Best Time To Go Rishikesh - Weather and Season


The best time to visit Rishikesh is from October till December, with temperatures ranging around 5 - 18 degree celsius in the nights and with highs of 28 - 37 degree celsius in the daytime. It is the high season for foreign tourists and good valued rooms can be difficult to find. If you are planning to come for a yoga retreat, meditation retreat or just to experience ashram life, do plan well ahead during these peak seasons to avoid dissappointments.

January is the coldest but also the quietest month in Rishikesh, with most tourists heading down towards South India or home. In this month, you can find many bargain priced rooms including those with direct views of the Ganges. You will need to bring some winter wear particularly for December and January. Be prepared that there are no heaters in the rooms should you come during these colder months.
 
Tourists start to fill the town again in February and Rishikesh gets very busy in March because of the International Yoga Festival. Book your room in advance if you plan to come during the festival period. The weather in February and March is pleasant, with temperatures ranging from 7 - 36 degree celsius. This means cool nights and very pleasant days.
April to June are the hottest months in Rishikesh with temperatures going up to 43 degree celsius on some days, while the nights remain warm. Lower priced guesthouses come mostly only with fans and no air-conditioning, so such hot, humid days can become uncomfortable and unbearable for some people. These weather conditions will also attract more mosquitoes and flies. 
 
The rainy season starts in Rishikesh around June and goes on till September, with the wettest monsoon month being July and August, when temperatures range around 23 - 39 degree celsius. These are very hot, humid and wet months. Come prepared for more mosquitoes and flies. Some yoga centers are close during these 2 months as it is low season for yoga. Water rafting is not available during monsoon due to the high and fast waters. Bring your wet weather wear for this period.

High local pilgrimage season and Indian tourism runs from May till around September. So apart from the hot and humid weather, be prepared for the huge crowd. Not only are rooms quickly booked up, the wait in restaurants can be long. Crossing the bridges become quite an effort too.

Knowing the public transport in Rishikesh well will also help you to find way your around quickly and more hassle free. If you would like to see more of the region, there are a few long-distance transport options available. Check out here for the rishikesh bus, taxi and jeeps for destinations out of Rishikesh.

If you are not into yoga, meditation or ashrams, check out here about other activities in Rishikesh like Indian massage courses, Indian music classes, astrology classes, hindi or learn about Ayurvedic diets and cooking.