15 Stunning Riverside Destinations In India

How about doing something different this summer? While some are sacred, others offer a perfect riverside destination to unwind and admire nature’s wonder. So, in this sunshine season, let’s pack our bags for off the tourist trail places and trace the curves of some major rivers. Few of these places are located at significant heights or nestled in forests, and others are among the oldest cities on the planet or uniquely located. Travellers can now enjoy water sports, such as river rafting, surfing, kayaking, and many other activities, at these off-beat locations such as Kabini, Dhankar and Dandeli. So, keep reading as we tell you about 15 gorgeous riverside destinations in India that you must visit.
Best riverside destinations to visit in India

1.  Manali 

Nestled on the Beas River, Manali is a rustic township located in Himachal Pradesh. It is a perfect riverside destination that is frequented by honeymooners, families, trekkers and nature enthusiasts. Manali offers peace, tranquillity and breathtaking views from the valley. If you are dreaming of soaking your feet in gushing water while enjoying the sunset views, then Manali is the place to be.

Best time to visit: March to June is the peak season for tourists if you wish to escape the heat and move to cooler temperatures. To witness snowfall, December end to January is the best time.

Things to do: Visit Hidimba Devi Temple and Manu Temple.

How to reach

By air: Fly to the Bhuntar airport which is 50 kilometres away from Manali.

By rail: Joginder Nagar Railway Station is approximately 160 kilometres away from Manali that can be reached via Pathankot.

By road: Manali is well connected by road and can be reached easily via Delhi, Chandigarh, Dehradun, Shimla, Haridwar, Dharamshala and Chamba.

2. Tirthan Valley

Just 90 kilometres southeast of Manali, lies another Himachal’s treasure – Tirthan Valley. This destination, named after the pristine Tirthan River that flows through the valley, sits at an average elevation of 2,300 metres. With snow-capped peaks and Great Himalayan National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, within walking distance, it is a paradise for trekkers and wildlife enthusiasts.

Best time to visit:  Between March and June.

Things to do: Visit local sights such as Chehni Kothi, Jalori Pass and Serolsar Lake, spot the rare bird species of western tragopan and cheer pheasant.

How to reach

By air: Bhuntar is the closest airport and is only two hours away from Tirthan Valley.

By rail: Railheads are quite far from Tirthan however, you can hop on to the famous toy train from Kalka to Shimla or take the narrow-gauge train to Joginder Nagar.

By road: Drive through NH-21 on the Manali highway via Chandigarh to reach Tirthan Valley.

3. Odi Thach 

Located in Himachal Pradesh on the banks of Parvati River, Odi Thach is a popular destination amongst trekkers. It is the fourth camp location in the Pin Parvati Pass Trek that ends at the Pin Basecamp in Spiti. The trekking route begins from the quaint village of Manikaran, crossing beautiful terrains covered with flowers and waterfalls leading up to the rocky terrains as one goes higher up. Imagine spending days doing nothing but just admiring the picturesque meadow that passes through the natural rock bridge – Pandu Bridge situated on Parvati River, breathtaking, isn’t it?

Best time to visit: In the months of July and August.

Things to do: Trek up to the Pin Valley Basecamp, visit Kungri Monastery, spot avian diversity such as goldfinches, Himalayan griffons, yellow-headed wagtails, and yellow-billed chough at the Pin Valley National Park.

How to reach

By air: Fly to the Bhuntar airport which is 50 km away from Manali.

By rail: Joginder Nagar Railway Station  is approximately 160 km away from Manali that can be reached via Pathankot.

By road: Manali is well connected by road and can be reached via Delhi, Chandigarh, Dehradun, Shimla, Haridwar, Dharamshala and Chamba.

4. Jim Corbett National Park

Jim Corbett, India’s first national park, is located on the bank of the Ramganga River in Uttarakhand. Travellers visit this park hoping to spot a tiger or two during the jeep safari. The safari takes you inside the dense forest where you can witness wild animals in their natural habitat and enjoy the lush green forests along with streams, rivers and Corbett waterfall.

Best time to visit: October till March.

Things to do: Go for a morning or evening Jeep Safari, experience camping, do river rafting, try angling, attend yoga and meditation workshops.

How to reach

By air: Fly to the Patanagar airport which is 70 kilometres away from Jim Corbett National Park.

By rail:  Ramnagar Railway Station is the nearest railhead.

