We are going for a family holiday to Rishikesh and would be spending five days there. We want to all extend our holiday but by visiting another destination and would like to know what places to visit near Rishikesh. We would like to know about places which are very close by and also about a maximum of one hour drive away, nothing more than that. To give you some ideas of the places to suggest my family includes my husband and me my brother in law and his wife with their 2 daughters aged 14 years and my son and daughter aged 5 years and 10 years old.
Hi there, welcome to the forum! Overview Rishikesh has plenty of attractions to keep you busy for a few days. But if you need excursions out of the city, there are also plenty that you can visit. With as little as under an hour away of travelling time, you can explore the nearby destinations which would be listed below. While they aren't as huge or as adventurous as Rishikesh, they are quite good getaways once you have fully explored the yoga capital of the world. You can even visit a few of them since the driving distance isn't that long anyway. Places to Vist Near Rishikesh (Under One Hour Away) 1. Narendra Nagar - This city is about 21 kilometres away from Rishikesh, which is about 40 minutes of driving away. The city is blessed with natural beauty and also a pleasant climate since it is elevated. It also has a long history behind it, having been established as the capital of Maharaja Narendra Shah. The city has a few attractions that you can explore too. One of which is the Ananda - In the Himalayas Resort Spa, a premier spa destination. But before it became a spa destination, it began as the palace of Maharaja Narendra Shah, named the Narendra Nagar Palace. This palace has the traditional Indian style of architecture, although it has a very simple facade, the intricate carvings stand out in certain parts of the property. An added attraction to the palace is the Viceregal Palace, which was also built by the Maharaja. It, back then, was the home of the British viceroys who visited the city. Fast forward to today, the Ananda - In the Himalayas Resort Spa is known as the best spa destinations in Asia. Even the children would enjoy a stay here as they embark in nature trails around the spa. The adults can enjoy ultimate relaxation with an indulging spa or massage treatment. There are also two temples that you can visit within Narendra Nagar, namely: the Radha Krishna Temple and the Kunjapuri Temple. The former is dedicated to Radha Krishna and even has a stream flowing within it while the latter is dedicated to Shiva, it requires a bit of a trek to reach it. There's also a huge Nandi Statue that you can visit in the city, supposed to be the largest of its kind in North India. Must visit attractions - Ananda - In the Himalayas Resort Spa, Radha Krishna Temple, Kunjapuri Temple and Nandi Statue. Ananda - In the Himalayas in Narendra Nagar (Image Courtesy of Kuoni) 2. Chilla - At just about 19 kilometres away from Rishikesh, you can reach Chilla Wildlife Sanctuary, a part of the Rajaji National Park. This area is known for its dense population of Asiatic elephants. You can enjoy a wildlife safari via jeep or even via an elephant. The terrains of the wildlife sanctuary are varied, from dense coverings, grasslands, deciduous forests and lots of watering holes. This ensures that your visit is all worth it, not just because you can spot wild animals, but also because the place itself is very scenic. With the mighty Ganges River viewable from the high parts of the wildlife sanctuary, you're rewarded with beautiful views amidst a backdrop of the mountains too. Other animals that you can spot here are tigers, leopards, wild bears and lots of bird species. It's also one of the few wildlife sanctuaries that allow guests to bring in their own cars, but make sure that your vehicle can withstand rough terrains. You can stay in the nearby Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam Tourist Rest House if you'd like to make a couple of safaris in the wildlife sanctuary since the government does operate such safaris for guests staying in the rest house. Must visit attraction - Chilla Wildlife Sanctuary. 3. Shivpuri - Shivpuri is just 23 kilometres away from Rishikesh, so about 40 minutes of driving away. Shivpuri is a well-known destination near Rishikesh because it is here that many white water rafting enthusiasts go to and enjoy the rapids of the Ganges River. While white water rafting requires some experience or at least some courage, another activity that is a bit more laid-back that you can do here would be camping. There are many companies around Shivpuri that offer this experience which can be fun for the whole family. It's the best activity to be one with nature without getting too overboard or dangerous. Kayaking is yet another activity that the whole family can enjoy, there are parts in the river that are suitable for this activity too. You can also try zip lining over the Ganga River or partake in ATV riding around the terrains of Shivpuri. Must do activities - Rafting, Camping, Kayaking, Zip Lining and ATV Riding. Shivpuri (Image Courtesy of Trip Advisor) 4. Doiwala - This city is about 27 kilometres away from Rishikesh, or about 45 minutes of driving away. It is a small town, conveniently sandwiched between Rishikesh, Dehradun and Haridwar. Its prime attraction is the Lachhiwala Picnic Spot, right at the heart of the city. The entire picnic spot is covered by dense sal forests along with numerous streams strewn in its different regions. You can enjoy a picnic here by bringing your own snacks and spending a few hours bonding with your family. Don't forget to visit the Lakshman Siddh Temple, where serenity meets with nature, as it is located in the dense forest of the area. A few temples around Doiwala that you can visit are the Arya Samaj Mandir and the Shiv Shakti Bhawan Mandir. Must visit attractions - Lachhiwala Picnic Spot, Lakshman Siddh Temple, Arya Samaj Mandir and Shiv Shakti Bhawan Mandir. 5. Haridwar - Ending this list is Haridwar, which is about 25 kilometres away from Rishikesh. It is one of the most sacred places in India for the Hindus, as this is one of the four places where the holy Amrit poured over. As such, you must visit the Har Ki Pauri, a ghat leading to the holy Ganges River. But more than that, this is the spot where the holy Amrit fell over, so named the Brahmakund. This is also where the Kumbh Mela is held every 12 years. Make sure you witness the Ganga Aarti here, which happens every night by the ghat. A visit to the Mansa Devi Temple is also a must, and kids can enjoy the ropeway which would take you directly to the temple, as it is located on a hillock. Make a wish too, because the temple is believed to grant the wishes of sincere devotees. Likewise, the Chanda Devi Temple can also be reached through a ropeway, but it is dedicated to Goddess Chandika. The Bharat Mata Mandir is a huge complex spanning over eight floors, each of which is dedicated to different persons/deities. The Sapt Rishi Ashram is famous too because it is here where the seven sages meditated. With permission, your family can even stay in the ashram for a few days. For wildlife spotting, you can visit the Neel Dhara Pakshi Vihar. It is a bird sanctuary home to a few resident species of birds but becomes a hot spot for bird watching during winter when migratory birds flock to its waters. And lastly, the Rajaji National Park is also located in Haridwar. Rare animals that you can spot here are the Asiatic elephants and gorals. Commonly spotted animals here are sambars, chitals, rhesus macaques, sloth bears and wild pigs. Thus, if you can only visit one place near Rishikesh, Haridwar would be a good option, as it has a number of attractions to keep you and your loved ones busy. Plus, it has plenty of accommodation options too, unlike the other destinations. Must visit attractions - Har Ki Pauri, Mansa Devi Temple, Chanda Devi Temple, Bharat Mata Mandir, Sapt Rishi Ashram, Neel Dhara Pakshi Vihar and Rajaji National Park. Har Ki Pauri in Haridwar (Image Courtesy of Haridwar Darshan) Enjoy your excursion out of Rishikesh.