A Memorable Kunjapuri Sunrise Day Hike
On 12th November 2025, I woke up at 4:30 AM, filled with excitement for my Kunjapuri Sunrise Day Hike. I had booked this experience a few days earlier with Mapping The Himalayas, a local Rishikesh-based adventure company established in 2013.
Early Morning Pickup
At 5:00 AM, my driver Rana ji and guide Devesh ji arrived at my hotel to pick me up. Since the sunrise was expected at 6:31 AM, we needed to start early.
Kunjapuri Temple is around 30 km from Rishikesh, and the drive took us about 50 minutes.
During the drive, we witnessed a beautiful night view of Rishikesh, glowing with lights—almost like a blanket of stars lying across the valley.
Reaching Kunjapuri Temple
Once we reached the base, we climbed the steps leading up to the temple. And the moment we reached the top, the sight in front of us was unforgettable. A soft golden light appeared behind the Himalayan mountains, slowly brightening the sky.
The moment the sun finally rose was truly breathtaking—one of those experiences that words cannot fully express.
Temple Visit and Breakfast
After enjoying the sunrise, we visited the temple, offered prayers, and performed simple rituals.
As we climbed down, we stopped at a small shop midway for breakfast. After eating, our guide briefed us about the trek—a 14 km downhill walk through villages and forest trails. He also provided us with a trekking pole and water bottle.
The Downhill Trek Begins
This trek is entirely downhill and took us around 4.5 hours to complete.
Along the trail, we passed through peaceful Himalayan villages, saw traditional homes, smiling children, goats, sheep, friendly mountain dogs, and a wide variety of plants and trees.
We paused under an old banyan tree for a short break, where our guide even taught us how to climb it—a fun and unexpected experience.
Refreshing Stop at Neer Waterfall
By afternoon, we reached the famous Neergarh Waterfall. The water was cool and refreshing, and we enjoyed a short dip to relax after the long walk.
After spending some time there, we continued downhill to the road where our car was waiting.
Within 20 minutes, we were on our way back, and the team dropped me safely at my hotel.
A Half-Day Experience Full of Memories
Although it was only a half-day trip, the experience felt incredibly rich. From witnessing a magical sunrise to exploring local culture and trekking through serene forests, the Kunjapuri sunrise hike became one of the most memorable moments of my trip.
