Uttarakhand · North India
Yoga capital, rafting and ridges
Rishikesh and Mussoorie offer contrasting Uttarakhand experiences: a Ganga-side centre for yoga and adventure, and a ridge-top hill station above Dehradun. Combining them gives a journey from river ghats and forest-edge walks to Himalayan foothill viewpoints and colonial-era streets.
Best time to visit
Top attractions
- Triveni Ghat in Rishikesh
- Parmarth Niketan
- Beatles Ashram
- Gun Hill in Mussoorie
- Kempty Falls
- Landour
How to reach
- By air: Jolly Grant Airport is about 20 km from Rishikesh and 60 km from Mussoorie.
- By rail: Yog Nagari Rishikesh serves Rishikesh; Dehradun railway station is about 35 km from Mussoorie.
- By road: Rishikesh and Mussoorie are approximately 75 km apart via Dehradun; Rishikesh is about 240 km from Delhi.
Local food to try
- Aloo ke gutke
- Kafuli
- Mandua roti
- Jhangora kheer
- Garhwali chainsoo
Things to do
Good to know
When is the best time to visit Rishikesh and Mussoorie?+
March to April and October to November are good shared windows. Mussoorie is popular in summer, while monsoon weather can disrupt roads and river activities.
How many days are needed?+
Allow four to five days, dividing time between the river town and the hill station and allowing for the transfer.
What should I know before rafting?+
Use a licensed operator, wear the supplied life jacket and helmet, and follow age, health and river-condition restrictions. Rafting normally stops during the monsoon; never swim casually in the Ganga.
Journeys here