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Quick Answer: Rishikesh to Surkanda Devi is about 81 km by road and around 2.5 hours to Kaddukhal, the road head below the temple. It is the shortest approach from the Ganga side, and an easy half day if you start early.
Rishikesh to Surkanda Devi Route & Fare
How much does a Rishikesh to Surkanda Devi taxi cost?
Private cab fares for the Rishikesh to Surkanda Devi route. Every rate below is for the whole vehicle, not per seat.
Included: vehicle, fuel and driver allowance. Extra: tolls, state permits, parking, and on hill routes any night halt charge. Fares are confirmed on call before pickup — nothing is added afterwards.
The Rishikesh to Surkanda Devi distance is about 81 km, and the drive to Kaddukhal takes around 2.5 hours on the Google route our booking engine uses. That makes Rishikesh the quickest starting point for Surkanda Devi after Dehradun, and a lot quieter, because you skip Mussoorie's traffic.
The temple stands at about 2,756 m on a ridge above Kaddukhal. The car stops in the village, and you finish by ropeway or on foot.
Rishikesh to Surkanda Devi distance via the Chamba side
From Rishikesh the road climbs into the hills towards Chamba and then runs along the ridge to Kaddukhal. You meet the ridge road from the opposite end to Dehradun travellers, and the traffic is much lighter.
The climb is steady and winding for most of the way. Yoga students and retreat guests often book this as a morning trip and are back in Rishikesh by mid afternoon.
Ropeway, path and timing at the top
The Kaddukhal ropeway, opened in May 2022, is 502 m long and carries up to 500 people an hour. The path up is steep; guides quote 1.5 to 2.5 km. The ropeway is the obvious choice for children and older travellers.
Clear mornings give the best view of the snow peaks from the temple. After noon, clouds often roll up from the valleys and the view closes in.
A half day or a full day
Leave Rishikesh at 7 am and you can be back by 2 pm. If you want more, add Dhanaulti, which is further along the same ridge road, and return the same way or down through Mussoorie and Dehradun.
Rishikesh to Surkanda Devi taxi fare
The fare table on this page reads our rate desk, with one way and round trip prices for each car. A round trip includes the driver waiting at Kaddukhal while you visit. Call or WhatsApp 7830211223 from your hotel or ashram for a fixed fare.
Pickup in Rishikesh
We pick up from Tapovan, Laxman Jhula, Ram Jhula, the AIIMS area, the railway station and the bus stand. If you are on a retreat schedule, the slot between morning practice and lunch works: leave at 7, back by early afternoon.
Going on to Mussoorie or Dehradun
Because Surkanda Devi sits between the Chamba side and Mussoorie, you do not have to return the way you came. A one way drop that carries on through Dhanaulti and Mussoorie to Dehradun is a good option if you are moving on from Rishikesh anyway, for example to catch a train or flight from Dehradun the next day.
What to carry
Rishikesh can be warm while the ridge is cold and windy. Pack a light jacket and water, and wear shoes you can slip off easily at the temple.
Sources
- Surkanda Devi (elevation, Kaddukhal, trek): en.wikipedia.org
- Curly Tales, 2022 (Kaddukhal ropeway): curlytales.com
- Road distance and time: Google route used by the Anywhere Taxi booking engine
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is Rishikesh or Dehradun closer to Surkanda Devi?
Dehradun is slightly shorter by distance, but the Rishikesh route avoids Mussoorie traffic and is quieter.
Can I combine Surkanda Devi and Dhanaulti from Rishikesh?
Yes. Dhanaulti is a few kilometres further along the same ridge road, so it adds little time.
What time should I leave Rishikesh?
Around 7 am gives clear morning views at the temple and gets you back to Rishikesh by early afternoon.
Rishikesh to Surkanda Devi taxi — the short answer
Rishikesh to Surkanda Devi by private taxi. The fare is for the whole car, not per seat; tolls and permits are extra at actuals. Anywhere Taxi Service runs it as a one-way drop or a round trip, 24×7, with door-to-door pickup anywhere in Rishikesh — book on 7830211223 (call or WhatsApp).
What the Rishikesh to Surkanda Devi fare includes — and what it doesn't
Every quote is for the whole car, confirmed on the phone before pickup. Nothing is added afterwards that was not on this list.
✓ Included
- The vehicle, the driver and fuel for the booked trip
- Driver allowance on outstation trips
- Pickup from your door, hotel, station or the airport
- Short stops on the way for tea, food or a washroom
- Flight tracking on airport pickups — a late landing is not waiting time
- Phone and WhatsApp support for the whole trip
✗ Charged at actuals
- Tolls, state entry taxes and permit fees
- Parking, where a stop needs it
- Driver's night halt on multi-day hill trips, where it applies
- Extra kilometres or hours beyond what was booked
- On a one-way drop, tolls and taxes on the car's return to base
- Entry tickets, meals and hotels — yours to choose
Full terms, including refunds and waiting time, are on the cancellation policy page.
Getting from Rishikesh to Surkanda Devi: taxi, bus or train
An honest look at the alternatives, because the right answer is not always a taxi.
| Option | Time | Door to door | Luggage | Where it fits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private taxi | the drive time on this page, leaving when you choose | Yes | Whatever fits the car | Families, groups, luggage, odd hours, and anyone who wants to stop on the way |
| Bus | GMOU and UTC buses run from Rishikesh in daylight hours only, with roof-rack luggage and fixed stops. Check the current timetable. | |||
| Train | Nearest railhead is Rishikesh (Yog Nagari) or Haridwar. No train goes further into the Garhwal hills; from the station it is still a full day by road. | |||
On hill routes the taxi's real advantage is control: you decide the start time, the stops and the pace, and the same driver is there for the return.
Which car to book for Rishikesh to Surkanda Devi
Count the suitcases before you count the people — luggage decides the car more often than passengers do.
| Car | Best for | Our take on this route |
|---|---|---|
| Swift Dzire / sedan | Up to 3 adults, light bags | Fine on tarmac hill roads; low on ground clearance for the last rough kilometres and tight on luggage for a multi-day trip. |
| Maruti Ertiga | Family of 4–5 | The usual pick for hill routes: more room, higher stance, still economical on fuel. |
| Toyota Innova / Crysta | 5–6 adults with luggage | The car for long hill days — comfortable over the drive time on this page, and the one to book for elderly passengers or a Char Dham-style multi-day run. |
| Tempo Traveller / Urbania | Groups of 9–17 | For pilgrim and family groups. Ask us about the road: on some upper stretches a 12-seater is the sensible limit. |
How to book a Rishikesh to Surkanda Devi taxi
Call or WhatsApp 7830211223 with the date, pickup time and address (or flight / train number), the drop point, and how many people and bags.
We confirm the car, one-way or round trip, and everything included, on the same call. What we say is what you pay.
You get the driver's name and number before the trip. The driver calls ahead and is at the door at the booked time.
Cancellation: more than 24 hours before pickup, the trip cost minus 15% is refunded; within 24 hours, no refund; if we cannot provide the car, full refund.
