When it comes to engaging in exciting activities, Rishikesh will give you no dearth of opportunities. It is perhaps the only place in India that offers such varied forms of activities, both for the mind and for the body. On the one hand, there is no dearth of temples for those who have a religious bend of mind, there are ample yoga centers for those who want to heal the mind as well as the body, and there are various forms of adventure activities who want to get the utmost thrills of life.
No matter what your preferences are, whether you are traveling solo, or with your family, or with a group of friends, there is something in Rishikesh to match every sensibility and it will make you return soon, asking for more.
There are various kinds of adventure sports to be enjoyed in Rishikesh and not all of them are very dangerous. Hence, those who are coming to this part of India for the first time or making their first foray into adventure sports will find there are ample opportunities to start small, and then increase the intensity. These are the top things to do in Rishikesh during summers.
To start with, there is Body Surfing. This sport requires no special training and nor is it physically demanding. In fact, it is quite relaxing. One simply has to let go of one’s body in a lake or a pond, and the feeling is akin to floating. The diving ad floating mechanism is however, a must when you go out into the water.
Camping in Rishikesh is one of the most exciting things to do. There are many trails that leave from the main city center and it goes into winding ways in and around the mountains, finally opening on to a camping ground. Camping under the stars in Rishikesh is one of the best ways to enjoy the pristine surroundings, the adjacent mountains and their beauty at night.
There are many trekking trails in Rishikesh, and depending on the level of difficulty you want to opt for, your tour operator will make the necessary arrangements. Trekking in Rishikesh will open up new vistas for you to admire at every turn. While seasoned trekkers can go on for higher and more difficult trails, newbies can mostly stick to the valley and get used to walking on mountain tracks before trying the more difficult trails.
Rock Climbing is a popular activity in Rishikesh and the terrain of the region lends itself very well to this activity. There are many rock surfaces and here depending on the level of difficulty you want to opt for, your operator will make the arrangements. Rock climbing tour operators have all the tools and equipment with them and you do not have to worry about anything at all. There will be trainers to monitor you and even if you are a novice, you will end up having quite an exciting time. For seasoned rock climbers, there are higher and more difficult rock surfaces in the mountains as well.
If you are on the lookout for doing offbeat things to do, then do not forget to go for river rafting in Rishikesh and it will end up being one of the most exciting things you have done in your life. There are various stretches along the numerous rapids in Rishikesh and depending on the difficulty level, your tour operator will help you decide on them. There are various stages like from Kaudiyala to Marine Drive, Marine Drive to Shivpuri, Shivpuri to Brahmapuri and from Brahmapuri to Laxman Jhula.
For those who like nothing better than adrenaline rush, bungee jumping in Rishikesh is a must. It usually takes place from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm, on the various gorges. There is hardly anything so thrilling and exciting than succumbing completely to the gravity of the earth and enjoying a freefall from 80 meters. Jumping Heights and Mohanchatti are some of the places where it is practiced.
Mountain Biking is not for the faint-hearted and embarking on a journey through the mountain roads in and around Rishikesh, armed only with a bike and the basic essentials is really a one of a kind adventure. It is best to avoid the monsoons, but other than that, this can be done at any time of the year. Some of the tracks are closed during winters due to snowfall but for those who are brave enough, battling the snow and mountains in winter is a very thrilling experience.
So named because of the stunning speed at which it takes place, Flying Fox entails tying a harness to oneself and rolling down the valley at a speed of 160/ km per hour and then back up. The views that one encounters during this journey is spellbinding and it is like getting a bird’s eye view of the valleys below. Children below 12 years of age are not allowed to do this and it mainly takes place in the region of Shivpuri.
While the adventure sports are mainly open to the tourists in summers, there are a number of other things to do in Rishikesh during the winters, especially if you are there for spiritual reasons. Winters are relatively less crowded and hence it is the perfect time to pursue your spiritual side in the peace and quiet this city offers.
This ashram is one of the last ones in India that still offers Vedic education to the children and education here is still carried on in the traditional Gurukul style. It is a pleasure to see the children perform Aarti in the evenings and to seen them perform the rituals with such innocence and devotion is truly enchanting.
Rishikesh is considered to be the yoga capital and there are a number of yoga centers here which will teach you the intricacies of yoga and meditation. Controlling the mind and the body, and spiritually uplifting oneself can be learnt here. The yoga centers are mostly situated at the bank of the Ganga or in the hills and one can get as close to nature as possible.
If you want to relax and detoxify yourself, then some of the sessions in the Ayurvedic spas here can be very helpful. All the ingredients used for the spas are completely herbal and derived from the mountains around. The medicinal herbs and plants greatly help in healing and calming down the senses and it is one of the best things you can do for yourself. The practitioners here are completely trained in the art of ayurvedic healing and tend to you with their experienced hands.
Rishikesh is a temple town and most of the temples here have been built hundreds of years ago. Those who are interested in history, art and architecture will find visiting these temples extremely educational. The temples in Rishikesh have their own history and the worship of the respective gods still takes place very traditionally and is highly indicative of the rich culture of the land. The Ganga Aarti in the evenings is a sight to behold.
A number of classical music concerts are held in various times of the year in Rishikesh, or even if you are not in time for a recital, the temple complexes always have some classical or devotional recitals going on, which are pleasure to hear. A whole new world of music is going to open up and it is not something truly rare, not something that you get to hear in your regular routine.
Rishikesh is famous for a number of ashrams where people go to find their spiritual side but the most famous of them is the Beatles Ashram and the Osho Ashram, the former so named after the Beatles visited the ashram in 1960s to learn about Transcendental meditation. Here, one can meet many likeminded people as well and it is one of the best ways to interact with new people.
So when you visit Rishikesh henceforth, be sure to have a planned itinerary so that you can get the most out of this stunning location.
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