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The River Ganges is the most sacred river in
the Hindu religion and its source at Gaumukh
on the Gangotri glacier. Ganges Temple at
Gangotri is one of the holiest destinations
for Hindu pilgrims & is blessed with
spellbinding scenic beauty. Every year,
countless tourists from across the world,
visit here in search of peace and tranquility.
Our trek takes us to Gaumukh (translates to
cows mouth), the mythological source of the
River Ganges, which is at the snout of the
Gangotri glacier. At Gaumukh, blocks of
glacier fall into the river and pilgrims
'cleanse themselves of their sins' in freezing
water.
We also trek on ancient route of Gangotri to
Kedarnath. The Hindu devotees used this
pilgrimage trail very regularly during the
times when roads didn't exist and people used
to visit all the four holy temples on foot.
The Kedarnath shrine, one of the 12
Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, The temple, built
in the 8th century and dedicated to the
goddess Shiva. This is a scenic spot situated,
against the backdrop of the majestic Kedarnath
range. Kedar is another name of Lord Shiva,
the protector and the destroyer.
Day 01: Delhi
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On arrival, pickup from the Delhi
International airport and transfer to hotel.
Overnight: Hotel
Day 02: Delhi - Haridwar - Rishikesh
Morning transfer to the railway station to
board Shatabdi train to Haridwar.
Haridwar is the gateway to the four
pilgrimages places (Yamunotri, Gangotri,
Kedarnath & Badrinath) in the Garhwal region
and is located on the foothills of Shivaliks.
On arrival 25 km drive to Rishikesh. Evening
free.
Overnight: Hotel
Day 03: Rishikesh - Uttarkashi - Gangotri
Today, you will drive to Gangotri via Tehri &
Uttarkashi. The road quickly leaves the plains
and winds its way through the foothills of the
Garhwal Himalayas to reach the ancient capital
of Garhwal called "Tehri". We will have lunch
in Uttarkashi, an important town of this area
mostly serving to Indian pilgrims. From
Uttarkashi the roads climb rather quickly and
steeply over several hairpin bends and the
roaring Bhagirathi river always giving you
company. Gangotri (3140 m), with its famous
Goddess Ganga Temple is inhabited during the
summer months.
Overnight: Hotel
Day 04: Gangotri - Bhojbasa
An easy walk (13 Km trek). We progress along a
picturesque trail initially passes through
dense deodar forests before emerging into the
wide unforested valley. It then carries on to
a small isolated forest of pine at Chirbases,
literally the abode of pines.
Overnight: Tent
Day 05: Bhojbasa - Gaumukh
From Gaumukh, source of the Ganges, the
scenery is fascinating, with praying pilgrims
and half-naked saddhus meditating along the
banks of the tumultuous stream that pours out
of the glacier. The trail crosses Gangotri
moraines before reaching Tapovan and its
gorgeous meadows, furrowed with streams and
scattered with flowers. From here the
panoramic view over Shivling (6540m), Meru
(6660m) and the Bhaghirati massifs (above
6500m) is stunning. It is not surprising that
saddhus chose this area to meditate in summer
time.
Overnight: Tent
Day 06: Tapovan
Explore the surrounding areas.
Overnight Tent
Day 07: Tapovan - Chirbasa
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In the morning, trek down to Chirbasa.
Chirbasa is a nice place for camping, covered
by thick forest trees. Enjoy the evening in
the shadow of many peaks.
Overnight: Tent
Day 08: Chirbasa - Gangotri
Trek down to Gangotri.
Overnight: Tourist Bunglow
Day 09: Gangotri - Lata -
Belak Khal
Morning drive down about 72 kms to a small
village Called Lata, from where we begin our
second part of the Trek, The Hindu devotees
used this pilgrimage trail very regularly
during the times when roads didn't exist and
people used to visit all the four holy temples
on foot. The Trek from here to Belak is over a
well laid out path passing through thick
forests. The path climbs gradually into a side
valley with trees of Oak, Pine, Fir and
Rhododendrons lining the entire path. Belak is
a high Mountain meadow with summer settlements
of villagers from the valley who move up with
their cattle for grazing. Arriving at Belak by
late afternoon. In the evening we explore this
beautiful meadow.
