On 12th November 2025, my day began at 4:30 AM with the excitement of experiencing the famous Kunjapuri Sunrise Hike. I had booked the tour a few days earlier with Mapping The Himalayas, a trusted adventure company based in Rishikesh since 2013.
Early Morning Pickup
At 5:00 AM, my driver Rana ji and guide Devesh ji arrived at my hotel. Since sunrise was expected at 6:31 AM, we started early.
Kunjapuri Temple is nearly 35 km from Rishikesh, and the drive took close to 50 minutes. The view of Rishikesh at night was stunning—thousands of tiny lights glowing peacefully across the valley.
Reaching the Temple
After reaching the base, we climbed the steps to the top. The moment we reached the summit, the scene before us was magical. A gentle golden light began to rise behind the Himalayan peaks, slowly colouring the sky.
Watching the sun appear from behind the mountains was truly breathtaking. It was one of those rare moments that stay with you forever.
Temple Visit and Breakfast
Once the sunrise settled, we visited the temple for darshan and performed simple rituals.
While coming down, we stopped at a small shop for breakfast. After eating, our guide explained the plan for the day—a 14 km downhill trek through small villages and forest paths. He handed us a trekking pole and water bottle, and we began our walk.
Starting the Downhill Trek
The entire route was downhill and took us around 4.5 hours.
The trail passed through peaceful Himalayan villages where we saw traditional homes, smiling children, grazing goats and sheep, friendly dogs, and beautiful forest vegetation. It felt like walking through the heart of mountain life.
We took a break under an old banyan tree, where our guide even showed us how to climb its branches—a fun and unexpected memory.
Neer Waterfall Experience
By midday, we reached the popular Neergarh Waterfall. The cool water was refreshing, and we enjoyed a short dip to relax after the long trek.
After resting for a while, we continued the final stretch downhill where our vehicle was waiting.
Around 20 minutes later, we were back on the road, and soon I was dropped safely at my hotel.
A Half-Day Filled With Beautiful Experiences
Even though the hike took only half a day, it felt incredibly fulfilling. The sunrise, the peaceful villages, the forest trails, and the refreshing waterfall made this hike one of the most memorable experiences of my trip.
The Kunjapuri sunrise hike offered a perfect blend of nature, culture, and adventure—all in a single morning.
