Rishikesh Recreation, Rejuvenation and Relaxation: The Indian Himalayas

Known as the Yoga capital of the world, Rishikesh is a tranquil mountainous town nestled in the Himalayas of India on the banks of the Ganges River.

Not a yogi? No worries! Rishikesh has so much more to offer than just Yoga! If you haven't tried yoga and would like to give it a go, this is the best place in the world to do it!

The area that this trip report focuses on is Tapovan. Tapovan is definitely the quieter part of Rishikesh and where you will find many yoga schools, massage schools and ashrams, along with ayurvedic and meditation retreats.

What to do

Yoga, meditation, massage, ayurveda treatments — opt to participate as an experience or do a course to become a practitioner, or both, like I did!

Visit temples, visit an ashram (the Beatles Ashram, also known as Chaurasi Kutia, being one of the most notable). Go white-water rafting down the Ganges. Bungee jump and experience India's highest giant swing. Take a trek and experience the magic of the Himalayas. Watch the sunrise at the base of a temple. Take a stroll over the two main bridges, Ram Jhula, and Laxman Jhula. (Note: during my visit, the Laxman Jhula was under construction and you could not cross it). Enjoy the sunset over the Ganges at one of the riverside cafes/restaurants that offer breathtaking views. Shop at the markets, where you can purchase amazing quality Indian clothing for a very small investment!

Where to eat

There are so many amazing places to eat throughout the Tapovan area. When completing my yoga course (where meals were provided) I stayed on a little longer and tried to go to a different restaurant every day! (Note: All the food is vegetarian or vegan. I heard that meat/chicken/fish is served in some places, but I never came across any. To be honest, the food was so delicious I never found myself looking for or craving meat!)

Some places I really enjoyed in Tapovan:

• Secret Garden Cafe

• Bodhi Cafe

• Pure Soul Cafe & Organic Kitchen

• Tat Cafe (incredible view of Ganges)

• Om Shanti Shanti Cafe (very calming ambiance)

• Raha Cafe

• The Monkey House Cafe

Important note

Rishikesh is a 'dry area' which means that the consumption or sale of liquor is prohibited.

Where to stay

Due to the area, if you do a course, a lot of the accommodation is included in your package. Some can be quite basic, and others quite high-end. This is all dependent on your taste and what type of course you decide on.

Courses aside the same goes, you can find basic budget accommodation ranging all the way through to some very luxurious resorts!

After my course, I opted for a mid-range hotel that had a restaurant, mountain views and gave me free use of the yoga studio any time I wanted.

A perfect introduction to the beauty of the Himalayas and the spirituality of India. With a combination of some impressive outdoor adventures and healing practices such as ayurveda, yoga and meditation. Rishikesh is where you can definitely get your heart pumping and rejuvenate your soul.

For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our India page.