Overnight: Tent
Day 10: Belak Khal - Budhakedar
In the morning after having our breakfast we
will trek to the village of Budhakedar, an
important place in Garhwal which houses the
old temple of Kedar (Shiva). The people of
this village are mostly farmers. Enroute we
will passes the tiny villages like Pangrana,
Jhala & Agund.
Overnight: Tent
Day 11: Budhakedar - Baghi Chatti
Trek to Baghi Chatti. On the way we will come
across the beautiful village of Benakhal,
situated at the top of a hill, with another
impressive temple. From here the walk is
almost level through a number of villages,
which give us an insight into the way of life
of these mountain people. Afterwards we will
have a steep climb through the forests of
Rhododendrons and to the beautiful high meadow
of Baghi Chatti. The views of the mountains
from this high meadow are breathtaking and on
a clear day one can see snowy peaks of the
distant Himalayas.
Overnight: Tent
Day 12: Bhaironchatti - Ghuttu
We continue our way through forest and
rice-fields to a ridge trail. From the top,
the view towards Mount Garhwal is quite
impressive.
Enroute visit a sheep and a rabbit farm run by
the government. From here we will continue our
trek over the road to reach Ghuttu, a small
village very popular with trekkers and
pilgrims. Some of whom still use this route to
go to Kedarnath Temple.
Overnight: Tent
Day 13: Ghuttu - Panwali Khanta
Trek to Panwali Khanta, another high mountain
meadow. From here we will be able to have
magnificent panoramic views of the entire
Garhwal Himalayas including Gangotri,
Kedarnath, Kedardome, Chaukhamba, Trisul,
Kamet, Nanda Devi and many other peaks. We
climb up to Khinko La (3500m), then descend
through a magnificent tropical forest and
rice-fields. Overnight: Tent
Day 14: Panwali Khanta - Maggu -
Triuginarain
Morning trek towards the temple village of
Triuginarain (1,982 m), where as per Hindu
mythology, the lord Shiva got married to
goddess Parvati. The village houses an ancient
temple where the marriage took place and is an
important pilgrimage spot for Hindus who visit
this temple from all over the country. Even
the marriage fire still burns in the temple
and it has been so for the last so many
centuries. The first half hour of the walk is
through a forest of rhododendrons descending
gradually. From here on the walk is over the
long Panwali ridge with several ascents &
descents, offers panoramic views on either
side and is an experience in itself. At the
end of the ridge the path descends steeply to
Maggu Ki Chatti, an abandoned village, which
was used by pilgrims in the earlier days. A
steep descent through a very thick forest
brings you to Triuginarain.
Overnight: Tent
Day 15: Triuginarain - Gaurikund - Kedarnath
Trek to Road head of Sonprayag then 15 Minutes
drive to Gaurikund. The next part of the walk
begins through the narrow lanes of Gaurikund
and the entire walk of 14 km is dotted with
shops and tea stalls which offer respite to
the pilgrims who brave out the five hour steep
climb to Kedarnath. The walk is over a well
laid out path and quite steep at certain
bends, the noisy river Mandakani flows to your
right all along the trail. Kedarnath, is a
huge temple village and right in the center
stands the ancient temple of Kedarnath.
Overnight: Tourist Rest House
Day 16: Kedarnath
Day at leisure to explore this holy place
Overnight: Tourist Rest Hosue
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Day 17: Kedarnath - Gaurikund - Rudraprayag
In the morning after having our breakfast we
walk back to Gaurikund. From here we drive to
Rudraprayag, which is situated at the
confluence of the Mandakini and the Alakhnanda
River. Arrival in Rudraprayag by late
afternoon.
Overnight: Tourist Rest House
Day 18: Rudraprayag - Rishikesh
Drive to Rishikesh. On arrival Rishikesh
transfer to the Hotel. Evening free for
personal activities.
Overnight: Hotel
Day 19: Rishikesh - Haridwar - Delhi
Morning free in Rishikesh to visit the Ashram,
temples and meditation centers. Afternoon
transfer to Haridwar railway station to board
Shatabdi train to Delhi. On arrival in Delhi
transfer to the Hotel.
Overnight: Hotel
Day 20: Departure transfer
Transfer to airport and fly back home |