When is the best time of year for a retreat in Rishikesh?

Broadly:

• October to April is the most comfortable stretch. Days are pleasant; December and January nights and mornings are cold.
• May and June get very hot in the valley.
• July to September is monsoon: heavy rain, landslides on mountain roads, and river activities like rafting usually pause.

Ashrams in our catalog agree. Parmarth Niketan and Anand Prakash list October to April (minus January) as their best months, and Phool Chatti runs its retreats roughly February to June and September to early January.

Parmarth also hosts the International Yoga Festival every year, usually in March. It's a great week, but the town is much busier.

Locals and repeat visitors: what's your favourite month and why?