Haridwar/Rishikesh tour plan

Hii... I am planning a tour of Hrishikeh for 8/9 days in september end. The plan is roughly as below:
day1. Howrah to Haridwar by Upasana Exp
day3. Haridwar(1 night stay)
day4. Debprayag+Rishikesh, then back to Haridwar
day 5. journey to Mussouri/dehradun
day 6. Mussori local tour
day 7. back to haridwar
day 8. Train to howrah.

Please help me with some information on hotel/cars/travel plan and where and how to book. Thanks in advance........

Hi MoumitaC,
Welcome to IndiaMike. This is a very common route and there are so many options, so just relax. No need to book anything in advance except the train tickets.
Rajasthan hotel is a good option to stay at Haridwar. It is located near ‘DadaBoudi’r hotel’ – the most favorite place for Bengali tourists and not far away from Har ki Podi ghat.
Other members may suggest other hotels / guesthouses with some view of Ganga – plz wait for some time.
BTW, Kedar – Badri – Gangotri is also a lovely route. I am not sure about your team members but if everyone is fit / no major health problem then you can think about it.

- Somnath

Hello everyone,

I need a bit of help with accomodation options in Haridwar and Rishikesh.

We have 3 nights, 2 days in Haridwar/Rishikesh and we are exploring various places for accomodation and to travel around. Unable to find anything nice, so decided to ask you travel veterans.

1. Looking for some clean place to stay near Hari ki Pauri. We intend participating in the morning and evening Ganga Aarti. So, something close to the place where the Aarti is performed would be nice. I found Hotel Alaknanda run by Uttaranchal Tourism, but I also happened to read some 'not-so-nice' reviews. Anyone stayed there and found it good ?

2. We are unable to decide whether we should stay overnight in Rishikesh or do a day trip. If at all we decide to stay overnight in Rishikesh, we need a quiet, clean and safe place in Rishikesh. Want to enjoy some solitude next to the Holy Ganges.

3. We are planning to hire a car and drive around Haridwar. If you have contacts of a good, reliable travel agent in Haridwar, please do share. How much should I be looking at car rentals ? Does it go on a daily basis or per kilometer ?

4. Is Rajaji national park worth spending a day ?

5. Where else can we go around Haridwar/Rishikesh that is not touristy and we can do a bit of photography around the Himalayas ?

Phew, a whole lot of questions. Hope that someone can help.

Many thanks.

Have a nice day.

I dont know when you are coming. Many high reaches are closed in winter. Otherwise, probably some of the best trekking trails are located in these region (Garhwal Himalayas). If you are into nature photography, is very nice place. From Haridwar/Rishikesh, you can do Har-Ki-Doon valley, Gangotri-Gomukh-Tapovan or Kedartal, otherwise just stay in Chopta or Auli and get some of the best scenics.

Thanks a lot Bhaswaran, for your suggestion.

We are coming in October. I will definitely do more research on the places you have recommended. We have decided that we will definitely do a 2 weeks backpacking and camping trip in Uttaranchal alone in October next year.

This time we are covering a few other places and I don't want to be too ambitious with the number of places to cover. Just want to find a relaxing place in Haridwar/Rishikesh or nearby areas where we can be amidst nature and simply enjoy being with the Holy Ganges.

Thanks once again.

youren, what's your accom-budget?

1) Ganga Azure at Haridwar has been mentioned in another thread as good.

2) At Rishikesh in Oct, I suggest GMVN's Shisham Jhari (Ganga Resort), it has received good reviews on this site. It's right next to the Ganga.
There is also the area known as "High Bank", run a search for it on this site, there are some nice places there. It overlooks the Ganga from above the highway, beyond Lakshmanjhula.

3) There are hire-cars parked just outside Haridwar station, I wud head there and negotiate. A travel-agency will simply add their own commission, an avoidable and therefore unnecessary expense. Rates can be per-km or per-day, ask for both.

4) Rajaji is nice for a half-day trip if it's open - check when you get to Rksh.

5) Hmm, Mussoorie? On a clear day, you can see forever . This is the nearest place to HW/Rksh where you can catch Himalayan views (if the weather cooperates).Touristy, but won't be bad Sep/Oct (before the Dassehra hols start - 6/10). There's also Dhanolti, which is easily approached from Rishikesh if you have your own car, by heading up to Chamba first. Also a popular tourist spot, but much less crowded than Muss - mostly day-visitors.
Nilkanth Mahadev? A short drive from Rishikesh. Not very touristy, greenery.
Devprayag? One hour from Rksh, the 'official' starting point of the Ganga. Good for a half- or full-day, as desired.

Here's a useful thread:
Rishikesh or Haridwar?

Dilliwala,
This is awesome information. Thanks so much.

Our budget is around Rs1500-1800 for a room in Haridwar. Think we can settle for an aircooled room since Oct should be pleasant weather in Haridwar (hopefully).

We effectively have two full days in Haridwar and Rishikesh.
I suppose we will do something like this.

1. Day 1 : Aarti at sunrise
2. Drive to Rajaji National Park and any other sights nearby
If the Rajaji National Park is closed, we will do Dhanolti, Nilkanth Mahadev and Devprayag. I am more tempted to do the latter - as I am not sure what to expect in Rajaji national park.

