Dates are flexible. This day-by-day plan is provisional until you choose exact travel dates.
After checking in and dropping your bags, head to Har Ki Pauri for a gentle first look at the Ganges. Allow about an hour to walk the ghats and get your bearings; keep the group together around the steps, which can be busy and slippery. There’s no entry fee, though you may see small charges for lockers or offerings. If you’ve arrived by train, a shared e-rickshaw or auto from the station is usually more practical than walking with luggage; arrange a larger vehicle or split into smaller groups.
From Har Ki Pauri, continue on foot to Moti Bazaar for an hour of browsing religious goods and local snacks. The lanes are crowded, so agree on a clear meeting point and keep valuables secure. Then return to Har Ki Pauri for the Ganga Aarti. Ceremony timing shifts with the season, so check locally that day and arrive well ahead—around 4:30–5:00 pm is a sensible buffer for a group of 15 to find space before the evening ceremony. It’s free to attend; follow instructions at the ghat and avoid blocking access for worshippers.
Finish at Hoshiyar Puri, near the railway station, for North Indian vegetarian dishes. Budget roughly ₹300–600 per person and call ahead to ask whether they can seat all 15 together; otherwise, expect a short wait or ask about splitting the group across nearby tables. Allow time for the return journey from the ghat, as traffic and crowds can slow local autos in the evening.
Hire a minibus or two tempo travellers for the group; Kankhal is roughly 15–25 minutes from central Haridwar, depending on traffic. Start after breakfast and visit Daksha Mahadev Temple first, allowing about an hour. It’s generally open from morning into evening, but hours and rituals can vary; dress modestly, remove shoes where directed, and check locally before setting out. There’s usually no entry fee.
Continue to Anandamayi Ma Ashram for a quieter change of pace. Allow 1–1.5 hours to explore the grounds and museum, but ask at the entrance about visitor access and museum hours, as these may vary. From there, Sati Kund is nearby; spend around 30 minutes at this small pilgrimage site, keeping the visit respectful and unhurried.
Finish at Chotiwala Restaurant in the Kankhal area for a relaxed vegetarian lunch. Budget about ₹250–500 per person, and call ahead to confirm they can seat all 15 together—otherwise, expect a short wait or ask about splitting the group across nearby tables. After lunch, have your driver take you back to your accommodation; agree on a pickup point in advance, as narrow local lanes can be awkward for larger vehicles.
Leave after breakfast for Chandi Devi Temple on Neel Parvat; a hired minibus or two tempo travellers make the group transfer easier, though the final approach may involve a short walk. Take the ropeway for a less strenuous visit, or hike up if everyone is comfortable with a steep climb. Allow 2–3 hours including queues and the temple visit. Ropeway operating hours and services can change, so check locally before setting out; for 15 people, ask about group tickets and arrive with time to spare. Keep some water and a light layer handy—the hill can feel cooler than town.
Head to Neel Dhara Pakshi Vihar by the Ganges canal for a quieter change of pace. Give yourselves about an hour to stroll and look for birds; sightings vary by season, and binoculars are useful if you have them. Then continue to Shantikunj in Motichur for a 1–1.5-hour visit to its spiritual and cultural campus. Visitor access and any entry requirements can vary, so confirm before travelling there; keep the group respectful of local rules and any areas that are not open to visitors.
Finish with a casual vegetarian meal at Mohan Ji Puri Wale in central Haridwar. Budget roughly ₹150–350 per person, and expect a simple, popular local meal rather than a long sit-down dinner. Traffic between these stops can slow the day, so let your driver know the full route in advance and allow a little buffer before the meal.
After breakfast, allow about 1–1½ hours on the road, plus time to load bags, check out and settle in at your Rishikesh accommodation. For 15 people, pre-book vehicles that fit both passengers and luggage, and check that they can reach your stay and park nearby. Once everyone has checked in, head to Ram Jhula in Muni Ki Reti for a relaxed riverside walk of about an hour. Bridge access arrangements can change, so check locally before setting out; if access is restricted, follow the current pedestrian route rather than trying to cross.
