Don’t Just Text ‘Happy Father’s Day’ Take Him on This 8-Hour Bus Journey Instead

Every Father’s Day, millions of phones across the country light up with three words: “Happy Father’s Day.”
That’s it. Message sent. Job done.

But is it?

We spend years growing up with fathers who show us the world, not always in grand gestures, but in quiet drives, shared silences, and those small, reassuring nods that meant everything. This year, what if we flipped the script?
What if, instead of a message, we gave him a memory?

What if we just took the bus?

The Gift of a Journey, Not Just a Greeting

Between the pressure to plan something meaningful and the temptation to do nothing at all, most of us fall somewhere in the middle. But if there’s one thing we know about Indian dads, it’s this:

They rarely ask for much. But they always remember the time you gave them.

This Father’s Day, skip the online gifts, skip the OTT brunches and instead, pack a bag, book a seat, and take your dad to Rishikesh.
Just 7–8 hours away from Delhi by a zingbus premium AC ride, Rishikesh is the kind of place that brings generations together without trying too hard.

No frills. No fuss. Just fresh air, the sound of the Ganga, and enough shared silence to say what words can’t.

Why Rishikesh Feels Like the Right Choice

Tucked into the foothills of the Himalayas, Rishikesh is not your typical holiday town. It doesn’t shout. It whispers.
It invites you to slow down, breathe, and watch the river go by.

It’s also the perfect balance between spiritual and adventurous, a place where your dad can sip tea at sunrise by the ghats, and then laugh with you while navigating rapids in the Ganges a few hours later.

And here’s the kicker: it’s not just good for your soul. It’s good for the planet.

zingbus offsets 100% of the carbon emissions from your ride, making this trip not just meaningful for your father, but responsible toward everyone’s future.

The Bus Ride: 8 Hours to Catch Up on a Lifetime

Let’s not gloss over the ride itself. Because that’s where the magic begins.

You board your zingbus Premium AC Sleeper late evening in Delhi.
Your dad brings a newspaper. You bring a playlist.
He dozes off. You watch the city lights fade.
He wakes up, pulls out some home-packed snacks. You split them. Laugh a little. Talk a little.

The journey is smooth. Reclining seats. Soft blankets. Enough legroom to stretch even for that dad who always complains about leg space.

There’s no pressure to perform. No timelines.
Just eight uninterrupted hours where the road becomes your living room.

Maybe for the first time in months, you’ll both just be with each other, without distractions.

Daybreak in Rishikesh: Welcome to Father’s Day, the Right Way

You wake up to rolling hills and a cold breeze drifting through your window. The Ganga glimmers in the morning light. And suddenly, everything slows down. Here’s how you could spend your two days in this town that feels like a deep breath:

1. Morning Peace at Triveni Ghat

Start slow. Let your dad dip his feet in the Ganga, sip on a steel cup of hot chai, and just sit.
Triveni Ghat in the morning isn’t about sightseeing. It’s about stillness.

You don’t need to talk. Let the river do the talking.

2. Walk Across Lakshman Jhula (or the New One)

The old bridge may be under renovation, but the spirit of crossing over the Ganga still feels sacred. Take a walk together.
Watch the monkeys. Take a selfie or don’t. Just enjoy the rhythm of river and rope beneath your feet.

3. A Café Meal With a View

Skip the hotel breakfast. Go to Little Buddha Café or Bistro Nirvana places that serve pancakes with a side of sunrise views.
Ask him about his first job. His dreams. That one time he skipped class.
He may surprise you with how much he’s waited to share.

4. White Water Rafting – Yes, Really

If your dad’s even mildly adventurous, do it.
Suit up. Get on the raft. Let him grip the oars and feel like a kid again.

There’s a unique kind of bonding that happens when both of you scream and laugh your way through the Ganges.

5. Visit the Beatles Ashram Together

No, he doesn’t have to be a Beatles fan.
This abandoned ashram is now an open-air graffiti museum with wild forest vibes. It’s nostalgic, peaceful, and surreal.

Walk among art. Pose under psychedelic murals.
Let him tell you about the music of his time. You might just learn his college nickname.

6. Ganga Aarti at Sunset: Full-Circle Moment

As the sky turns orange and the lamps are lit, stand next to him on the ghat.
Hands folded. Eyes closed. River flowing.

This is it. This is what you came for.
Not the rafting. Not the café.
Just this moment when everything around you fades, and he’s right there next to you.

Overnight Stay? Ashram, Homestay, or Mountain View?

There are dozens of stay options depending on your vibe:

• Parmarth Niketan for a spiritual stay
• goSTOPS or Zostel Rishikesh for chill mountain views
• Budget-friendly riverside cottages with hammocks and hot chai

Wherever you stay, pick a place with no TV. You won’t need it.

Your Return: A Quiet Ride, A Full Heart

The ride back to Delhi is silent. But in a good way.

You’re both tired in that sweet, satisfied way.
Maybe he’s snoozing. Maybe you are.
But the air between you is softer now. Less formal. More like two people who’ve shared something they won’t forget.

Back in Delhi, you help him with his bag. He nods that fatherly nod that means everything without saying it.

And just like that, you gave him a memory.

Why This Trip Works Better Than Any Gift

Let’s be honest: dads are hard to shop for.
They don’t need another pen. They’ll say no to new shoes.

But this? This is a gift of time. A moment to pause together.
A way of saying, “Hey, I still want to be around you. I still want to know you.”

It’s simple. It’s beautiful. And it comes without wrapping paper.

How to Plan It in One Hour Flat

Yes, really. Here’s your fast-lane guide:

1. Book your seats: Use zingbus Delhi to Rishikesh route
2. Pick your stay: Zostel, ashram, or hotel done.
3. Pack light: 2 tees, track pants, slippers, sunscreen.
4. Tell him: Don’t ask. Just tell him, “Pack a bag, Dad. We leave Friday night.”
5. Enjoy the ride: You’re halfway there the minute you step on that bus.

Some Bonus Tips: Because You Know Your Dad Best

• Bring snacks he loves roasted peanuts? Khakhra?
• Load his favourite songs on your phone or playlist
• Let him choose the first pit stop
• Pack a small handwritten note something he’ll read while you both doze off in the bus

The Best Part? Your Trip Is Carbon-Neutral

This journey doesn’t just feel good, it does good.
With zingbus, your entire ride to Rishikesh is carbon-offset. That means:

Zero net emissions.
Zero guilt.
A step toward sustainable travel.

This is the kind of future our fathers wanted for us. And now, we return the favor.

So, This Father’s Day, Here’s the Plan

Don’t just send a message.
Be one.

Let your actions say what words can’t:
“Thank you.”
“I remember everything.”
“Let’s make a new memory.”

One bus ride. One mountain town. One father.

That’s the real gift. Ready to ride? Book your premium AC zingbus to Rishikesh now
Delhi to Rishikesh Bus Route – zingbus