Day by Day itineraryDay 1: Arrive at DelhiHaridwar Rishikesh Varanasi tour begins from Delhi with your arrival at the international airport or one of the railway stations of the national capital. Our tour representative escorts you to the pre-booked accommodation where you can spend time relaxing. Depending on your arrival time, you may choose to visit few of the attractions in Delhi or use our services for the same. Some of the top places you may visit include:
- Red Fort: A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is a sprawling fort complex built in red sandstone and white marble and featuring a number of palaces and other royal structures dating back to Mughal Era (opens 09:00 a.m.-04:30 p.m., entry fee INR 35/500 per Indian/foreigner, INR 25 for video camera).
- Qutb Complex: Another World Heritage Site with attractions like the lofty Qutub Minar, metallurgic wonder Iron Pillar and many Islamic structures (opens 07:00 a.m.-05:00 p.m., entry fee INR 30/500 per Indian/foreigner, INR 25 for camera).
- Humayun’s Tomb: Yet another World Heritage Site, this red sandstone and marble structure is no less than Taj Mahal in terms of architectural brilliance (opens 06:00 a.m.-06:00 p.m., entry fee INR 30/500 per Indian/foreigner, INR 25 for camera).
- Lotus Temple: Dedicated to Bahai religion, it is aesthetically constructed in the shape of a lotus and an architectural marvel (opens 09:00 a.m.-05:30 p.m., entry free, closed every Monday).
- Others: Akshardham Temple, India Gate, Jantar Mantar Astronomical Observatory, Chandni Chowk, Delhi Haat and more.
At the end of the first day of Haridwar Rishikesh Varanasi tour, enjoy a comfortable night stay at hotel.
On the second day of Rishikesh Haridwar tour with Varanasi, we transfer you to the airport after breakfast. Board the scheduled flight to Varanasi located in Varanasi District of Uttar Pradesh. On arrival at the airport, our tour representative guides you to the pre-booked accommodation.
Varanasi is stated to be the favourite city of Lord Shiva who is believed to reside here. It is one of the seven moksha-granting cities (called Sapta Puris) and of significance for Hindus, Jains, Buddhists and followers of other religions. Visited by the likes of Pandavas, Gautama Buddha, Xuanzang, Adi Shankara and Guru Nanak Dev during different eras, the city garnered constant limelight for its temples, silk work and handicrafts and dance, music and literature. The incessant old-world charm of the city is so overwhelming that visitors turn into explorers, wandering through narrow alleys full of life.
After some rest at the hotel, join us for an exciting sightseeing trip of Haridwar Rishikesh Varanasi tour. Here are some of the options you may choose from:
- Kashi Vishwanath Temple: One of the 12 Jyotirlinga Temples, it honours Lord Shiva as the ‘Lord of the World’. Presenting eye-pleasing architecture with gold-plated domes, it is believed to grant absolution for the gravest of sins (opens 03:00 a.m.-10:30 p.m., entry free, INR 300 for special queue-less darshan).
- Ganga Ghats: Strolling along the beautiful ghats of Ganga is something just not worth missing. Some of the popular ghats include Dasaswamedha, Panchganga, Assi, Manikarnika etc.
- Man Mandir: It is home to Jantar Mantar Observatory which features astronomical instruments like Digansa Yantra, Samrat Yantra, Chakra Yantra, Dakshinobiti Yantra and more. It also promises splendid views of Ganga from top (opens 08:00 a.m.-05:30 p.m., entry fee INR 15).
- Temples: Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple, Gauri Mata Temple, Kall Bhairav Temple and more.
As the second day of Haridwar Rishikesh Varanasi tour ends, retire to your hotel for night stay.
After breakfast, join us to visit the attractions that could not be visited the previous day. In addition, you have the options to indulge in activities like:
- Ganga Boating: Early morning boat ride on Ganga is a revitalizing experience as you watch the city slowly waking up to follow its routine. Boat rides can also be enjoyed during evening Ganga aarti. Costs include INR 200 per person for rowboat and INR 1,500 per ride for motorboats.
- Hot Air Ballooning: Enjoy 10 min. hot air balloon ride at Assi Ghat to have some absolutely stunning views of Ganga and entire city. Costs INR 300 per person.
- Exploring Old Alleys: Simply wander along the congested alleys with old havelis and houses presenting a heart-warming picture of centuries-old city.
You also have the choice to visit some of the nearby attractions on Haridwar Rishikesh Varanasi tour. These include :
- Chunar Fort (about 32 km. away): Dating back to 56 BC, the fort has attractions like open pavilions, Well of Love, Hanging Palace and many bungalows (opens 10:00 a.m.-04:00 p.m., entry free).