Continue to Parmarth Niketan in Swarg Ashram for an hour among the riverside grounds and gardens. Stay for the Parmarth Niketan Ganga Aarti at the ashram’s ghat; in mid-November, sunset is early, so check the ceremony time that day and arrive 30–45 minutes ahead to find space together. The ceremony is free, though donations are welcome. For dinner, call ahead to The 60’s Cafe (The Beatles Cafe) near Laxman Jhula: river-view tables are popular, and a group of 15 should confirm seating and the current pedestrian approach in advance. Budget roughly ₹400–₹800 per person.
Start early for Beatles Ashram (Chaurasi Kutia) inSwarg Ashram**. Allow around two hours to wander among the meditation huts and murals; the grounds are spacious, so wear comfortable shoes and carry water. Check current entry arrangements and hours before setting out, as access can change. For 15 people, arrange a minibus or two tempo travellers and confirm where the driver can drop you—the final approach may involve a walk. Budget roughly ₹150–₹600 per person for entry, depending on current rates and applicable concessions.
Walk or take a short local transfer to Gita Bhawan, allowing about 45 minutes for the temple complex and book displays. Entry is generally free, though donations are welcome; dress modestly and keep voices low in prayer areas. Then take an unhurried hour along the Swarg Ashram riverside promenade. The riverside paths are pleasant for a group stroll, but steps and stones can be uneven, so stick together and avoid the water’s edge.
Head by pre-arranged vehicle to Little Buddha Cafe in the Laxman Jhula area; allow around 20–40 minutes, depending on traffic and where your driver can stop. It’s a relaxed place for Indian and international dishes, with a typical meal costing about ₹400–₹800 per person. Call ahead to check whether they can seat all 15 together, or split the group across nearby tables; in mid-November, an earlier dinner is a good way to avoid a long wait.
Book river rafting on the Ganges with a licensed Rishikesh operator, and ask specifically which stretch is operating in November, where you’ll be picked up and dropped off, and whether the day’s permits and river conditions are confirmed. Set off early: allow 3–5 hours in total for transport, briefing, changing and the trip itself. For 15 people, reserve as a group well ahead and check age and health requirements; bring a change of clothes and expect cold water and a chilly ride back. Prices vary by stretch and operator, so confirm the full cost and what it includes before paying.
After rafting, head to Neer Garh Waterfall, near Tapovan, by pre-arranged vehicle or local taxi; traffic and the rafting drop-off point can affect the transfer time. Allow 2–3 hours for the uphill trail and time at the falls. Wear shoes with good grip, carry water, and check trail conditions and access locally before setting out. It’s a full day for the group, so keep the pace comfortable and leave a little buffer rather than rushing the walk.
Wind down with about an hour browsing the Tapovan market area—a handy place for tea, small shops and a rest after the hike. Finish at Bistro Nirvana in Tapovan for Indian or international food; budget roughly ₹400–₹800 per person. Call ahead to arrange seating for 15, and confirm your rafting and waterfall timings with the operator before making the dinner reservation.
Arrange a minibus or two tempo travellers the day before for all 15 people, and leave Tapovan before dawn for Kunjapuri Temple. The drive up takes roughly an hour each way; allow 3–4 hours round trip including time at the temple. November mornings can be chilly, and mist may obscure the Himalayan views, so bring a warm layer and check road and weather conditions before setting out. There’s no dependable public transport for this early trip, and the final approach includes steps.
Head back down to Tera Manzil Temple near Laxman Jhula and give yourselves about an hour to explore its floors and enjoy the river views. Access around the Laxman Jhula crossing can change, so check locally which route is open; your driver may need to drop the group at a nearby accessible point, followed by a walk. Keep footwear easy to remove for temple visits, and be prepared for a little waiting if the group enters together.
Continue to Bharat Mandir in central Rishikesh, allowing around 45 minutes. Temple hours and any visitor restrictions can vary, so confirm locally before you go. Then drive back towards Tapovan for a relaxed meal at Pure Soul Cafe & Organic Kitchen; budget roughly ₹400–800 per person and call ahead to confirm opening hours and seating for 15. The morning is the longest outing, so leave some breathing room between the temple visits rather than trying to rush through them.
No packing list attached yet.