Fly from Mumbai to Jolly Grant Airport; a direct flight, if available on your date, takes roughly 2½–3 hours, while a connection will take longer. Aim to land by early afternoon so you have time in town before dinner. The airport is around 25–30 km from central Dehradun; a pre-booked cab is the easiest option, while shared taxis can be cheaper if you’re travelling light. Allow about 45–75 minutes for the drive, depending on traffic, and keep some cash handy for the ride.
Head to Paltan Bazaar for an easy first look at the city and a chance to pick up snacks or travel essentials—useful before the mountain legs of your trip. Give yourselves about an hour to browse; it’s a busy, lively market, so keep valuables secure and agree on a meeting point if the group spreads out. From there, Clock Tower (Ghanta Ghar) is a short walk away. Spend around 30 minutes taking in the landmark and the surrounding central streets; both stops are close together, so there’s no need to arrange another cab.
Take a cab from the centre to Kalsang on Rajpur Road for a filling dinner. Budget roughly ₹300–₹600 per person, and allow about an hour; it’s a popular spot, so you may have a short wait at peak dinner time. After a travel day, keep the evening relaxed and arrange a cab back to your accommodation rather than counting on finding transport late.
Once you reach Rishikesh, head to Triveni Ghat and take an easy hour to walk beside the Ganges and get your bearings. It’s a good first stop after the road transfer; keep your bags at your stay if you can, since the ghat steps and market lanes are easier to explore hands-free. The riverside is open throughout the day, and the atmosphere gets livelier as evening approaches.
From the ghat, spend about 45 minutes browsing Rishikesh Market in the surrounding lanes. You’ll find woollen caps, socks and gloves—useful for the colder days ahead—as well as tea and inexpensive snacks; compare prices before buying. Then take an e-rickshaw or taxi towards Ram Jhula for lunch at Chotiwala Restaurant, a familiar, filling vegetarian stop. Budget roughly ₹250–₹450 per person and allow about an hour; check locally for that day’s opening hours.
Return to Triveni Ghat for the Ganga Aarti. In December, the ceremony is usually around sunset, but timings can vary, so confirm locally and arrive 30–45 minutes early to find a comfortable viewing spot. It can get chilly by the river after dark—wear the warm layers you picked up in the market, and allow a little extra time for the walk or ride back to your accommodation.
Start early from your stay and head north to Shivpuri with a licensed rafting operator; allow roughly 30–45 minutes each way from central Rishikesh, plus 3–4 hours for transfers, briefing and the river trip. December rafting is not guaranteed: confirm that operators are running and that water and weather conditions are suitable before paying. If it’s on, wear the provided thermal gear, bring a dry change of clothes and leave valuables at your accommodation.
After rafting, continue toward Neer Garh Waterfall, near Tapovan. Set aside 2–3 hours for the uphill trail and return; ask locally whether the path is open and safe, since winter shade can leave sections slippery. Carry water and shoes with good grip, and don’t count on a swim in December’s cold water.
Head south to Beatles Ashram (Chaurasi Kutia) in the Swarg Ashram area; allow 1½–2 hours to wander among the forest paths and murals. Check its current hours and Monday access before setting out—your visit falls on a Monday, when opening arrangements may differ. Finish at The 60’s Cafe (The Beatles Cafe) near Laxman Jhula for a relaxed riverside meal; budget around ₹300–₹600 per person. Allow extra time between stops for traffic and transfers, and check the bridge and crossing arrangements locally before heading to the café.
Leave Rishikesh at first light with your pre-booked hill driver; the drive to Joshimath typically takes 9–11 hours, and winter conditions can stretch that. Keep breakfast and water handy, and ask the driver to stop only at safe, open pull-offs. Treat the planned stops as weather- and daylight-dependent rather than trying to make up time later.
If road and weather conditions allow, pause at the Devprayag confluence viewpoint for 20–30 minutes to see the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi meet. Stay within marked roadside areas and be cautious on wet or icy steps. For lunch, choose a busy, clean roadside dhaba along the route; allow about 45 minutes and budget roughly ₹150–₹300 per person. Carry some cash, as card or UPI connectivity can be patchy.
After arrival, head to Joshimath town market only if you get in before dark. Give yourselves about 30 minutes to pick up drinking water, snacks, and any missing gloves or warm layers; winter daylight is short, and shops may close early. If you arrive late, skip the market and check in—your next day’s mountain plans will be easier with an early start.
After reaching Auli, first check locally whether the Auli Ropeway is running; winter weather and maintenance can interrupt service, so don’t build the day around it. If it’s operating, allow 1–2 hours for the ride and possible queues, and confirm the current fare before setting out. Then spend 2–3 hours around the Auli ski slopes. Snow isn’t guaranteed in early December, and lessons or equipment rental depend on conditions and what’s available that day—ask at the ski area before paying. Dress in layers, wear grippy footwear, and take it slowly on icy ground.
Walk over to Auli Artificial Lake for about 45 minutes and enjoy the high-altitude views; stay on clear paths and check with local staff about access if the ground is icy. For lunch, choose a simple local dhaba near the Auli accommodation and ski area—hot dal, rice or roti usually makes a filling budget meal, around ₹200–₹400 per person. Carry some cash, as card or UPI service can be unreliable in mountain areas.
