Hotel · 01
Recommendations
Dehradun & Rishikesh, India
Asia / India
Dehradun & Rishikesh
A 6-day mountain journey through Dehradun & Rishikesh, India — hand-planned by Rachana, with where to stay, what to do and where to eat all mapped out.
- Ideal stay
- 6 days
- Best season
- October to March
- From
- $1,044–$5,652 pp
The place
About this destination
A 6-day mountain journey through Dehradun & Rishikesh, India — hand-planned by Rachana, with where to stay, what to do and where to eat all mapped out.
My experience
This is Rachana's own 6-day itinerary for Dehradun & Rishikesh, India — the version she'd plan for a close friend. It threads together stays she rates like Recommendations and Dehradun, a day-by-day plan, and the meals worth booking ahead. Everything here is personally travelled and curated — no filler.
LuxuryMountains
Through the lens · 6 frames
Photo journal
01
Day by day
The itinerary
Day 01
Arrive in Dehradun | Nature & Temple Visit
- 01Check-in & relax with wellness rituals at Vana or tea at Taj
- 02Visit
- 03Robber’s Cave (Guchhupani) – natural cave with a stream
- 04Tapkeshwar Mahadev Temple – ancient Shiva temple set inside a cave
- 05Dinner: Ayurvedic sattvic meal at Vana / fine vegetarian fare at Taj or Orchard Restaurant (Rajpur Road)
Day 02
Spiritual & Cultural Dehradun
- 01Morning: Visit
- 02Mindrolling Monastery – one of the largest Tibetan monasteries in India with a 60 m high stupa
- 03Santala Devi Temple – serene temple on a hill, reached by a short forest hike
- 04Lunch: Town Table (veg-friendly Indian & Continental)
- 05Evening: Heritage walk at Clock Tower, tea at Kalsang AMA Café (vegetarian Tibetan)
- 06Return to retreat for meditation or spa
Day 03
Nature & Reflection
- 01Morning: Walk: through forest trails near Vana or visit Malsi Deer Park
- 02Optional Visit
- 03Khalanga War Memorial (quiet hillside spot with panoramic views)
- 04Lunch: Sattvic cuisine at retreat
- 05Evening: Leisure time, holistic treatments, forest bathing, or yoga at Vana
Day 04
Drive to Rishikesh | Ganga Aarti
- 01Check out & drive to Rishikesh (~1.5 hrs)
- 02Check-in at Taj or Roseate
- 03Visit
- 04Lakshman Jhula and Ram Jhula – scenic bridges over Ganges
- 05Parmarth Niketan Ashram – for Ganga Aarti at sunset
- 06Dinner: At your resort or Bistro Nirvana (vegetarian, relaxed ambience)
Day 05
Temples, Spirituality & Optional Adventure
- 01Early yoga or meditation at hotel or Parmarth Niketan
- 02Visit Triveni Ghat for morning aarti and holy dip
- 03Optional temple visit to Neelkanth Mahadev Temple (through scenic jungle road, ~1.5 hrs drive)
- 04Lunch: Little Buddha Café (riverside vegetarian spot)
- 05Afternoon: (optional)
- 06River rafting / zipline / spa at your resort
- 07Dinner: At Pebble Beach (Taj) or Pure Soul Organic Kitchen
Day 06
Himalayan Confluence & Departure
- 01Morning: drive to Devprayag (1.5 hrs) – sacred confluence of Bhagirathi & Alaknanda rivers
- 02Visit Raghunathji Temple
- 03Lunch: On the way back at A Tavola Con Te (vegetarian Italian in Rishikesh)
- 04Afternoon: Rest, spa, or riverside walk
- 05Evening: Depart or one last Ganga Aarti at Triveni Ghat
- 06Temples & Monasteries on the Route
- 07Dehradun
- 08Tapkeshwar Mahadev Temple
- 09Mindrolling Monastery
- 10Santala Devi Temple
- 11Rishikesh
- 12Triveni Ghat
- 13Parmarth Niketan Ashram
- 14Neelkanth Mahadev Temple
02
Where to sleep
Hotels worth booking
What to order
Local cuisine
Must try
Local speciality
Paneer butter masala
Must try
Local speciality
Veg biryani
Must try
Local speciality
Masala dosa
Must try
Local speciality
Veg thali
Must try
Local speciality
Chole bhature
Must try
Local speciality
Gulab jamun
04
Logistics
Getting there & around
01 · Private chauffeur-driven car
The most comfortable way to explore — a trusted driver for door-to-door travel.
02 · Domestic flights
Quick hops between regions; book a few weeks ahead for the best fares.
03 · Airport arrival
A private meet-and-greet transfer is arranged from the moment you land.
The numbers
Budget breakdown
Total · per person
$1,044–$5,652 pp
USD
Breakdown
- Accommodation
- $120–$600 / night
- Food & dining
- $22–$132 / day
- Transportation
- $14–$90 / day
- Activities
- $18–$120 / day
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