5-Day Budget Pilgrimage and Adventure Tour Covering Major Attractions in Haridwar, Rishikesh, Dehradun, Mussoorie, and Dhanaulti with Hostel Stays

Day 1: Haridwar Pilgrimage & Travel

Haridwar, India on June 6, 2025

7:00am

Breakfast at Om Bakery

Enjoy traditional Indian breakfast items like aloo paratha and chai at Om Bakery, a budget-friendly spot open from 6am to 10am.
INR150, 1h

8:00am

Har Ki Pauri Ghat

Visit this iconic pilgrimage ghat along the Ganges, known for its spiritual cleansing significance; open 24/7 and free to enter.
Free, 1h

9:15am

Mansa Devi Temple via Cable Car

Reach this revered hilltop temple by cable car (operates 9am–5pm), offering commanding views of the city; ticket INR 100.
INR100, 2h

11:45am

Chandi Devi Temple Cable Car Ride

Take the cable car to this important temple perched on Neel Parvat hill, open 9am–5pm with entry ticket INR 50.
INR50, 1h30m

1:30pm

Lunch at Hoshiyar Puri

Enjoy economical and authentic vegetarian meals, popular among locals and pilgrims, open till 3pm.
INR250, 1h

2:45pm

Transit by Uttarakhand State Bus to Rishikesh

Board a local state bus to Rishikesh; approx 1.5-hour trip costing INR 40; buses run frequently.
INR40, 1h30m

4:15pm

Check-in at Live Free Hostel Rishikesh

Affordable dormitory accommodation centrally located near key sites.
INR500 per person, 30m

5:00pm

Laxman Jhula and Ram Jhula Visit

Explore these suspended iron bridges over the Ganges, symbolic to Rishikesh’s spiritual culture, open all day, free entry.
Free, 1h30m

6:30pm

Attend Ganga Aarti at Triveni Ghat

Experience the mesmerizing evening Ganga Aarti ceremony from 6:30pm to 7:30pm, a must see, free to attend.
Free, 1h

8:00pm

Dinner at Chatsang Cafe

Enjoy budget-friendly Tibetan and north Indian dishes open till 10pm.
INR250, 1h
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Day 2: Rishikesh Spiritual & Adventure

Rishikesh, India on June 7, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast at Office’s Cafe

Start with wholesome breakfast options in a casual, affordable setting, open 7am–11am.
INR200, 1h

9:00am

Visit Neelkanth Mahadev Temple

A major pilgrimage site 32 km from Rishikesh, well-known for its sacred Shiva temple; best visited early to avoid crowd; no entry fee.
Free, 3h

12:30pm

Lunch at The Sitting Elephant

Budget-friendly restaurant with delicious north Indian meals and vegetarian options, open 11am–5pm.
INR300, 1h

2:00pm

Adventure Sports: White Water Rafting

Enjoy thrilling rafting on Ganges with licensed operators; typically lasts 3–4 hours starting around 2pm; average cost INR 1000 per person.
INR1000, 4h

6:30pm

Parmarth Niketan Ashram Visit

Meditate or attend spiritual sessions in one of Rishikesh’s largest ashrams, open till evening, free entry.
Free, 1h

8:00pm

Dinner at Little Buddha Cafe

Reasonably priced meals with diverse menu options including vegan, closes by 10pm.
INR300, 1h
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Day 3: Dehradun Sightseeing

Dehradun, India on June 8, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast at Ellora’s Bakehouse

Fresh bakery items and coffee in budget, open from 8am.
INR200, 1h

8:30am

Travel to Dehradun by Uttarakhand State Bus

Take the state bus from Rishikesh to Dehradun; approximately 1 hour, fare INR 50.
INR50, 1h

9:45am

Check-in at Live Free Hostel Dehradun

Budget-friendly hostel centrally located for tourists.
INR500 per person, 30m

10:30am

Robber’s Cave (Gucchupani)

Explore the cool natural cave river, enjoy light trekking and water fun; open 9am–6pm; entry INR 15.
INR15, 1h30m

12:15pm

Maharana Pratap Park

A scenic park offering city views and peaceful nature walks.
Free, 30m

1:00pm

Lunch at Kalsang Friends Corner

Popular Tibetan and Nepalese cuisine at economical prices, open till 9pm.
INR250, 1h

2:30pm

Sahastradhara Hot Springs

Visit rejuvenating sulphur springs and waterfalls known for healing powers; open 9am–5pm; entry INR 30.
INR30, 1h30m

4:30pm

Forest Research Institute (Optional)

Admire colonial architecture and museums; open 9am–5pm; entry INR 20 for Indians.
INR20, 1h

6:30pm

Return to hostel; Evening market walk

Relax or explore local markets in Dehradun.
Free, Rest of evening

7:30pm

Dinner at Dawn to Dusk Cafe

Casual dining with variety of cuisines, open till 10pm.
INR300, 1h
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Day 4: Mussoorie to Dhanaulti

Mussoorie, India on June 9, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast at Hostel

Hearty breakfast at hostel before exploring the hill station.
INR150, 30m

8:30am

State Bus to Mussoorie from Dehradun

Catch a state bus from Dehradun ISBT to Mussoorie; approx 70 INR, duration 1.5 hours.
INR70, 1h30m

10:00am

Check-in at Backpacker Panda Hostel Mussoorie

Budget dorm-style accommodation with scenic ambience.
INR600 per person, 30m

11:00am

Gun Hill via Cable Car

Visit the second highest point in Mussoorie with panoramic views; cable car runs 9am–5pm; ticket INR 70.
INR70, 1h

12:30pm

Lunch at Kalsang Friends Corner Mussoorie

Budget-friendly Tibetan cuisine with good reviews, open till 9pm.
INR300, 1h

2:00pm

Mussoorie Lake and Camel’s Back Road

Relax at Mussoorie Lake and take a scenic walk on Camel’s Back Road, free public area.
Free, 2h

4:15pm

Travel to Dhanaulti by Taxi

Hire a shared or private taxi for approx INR 600, 1.5 hours journey through picturesque roads.
INR600, 1h30m

6:00pm

Check-in at Dhanaulti Backpackers Hostel

Stay surrounded by lush nature at affordable pricing.
INR500 per person, 30m

7:00pm

Dinner at local Dhaba or Hostel kitchen

Taste local home-style foods at economical rates till 9pm.
INR200, 1h
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Day 5: Dhanaulti Pilgrimage & Return

Dhanaulti, India on June 10, 2025

6:30am

Breakfast at Hostel

Early breakfast before the pilgrimage and return journey.
INR150, 30m

7:15am

Surkanda Devi Temple Trek

A sacred temple 3 km uphill trek famous for breathtaking views and pilgrimage importance; open early; no entry fee.
Free, 3h

10:30am

Visit Kanatal Eco Park

Enjoy nature trails, zip-lining, and rock climbing in this eco-adventure park open 10am–5pm; ziplining approx INR 300.
INR300, 1h30m

12:30pm

Lunch at Green Valley Restaurant

Budget-friendly north Indian cuisine serving till 3pm.
INR250, 1h

1:30pm

Taxi ride back to Haridwar

Pre-booked taxi for approx INR 1800, a 4-hour journey aiming arrival by 4:30pm as required.
INR1800, 4h
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