We will stay overnight at Rishikesh

3. Day 2 : Drive back to Haridwar and see the temples in Haridwar.
4. Aarti @ Sunset in Haridwar

Thanks a lot for your very very valuable reply.

Have a good day.

What about budget accom in Hardiwar? Any recommendations in the 300-400 range?

yes, any suggestions for accomodation in haridwar for under 500rs.per night?

hey,

if anyone is arrving between the 24th and 26th, if anyone is interested, a taxi could be shared and i believe there is always strength in numbers.

please let me know if anyone is interested?

thanks.

Alkesh could you kindly post some information on the rates for car hire in Haridwar, since you have just been there? Thanks in advance.

Hello everyone

I'm a newcomer here. Just registered today. For a long time I follow your valuable conversations as a non member, and got help in this year while I visit Dooars with my 7 bachelor's gang. I got a very reliable Cab driver with a very reasonable rate (Got his phone number & details from you) and he is now become a friend of mine. I'm so happy in his sense, his behavior, attitude and helping mind which taught me a lot. Thanks to Indiamike.

In upcoming 2013, I've a plan to visit KOLKATA-AGRA-MATHURA-VRINDABAN-HARIDWAR-DELHI-KOLKATA, alongwith my parents. Who are senior citizens and may not be capable to avail a hurricane tour. Therefore I need guidance from your end how to make a soft & smoothly tour in those places with them. I've plan. Just check it out. If there is any suggestion/valuable information/change of plan from your end it will be highly appreciated.

The desired tour as per my plan is detailed below.

28.02.2013 (THU) Towards Agra, by ANNANYA EXP. (12315) (SDAH: 13.10 pm – AF: 10.45 am) In the Train
01.03.2013 (FRI) Reach Agra Fort Station at 10.45 am (approx) Hotel Check-in & Refresh.
(As its Friday, the Taj will remain closed, therefore visitFatehpur Sikri & Sikandra Dayalbagh & Etmadduallah after Breakfast/Lunch).
02.03.2013 (SAT) AGRA After breakfast, visit Agra Fort & Taj Mahal. Have lunch enroot. At evening, back to hotel.
03.03.2013 (SUN) MATHURA & VRINDAVAN After breakfast, visit Mathura & Vrindavan. A full day excursion. Have lunch enroot. At evening back to hotel.
04.03.2013 (MON) Move to Haridwar by train IND-DDN EXP. (14317) at 07.10 am & reach at Haridwar at 16.47 pm (approx). Hotel Check-in & Refresh. At evening: Ganga-Aarti
05.03.2013 (TUE), 06.03.2013 (WED) & 07.03.2013(THU)
Sighting at Haridwar & Others. Haridwar: Hari ki pauri, Pawan Dham, Maya devi temple, Mansa devi temple, Chandi devi temple, Daksh Mahadev temple, Sriyantra temple, Bilkeshwar temple, Bishnu Ghat, Bharat mata mandir, Vaishno devi temple, Parad shivling, Sapt rishi temple, Glass temple, Bhim goda, Bhuma Niketan, Parmarth, Shanti Kunj, Bramhakund, Neel Dhara Pakshi Bihar, Doodhadhari Barfani Baba Ashram, Piran Kailor, Chilla Wildlife Sanctuary, Kamraj-ki-Kali Temple.
Kankhal: Anandmayi Maa temple & Sati Kund, Baba Ramdev.
Hrishikesh: Laxman-jhula, Ram-jhula, Swargashram, Shibanand Ashram, Shib-puri (In between Rishikesh & Patisira), Sri Tryambakeswar Temple, Nilkanth Mahadev, Tribeni Ghat, Gitabhavan..
08.03.2013 (FRI) Towards Delhi, by NDLS JANASHATABDI (12056) HW: 06.22am – NDLS: 11.10am or by (14318) DDN INDB Express, HW: 07.45am – NZM 13.15 pm. Check into one relatives house & Refresh.
09.03.2012 (SAT) & 10.03.2012 (SUN)
(2 days excursion into Delhi). Old Delhi, New Delhi, Persian Muslim Architecture, Modern Architecture, 300 years old Astronomical Observatory,Important Government building like Parliament house, president house, Embassy Area, kutub minar, Raj Ghat, Gandhi Museum , Indra Gandhi Memorial , India Gate, Lotus Temple, Amar Jawan Jyoti, Vijay Chowk , Hindu Temple..
11.03.2013 (MON) Complete Rest. At evening, local marketing etc..
12.03.2012 (TUE) Return to Kolkata by Sealdah Rajdhani. Tour ends.

You've certainly put a lot of work into your plan. Looks fine to me.

@Dilliwala
Sir, I read many of your reviews/plans and valuable suggestions. I am a big fan of yours. Waiting for your rectification

Please make a plan for me for sightseeing 2days-AGRA, 1day-MATHURA/VRINDABAN, 2days-HARIDWAR/KANKHAL & 1Day RISHIKESH.. (With a small cab/Auto). Thanks in advance..