A 4-to-6-day add-on for the Christmas holidays or the quiet January weeks. Cold mornings, clear skies, the river at its calmest, and an easy run up from Delhi.
At a glance: a Rishikesh winter trip from the UK
Fly non-stop from London Heathrow to Delhi (from £303 per person, one-way from London Heathrow, checked 9 October 2026, prices change daily). From Delhi, take the Vande Bharat or Shatabdi train to Haridwar in about 3.5 to 4.5 hours, drive in 5 to 6 hours, or fly to Dehradun’s Jolly Grant Airport and reach Rishikesh in 30 to 45 minutes by road. Allow 4 to 6 days. Expect cold, crisp mornings, sunny afternoons and far fewer crowds than in summer.
Why go in December or January
Most UK families fly to India in winter anyway, for the Christmas school holidays or the longer January trip home. Rishikesh and Haridwar sit about 230 kilometres north-east of Delhi, where the Ganga leaves the mountains, and make an easy side trip from a Delhi arrival.
Winter suits the place. Mornings are cold, often 5 to 8°C before sunrise, so you will want a proper jacket on the ghats. By lunchtime it is usually 18 to 22°C and sunny, with clear skies and far fewer pilgrims. For parents who find Indian heat hard, this is the kindest time of year.
Two things to know. Christmas to New Year is busy with Delhi weekenders, so book rooms early. And January fog in Delhi can delay early flights and trains, so leave slack.
Getting there: Delhi is the gateway
Rishikesh has no airport, so every route from the UK runs through Delhi. We book London to Delhi non-stops from Heathrow, and one-stop options from Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh and Glasgow. From Delhi there are three ways on.
| From Delhi | Typical time | Best for | Notes |
| Train to Haridwar (Vande Bharat or Shatabdi from New Delhi) | Roughly 3.5 to 4.5 hours to Haridwar, then 45 minutes by car to Rishikesh | Most families. Comfortable, reliable, scenic in the last hour | Book seats in advance. New Delhi station is about 45 to 60 minutes from the airport. |
| Car with driver | About 5 to 6 hours door to door | Elderly parents, young children, lots of luggage | Straight from the airport to your hotel. Allow longer in January fog. |
| Fly to Dehradun (Jolly Grant Airport) | About 1 hour in the air, then 30 to 45 minutes by road to Rishikesh | Short trips and anyone who dislikes long drives | Several daily flights from Delhi. The airport is closer to Rishikesh than to Dehradun itself. |
Our advice for most UK families: train in, car out. Arrive by rail while you are fresh, then drive back to Delhi at a time that suits your flight home.
A simple 5-day plan
Stretch it to six days with a yoga stay, or trim it to four.
- Day 1. Land in Delhi. Rest, or take the afternoon train to Haridwar and reach Rishikesh by evening.
- Day 2. Haridwar. Har Ki Pauri in the morning, the bazaars, then the evening Ganga Aarti.
- Day 3. Rishikesh. The Ram Jhula and Laxman Jhula area, the ashrams, and the Aarti at Triveni Ghat or Parmarth Niketan.
- Day 4. A quiet day. A morning yoga class, a waterfall walk, or a half-day safari in Rajaji National Park.
- Day 5. Car back to Delhi, or on to Amritsar, Agra or Shimla.
Ganga Aarti: Haridwar and Rishikesh
The evening Aarti is the reason many people come. In winter it begins around sunset, about 5.30pm. There are two very different versions.
Har Ki Pauri, Haridwar. This is the big one. Thousands of people, hundreds of lamps on the water, bells on both banks. Arrive 45 minutes early for a spot on the steps. Keep bags close and hold hands with children, because the crowd moves quickly at the end.
Triveni Ghat and Parmarth Niketan, Rishikesh. Smaller and calmer. Triveni Ghat has a local feel and space. Parmarth Niketan, on the Swargashram bank, holds a gentle Aarti and welcomes visitors. For elderly parents or small children, start here.
These are religious ceremonies, not shows. Dress modestly, remove shoes where asked, and ask before photographing people.
