About this Temple Tour
A revered Shiva temple in the hills above Rishikesh
High in the forested hills above Rishikesh sits Neelkanth Mahadev, one of the most revered Shiva temples in the region, where Lord Shiva is said to have consumed the poison of the churning of the ocean. This 3-day trip pairs the temple with the ghats, bridges and Ganga aarti of Rishikesh.
You stay in Rishikesh, take a scenic drive up to the temple, and we time the aartis. A meaningful, unhurried spiritual trip.
Trip Highlights
A hilltop Shiva shrine and the Ganga town
Darshan at Neelkanth Mahadev
The scenic hill drive up
Rishikesh's Ganga aarti
Lakshman & Ram Jhula bridges
Riverside ashrams & cafes
Transfers & planning handled
Trip Gallery
A taste of the journey
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Three days of temple and river
- Arrive and check in near the river.
- Explore the Lakshman/Ram Jhula bridges and ghats.
- Evening Ganga aarti; overnight in Rishikesh.
- Scenic drive up to the Neelkanth Mahadev temple for darshan.
- Return to Rishikesh; free afternoon by the river.
- Evening aarti; overnight in Rishikesh.
- Morning among the cafes and temples of Tapovan.
- Transfer for your onward journey; trip concludes.
What's Included
Transparent pricing — no hidden surprises
- Pick-up & drop at Rishikesh
- 2 nights stay in Rishikesh
- Daily breakfast
- All travel by private vehicle
- All sightseeing & transfers per itinerary
- Applicable tolls, driver & parking
- 24x7 on-trip support
- Airfare / train fare (can be added)
- Ropeway, entry tickets & activity charges
- Lunches & personal expenses
- GST as applicable
- Anything not mentioned in inclusions
Things to Carry
Temple-town essentials
Important Notes
Please read before booking
Best time: Haridwar and Rishikesh are year-round destinations. October to March is the most pleasant; summers are warm, and the July–August monsoon brings a fuller Ganga (with a pause in rafting).
Ganga aarti: The evening Ganga aarti at Har Ki Pauri (Haridwar) and Triveni Ghat / Parmarth Niketan (Rishikesh) is the highlight — timings shift with sunset and season, and we plan the day around them.
Temple etiquette: Dress modestly for temples and ashrams. Some shrines such as Mansa Devi and Chandi Devi are reached by a ropeway or a short uphill walk.
Around the ghats: The ghats and ashrams are compact and walkable. Alcohol and non-vegetarian food are restricted in much of Haridwar and Rishikesh, which are pilgrim towns.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know before you book
It is believed to be where Lord Shiva drank the poison (halahala) from the churning of the ocean, turning his throat blue — hence "Neelkanth" (blue-throated). It is a deeply revered Shiva shrine.
About 32 km by a winding hill road, roughly 1.5 hours each way. It can also be reached by a forest trek, but this trip goes by vehicle.
Not on this package — we drive right up. There is a traditional forest trek route for pilgrims who prefer it, which we can arrange separately.
October to March is pleasant. The temple is busiest during Shivratri and the Kanwar season (Jul–Aug), when huge numbers of devotees visit.
Yes — evenings are spent in Rishikesh for the Ganga aarti at Triveni Ghat or Parmarth Niketan, alongside the temple visit.
It is a well-used but winding road. Our drivers know it well; if you are prone to motion sickness, sit in front, go slow and carry water.
Yes — since we drive up to the temple, it is manageable for most. There is a short walk to the shrine, and the Rishikesh sightseeing is gentle.
Yes — both are easy add-ons in Rishikesh. Tell us and we will fit them into a free afternoon.