By road: Drive down from Delhi, Haridwar, Nainital or Ramnagar to reach Jim Corbett National Park. It is a six hour drive from Delhi.

5. Majuli Island 

Majuli Island in Assam is the world’s largest river island, but it is fast disappearing. But, before it fades away in the vastness of Brahmaputra River, plan a trip to see this natural wonder, which is famous for its flora and fauna and culture of mask and pottery making. And also, don’t miss the sunset!

Best time to visit: In the winter season starting from November till February.

Things to do: Sneak peek at the tribal culture, visit centres of performing arts and monasteries at Vaishnava Satras, attend festivals of Raas Mahotsav, Paal Naam and Ali-Aye-Ligang.

How to reach:

The only way to reach the island is by hopping on a ferry from Jorhat.

By air: Fly to the Rowriah Airport which is 8 Kilometres away from the main city of Jorhat.

By rail: Two major railway stations of Jorhat are Mariani Junction and Jorhat Town that are well connected to other parts of the country.

By road: Hire a taxi to reach Jorhat from Guwahati.

6. Kabini

Home to tigers, elephants, deer, black panthers and jaguars, Kabini is an exciting destination in Karnataka for nature lovers, wildlife enthusiasts and those who are seeking peace. Located on the banks of Kabini River, a traditional coracle boat ride is a must do once you are done exploring the wildlife and soaking in the greenery.

Best time to visit: October to June is the best time to be in Kabini.

Things to do: Take the jungle jeep safari in the morning, spend the day doing river safari in the backwaters, explore the diverse flora and fauna.

How to reach:

By air: Fly to the Mysuru airport which is 60 kilometres away from Kabini forest.

By rail: Mysuru Junction is the nearest railhead to Kabini.

By road: Taxis are available from Mysuru and other parts of Karnataka to reach Kabini easily.

7. Darjeeling 

British charm, pristine beauty, vibrant green hills and majestic views of the Himalayas, Darjeeling has it all! This tea garden city is bordered by the Teesta River. Rafting down the Teesta, mesmerising views of the lush forests, spotting rare birds such as the Eurasian cuckoo, oriental cuckoo, common kestrel and yellow-bellied fantail among many others will give you memories to cherish for a lifetime.

Best time to visit: Between March to May and October to December are the best months to get clear views of Kanchenjunga Mountain peak.

Things to do: Board the toy train, hike up to the Sandakphu range, experience water rafting and watch the sunrise from Tiger Hill.

How to reach:

By air: Bagdogra is the closest airport to Darjeeling.

By rail: Darjeeling Railway Station is the nearest railhead.

By road: Darjeeling is well connected by road and can be reached via Siliguri.

8. Coorg

River Barapole adds charm to the hilly district of Coorg in Karnataka. Also called Kodagu, Coorg is a famous tourist destination that offers pleasant weather throughout the year. You can easily spend days here trekking, fishing, trying waterfall rappelling, quad biking and other fun activities.

Best time to visit: October to March are the best months to be in Coorg.

Things to do: Learn about the coffee making process at the various coffee plantations, go up in the air on Microlight flying, bathe elephants at Dubare elephant camp.

How to reach: 

By air: Fly to the Mangalore or Mysore Airport to reach Coorg.

By rail: Mysore Railway Station is the nearest railhead to reach Coorg.

By road: Coorg is well connected to the nearby cities of Bangalore, Mysore and Mangalore.

9. Papikondalu 

Papikondalu in Andhra Pradesh is a scenic mountain range bounded by India’s second largest river. Its beauty, which is often compared to Kashmir, can be admired on day long luxury cruises that stop at several other local attractions, such as Gandi Pochamma Temple and Veereswara Swamy Temple.

Best time to visit: October to January is the best time to visit Papikondalu.

Things to do: Visit Perantapalli village of Khammam district and Ashram of Ramakrishna Muni Vatika.

How to reach: 

By air: Rajahmundry Airport is well connected to all major cities of India and is the closest to reach Papikondalu.

By rail: Rajahmundry Railway Station is the nearest railhead.

By road: Taxis are easily available from Rajahmundry.

10. Dhankar 

Dhankar village, perched at 3,894 metres above sea level in Spiti Valley, is unlike any other lush green tourist hotspots in Himachal. Its mountains are brown and barren. But don’t be mistaken! They only add to its charm while Spiti River weaves its way through them. Trek alongside this river destination for spectacular views of Manirang Peak which is the highest peak of Himachal Pradesh..

