Where to go, what is worth your time, and how long it takes from our apartments. Ask us and we will book a table or arrange a driver.
Around Noida
Noida sits on the eastern edge of Delhi, linked by the Blue and Aqua metro lines and the Noida–Greater Noida Expressway. Most of what visitors want is either in the older sectors near Atta Market or a short drive down the Expressway.
Worth an afternoon
- Atta Market, Sector 18 — the oldest and busiest shopping street in Noida, good for street food and everyday essentials.
- The Great India Place and DLF Mall of India — two large malls facing each other in Sectors 18 and 38A, useful on a hot afternoon or a wet one.
- Okhla Bird Sanctuary — on the Yamuna at the Delhi border, best between November and February when the migratory birds arrive. Go early.
- Botanic Garden, Sector 38A — quiet, green, and rarely crowded on weekday mornings.
- Buddh International Circuit — the motor racing circuit at Greater Noida, about 40 minutes down the Expressway. Access depends on the event calendar, so check before setting off.
Into Delhi
Central Delhi is 45 to 70 minutes away depending on traffic, and the metro is usually faster than a car. Humayun’s Tomb, Hazrat Nizamuddin and Lodhi Garden are the closest of the major sights. Old Delhi and the Red Fort make a longer day and are best started early.
Eating
Sectors 18 and 29 have the densest clusters of restaurants. For somewhere quieter, the newer cafes along the Expressway near Sectors 104 and 137 tend to stay open later.
Around Rishikesh
Rishikesh sits where the Ganga leaves the Himalaya. The town splits between the market area near the railway station and the quieter riverside settlements of Tapovan and Laxman Jhula upstream.
Worth your time
- Triveni Ghat aarti — the evening river ceremony, held daily at sunset. Arrive twenty minutes early if you want somewhere to sit.
- Laxman Jhula and Ram Jhula — the two suspension bridges over the Ganga, and the easiest way to cross between banks on foot.
- Beatles Ashram (Chaurasi Kutia) — the abandoned ashram where the Beatles stayed in 1968, now covered in murals. Allow two hours and carry water.
- Neer Garh waterfall — a short uphill walk from the Laxman Jhula road, best just after the monsoon when the water is high.
- Kunjapuri Devi temple — about an hour by road, and the best sunrise view of the Himalayan peaks anywhere near town.
On the river
White-water rafting runs from September to June, with put-in points at Byasi, Shivpuri and Marine Drive upstream of town. Byasi is the most demanding stretch. Rafting stops during the monsoon, roughly July and August, when the river runs too high.
Yoga
Most of the schools are concentrated in Tapovan. Drop-in morning classes are easy to find and rarely need booking ahead. The International Yoga Festival runs each March.
Practical notes
- Rishikesh is a vegetarian town, and alcohol is not sold within municipal limits.
- The nearest airport is Jolly Grant at Dehradun, about 35 minutes away. The railway station is in the town centre.
- March to May and September to November are the comfortable months. The monsoon is beautiful, but landslides can close hill roads.
Just ask
If you want a restaurant that will still be serving when you arrive, a driver who knows the hill roads, or a rafting operator we would put our own family with, message us on WhatsApp at (+91) 8002355676.