Family-Friendly 5-Day Itinerary for Haridwar, Rishikesh, and Mussoorie in December 2023

1. Day 1: Haridwar
   Starting Point: Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun (20.5 miles, 45 minutes)
   Travel Time: 1 hour 30 minutes (32.6 miles) from Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun to Har Ki Pauri, Haridwar

   Morning: Start your trip by visiting Har Ki Pauri, a famous ghat on the banks of the Ganges River. Take a holy dip in the river and attend the Ganga Aarti Ceremony, a Hindu ritual of worshiping the river.

   Afternoon: Visit Mansa Devi Temple, a temple dedicated to Goddess Mansa. Take the cable car ride to reach the temple and enjoy the scenic views of Haridwar.

   Evening: Explore the local markets of Haridwar and try some delicious street food like Aloo Tikki, Kachori, and Lassi.

2. Day 2: Rishikesh
   Travel Time: 1 hour (18 miles) from Haridwar to Rishikesh

   Morning: Start your day by visiting the famous Triveni Ghat, a confluence of three sacred rivers. Take a holy dip in the river and witness the morning aarti.

   Afternoon: Visit the Beatles Ashram, an abandoned ashram where the Beatles stayed in 1968. Explore the graffiti and art installations inside the ashram.

   Evening: Visit Ram Jhula and Laxman Jhula, the two famous suspension bridges in Rishikesh. Enjoy the sunset views of the Ganges River from the bridges.

3. Day 3: Mussoorie
   Travel Time: 2 hours 30 minutes (46 miles) from Rishikesh to Mussoorie

   Morning: Start your day by visiting Kempty Falls, a popular waterfall near Mussoorie. Take a dip in the cool water and enjoy the scenic views of the falls.

   Afternoon: Visit Gun Hill, a popular viewpoint in Mussoorie. Take the cable car ride to reach the top and enjoy the panoramic views of the Himalayan range.

   Evening: Explore the local markets of Mussoorie and try some local delicacies like Maggi, Momos, and Chaat.

4. Day 4: Mussoorie

   Morning: Visit Lal Tibba, the highest point in Mussoorie. Enjoy the panoramic views of the Himalayan range and take a walk in the nearby forests.

   Afternoon: Visit the Mussoorie Lake, a serene lake surrounded by hills. Enjoy boating in the lake and try some snacks from the nearby shacks.

   Evening: Visit the Christ Church, a famous church in Mussoorie. Attend the evening mass and enjoy the peaceful ambiance of the church.

5. Day 5: Rishikesh and Haridwar
   Travel Time: 1 hour (18 miles) from Mussoorie to Rishikesh and another 1 hour (18 miles) from Rishikesh to Haridwar

   Morning: Visit Neer Garh Waterfall, a beautiful waterfall near Rishikesh. Trek to the waterfall and enjoy the scenic views of the surroundings.

   Afternoon: Visit Haridwar again and explore the Chandi Devi Temple, a temple dedicated to Goddess Chandi. Take the cable car ride to reach the temple and enjoy the scenic views of Haridwar.

   Evening: Explore the local markets of Haridwar and buy some souvenirs like Rudraksha beads, idols of Gods and Goddesses, and Ganga Jal.

Recommendations

If you are interested in adventure sports, you can try river rafting, bungee jumping, or zip-lining in Rishikesh. You can also visit the Rajaji National Park, a famous wildlife reserve near Haridwar, to spot some rare species of animals and birds.

If you have some extra time, you can visit Dehradun, the capital city of Uttarakhand, and explore the Robber's Cave, Sahastradhara, and Tapkeshwar Temple.

Time and Costs Estimates

• Har Ki Pauri (1 hour, free)
• Mansa Devi Temple (2 hours, cable car ride - INR 100 per person)
• Triveni Ghat (1 hour, free)
• Beatles Ashram (2 hours, entry fee - INR 150 per person)
• Ram Jhula and Laxman Jhula (2 hours, free)
• Kempty Falls (2 hours, entry fee - INR 50 per person)
• Gun Hill (2 hours, cable car ride - INR 75 per person)
• Mussoorie Lake (2 hours, boating - INR 60 per person)
• Lal Tibba (2 hours, free)
• Mussoorie Christ Church (1 hour, free)
• Neer Garh Waterfall (2 hours, free)
• Chandi Devi Temple (2 hours, cable car ride - INR 100 per person)

Total Estimated Costs: INR 535 per person