Laxman Jhula, Ram Jhula and the ashram side
The two suspension bridges are the landmarks of Rishikesh. Ram Jhula is open and busy. The original Laxman Jhula has been closed to crossing for some years for safety, with a new footbridge close by, so check what is open when you arrive. The far bank is where you want to be: riverside cafes, the Beatles Ashram ruins, and the row of ashrams down to Parmarth Niketan.
Short yoga stays that work for UK visitors
You do not need a month-long course. Many ashrams and guesthouses offer drop-in morning classes and two-to-three-night stays. In winter, classes often start at 7am rather than dawn, and halls are unheated, so bring warm socks and a shawl. Tapovan is the quieter base; Swargashram puts you in the middle of things. We can book hotels in India alongside your flights.
6 practical tips for families and elderly parents
1. Book heated rooms
Many budget guesthouses have no heating. Pay a little more for a room heater and reliable hot water.
2. Pack for two seasons in one day
Thermals and a warm jacket for mornings and the Aarti. Light layers for the afternoons. Shoes you can slip off at temples.
3. Expect vegetarian, alcohol-free towns
Rishikesh and Haridwar are strictly vegetarian and alcohol is not sold. The thalis, parathas and chai are a highlight. If someone needs non-vegetarian meals, eat well in Delhi before and after.
4. Build in a rest day
Your parents have just done a nine-hour flight and a train. One quiet morning with chai by the river does more good than a fourth temple.
5. Mind the steps and the water
Ghat steps are steep and slippery in places. Hold on to elderly relatives near the river. The Ganga is fast and cold, so bathe only in the chained areas.
6. Rajaji National Park
Rajaji lies right next to Rishikesh and Haridwar and opens for the winter season. Morning jeep safaris are cold but rewarding for elephants, deer and birdlife. Book through your hotel.
Combine it with Delhi or Amritsar
Rishikesh slots in neatly as the quiet middle of a Delhi trip. If your family is in Punjab, travel on from Haridwar towards Amritsar in a long day, or return to Delhi and fly up. See our Manchester to Amritsar guide and our Christmas and New Year flights guide. Students and education staff get £25 off selected UK–India return flights with our recent offer
Documents first: British passport holders need an Indian e-Visa or OCI card. Apply through the official Indian visa website well before you fly.
Why book your Rishikesh trip with Mann Travel
Mann Travel has been taking families home to India since 2007, and our Southall office has looked after UK travellers since 2019. Our team speaks Hindi, Punjabi and English, and we specialise in flights and hotels to India from London, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh and Glasgow. We are group and family specialists, and we can put your Delhi flights, Dehradun hop and Rishikesh hotel on one plan, with phone and WhatsApp support while you are away.
Let’s take you home, with a few days by the river.
Search live fares to Delhi at manntravel.co.uk/flights or call our Southall team on 0208 099 9900. Ask us to add Rishikesh hotels and your Dehradun flight. You can also message us on WhatsApp.
frequently asked questions
How do I get from the UK to Rishikesh?
Fly to Delhi, then take a train to Haridwar (about 3.5 to 4.5 hours), a car (5 to 6 hours) or a flight to Dehradun’s Jolly Grant Airport followed by 30 to 45 minutes by road. Rishikesh has no airport.
What is the weather like in Rishikesh in December and January?
Cold mornings and evenings, often 5 to 8°C, with sunny afternoons of around 18 to 22°C and clear skies. Bring warm layers for the Aarti.
How many days do I need for Rishikesh and Haridwar?
Four to six days from Delhi is comfortable: a travel day each way, a day in Haridwar, a day in Rishikesh, and a rest or yoga day.
Is Rishikesh suitable for elderly parents?
Yes, with planning. Choose a heated room, travel by car or train without rushing, start with the smaller Aarti at Parmarth Niketan or Triveni Ghat, and take care on the ghat steps.
Can I eat meat or drink alcohol in Rishikesh?
No. Rishikesh and Haridwar are vegetarian, alcohol-free towns. Plan non-vegetarian meals in Delhi before or after.
Fares and availability change daily and depend on the airline, date and fare type. Train and road times are typical and vary with season and weather. Always check live prices and the latest UK government travel advice for India before booking.
