh within 100 kms.
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. There are many places to visit in Kanatal on your next trip when coming from 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 – 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 – 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 3.5 hours
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, and is among the must-visit tourist places near Rishikesh.
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
Suggested Read:5 Enchanting Waterfalls In Rishikesh That Are Nothing Less Than Magical!
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.
Places & activities you mustn’t miss in Devprayag: Chandrabadani Devi mountain, watch the holy Devprayag Sangam, boating at Devaprayag river
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 making it one of the most popular offbeat places near Rishikesh.
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
Suggested Read: Trekking In Uttarakhand: The 20 Greatest Treks That Will Leave You Mesmerized
11. Shivpuri – Abode Of Lord Shiva
Image Credits: Chandrabhan70 for Wikimedia
The town of Shivpuri is well-known as an abode of Lord Shiva and the temple within its borders. Considered as one of the best places near Rishikesh for adventure activities, you must consider a visit here. Apart from being a great spot for river rafting in Uttarakhand, the town also has amazing facilities for cliff jumping, rappelling and rock climbing. Shivpuri is also known for its majority of camping sites near the river Ganga.
Distance & time taken from Rishikesh to Shivpuri: 45 km and 1 and half hours
Places you mustn’t miss in Shivpuri: Neer Garh Waterfall, Phool Chatti Ashram, Patna Waterfall, Vashishtha Guha Temple
Suggested Read: 12 Honeymoon Places In Uttarakhand For An Idyllic Escape In 2020 Right After The Wedding
12. Byasi – Unexplored And Beautiful
Image Credits: Greatartistssteal for Wikimedia
Byasi is one of the many unexplored places near Rishikesh which in one word can be described as “fantastic”. A very small village near Rishikesh, Byasi lies on the banks of river Ganga. With a steady and smooth flow of water, the place is gaining popularity as a water sport destination, especially river rafting. While you can certainly enjoy the adventurous part, you would be more than willing to spend a day or two by lighting a bonfire at one of the top spots for camping in Uttarakhand.
Distance & time taken from Rishikesh to Byasi: 35 km and 1 hour
Places you mustn’t miss in Byasi: Parmarth Niketan, Triveni Ghat, Arundhati Caves
Suggested Read: Picnic Spots Near Haridwar: 6 Wonderful Retreats Amidst Sacred Lanes Of Uttarakhand!
13. Chamba – For Breathtaking Valley Views
Image Credits: (WT-en) Wikid at English Wikivoyage for Wikimedia
To get a superb view of the Himalayas on one side and a breathtaking view of the valley on the other, Chamba is a top spot to visit around Rishikesh. The quaint little town lies 1600 meters above the sea level and is slowly gaining popularity due to the pristine condition. The Himalayan ranges of Thalay Sagar and Jonli are very clearly visible and a hike is mandatory to experience the view. Flowing by the banks of river Bhagirathi, you are also greeted with orchards of pine and deodar trees.
Distance & time taken from Rishikesh to Chamba: 65 km and 2 hours
Places you mustn’t miss in Chamba: Kunjapuri Temple, Tehri Dam, Gabbar Singh Negi Memorial, Shri Bageshwar Mahadev Mandir
Suggested Read: 3 Best Wildlife Sanctuaries In Uttarakhand Where One Can Closely Admire The Wildlife!
14. Mussoorie – The Queen Of Hills
Image Credits: Bhargav0895 for Wikimedia
Mussoorie needs no introduction as to its beauty and is undoubtedly one of the best places near Rishikesh. It is very popular by the phrase “The Queen of Hills” and has many colonial era buildings still working well. There are plenty of places to visit in Mussoorie including the cozy cafes, old taverns, buildings, offices and bustling markets. Mussoorie has been attracting all sorts of tourists including solo travelers, friends, families and honeymooners.
Distance & time taken from Rishikesh to Mussoorie: 80 km and 2 hours and 30 minutes
Places you mustn’t miss in Mussoorie: Company Garden, Gun Hill Point, Lal Tibba Scenic Point, Mossy Falls, Adventure Park
Suggested Read: Upcoming Eco Zones In Uttarakhand To Take The State’s Tourism Up By A Notch
15. Kotdwara – An Offbeat Destination
Image Credits: Mukesh4u for Wikimedia
Kotdwara is another small town that is filled with temples and some more. It is more of an offbeat destination and a hidden gem. The town is popular as a major supplier of goods and acts as a commercial centre in the Garhwal region. You can visit here for a day or two to gather some spiritual rejuvenation and peace.
Distance & time taken from Rishikesh to Kotdwara: 90 km and 3 hours
Places you mustn’t miss in Kotdwara: Shri Sidhbali Dham Mandir, St.Joseph’s Cathedral Church, Buddha Park, Hanuman Mandir, Shoonya Shikhar Ashram
Suggested Read: 11 Valleys In Uttarakhand That Will Make You Believe That Heaven Does Exist!
16. Chakrata – An Ideal Weekend Getaway
Image Credits: Mustkeem Ahamad for Wikimedia
Chakrata is a magical hill station that is situated within cloud-touching mountains and considered to be an ideal getaway for backpackers. There are plenty of things to do in Chakrata like camping, cycling and rock climbing. In short, the mountains and hills make for amazing adventure activities! With some ravishing waterfalls, breathtaking passes and amazing views, you get plenty of excitement in this small town.
Distance & time taken from Rishikesh to Chakrata: 133 km and 3 hours and 30 minutes
Places you mustn’t miss in Chakrata: Tiger Fall, Chirmiri Peak, Vyas Shikhar, Ramtal Garden, Kimona Falls, Yamuna Adventure Park
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 customized tour packages and plan for an Uttarakhand trip today!
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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.
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