Best time to visit: Between May to October.

Things to do: Visit Dhankar Lake and Dhankar Monastery, watch the sunset as it occurs behind Himalayan peaks.

How to reach:

By air: Fly to the Bhuntar Airport.

By rail: Joginder Nagar Railway Station is the nearest railhead to Manali that is 400 kilometres away from the Dhankar Lake.

By road: Manali is well connected by road from Delhi, Chandigarh, Dehradun, Shimla, Haridwar, Dharamshala and Chamba. From Manali, take a cab to reach Tabo or Kaza town and then you can trek to Dhankar.

11. Dandeli

If you are looking for an adventurous weekend getaway from Bengaluru, then visit Dandeli on the banks of river Kali in Karnataka. Offering a number of activities, such as jungle safari, rafting, kayaking and coracle rides, you can cap it off with a bonfire on the riverside.

Best time to visit: Dandeli can be visited all year round however, November to February are the best months for river rafting.

Things to do: Visit Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary, admire the stunning Sathodi and Magod Waterfalls.

How to reach:

By air: Fly to the Belgaum Airport which is well connected to Mumbai, Bangalore and Goa.

By rail: Alnavar Railway Station is the nearest railhead which is 35 kilometres away from Dandeli.

By road: Taxis can be hired from Bangalore, Mumbai, Goa, Belgaum, Karwar, Dharwad and Hubli to reach Dandeli.

12. Kolad

Kolad is an offbeat destination in Maharashtra that should be visited for the water sports it offers such as river rafting, banana boat ride, jet-ski, water rappelling and river crossing. Experience a slow-paced life living close to nature in eco-friendly camps that can be reached crossing Kundalika River.

Best time to visit: Kolad can be visited all year round, however, June to February are the best months for river rafting.

Things to do: Visit Tamhini Ghat, Kuda Caves, Ghosala Fort and Devkund Waterfall.

How to reach:

By air: Nanded Airport is the nearest airport to Kolad.

By rail: Lonavla Railway Station is the nearest railhead.

By road: Mumbai is 120 kilometres away and the closest mahor city that connects to Kolad.

13. Chadar 

Chadar Trek is one of the toughest treks in India that takes place on the surface of the frozen Zanskar River. Trekking on the whirly passages of this frozen river makes it a thrilling experience for adventure seekers as they learn to survive in harsh terrains at low temperatures.

Best time to visit: Chadar should be visited in January and February.

Things to do: Admire snow-capped mountains and frozen waterfalls during the trek.

How to reach:

By air: Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport in Leh is 50 kilometres away from Chadar.

By rail: Tawi Railway Station is the nearest railhead which is 670 kilometres away from Chadar.

By road: Leh is the nearest city that can be reached easily by taxi.

14. Bheemeshwari

Located 100 kilometres away from Bangalore, you can enjoy fishing, biking, coracle rides and kayaking in Bheemeshwari. This weekend getaway spot in Karnataka is frequented by families that spend days in solitude sitting on the banks of Cauvery River enjoying the view while they sip on piping hot filter coffee.

Best time to visit: Between August and February.

Things to do: Take boat rides, hike up to the beautiful valleys, spot pelicans and painted storks.

How to reach:

By air: Fly to the Bengaluru Airport which is 145 km away from Bheemeshwari.

By rail: Bengaluru Railway Station is the nearest railhead located 101 km away.

By road: Taxis are easily available from Bangalore to reach Bheemeshwari.

15. Varanasi 

Varanasi, one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world, is famous for its temples, religious rituals and historical ghats that touch the sacred river Ganga. But that’s not all that attracts travellers to this holy city. Adventure enthusiasts too make a pilgrimage but of a different kind. They prefer to indulge in water sports, such as speed boat, para motor, bumpy ride, desert bike, jet-ski, parasailing and banana boat ride.

Best time to visit: Between October to March.

Things to do: Attend evening aarti, try the famous paan at Krishna Paan Bhandar, visit Kashi Vishwanath Temple and Assi Ghat.

How to reach:

By air: Fly to the Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport in Babatpur which is 22 kilometres away from Varanasi. Direct flights to Varanasi are available from Delhi, Agra, Khajurao, Kolkata, Mumbai, Lucknow, Bhuvaneshwar and Kathmandu.

By rail: Varanasi Cantt and Mughal Sarai Railway Station are linked with all major cities of India.

By road: Varanasi is well connected by road with taxis easily available from major cities in India.