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Itinerary · Uttarakhand

5 Days Uttarakhand Itinerary

A compact plan for Rishikesh, Haridwar and Mussoorie: the Ganga aarti, a river day and a hill-station finish.

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Duration5 days

Scheduled Travel Plan

Arrive in Haridwar and Ganga aartiCheck in, rest, and visit Har Ki Pauri for the evening aarti. Enjoy a simple vegetarian dinner, and keep the evening light. An early night helps if you have travelled from Delhi that morning.

Check in, rest, and visit Har Ki Pauri for the evening aarti. Enjoy a simple vegetarian dinner, and keep the evening light. An early night helps if you have travelled from Delhi that morning.

Haridwar to RishikeshVisit Mansa Devi by ropeway in the morning, then drive about an hour to Rishikesh. Check in, walk across Ram Jhula, and attend the Triveni Ghat aarti in the evening before dinner at a riverside cafe.

Visit Mansa Devi by ropeway in the morning, then drive about an hour to Rishikesh. Check in, walk across Ram Jhula, and attend the Triveni Ghat aarti in the evening before dinner at a riverside cafe.

A day on the GangaStart with yoga or sunrise at Kunjapuri, then the Beatles Ashram. From about September to June, add a rafting trip in the afternoon. Keep the evening free for cafes and a quiet walk by the river.

Start with yoga or sunrise at Kunjapuri, then the Beatles Ashram. From about September to June, add a rafting trip in the afternoon. Keep the evening free for cafes and a quiet walk by the river.

Rishikesh to MussoorieDrive about three hours to Mussoorie, stopping for lunch on the way. Check in, rest, and walk along Camel's Back Road or Mall Road in the evening. Choose a quiet restaurant for dinner.

Drive about three hours to Mussoorie, stopping for lunch on the way. Check in, rest, and walk along Camel's Back Road or Mall Road in the evening. Choose a quiet restaurant for dinner.

Landour and departureSpend the morning in Landour for Char Dukan pancakes and a walk to Lal Tibba. After lunch, drive about two hours to Dehradun for your flight or train, allowing time for traffic.

Spend the morning in Landour for Char Dukan pancakes and a walk to Lal Tibba. After lunch, drive about two hours to Dehradun for your flight or train, allowing time for traffic.

Five days is a good length for a first taste of Uttarakhand, and it requires accepting that you will leave things out. This itinerary follows the Ganga from the plains into the hills, using Haridwar for pilgrimage, Rishikesh for the river and Mussoorie for the mountains, with short drives between them.

Who it suits: couples, friends and families who want a short break near Delhi. What it leaves out: Nainital, Corbett and the Char Dham. For those, see the 7-day itinerary.

Seasonal tweaks: from March to June and September to November the plan is as written. In winter, Mussoorie is cold. In the monsoon, keep dates flexible and avoid rafting.

How the days are balanced. Day 1 is arrival and the Haridwar aarti. Day 2 is the move to Rishikesh. Day 3 is a river day. Day 4 is the drive to Mussoorie. Day 5 is Landour and the departure. Do not schedule rafting on your last day.

What each day gives you. The first evening is about ritual, the second day about the river and the fourth about the hills, so the trip has a clear shape even though it is short. Making the most of it. Start early, since mornings are cooler and calmer, and keep the afternoons slow. Getting around. A private car links everything. Want a version priced for your dates? See the Classic Uttarakhand tour or ask for a custom plan.

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Helpful answers

Frequently Asked Questions

How many days do I need for Uttarakhand?

Five to seven days covers Rishikesh, Haridwar and Mussoorie comfortably. Add two days for Nainital and Corbett. A Kedarnath and Badrinath journey needs seven to nine days because the roads are slow and weather can force changes. Trying to cover Garhwal and Kumaon in four days leaves you in the car.

When is river rafting open in Rishikesh?

Rafting generally runs from about September to June, and is suspended in the monsoon when the Ganga is high. The exact opening and closing dates are decided each year by the authorities, who also set safety rules. Rafting is not a certainty on any given day, so we keep a backup plan.

What is the best time to visit Uttarakhand?

March to June and September to November are the most comfortable months for most trips. Spring and early summer suit the hill stations and the Char Dham season, while autumn brings clear Himalayan views. July and August are monsoon months with landslide risk, though the Valley of Flowers blooms then. Winter is cold, with snow at Mussoorie and Auli, and is the best time for Corbett.

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