Ekantam Riverside Resort - Resort for Destination Wedding in Rishikesh

Ekantam Riverside Resort sits on the banks of a tributary of the Ganges on Neelkanth Road, about 9 km from Laxmanjhula, with panoramic views of the Himalayan foothills and a river valley that opens up around the property. It is one of the very few pet friendly camps in Rishikesh, Uttarakhand that has formalised its pet policy with specific food arrangements, open lawn access, and zero pet charges — making it a genuinely practical option for travelling with dogs, not just a property that loosely tolerates them.

The Setting — Space That Actually Works for Dogs

Spread across approximately 4 acres on Neelkanth Road, Ekantam is one of those rare properties where the scale of the grounds genuinely changes the experience for travelling pet parents. Each of the 13 air-conditioned cottages opens directly onto manicured lawns — meaning your dog steps out of the room onto open grass, not a corridor or a car park. The property describes itself as having "plenty of open lawns and sit-out areas which are accessible to your companion without any restrictions," which is the kind of unambiguous confirmation that makes planning easier.

The resort is set alongside a tributary of the Ganges and overlooks the foothills of the Himalayas — the wider Rishikesh landscape here is forested and relatively quiet compared to the town centre. The Kalikund waterfall trek is accessible as a guided activity from the property, which adds a hiking dimension worth noting for dogs that are trail-ready (though trail suitability for your specific dog is worth confirming with the property before you book).

Pet Policy in Detail — What's Confirmed

Ekantam has put more thought into pet logistics than most camps in the region. Basic pet food is included as a complimentary arrangement — chapati, rice, and dal are provided without extra cost. If your dog needs eggs, chicken, or processed dog food, those are available on a chargeable basis. The property also mentions arranging bedding, medications, and toys as part of their pet-friendly camping package — though these inclusions are described in the context of their packaged offering (starting from INR 3,000 per person, all-inclusive) rather than as standalone add-ons, so confirm exactly what applies to your booking type.

Pets are not allowed inside the restaurant or the swimming pool area. This is a firm restriction, not a grey area — plan meals accordingly if you're travelling solo with a dog and need to leave them briefly. Leashing is required throughout the property. The property welcomes all trained, non-aggressive pets and does not publish breed or weight restrictions, which makes it accessible for large dogs as well.

There is no pet charge — pets stay free here, which is still uncommon enough among pet friendly stays near Delhi NCR to be worth flagging explicitly.

The Stay — Facilities and Activities

The 13 cottages are air-conditioned and described as state-of-the-art, each with valley and river tributary views. The all-inclusive package covers one breakfast, one lunch, and one dinner — all prepared by a chef formerly with Hyatt — plus use of the swimming pool (for humans), bonfire with snacks, free Wi-Fi, power backup, and in-house activities including cricket, badminton, volleyball, and archery. Board games (chess, carrom, cards) are available indoors. A guided nature walk and the Kalikund waterfall trek are also included in the package.

Sitting by the bonfire with your dog after a valley walk is the kind of evening this property is genuinely set up for — it is not a city hotel making a reluctant exception for pets, but a camp that has built pet logistics into its offering from the ground up. The 4.6 Google rating across 259 reviews, with multiple guests describing the setting as serene and the food as excellent, adds weight to the broader experience beyond the pet angle.

What to Confirm Before You Book

A few specifics are worth verifying directly with the property before arrival. The swimming pool restriction for pets is confirmed, but whether pets are allowed inside the cottage rooms is not explicitly stated on the website — the policy page focuses on common areas. If your dog sleeps on the bed with you, call ahead. The pet food arrangements (bedding, medications, toys) are mentioned in the context of their packaged camping experience — confirm whether these apply if you're booking a standard room-only rate. The property is also described as ideal for families and couples, so it can get busy on weekends; if your dog is noise-sensitive, a weekday stay may suit better.

Getting There: Ekantam is located in Village Ghattuhat on Neelkanth Road, approximately 9 km from Laxmanjhula, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand 249304. The property is roughly 5 hours by road from Delhi/NCR, making it a realistic weekend getaway with dogs from North India. The nearest major railhead is Haridwar (approximately 35–40 km); Jolly Grant Airport (Dehradun) is the closest airport.