Rishikesh has a funny way of rearranging people's plans. Visitors arrive with a packed list of adventures and end up sitting by the Ganga for an hour, doing absolutely nothing, and loving it. The things to do in Rishikesh range from white-water rafting to sunrise yoga, but the town itself, tucked into the Himalayan foothills in Uttarakhand, is built for a slower rhythm than most places on the tourist circuit.

Two days is enough for a good first taste. Here's one way to spend them.

Day one: the river and the evening aarti

Start the morning with a walk down to the Ganga. The air is cooler, the ghats are quiet, and the water runs clear and fast. Many people begin with a cup of chai at a riverside stall and watch the town wake up.

Spend the late morning crossing Ram Jhula, one of the town's famous suspension bridges. It's busy, noisy, and full of life, with monkeys, motorbikes, and pilgrims all sharing the same narrow span. Note that the status of the other famous bridge, Laxman Jhula, has changed in recent years, so it's smart to check what's open before planning a route.

Lunch can be simple. Plenty of riverside cafes serve vegetarian food, from North Indian thalis to wood-fired pizza, and the town as a whole keeps to a vegetarian and alcohol-free tradition in its core areas.

In the afternoon, visit the old Beatles Ashram, also known as Chaurasi Kutia. The band famously stayed here in 1968 to study meditation, and the crumbling, graffiti-covered buildings now sit inside the forest. It has a haunting, creative feel, and it's worth an hour of wandering.

End the day at Triveni Ghat for the evening Ganga aarti. Lamps, chants, and floating flower offerings turn the riverbank into something quietly beautiful. Arrive early for a decent spot.

Day two: adventure, then calm

Many travelers save the second day for the rafting. Trips usually run on stretches of the Ganga above the town, with rapids that range from beginner-friendly to properly splashy. The season generally runs from autumn through early summer, and operators typically close it during the monsoon months, so checking dates before booking matters.

After the river, the afternoon calls for something gentler. A yoga or meditation class is easy to find, with drop-in sessions available at many ashrams and studios. Even one class gives a taste of why the town is known as the yoga capital of the world.

If energy remains, head up to a cafe with a river view for sunset. The hills glow, the bells ring out from temples, and the day ends on a soft note.

Things worth knowing

A few practical points help:

• Dress modestly near temples and ghats.

• Footwear comes off at many sacred spots, so slip-ons are handy.

• Monkeys are bold, so keep food and sunglasses out of sight.

• Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons, while summers get hot and the monsoon brings heavy rain.

• Dehradun's airport is the closest major one, and Haridwar's train station is a short ride away.

Where to go from here

For more ideas, including temples, waterfalls, and quieter corners, Travenka guide to things to do in Rishikesh is a good next read.

Rishikesh doesn't need to be conquered in a weekend. Show up with a loose plan, leave room for chai on the riverbank, and the town tends to take care of the rest.