6-Day Nature Itinerary: Rishikesh, Nainital, Lensdown, Darjeeling, and Mysore

1. Day 1: Rishikesh
   From Delhi (238 km, 5 hours and 30 minutes)

   In the morning, enjoy the beautiful scenery of Rishikesh and visit the Triveni Ghat for a dip in the Ganges. In the afternoon, visit the Beatles Ashram, where The Beatles stayed in 1968 to learn transcendental meditation. In the evening, attend the Ganga Aarti ceremony, a Hindu ritual of worshiping the Ganges River.

2. Day 2: Nainital
   From Rishikesh (235 km, 6 hours)

   In the morning, visit the Naina Devi Temple, a 15th-century temple dedicated to Goddess Sati. In the afternoon, take a boat ride in the beautiful Naini Lake and visit the Nainital Zoo, home to rare Himalayan animals like snow leopards and Himalayan black bears. In the evening, explore the local markets and enjoy street food.

3. Day 3: Lensdown
   From Nainital (26 km, 1 hour)

   In the morning, hike to the Snow View Point for a stunning panoramic view of the Himalayas. In the afternoon, visit the Eco Cave Gardens, a natural cave formation and an ecological park. In the evening, relax and enjoy the tranquillity of Lensdown, surrounded by oak and deodar forests.

4. Day 4: Darjeeling
   From Lensdown (650 km, 18 hours)

   In the morning, visit the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, home to endangered species like the red panda and snow leopard. In the afternoon, take the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – and enjoy the stunning views of the Himalayas. In the evening, visit the Nightingale Park for its beautiful sunset views.

5. Day 5: Mysore
   From Darjeeling (1885 km, 40 hours)

   In the morning, visit the Mysore Palace, a beautiful example of Indo-Saracenic architecture and the former residence of the Wodeyar dynasty. In the afternoon, visit the Chamundi Hills, where you'll find the Chamundeshwari Temple and a panoramic view of Mysore. In the evening, explore the local markets and enjoy Mysore's famous Mysore Pak, a sweet made of gram flour.

6. Day 6: Departure
   From Mysore (140 km, 3 hours and 30 minutes to Bangalore airport)

   Check out from your hotel and depart to Bangalore airport for your flight back home.

Recommendations

If you have more time, consider visiting the Jim Corbett National Park, a 3-hour drive from Nainital. You could also take a scenic drive to Ooty from Mysore, passing through Bandipur National Park and Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary. To maximize your fun, try river rafting in Rishikesh, paragliding in Nainital, or tea tasting in Darjeeling. Don't forget to pack comfortable shoes and warm clothes, as the temperature can drop in the evenings, even in June.

For hotel and flight bookings, visit https://booking.tp.st/VhZsadPo.