Start with a hearty Punjabi-style breakfast at Chotiwala (open ~7:00am–10:30pm) or a lighter, international option at Little Buddha Café; both are near Ram Jhula and give a good introduction to local flavors.
Explore the abandoned ashram with murals and graffiti celebrating the Beatles; usually open around 8:00am–6:00pm — check seasonal hours and any ticketing updates before you go.
Walk Laxman Jhula, visit nearby temples and the shops on both sides of the river — this scenic pedestrian suspension bridge is an iconic Rishikesh landmark and best enjoyed before mid-day crowds.
Enjoy traditional North Indian thali or modern café fare close to the river; many local restaurants serve until evening — check kitchen closing times but most are open through lunch.
Stroll across Ram Jhula, relax on a riverside ghat or small beach, and browse yoga shops; great time for photos and picking up spiritual books or clothing.
If you skipped the ashram earlier, visit now; alternatively enjoy a guided short meditation session at a riverside ashram (many offer drop-in classes around 3–5pm) — always confirm class times locally.
Attend the evening Ganga Aarti (typically around sunset — roughly 5:30–6:30pm in October) for a spiritual river ceremony with lamps and chants; arrive 15–30 minutes early to secure a good spot.
Join the early morning yoga/meditation session at Parmarth Niketan (common times ~6:00–8:00am) to watch sunrise over the Ganges — confirm session times with the ashram beforehand (drop-in classes often available).
Operators typically pick up from central Rishikesh and do a safety briefing before launching; rafting season is generally Mar–Nov and runs in daylight hours — confirm your operator's pick-up time when booking.
Enjoy a 10–16 km raft run (grades II–IV depending on stretch) through scenic river rapids; typical runs take 2–3 hours including transport — verify stretch, difficulty and exact duration with your operator.
Many rafting operators include a riverside meal/tea at the take-out point; a relaxed lunch with views of the river is perfect for refueling after rafting.
Drive to Jumpin Heights for bungee jumping (open roughly 9:00am–5:00pm) or try giant swing/zipline; this requires advance booking and a short road trip — confirm operational hours and weight/health restrictions before you go.
If you prefer a spiritual afternoon instead of extreme sports, drive to Neelkanth Mahadev for darshan and scenic views; temple hours typically run early morning to evening — check darshan windows and local traffic times.
Arrive back in town for a gentle riverside walk and to relax before dinner; sunset in October is around 5:45–6:15pm but the riverside ambience is pleasant afterward as well.
End the trip with a relaxed riverside dinner—choose a café with views of the Ganges and a mix of Indian and international dishes; most restaurants are open until 10–11pm.
If you missed anything on Day 1 or want souvenirs, use the evening to revisit the market or catch another small aarti at a local ashram; check individual ashram timings for late-evening events.