If there’s enough daylight and visibility is good, finish with the planned Auli viewpoint walk, keeping it to a safe 45-minute stroll near the ski area. Ask your accommodation which path is clear that day, and turn back if it’s icy, foggy or getting dark; sunset comes early in December. If snow has fallen, enjoy it from firm, open ground rather than wandering onto unmarked slopes.
Set out early with a local guide for the Gorson Bugyal trail; allow 4–6 hours, including breaks and the return. Ask your guide and accommodation to confirm the trail and weather are suitable that morning—December snow, ice and wind can make the route unsafe. Wear warm layers, waterproof footwear with good grip, gloves and sunglasses, and carry water and a snack. Keep the group together and turn back if visibility or conditions worsen; don’t treat reaching the meadow as the goal.
After returning, take an easy hour around the Auli viewpoint circuit by the upper ski area. On a clear day, look for views toward the Nanda Devi range; cloud and snowfall can quickly close them in, so enjoy whatever the mountain gives you rather than waiting too long. Then warm up at a local tea stall near Auli’s ski area—allow about 30 minutes and ₹50–₹150 per person. Stalls may have limited hours or close early in poor weather, so carry a small snack as backup.
Head back to your lodging before dark; paths and roads can be icy, and local transport is limited, so arrange a pickup in advance if you’re not staying nearby. Finish with a simple hot meal at an Auli local dhaba close to your accommodation—budget around ₹200–₹400 per person and allow an hour. Check what’s available that evening, as winter menus and opening times can be limited; after a long hike, an early dinner and a warm night are the sensible adventure-trip finish.
Set off from Auli at first light with your pre-booked hill driver; allow 9–11 hours to reach Rishikesh, and more if winter weather or roadworks slow things down. Keep the day flexible and ask for proper daylight breaks—don’t push the final stretch after dark just to make dinner plans.
If the road and access are clear, pause at Vishnuprayag for 20–30 minutes to look toward the meeting of the Alaknanda and Dhauliganga rivers. It’s a brief roadside stop, so follow your driver’s advice about safe parking and footing. For lunch, pick a busy dhaba along the route—around Pipalkoti is a practical place to look—and allow about 45 minutes; expect roughly ₹150–₹300 per person.
After checking in, head to Ram Jhula for an easy 45-minute riverside stroll if you arrive with daylight left; December evenings get dark early, so skip the walk if the drive runs late. For dinner, choose a well-reviewed vegetarian place around Swarg Ashram near the bridge; Chotiwala is a familiar option, with meals typically around ₹250–₹500 per person. If you’re tired, eat close to your stay and save the riverside wander for tomorrow.
Leave your stay around Tapovan by taxi at roughly 4:30–5:00 am; the drive to Kunjapuri Temple takes about 45–60 minutes each way, and you’ll want to reach before sunrise. The temple is generally accessible early, but ask your driver or accommodation about the road and weather the night before—cloud, fog or winter conditions can hide the Himalayan views. Allow 3–4 hours round trip, including time at the viewpoint; a round-trip taxi is typically around ₹1,500–₹2,500 per vehicle, depending on pickup point and waiting time. Bring a warm layer and a torch for the dark approach.
Head back to Tapovan for an unhurried hour browsing its little shops and café-lined lanes. Most cafés get going in the morning, though opening times vary in winter; grab breakfast here and keep your bags light before the afternoon activity. From Tapovan, arrange a taxi to Jumpin Heights in Mohan Chatti—the ride is roughly 45–60 minutes each way, and a round trip with waiting can cost around ₹1,500–₹2,500 per vehicle. Book your jump or other activity in advance, confirm the winter operating date and check-in time directly with the operator, and allow 3–4 hours on site. Follow their clothing and safety instructions, and don’t count on being able to join without a reservation.
After returning from Mohan Chatti, settle in for a relaxed meal at Little Buddha Cafe, near Laxman Jhula; budget about ₹300–₹600 per person and around an hour. Check current access and the best drop-off with your driver, as the final approach in this area may involve a short walk and local traffic restrictions. Keep the rest of the evening easy: it’s your last full day, and the early start makes a quiet dinner and an early night a good call.
Take an early UTC bus from Rishikesh to Dehradun ISBT so you can start sightseeing soon after arrival. From the bus stand, use an auto or cab to reach the Forest Research Institute; leave your bags at your accommodation or a luggage facility rather than carrying them around. Allow 1½–2 hours for the grand grounds and museum. The museum is generally open on Sundays, but check its hours and visitor-entry arrangements before setting out, especially in winter.
Take a cab to Robber’s Cave (Guchhupani), allowing about 30–45 minutes from the institute depending on traffic, and spend around an hour there if access is open and the stream and paths are safe. December can be cold, so wear shoes with good grip and don’t wade if conditions look risky. Head back toward Paltan Bazaar for a quick, filling meal—Chetan Puriwala is a well-known budget stop; allow about 45 minutes and roughly ₹150–₹350 per person.
This schedule is realistic only if you have a late-evening flight: the drive from central Dehradun to Jolly Grant Airport can take roughly 45–75 minutes, and you’ll want to reach the airport well ahead of departure. If your flight is earlier, skip sightseeing rather than risk missing it. Fly back to Mumbai from Jolly Grant Airport; a direct flight takes about 2½–3 hours, while a connection takes longer.
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