Route: Haridwar - Rishikesh - Mussoorie - Dehradun
Places covered: Haridwar, Har Ki Pauri, Rishikesh, Triveni Ghat, Mussoorie, Landour, Kempty Falls
This is the Uttarakhand we suggest for most first-time visitors with five or six days. It follows the Ganga from the plains into the hills: a pilgrim town, a river town and a hill station. It keeps drives short, uses only three bases and leaves time to enjoy each.
Who it suits
Couples, families with children, and small groups. It works best from March to June and September to November. Winter is cold in Mussoorie but fine in Haridwar and Rishikesh. In the monsoon, we keep the route but add buffer time and avoid the more exposed roads.
How the days flow
You arrive in Haridwar and attend the evening aarti at Har Ki Pauri. The next day you move to Rishikesh, which is under an hour away, and see the Triveni Ghat aarti. Your second day in Rishikesh is for yoga, a walk, the Beatles Ashram and, from about September to June, a rafting trip. On day four, you drive about three hours to Mussoorie. Day five is for Landour, Lal Tibba, Gun Hill and Kempty Falls. On day six, you drive to Dehradun for your flight or onward journey.
Why this route works
Each place has a different character: the spiritual intensity of Haridwar, the relaxed riverside atmosphere of Rishikesh and the cool air of Mussoorie. The drives are short, so you arrive fresh. Putting Haridwar first means a gentle start. Ending in Mussoorie gives a mountain finish.
The honest part
- Haridwar and Rishikesh are pilgrimage towns, so many places are vegetarian and alcohol-free.
- Rafting is seasonal and weather-dependent. We keep a backup plan.
- Mussoorie is crowded on weekends and holidays. We choose hotels away from the busiest part of Mall Road, and try to place the stay midweek.
- Hill roads can be affected by landslides in the monsoon.
- The aarti ceremonies are crowded, and standing for a long time can be tiring for elderly guests.
What a typical day feels like
Mornings are for sightseeing or activity, when the air is cooler. Lunch is a long pause. Afternoons are for rest or short visits, and evenings are for aarti, walks and dinner. We avoid packing too much into any day.
Customising
Add a night in Haridwar, extend to Nainital and Corbett, replace rafting with a yoga class or add a Dhanaulti day. Tell us what you would like and we will price it.