- Ramnagar Fort (about 11 km. away): Built in 1750 using chunar sandstone, the fort is a majestic edifice with royal residences, temples and a museum featuring collections of vantage cars, royal costumes, armoury, palanquins and much more (opens 10:00 a.m.-05:00 p.m., entry free, museum entry INR 20/150 per Indian/foreigner).
- Sarnath (about 11 km. away): After enlightenment, Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon at this place. There are many Buddhist structures amidst lush green lawns.
Don’t miss the evening aarti of River Ganga when thousands of earthen lamps are lit to worship the goddess. The scene is a visual treat while holy chanting fills one with utmost peace. Finally, retire to your hotel for night stay.
After breakfast, we transfer you to Varanasi airport or railway station. Depending on your preference and flight/train availability, you may travel by air from Varanasi to Delhi to Dehradun and from Dehradun to Haridwar by road (about 54 km. away) or by train directly from Varanasi to Haridwar. On arrival, our representative of Haridwar Rishikesh Varanasi tour would escort you to the pre-booked accommodation.
Haridwar is an extremely sacred town for Hindus. During tussle between Gods and demons, drops of amrit (elixir of life) fell on earth at four places, Haridwar being one of them. As a result, it hosts the world-famous Kumbh Mela once every 12 years. Just like Varanasi, it is also one of Sapta Puris and bathing in Ganga here is believed to offer salvation. The town is also visited by hundreds everyday to immerse the ashes of their departed loved ones. Haridwar also maintains the Hindu genealogy registers that record details about generations of different families.
If the time allows, you can enjoy visiting various attractions on your own or with us. Here are the top options:
- Mansa Devi Temple: Located atop Bilwa Hill, it is a Seedha Peeth (where wishes are fulfilled) dedicated to Goddess Mansa. There is a wish-fulfilling tree and it is believed that tying sacred threads to the tree fulfils one’s wish. The temple is accessible on foot or via a thrilling ropeway ride (opens 07:00 a.m.-07:00 p.m., ropeway ticket costs INR 95 per person).
- Chandi Devi Temple: Another hilltop Seedha Peetha temple, it is located on Neel Hill and is dedicated to Goddess Chandi. It is also accessible on foot or using another ropeway ride (prefer buying combos tickets for Mansa Devi and Chandi Devi temples, costs INR 263, if you also wish to avail transport from Mansa Devi vase to Chandi Devi base, the ticket costs INR 333, ropeway timings are 06:00 a.m. to 06:00 p.m.).
- Other Temples: Maya Devi Temple, Bharata Mata Temple, Dudhadhari Barfani temple and many more can be visited on Haridwar Rishikesh Varanasi tour.
- Har-ki-Pauri: It is believed to be the ghat along Ganga where the drops of amrit fell. Also, there are footprints believed to be of Lord Vishnu here.
- Kankhal: The place is famous for Daksheshwar Mahadev Temple and Sati Kund. According to the Hindu mythology, it is the place where Goddess Sati (previous incarnation of Goddess Parvati) sacrificed her life in fire after her father Daksha insulted her husband Lord Shiva.
As another day of Haridwar Rishikesh Varanasi tour ends, retire to your hotel for night stay.
After breakfast, join us to visit the remaining places that could not be visited the previous day. In addition, you may choose to indulge into activities like:
- Holy Dip in Ganga: For this, you are advised to get up early in the morning when there is lesser number of people and water is fresh. Visit Har-ki-Pauri Ghat to bath in the holy water and feel blessed.
- Ayurvedic Treatment: Hridwar is among the top places in India to relax with a holistic Ayurvedic treatment like head, neck and shoulder massage, foot reflexology, back massage, deep tissue massage, aromatherapy massage, skin treatment and more. The cost may vary between INR 1,000-10,000.
- Birdwatching: Very close to Haridwar is Neel Dhara Pakshi Vihar that attracts flocks of birds from across the world. The top attractions here include cormorants, Siberian cranes, grebes, drongos, bulbuls, flycatchers and more (opens 07:00 a.m.-07:00 p.m., entry free).
Also, you may add to Haridwar Rishikesh Varanasi tour small excursions to a number of nearby places. These include:
- Rajaji National Park (about 23 km. away): Covering the Shivalik Hills of Himalayas, it is a national park and a tiger reserve with top attractions including Bengal tigers, elephants, leopards, striped hyena, sambhar, rhesus macaque, jackal, Indian porcupine and more (safaris from 06:00 a.m.-09:00 a.m. and 03:00 p.m.-06:00 p.m., entry fee INR 150/600 per Indian/foreigner, vehicle entry fee INR 250/500 for Indian/foreigners, safari gypsy cost INR 1,500-2,000)
- Dehradun (about 54 km. away): Popular for attractions like Robber’s Cave, Tapkeshwar Temple, Tapovan, Sahastradhara, Kalinga War Memorial, Gurkha Fort and more.
