ACCOMMODATION – Indian Culture Hostel, Laxman Jhula
TRANSPORT – Transfer from Dehradun
Day 1 – Dehradun – Rishikesh
We got our transfer to Rishikesh @ 8 am and it took about two hours to get there, the roads were busy! We arrived at the Indian Culture Hostel at about 11 am (it’s so near the Laxman Jhula …defo stay around that area!We went to Hotel Resort (5/10 minute walk) and ordered coffee, they had all the coffee and food choices. And there were clean toilets, it was heaven haha! There was also a wedding outside that we were watching! It was so colorful and there was lots of music!
We went to Hotel Resort (a 5/10 minute walk) and ordered coffee, they had all the coffee and food choices. And there were clean toilets, it was heaven haha! There was also a wedding outside that we were watching! It was so colorful and there was lots of music!
Then we went to the organic store and bought so many things, so cheap there! The protein balls OMG haha! The girls went to get their hair washed and myself and Caz went back to the Hostel to shower….in cold water but we managed!
Then we went around a few shops and to TAT CAFE (five mins from the hostel) and so nice, the view of the Ganges and sunset were fab! We ordered plates of food, all yummy, all veg and rice platters! (Rishikesh is actually a dry state so there was no alcohol or meat)! Met some of the guys from the trek, had chats, and went back to the hostel @ about 10. All the shops and everything were closed by then.
Day 2 – Rishikesh
Up at 8.30, we all did some yoga outside @ 9 am, it was free with the hostel! It was cold but was like a private session, just the four of us basically, it was so nice! Then we had a DELISH breakfast with an array of porridge with chocolate, banana, apple, and cinnamon, yum. The coffee was lovely too!
We chilled in the tree house for a bit and got all the updates from schools and the coronavirus! Then we went strolling around and had more coffee and cake at the German Bakery. It was just by the bridge at Laxman Jhula. There were monkeys on the bridge so beware.
We went to the Buddha Cafe then where I had the bright idea of getting a back tattoo! The guy was so nice and really reasonable too! It was painful but I liked the result! We had food in the cafe, massaman curry and Momos, yum! Honestly, all the food and cafes are so cool!
We got a tuk-tuk to the Triveni Ghat to watch the ceremony from 6-7 pm. It was a bit far out like 20/30 mins in the tuk-tuk and 400 rupees return between us. It should’ve been 100 rupees return but it was still so cheap anyway!:) It was very cool to see and it was very religious and spiritual ceremony, very cool!
Then back to the hostel to recoup and off again for more shopping for tapestries, jewelry, and paintings. We ended our evening in the OM Freedom Cafe with tea, nibbles, and a game of cards!! We got back to the hostel at 10.30, packed, and bed at 12!
Day 3 – Rishikesh to Delhi Airport.
Up at 8 am and had our coffee and banana porridge straight away! The taxi came at 9 am (ordered through KLOOK too) Also you have to pay for accommodation with cash or bank transfer!
The journey was actually fine thank god, but we left super early because we couldn’t take any chances after our last two experiences haha! So we drove for three hrs and then stopped for lunch and coffee somewhere.
The roads were fine and not too busy. We arrived at the airport at 4.30 so the total time was 7 hrs including the hr for lunch! Check-in wasn’t open till 6.40 so went for a Costa coffee and sandwich. Went through security all smoothly and our flight was @10.30pm. The airport has loads of coffee shops and shopping bits too, enough to entertain yourself for a few hours anyway. 🙂
I only scratched the surface on this trip but it was another great one! 🙂
RISHIKESH THINGS TO DO
- Little Buddha Cafe
- Freedom Cafe
- German Bakery
- Rishikesh, Haidar, Rookee
- Triveni Ghard
- Lakshman Jhule
- Tattoo (if that’s your thing)
- Tat Cafe and the windy street up, cute little shops around there too.
- Organic shops EVERYWHERE
- HOTEL Devine Resort for coffee, there was a wedding on when we were there so we had lovely views too.
DEHRADUN FOOD TO TRY
- Milk rusks from Standard Bakery
- Better tottees from Melting Moments (Ellora’s Bakery)
- Veg sandwich from the Buffet Snack Shop
- Chilli Momos at Kalsang
- The Poori Thali at Chetan Poori Wala on Hanuman Chowk
- Ras Malai from Kumar Sweets.