Start with wholesome vegetarian and vegan breakfast (smoothie bowls, poha, masala chai) at Pure Soul near Laxman Jhula; they focus on organic, plant-based food. They are typically open 8:00am–9:30pm but confirm when you arrive.
Drop bags at your hotel or riverside camp, freshen up and get local SIM/permits if needed; hotels usually allow early luggage drop and standard check-in is 12:00pm.
Leisurely walk across both suspension bridges to soak in views, temples and markets; bridges are open 24/7 but best visited in daylight for safety and photos.
Iconic purely-vegetarian North Indian restaurant near Laxman Jhula serving thalis, dal, paneer and Jain options; typically open 7:00am–10:30pm. Good introduction to local flavours.
Explore the graffiti, ruins and meditation cells of the Beatles Ashram in Rajaji Tiger Reserve; typical public visiting hours are ~9:30am–5:00pm — arrive before closing for 1–1.5 hours.
Attend the evening Ganga Aarti for a soulful ceremony by the river; Parmarth Niketan aarti is around 6:00pm–7:00pm (arrive 15–30 min early for a good spot).
Return to a purely vegetarian meal at Pure Soul (if still open) or Om Cafe for light, healthy dinner options like dals, wraps and vegetarian pasta; most vegetarian cafés are open till 8:00–9:30pm.
Quick vegetarian breakfast to fuel an active day — parathas, fruit and tea; cafes open from around 7:00am, inform your hotel if you need packed breakfast earlier.
Full-day rafting trip over Class II–IV rapids; operators typically pick up between 7:00am–8:30am and trips run 9:00am–3:00pm. This is an essential Rishikesh adventure and includes safety briefing and guide.
Most rafting operators include a vegetarian riverside buffet or tiffin after the trip; menus are simple and hygienic — confirm vegetarian-only if needed.
After rafting you can do supervised cliff jumps and river play at safe spots; time and availability vary by operator and are usually offered the same day in the afternoon.
Jumpin Heights bungee operations are typically 8:00am–5:00pm; book slots in advance. Expect safety briefing, harnessing and the jump experience lasting ~1–2 hours from arrival to completion.
After bungee, try the Giant Swing, Flying Fox and ziplines — each has its own safety briefing and runs within the same site (open ~8:00am–5:00pm). These activities are high-fun and great for photos.
Return to Rishikesh for lunch at Little Buddha Cafe by the river for vegetarian pizzas, pastas and Indian mains; they usually open 8:30am–10:30pm. Confirm strictly vegetarian choice when ordering.
Short afternoon rock-climbing session at a local instructor-managed cliff near Rishikesh; sessions run afternoon to early evening and are perfect to learn basics and practice rappelling.
Canyoning operators normally start pickups ~7:30–8:30am; activities include waterfall rappels, slides and short swims and run 3–5 hours depending on the package and water level. Operators provide safety gear and guides.
Afternoon session focused on technical climbing and top-rope/lead practice; local instructors run sessions ~2:00pm–5:00pm and provide gear and coaching.
Evening visit to Vashishta Gufa for quiet meditation or a calm riverside walk; cave access is generally unrestricted during daylight hours — avoid late-night visits.
Kunjapuri sunrise trek takes ~1.5–2 hours up from the roadhead; leave very early (pickup ~4:00am) to reach the top for sunrise. Kunjapuri temple opens early for devotees; Neelkanth trek is steeper and may take 3–4 hours each way and the shrine is open typically from early morning to evening.
Enjoy a packed vegetarian breakfast or chai and parantha at the hilltop/nearby tea stall while watching the sunrise over the Himalaya; small shops typically open early for pilgrims.
Head back to town for a long rest after early morning trek; use this time to shower and relax — many hotels offer afternoon check-out flexibility if requested.
Half-day kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding on gentler stretches of the Ganga; operators run morning sessions ~9:00am–12:00pm and provide basic coaching and life jackets.
Afternoon adrenaline with zipline and supervised cliff jumps at safe spots; activities generally run until late afternoon (around 4:30pm–5:00pm) depending on operator.
Settle into tents, enjoy tea and sunset by the Ganges; camps typically allow fires and music in the designated area and provide blankets — confirm fire policy in advance.
Gentle sunrise yoga and guided meditation at a riverside shala or your hotel — most classes run 7:00am–8:30am and are vegetarian-friendly for breakfast afterwards.
Final leisurely vegetarian breakfast; pick Pure Soul for organic vegan options or Chotiwala for a full Indian breakfast thali, both open from early morning.
Spend final hours visiting ashram gardens or join a short satsang/workshop; Parmarth is open to visitors and many programs run midday — check the ashram schedule on arrival.
Collect luggage, arrange transfer to Dehradun / Haridwar railway station or Jolly Grant Airport; plan at least 3 hours transit time to the airport depending on traffic.