Haridwar · Uttarakhand
Haridwar
Where the Ganga leaves the mountains — Har Ki Pauri, the evening aarti, and the gateway to Char Dham.
Haridwar is an easy pilgrimage in Haridwar, Uttarakhand, reaching 350 m. The best time to go is February and March and October and November. Plan 2 days on the ground from Dehradun and about ₹2,000 per person per day.
What to do in Haridwar
The one thing not to miss
Evening aarti at Har Ki Pauri
Lamps on the river at dusk. Arrive early for a place on the steps.
- 2Mansa Devi templeOn the hill above town, by ropeway or on foot.
- 3Chandi Devi templeOn the opposite hill, also by ropeway.
- 4KankhalThe old quarter, with the Daksha Mahadev temple.
- 5Rajaji National ParkJeep safaris from the Chilla gate, in the season the park is open.
A sample plan: 3 days
Day 1
Dehradun to Haridwar
About 1.5 hours on the road. Check in and take a short walk to get your bearings.
Day 2
Evening aarti at Har Ki Pauri · Mansa Devi temple · Chandi Devi temple
Details for each are under What to do, above.
Day 3
Haridwar to Dehradun
Leave after breakfast; hill roads are slower than the map suggests.
A starting point built from the things to do above. Move days around to suit your pace.
When to go
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Why go
The Ganga aarti at Har Ki Pauri is one of India's great spectacles, and it's on the way to everything.
Why not
Hot, crowded and commercial from March to June.
Before you go
- Permits
- None.
- Guide
- Not needed.
- Safety
- Chain areas at Har Ki Pauri are genuinely dangerous in peak flow — stay behind the barrier.
- Phone & internet
- Excellent.
Permits, food and festivals in Uttarakhand →
These details haven't been field-verified yet. Confirm permits, road status and weather locally before you travel.
If something goes wrong
Main hospitals in Uttarakhand: Base Hospital, Haldwani; Community Health Centre, Munsiyari; District Hospital, Bageshwar.
All emergency contacts for Uttarakhand →What to pack for Haridwar
Worked out from its season, altitude and terrain. Tick things off as you pack; tap a name to find it in a shop.
Clothing
4 items
- Fleece or light sweater Mornings and evenings are cool in the travel season.
- Sun cap or hat Hours in open sun, with little shade above the tree line.
- Compact umbrella Showers are frequent in the rainy months.
- Rain jacket or poncho The season here overlaps the rains.
Footwear
1 item
- Comfortable walking shoes with grip Hill towns mean slopes, steps and wet stone.
For day outings
2 items
- Day pack, 20–30 litres For day outings: water, a layer, a camera.
- Water bottles, 2 litres in total Refill rather than buying plastic bottles.
Health and sun
3 items
- Sunscreen, SPF 50 The sun burns faster in the hills than in the plains.
- Small first-aid kit and your own medicines The nearest chemist may be hours away.
- Insect repellent Mosquitoes and midges at lower altitudes and in the wet months.
Documents and money
3 items
- Government photo ID and two photocopiesAsked for at hotels, check posts and permit counters.
- Enough cash for the whole tripATMs are scarce and often empty beyond the gateway town.
- Permits and registrationsNone.
Phone and power
2 items
- Power bank Charging is limited, and cold drains batteries fast.
- A SIM that works thereExcellent.
Read before you go
1 item
- A guidebook for Uttarakhand Worth reading before you go, and it works without a signal.
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Homestays in Uttarakhand
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Getting there
The nearest gateway is Dehradun.
Directions open in Google Maps with today's road time. In the mountains, add a third to whatever it says.
- Normal car?
- Yes, any car can make it. On big bathing days the centre is closed to traffic and cars are parked well outside.
By road
From
Delhi
- Distance
- about 220 km
- Drive time
- 4.5–5.5 hours
- Delhi
- Meerut
- Muzaffarnagar
- Roorkee
- Haridwar
From
Dehradun
- Distance
- about 55 km
- Drive time
- about 1.5 hours
- Dehradun
- Doiwala
- Haridwar
From
Dehradun airport
- Distance
- about 38 km
- Drive time
- about 1 hour
- Jolly Grant
- Haridwar
Buses and shared taxis. Haridwar is a major railway station with many trains from Delhi. Buses run from Delhi through the day and night.
Pickups & drivers
From Dehradun. Call or WhatsApp the driver directly.
No drivers listed for Haridwar yet. Drive this route? List your cab.
Haridwar: questions people ask
What is the best time to visit Haridwar?
The best months for Haridwar are February and March and October and November. December and January, April and May and September are possible but not ideal. Snow is rare here.
How difficult is Haridwar?
Haridwar is rated easy. No trekking is needed, starting at 314 m and reaching 350 m.
How many days do you need for Haridwar?
Plan 2 days on the ground, counted from Dehradun. Add travel days to reach the gateway from your city.
How much does a trip to Haridwar cost?
Expect about ₹2,000 per person per day for a mid-range trip (stay, food and local transport). That is roughly ₹4,000 for 2 days, before the cost of getting to Dehradun.
How do you reach Haridwar?
By road: from Delhi it is about 220 km, 4.5–5.5 hours (Delhi → Meerut → Muzaffarnagar → Roorkee → Haridwar); from Dehradun it is about 55 km, about 1.5 hours (Dehradun → Doiwala → Haridwar); from Dehradun airport it is about 38 km, about 1 hour (Jolly Grant → Haridwar). Haridwar is a major railway station with many trains from Delhi. Buses run from Delhi through the day and night. The nearest gateway is Dehradun.
Do you need a permit or a guide for Haridwar?
Permits: None. Guide: Not needed.
Is Haridwar suitable for children and senior citizens?
With children it is great; with seniors it is great. It is busy in season. Chain areas at Har Ki Pauri are genuinely dangerous in peak flow — stay behind the barrier.
What should you pack for Haridwar?
Pack fleece or light sweater, sun cap or hat, compact umbrella, rain jacket or poncho, comfortable walking shoes with grip, day pack, 20–30 litres, water bottles, 2 litres in total, sunscreen, spf 50, small first-aid kit and your own medicines. Also carry a government photo ID, enough cash and any permits. The full list is on this page.
Is there mobile network and internet at Haridwar?
Excellent.
Who should not go to Haridwar?
Haridwar suits most travellers, including children and senior citizens. The one drawback to know about: Hot, crowded and commercial from March to June.
Close to Haridwar
Within about 35 km in a straight line. Hill roads are a good deal longer, so check the drive before you combine two.
- Rishikeshabout 19 km