Rishikesh
Destination guide

Rishikesh

The Yoga Capital of the World

WellnessNatureRomantic
The Verdict

For serious wellness. Ananda in the Himalayas is a 100-acre viceregal palace estate at 1,000m with 24 treatment rooms, resident Ayurveda physicians, and 7-, 14-, and 21-day medically supervised programs — anti-stress, weight balance, detox, chronic-pain.

At a glance

Fast facts

Best months
September to April (10–28°C).
Weather
Winter (Dec–Feb): 6–20°C, sunny days, cold nights. Spring lovely. Summer warm but pleasant at altitude.
Airport
Dehradun (DED) 35 km. Or Delhi + 5h private car, or Delhi + train to Haridwar.
Flight time
From Europe → Delhi 6h + 5h private car to Rishikesh (or short flight to Dehradun).
Dress code
Yoga wear provided at Ananda. Modest cover for the Aarti ceremony.
Currency
INR. Ananda is inclusive; small cash for offerings at Aarti.
The story

A place with a past

01The Ganges emerges from the Himalayas at Rishikesh (elevation 372m), passing through 20+ ashrams before entering the plains.
02India's yoga and Ayurveda capital, and home of Ananda in the Himalayas — 24× named 'World's Best Destination Spa' by Condé Nast.
03Sacred for millennia — Lakshman crossed the Ganges here on a jute rope (the origin of Lakshman Jhula bridge).
04The Beatles stayed at Maharishi Mahesh Yogi's ashram in 1968 and wrote 48 songs including much of the White Album.
Culture & flavour

How it feels, how it tastes

The mood

Devotional Hindu (Ganga Aarti at Parmarth Niketan every evening), yoga schools, sadhus, Beatles pilgrimage site (Chaurasi Kutia).

On the plate

Strictly vegetarian, no alcohol in Rishikesh town.

Ananda serves multi-cuisine, keto, vegan, and macrobiotic. Fresh Himalayan produce.

Where to stay

Our hotel shortlist

01Ananda in the Himalayas — 100-acre viceregal palace, best destination spa in the world
02Taj Rishikesh Resort & Spa — riverside modern luxury
03Aloha on the Ganges — boutique with private yoga
Signature moments

Frame these

Ananda's viceregal palace facadeLakshman Jhula bridge at sunriseParmarth Niketan Aarti at 6:30 PMNeelkanth temple mountain driveBeatles Ashram ruins with murals
Souvenirs & swerves

Bring home / Skip the rest

Bring home

Ayurveda supplies from Ananda's pharmacy, rudraksha malas, singing bowls.

Politely skip

Public rafting during monsoon.

Cheap 'ashram' stays not vetted.

Traveller notes

Insider details

Safety & discretion

Very safe for luxury travellers. Private transfers and vetted guides accompany every part of the journey.

On the ground
Ananda has Multilingual wellness consultants seasonally on staff. Book 60+ days ahead.
Did you know

Trivia worth telling

01Ananda in the Himalayas has been named World's Best Destination Spa by Condé Nast 24 times.
02The Beatles' 1968 visit to Rishikesh produced 48 songs, including most of the White Album.
03Rishikesh is India's yoga capital — the annual International Yoga Festival draws practitioners from 100+ countries.
04The town is fully vegetarian and alcohol-free by law.
05Parmarth Niketan's Ganga Aarti has been performed daily at sunset for 80+ years.
Elevate the trip

Optional flourishes

7-day medically supervised Ayurveda program at Ananda Private Ganga Aarti viewing boat Sunrise Kunjapuri Devi temple hike (2h, 1,700m) Private yoga pavilion sessions Beatles Ashram private after-hours visit with Beatles historian
India Tour, by the numbers
1:1
Guest to concierge ratio
24/7
Destination manager
03
Curated stays
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