Weather in Rishikesh

About Rishikesh

The Ganges roars white-water through the mountains here, past ashrams clinging to cliffs where sitar music drifts across the rapids at sunset. Yoga classes begin before dawn in riverside rooms; incense and chanting drown out traffic. The hippie traveller scene of the 1960s has evolved into world-class yoga retreats commanding six-figure tuitions.

Country

India

Best months to visit

February, March, April, October, November, December

Currency

INR

Language

Hindi, English

Things to do in Rishikesh

Joining yoga and meditation classes at authentic ashrams on the riverside Rafting or kayaking the white-water Ganges rapids through mountain gorges Attending evening aarti ceremonies with priests and pilgrims on ghats Visiting Beatles Ashram (Maharishi's compound) through the jungle Exploring the suspension bridges and temples crossing the gorge Shopping the hippie bazaar for yoga clothing, prayer beads, and incense

Weather by month

Click any month for detailed weather information and travel tips.

January

18C

Mild and comfortable, with occasional showers.

Recommended

February

22C

Mild and comfortable, and mostly sunny skies.

Recommended

March

27C

Warm and pleasant, with occasional showers.

Recommended

April

33C

Hot and humid, and mostly sunny skies.

May

35C

Very hot, with occasional showers.

June

35C

Very hot, with some rainy days.

July

31C

Hot and humid, with frequent heavy rain.

August

30C

Hot and humid, with frequent heavy rain.

September

30C

Hot and humid, with some rainy days.

Recommended

October

29C

Warm and pleasant, and mostly sunny skies.

Recommended

November

25C

Warm and pleasant, and mostly sunny skies.

Recommended

December

20C

Mild and comfortable, and mostly sunny skies.

Rishikesh sits where the Ganges rushes out of the Himalayan foothills, a backdrop that's made it both a pilgrimage town and the self-proclaimed yoga capital of the world, ever since the Beatles famously studied here in 1968. Suspension bridges at Laxman Jhula and Ram Jhula connect ashrams, yoga schools and rooftop cafes on either bank, while the same river that's sacred for evening aarti ceremonies also offers some of India's most accessible white-water rafting.

Best areas to stay in Rishikesh

Laxman Jhula

A backpacker hub clustered around the iconic suspension bridge, with yoga studios, German bakeries and riverside cafes.

Tapovan

Across the river from Laxman Jhula, a quieter area popular for longer yoga stays and budget guesthouses.

Ram Jhula

Home to several major ashrams and the Parmarth Niketan ghat, where large evening aarti ceremonies take place.

Shivpuri

A riverside area upstream known as a base for rafting trips and riverside camps.

Getting to Rishikesh

✈

Flights

The nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun, around 35km away, with domestic flights from Delhi and other major cities.

⏱

From London

From Delhi, allow around 5-6 hours by road or a similar duration by train to Haridwar followed by a short taxi ride.

🚕

Getting around

Auto-rickshaws and shared taxis connect the main areas; many sights along the river are walkable via the footbridges.

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to visit Rishikesh?

September to November and February to April offer pleasant weather for yoga, rafting and riverside walks; the rafting season generally runs September to June.

Do I need yoga experience to join a class?

No — ashrams and studios across Rishikesh offer drop-in classes and multi-day courses for complete beginners as well as longer teacher-training programmes.

Is alcohol available in Rishikesh?

No — Rishikesh is a holy town and alcohol and meat are officially banned within municipal limits, though vegetarian cafes are plentiful and excellent.

What's the best area to stay in?

Laxman Jhula and Tapovan have the highest concentration of yoga studios, cafes and guesthouses; Ram Jhula is slightly more traditional and ashram-focused.

Is the rafting suitable for beginners?

Yes — shorter stretches near Shivpuri offer grade II-III rapids suitable for first-timers, while longer routes from further upstream offer more excitement.

Traveler reviews

★★★★★

Did a week-long yoga course in Tapovan and loved the rhythm of the town — morning practice, then wandering along the river and cafes in the afternoon.

Sarah K. · March 2024

★★★★★

The evening Ganga aarti at Parmarth Niketan was beautiful, and rafting the next day was a great contrast — proper rapids with stunning scenery.

Rohan G. · October 2023

★★★★☆

Such a peaceful, vegetarian-friendly place. Crossing Laxman Jhula at sunset with the mountains behind became part of my daily routine.

Emma T. · November 2024