5 Days in Uttarakhand: Mussoorie & Rishikesh Escape

Begin your morning by heading up into the quiet pine forests of Landour. Visit Lal Tibba Scenic Point—the highest point in Mussoorie—offering telescope views of the Kedarnath and Badrinath Himalayan ranges. Stop by Char Dukan for tea and pancakes, and walk down to Sister's Bazaar. In the afternoon, visit Gun Hill via the scenic aerial ropeway for valley vistas, followed by a visit to the Tibetan settlement and prayer gardens at Happy Valley. Spend the evening browsing woollens and woodcraft at Kulri Bazaar. Overnight stay in Mussoorie.

After breakfast, drive down into the foothills to Rishikesh, the world capital of yoga. Check into your hotel or riverside resort. In the afternoon, visit Parmarth Niketan Ashram to attend a guided meditation or yoga session in the courtyard. At sunset, head to Triveni Ghat to witness the evening Maha Ganga Aarti, where priests raise massive multi-tiered brass oil lamps amidst the sound of bells and chants over the holy river. Overnight stay in Rishikesh.

Start your morning with a white-water river rafting run on the Ganges (choose a 12 km or 16 km stretch navigating Class III rapids like Roller Coaster and Golf Course, terminating near NIM Beach). In the afternoon, cross Janki Jhula to explore the Beatles Ashram (Chaurasi Kutia), famous for its graffiti meditation domes where The Beatles stayed in 1968. Walk across Ram Jhula and explore the bohemian cafes in Tapovan overlooking the river. Overnight stay in Rishikesh.

Enjoy a peaceful morning walk along the riverbanks or an early sunrise session at Neer Garh Waterfall. After breakfast, check out and begin your highway drive back to Delhi via Meerut. Arrive in Delhi in the late afternoon with direct drop-off at your residence, railway station, or Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL).