Rishikesh or Haridwar?

Dilliwala · Mar 5th, 2008, 00:41

Rajaji is leopard country. And elephant. Still good though.

Himalayan boy · Mar 5th, 2008, 15:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by rachelinindia

so... rishikesh or haridwar? which do people prefer?

i know rishikesh is more touristy but then i'm also not into hardcore yoga/ashram/spiritual stuff either so will haridwar be too intense? i'm going to mussoorie for a long weekend at the end of march and want to spend a couple more days up in uttaranchal. i'm playing it by ear for now so can i just turn up and get accommodation in either place? what about trains back to delhi, should i book a ticket beforehand?

also - is rajaji national park worth a visit? still gotta see me a tiger...

any help appreciated, ta!

hi,
rishikesh is the best place for u.. if u r not intrested in yoga,ashram,spiritual stuff so try white water rafting in river ganga and beach camping, rappling, hiking and some small treks...

rachelinindia · Mar 6th, 2008, 23:18

well thats unanimous! i would be interested in doing a couple of hours of yoga - just the not the crazy stuff because i'm not very bendy

so any recommendations for classes are welcome, as well as for places to stay.

unclelach · Mar 7th, 2008, 07:34

The cluster of guest houses and cafes at High Bank, Rishikesh is perfect if you don't wish to immerse yourself in the ashram experience. There are great views from the guest house balconies down to the river and across the valley. My stay there last year was probably the best I experienced.

OcoeeG · Mar 7th, 2008, 07:43

I agree as well, I was just in Haridwar a few months ago and didn't really like it nearly as much as Rishikesh. So we jumped on the bit and headed up to Rish for the rest of the weekend. It is much more relaxing and naturally beautiful. The places that the previous poster is talking about is called the Swiss Bhandari(sp!) Lodge. There are two up there and they are both good, with good resturants. Continental and Indian.
Have fun

kullukid · Mar 7th, 2008, 18:01

Why not visit both? it's only a 1hr bus journey between them & if you are travelling by train then you will depart at Hardwar anyway, so at least take a dip in the Ganges there or make an offering, it's verreeee auspicious place. But yes Rishi is the better of the two from an entertainment point of view. Here's a great hotel at Highbank www.bhandariswisscottage.com
rooms are 2-600 depending on view of Ganges. KK

Martinji · Mar 7th, 2008, 18:53

They are just pilgrim sites. I would go there 4 da K.M. which takes place every 12 jears...
Rishikesh has good value g.h.es and some decent eateries. nice to meet felow travelers, take walks, practice some yoga and buy some books on spiritual matters! Interesting folks from allover India and the world to be met there. I would definitely visit the famous Ananda Spa in the Himalayas http://www.anandaspa.com , just 10km away and walk up to the Kanjapuri temple in the west, about 3 h and 1200altimeters away:-), offering spectacular views. the trek is not eaasy but rewarding!

rachelinindia · Mar 7th, 2008, 20:45

thanks guys! i'm thinking i'll go from mussoorie to rishikesh for a couple of days. indian rail website is saying there are no trains from risikesh to delhi so i'll go to haridwar for one day and night to check it out and get the train back to delhi. and the link you sent me to the guest house looks fab, yay! so happy to be going back to india!

dcamrass1 · Mar 7th, 2008, 21:24

Four of us hired a car for the day and also went to the Ananda Spa. For 300$ a night- minimum 3 nights seems a bit much for a visit. Went there last November woud not let us in,claimed that the tourist were spoiling the stay of the residents.The day itself was great
Have found the Ram Jula bridge area quieter than Laxman Jula area.
Night Train from Haridwar to Delhi can get quite booked up (SL +3AC) so if can book ticket in advance maybe better.

rachelinindia · Mar 7th, 2008, 21:34

the ananda spa is WAAAAAY out of my price range as a student, sadly

. i've already checked avaliability for the train tickets and i'm waiting on my friend in delhi to send me her address so i can book it.

rachelinindia · Mar 8th, 2008, 00:13

arghhh just about to get my tickets and its timed out! no reservations allowed between 6pm and 11.30pm GMT. is the bhandari swiss cottage the kind of place i can email to ask about avaliability/reservations and get a reply or is it better to ring?

unclelach · Mar 8th, 2008, 05:50

I arrived at Highbank without a booking to find that most of the better guesthouses including Bhandari Swiss Cottage were full.

I found a very good room though across the lane from Bhandari SC at the Peasants Cottage, a place still run by the family who started guest houses in that locality.

Had most of my meals at the Bhandari SC cafe, a very friendly place with simple but appetizing food.

Last year I spent ten weeks in India/Nepal without booking a single night. Only on a few occasions did I have trouble finding a room eg in central Delhi.

kullukid · Mar 8th, 2008, 22:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by rachelinindia

arghhh just about to get my tickets and its timed out! no reservations allowed between 6pm and 11.30pm GMT. is the bhandari swiss cottage the kind of place i can email to ask about avaliability/reservations and get a reply or is it better to ring?

Yes, there's an Indian girl who runs the reception & speaks perfect English. If you call her ask for the tel number or email add of the small fast connection internet place two doors up the lane, they are very helpful & will book you a train or bus ticket, the bus is actually a faster cheaper option if you allow for the train being delayed which usually happens on this line, but if you decide on the bus still make a quick excursion to Hardwar, it's definiteley worth it just to have a dip in the Ganges there.

KK

rachelinindia · Mar 17th, 2008, 18:00

does anyone have contact details for the bhandari swiss cottage? i've emailed the address on their website twice (no reply, surprise surprise) and i've rung both numbers but it says they are temporarily out of order?! thanks

Himalayan boy · Mar 17th, 2008, 22:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by rachelinindia

does anyone have contact details for the bhandari swiss cottage? i've emailed the address on their website twice (no reply, surprise surprise) and i've rung both numbers but it says they are temporarily out of order?! thanks

hi,
bhandari swiss cottage no. is....
Country code: 0091
City Code: 0135
Phone Number: 243 29 39 / 244 20 45

web: www.bhandariswisscottage.com

Mar 7th, 2008, 07:34	#19
unclelach Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: melbourne, australia Posts: 206	Where to stay The cluster of guest houses and cafes at High Bank, Rishikesh is perfect if you don't wish to immerse yourself in the ashram experience. There are great views from the guest house balconies down to the river and across the valley. My stay there last year was probably the best I experienced.

Mar 7th, 2008, 18:53	#22
Martinji Account Closed Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Swisherland? Very nice country! Posts: 29	Haridwar 4 da Khumba-Mela and Rishikesh for the winter months They are just pilgrim sites. I would go there 4 da K.M. which takes place every 12 jears... Rishikesh has good value g.h.es and some decent eateries. nice to meet felow travelers, take walks, practice some yoga and buy some books on spiritual matters! Interesting folks from allover India and the world to be met there. I would definitely visit the famous Ananda Spa in the Himalayas http://www.anandaspa.com , just 10km away and walk up to the Kanjapuri temple in the west, about 3 h and 1200altimeters away:-), offering spectacular views. the trek is not eaasy but rewarding!

Mar 8th, 2008, 05:50	#27
unclelach Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: melbourne, australia Posts: 206	Bookings at Highbank I arrived at Highbank without a booking to find that most of the better guesthouses including Bhandari Swiss Cottage were full. I found a very good room though across the lane from Bhandari SC at the Peasants Cottage, a place still run by the family who started guest houses in that locality. Had most of my meals at the Bhandari SC cafe, a very friendly place with simple but appetizing food. Last year I spent ten weeks in India/Nepal without booking a single night. Only on a few occasions did I have trouble finding a room eg in central Delhi.

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Mar 5th, 2008, 00:41	#16
Dilliwala Funky flunky Join Date: May 2007 Location: Dilli Posts: 3,594	Rajaji is leopard country. And elephant. Still good though.

Mar 6th, 2008, 23:18	#18
rachelinindia Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: UK Posts: 112	well thats unanimous! i would be interested in doing a couple of hours of yoga - just the not the crazy stuff because i'm not very bendy so any recommendations for classes are welcome, as well as for places to stay.

Mar 7th, 2008, 07:43	#20
OcoeeG Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Uttarkhand Posts: 49	I agree as well, I was just in Haridwar a few months ago and didn't really like it nearly as much as Rishikesh. So we jumped on the bit and headed up to Rish for the rest of the weekend. It is much more relaxing and naturally beautiful. The places that the previous poster is talking about is called the Swiss Bhandari(sp!) Lodge. There are two up there and they are both good, with good resturants. Continental and Indian. Have fun

Mar 7th, 2008, 18:01	#21
kullukid Maha Guru Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: u.k. Posts: 980	Why not visit both? it's only a 1hr bus journey between them & if you are travelling by train then you will depart at Hardwar anyway, so at least take a dip in the Ganges there or make an offering, it's verreeee auspicious place. But yes Rishi is the better of the two from an entertainment point of view. Here's a great hotel at Highbank www.bhandariswisscottage.com rooms are 2-600 depending on view of Ganges. KK

Mar 7th, 2008, 20:45	#23
rachelinindia Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: UK Posts: 112	thanks guys! i'm thinking i'll go from mussoorie to rishikesh for a couple of days. indian rail website is saying there are no trains from risikesh to delhi so i'll go to haridwar for one day and night to check it out and get the train back to delhi. and the link you sent me to the guest house looks fab, yay! so happy to be going back to india!

Mar 7th, 2008, 21:24	#24
dcamrass1 Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Kibbutz Hamadia. Israel Posts: 71	Four of us hired a car for the day and also went to the Ananda Spa. For 300$ a night- minimum 3 nights seems a bit much for a visit. Went there last November woud not let us in,claimed that the tourist were spoiling the stay of the residents.The day itself was great Have found the Ram Jula bridge area quieter than Laxman Jula area. Night Train from Haridwar to Delhi can get quite booked up (SL +3AC) so if can book ticket in advance maybe better.

Mar 7th, 2008, 21:34	#25
rachelinindia Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: UK Posts: 112	the ananda spa is WAAAAAY out of my price range as a student, sadly . i've already checked avaliability for the train tickets and i'm waiting on my friend in delhi to send me her address so i can book it.

Mar 8th, 2008, 00:13	#26
rachelinindia Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: UK Posts: 112	arghhh just about to get my tickets and its timed out! no reservations allowed between 6pm and 11.30pm GMT. is the bhandari swiss cottage the kind of place i can email to ask about avaliability/reservations and get a reply or is it better to ring?

Mar 17th, 2008, 18:00	#29
rachelinindia Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: UK Posts: 112	does anyone have contact details for the bhandari swiss cottage? i've emailed the address on their website twice (no reply, surprise surprise) and i've rung both numbers but it says they are temporarily out of order?! thanks

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