- Lachhiwala Picnic Spot (about 39 km. away): A recreation spot amidst Sal trees, the place features manmade pools that fill with water from Suswa River and attracts hundreds of tourists for refreshing bath. Trekking and birdwatching are other attractions here.
- Neelkanth Mahadev Temple (about 50 km. away): At a height of about 1,330 m., the temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva’s Neelkanth form. According to Hindu mythology, when the entire universe was threatened by lethal poison generated from Samundra Manthan (churning of ocean), Shiva volunteered to drink it which resulted in his kanth (throat) turning neela (blue). Located on a hill amidst thick forests, the temple has brilliant architecture with stunning carvings and a divine Shiva Lingam (opens 05:00 a.m.-06:00 p.m.).
Before this day of Haridwar Rishikesh Varanasi tour ends, reach Har-ki-Pauri Ghat where the magical scene of evening Ganga aarti would leave you spellbound. Finally, retire to your hotel for night stay.
After breakfast, we drive you to Rishikesh (about 21 km. away). The town is world-famous for its ashrams that promise holistic healing and rejuvenation to those suffering from physical and mental woes. Named after Hrishikesha (another name of Lord Vishnu), it is also known as Agni Tirtha (as it is considered an ideal place to worship God Agni or Fire). It is one of the top places across the world to perform meditation and the practice dates back to the times of Ramayana when Lord Rama himself visited the place to meditate. Another feather in its cap is its fame as Yoga Capital of the World that has attracted the likes of the Prince of Wales, Duchess of Cornwall and artists like the Beatles, Paul Horn and Gyp Mills. Flocks of people from across the world visit the town for yoga, meditation and ashram life.
As Haridwar Rishikesh Varanasi tour proceeds, you can visit the following top attractions across the town:
- Lakshman Jhula: A suspension bridge on River Ganga, it offers marvellous views of the river and lush green mountains in the backdrop.
- Triveni Ghat: Popular for bathing in Ganga and for morning and evening aartis.
- Geeta Bhavan: A beautiful ashram to stay and meditate in the town.
- Swarg Ashram: Fresh and cool mountain breeze, melodious chanting, mesmerizing gardens and sand beaches, picturesque views of Ganga, satvik food and yoga courses make this ashram a dream destination for many (opens 06:00 a.m.-08:00 p.m., entry fee INR 600).
- Parmarth Niketan: Yet another ashram with divine atmosphere, it boasts of beautiful backdrops, lush gardens and nearly 1,000 rooms. Camps are organized for yoga, meditation, painting, stress management, Ayurveda and more and attended by thousands from all over the world.
Rishikesh is also known as one of the popular adventure hubs in the world. On Haridwar Rishikesh Varanasi tour, you may choose to indulge in activities like:
- River Rafting: About 20 km. from Rishikesh, you can indulge in thrilling rafting adventure at rapids with grades from 1-4. Different stretches of lengths from 9-36 km. are available at the costs ranging from INR 400-2,000 per person.
- Camping: Staying near the gushing Ganga on white sand beaches and under the starlit clear sky is one experience you would never forget. It may cost INR 1,500 per person per day.
- Rope Adventures: Rishikesh is a renowned destination for the adventures like bungee jumping (cost around INR 3,500), Giant Swing (cost around INR 3,500) and Flying Fox (cost around INR 1,800-3,000).
- Mountain Adventures: Trekking, rock climbing, cliff jumping, rappelling and more.
Also, you can add nearby destinations to Haridwar Rishikesh Varanasi tour, including:
- Vashishtha Gufa (about 25 km. away): Rishikesh has been a land of meditation and penance since time immemorial. At this ancient cave, sage Vashishtha meditated for long time. The pleasant environment attracts many even today for meditation inside the cave which also has a Shiva Lingam.
- Anand in the Himalayas (about 22 km. away): Bill gates, Chris Froome, Oprah Winfrey, Ricky Martin, Prince of Wales and many other eminent personalities have visited this luxury spa resort nestled amidst beautiful surroundings. Yoga and meditation, Ayurvedic rejuvenation, detox and weight management, stress management and many other wellness programs are offered here.
- Jhilmil Cave (about 33 km. away): Accessible by hiking, this natural cave is a hidden gem amidst lush green jungle. Inhabited by sages, the cave has many elephants living around it.
- Neer Garh Waterfall (about 11 km. away): Another lesser-known wonder of nature, this waterfall is accessible by a short trek. You can take bath in milky clear water that forms two pools.
- Garud Chatti and Phool Chatti falls (about 13 km. away): Hidden in the folds of lush green jungles and accessible by trekking, these two falls of crystal clear water with untouched beauty are simply worth visiting during Haridwar Rishikesh Varanasi tour.