Uttarakhand in seven days — Haridwar, Rishikesh, Tehri Lake, Mussoorie and Dehradun
Checked on
In short: Seven days from Delhi through the easy side of Uttarakhand: the aarti at Haridwar, Rishikesh on the Ganga, Tehri Lake, the ridge to Mussoorie and out through Dehradun. There are no high passes, and every stop is on a road that runs in most of the year.
It suits a first trip. For the Kumaon side, take the five-day Nainital, Almora and Kausani plan. The two sides are a long drive apart, so a first week is better spent on one. Road times on each stop are measured on OpenStreetMap, and hill roads usually take longer.
Photos: Snehrashmi (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Goldi.negi (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Paul Hamilton (CC BY-SA 2.0) · Daniel Romanson (CC0) — via Wikimedia Commons, resized.
Who this is for
First-time visitors, families and groups who want temples, the river, a lake and a hill town in one trip, without altitude or long treks.
Day by day
Day 1Haridwar and the evening at the ghat
2 stops · 12 min on the road
Haridwar and the evening at the ghat
Arrive by train or road, go up to Mansa Devi after lunch, and be at Har Ki Pauri for the evening.
- 14:00Mansa Devi TempleThe hilltop temple above the town, by ropeway or on foot. Ask at the lower station for the day's timings and fare.
- ↓ 12 min by road · 6 km17:00Har Ki PauriThe great ghat on the Ganga. Come early for the evening aarti, because the steps fill well before it starts.
Day 2Rishikesh, the ashram and the bridge
3 stops · 49 min on the road
Rishikesh, the ashram and the bridge
Up the river to Rishikesh, the Beatles Ashram in the late morning, and the ghat at Parmarth Niketan for dusk.
- 11:00Beatles AshramThe ruined ashram in the forest on the east bank, with its painted walls.
- ↓ 24 min by road · 12 km14:00Lakshman JhulaThe old suspension bridge. It has been closed to vehicles for years and its access changes, so ask locally how to cross today.
- ↓ 25 min by road · 12 km16:30Parmarth NiketanThe ashram on the east bank, known for its riverside aarti at dusk.
Day 3A temple in the forest, or the river
1 stop
A temple in the forest, or the river
Neelkanth Mahadev in the morning. Keep the afternoon free for the river, in season, with a licensed operator.
- 09:30Neelkanth Mahadev TempleThe Shiva temple in the forest above Rishikesh. Go early, because the road gets busy on festival days.
Day 4Up to Tehri Lake
2 stops · 8 min on the road
Up to Tehri Lake
The road climbs away from the Ganga to the dam and the long lake behind it.
- 12:00Tehri DamThe great dam on the Bhagirathi. See it from the viewpoints on the road, because the dam itself is a working site.
- ↓ 8 min by road · 5 km14:00Tehri Lake boating pointThe lake behind the dam, for boating and water sports in season. Check what is running with the operators at the point.
Day 5Along the ridge to Mussoorie
1 stop
Along the ridge to Mussoorie
The ridge road west through the pines, with a stop at Dhanaulti on the way to Mussoorie.
- 11:00DhanaultiThe small hill resort among deodar and oak on the Mussoorie road, for a walk and lunch before you go on.
Day 6Mussoorie and Landour
2 stops · 12 min on the road
Mussoorie and Landour
Landour in the quiet of the morning, Gun Hill and the Mall in the afternoon.
Day 7Down to Dehradun and home
2 stops · 17 min on the road
Down to Dehradun and home
Down the hill, one last walk, and the train or flight out.
- 10:30Robber's CaveThe narrow gorge where a stream runs through the rock, a short walk in shallow water.
- ↓ 17 min by road · 11 km13:00Forest Research InstituteThe great red-brick building and its grounds, the last stop before the station or the airport.
Getting there
Take the train to Haridwar, or come by road from Delhi. See how to reach Haridwar. The trip ends at Dehradun, with a station and Jolly Grant airport; see how to reach Dehradun.
Where to stay
One night at Haridwar, two at Rishikesh, one near Tehri, and two at Mussoorie. We have no verified lodging or prices, so compare on the day.
Know before you go
- Haridwar and Rishikesh fill up on festival days and at weekends; book a room first.
- July and August bring slides on the hill roads, so this plan leaves them out.
- Ask locally before you cross the bridges at Rishikesh, because their access has changed.
- In winter the ridge road can get snow; ask at Mussoorie or Chamba before you drive it.
If plans change
Shorter: the two days at Rishikesh, or Haridwar and Rishikesh in two days.
The other side of the state: the Kumaon plan.
Going to Rishikesh?
Reels from these places: follow @himlocal.in on Instagram
Run a café, a stay or a trek company near Rishikesh? List it on HimLocal →
Places on this route
Going together
No one has started a group going on this plan yet. Start one and other travellers can ask to come along.
Other ways to do it
All Rishikesh itineraries →
More places nearby
All of Rishikesh →
Nearby destinations
All destinations →
Questions people ask
Is seven days enough for Uttarakhand?
It is enough for one side of the state. This plan covers Haridwar, Rishikesh, Tehri, Mussoorie and Dehradun at an easy pace. The Kumaon side around Nainital and the high shrines are separate trips, because the roads between them are long and slow, so choose one for a first week.
What is the best time for this Uttarakhand itinerary?
March to May and October to November suit it best, with dry roads and clear hills. July and August bring heavy rain and slides on the hill roads, so we leave them out. In winter the plan still runs, but the ridge road near Dhanaulti can get snow, so ask before you drive.
Can I do this Uttarakhand trip without a car?
Partly. Haridwar, Rishikesh, Mussoorie and Dehradun are joined by buses and shared taxis, and each has a station or a bus stand close by. The stretch through Tehri and Dhanaulti is much easier with a hired car, so take one for those two days and ask the rate on the day.