Duration : 18 Nights / 19 Days
Departures from : Delhi - Rishikesh - Uttarkashi - Gangotri - Bhojbassa - Gaumukh - Tapovan - Chirbasa - Gangotri - Lata - Belak Khal - Bhudakedar - Baghi Chatti - Ghuttu - Panwalikhanta - Maggu - Triyugi Narain - Gaurikund - Kedarnath - Rudraprayag - Rishikesh - Haridwar - Delhi
Region :Garhwal Himalayas
Best Time to Visit :April to June & September to October
Nature of Trek :Moderate
Gangotri is an exquisite alpine country. Deodars march in serried ranks and gorges plunge, sliced by the bustling Bhagirathi. The drive will take you past the settlement of Bhairon Ghati and into the single,traffic-choked, street of Gangotri. Here the river is joined by its tributary, the Kedar Ganga, rising in the glacier lake of Kedar Tal. Together they gush down the toffee-colored rocks of Gauri Kund and flow down the Himalayas. Here too. Celebrated in Hindu mythology and religion, the Garhwal Himalayas are said to be the "Abode of the Gods". The river Ganges takes its source in this remote massif, at the sacred shrine of Gangotri, and rushes down to the plains in a torrential fury.
Very few trekkers follow this itinerary which will lead to one of the most important spots of Hindu spirituality, where you will experience a strange atmosphere of religious fervor. There were two Englishmen, Captain Fferbert and captain Hodgeson, trekked through flower-speckled meadows and Himalayas woods for 18 km and discovered the Bhagirathi. It’s called the Gaomukh, the auspicious cow’s mouth.
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. Just before Kedarnath, the mountains became barer, rockier, covered in the moleskin of moss and velvety grass.
ITINERARY
DAY 01 : ARRIVE DELHI
Upon arrival in International airport in Delhi ,you are met and transferred to your pre-booked hotel.Overnight at Hotel.
DAY 02 : DELHI - RISHIKESH (310 MTS/965 FT) 214 KMS 5-6 HRS DRIVE.
After an early breakfast drive to Rishikesh via Haridwar en route you can visit Har- Ki -Pauri and witness the famous Arti of holy Ganges. Upon arrival at Rishikesh.check into your pre-booked hotel. Overnight at Hotel.
DAY 03 : RISHIKESH - UTTARKASHI(155 KMS) - GANGOTRI(95 HRS, 2-3 HRS)
After finishing with an early breakfast today we drive After finishing with an early breakfast today we drive towards 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 in this area mostly serving 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. Upon arrival check into your pre-booked hotel. Overnight at Hotel.
DAY 04 : GANGOTRI - BHOJWASSA (3800M) 05 HRS
After an early breakfast an easy trek (15 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 Chirbasa, literally the abode of pines. Upon arrival. Overnight at Tents.
DAY 05 : BHOJBASA - GAUMUKH (3900M) - TAPOVAN (4450M) 4 HRS
After an early breakfast, we start trekking to get Gaumukh 14 km up the route 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 Bhagirathi massifs (above 6500m) is stunning. It is not surprising that saddhus chose this area to meditate in the summertime. Upon arrival in Tapovan.Overnight stay.
DAY 06 : TAPOVAN
Today free at leisure. Overnight in tents. A natural geyser in the valley of the Dhauli Ganga, Its water is believed to have curative properties for many skin diseases.
DAY 07 : TAPOVAN - CHIRBASA 05 HRS
After an early breakfast today we 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 at Tents.
DAY 08 : CHIRBASA - GANGOTRI 04 HRS
After an early breakfast today we trek down to Gangotri. Upon arrival check into your pre-booked Hotel/Guest House.
DAY 09 : GANGOTRI - LATA (1700 M)(72 KMS)- BELAK KHAL (2750 M)
After having an early breakfast we drive down for about 72 Kms to a tiny hamlet 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. Upon arrival at Belak Khal Overnight at Tents.
DAY 10 : BELAK KHAL - BUDHAKEDAR (1530M) 06 HRS
After having an early breakfast we start our trekking up to the village called Bhdhakedar, an important place in Garhwal which houses the old temple of Kedar (Shiva). The people of this village are mostly farmers. Enroute we will pass the tiny villages like Pangrana, Jhala & Agung. Overnight at Tents
DAY 11 : BUDHAKEDAR - BAGHI CHATTI (2600M) 05 HRS
After having an early breakfast we trek to Baghi Chatti. Enroute visiting a beautiful village of Benakhal, situated at the top of a hill, with another impressive temple. From here the walk is almost level through several villages, which give us an insight into the way of life of these mountain people. Afterward, 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. Upon arrival.Overnight at Tents.
DAY 12 : BHAGHICHATTI - GHUTTU (1600M) 5 HRS
Today after finishing with an early breakfast. We reach up to Ghuttu. Overnight stay.
DAY 13 : GHUTTU - PANWALI KHANTA (3150M)
After early morning breakfast, begin a beautiful trek to Panwalikhanta 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 magnificent tropical forest and rice-fields. Overnight at Tents.
DAY 14: PANWALI KHANTA - MAGGU (3050M) - TRIUGINARAIN (1990M) 05 HRS)
breakfast starts today trekking towards the temple village of Triuginarain (1,982 m). The people of the village assure visitors that their temple got its name from the fact that Lord Shiva was married to the Parvati here, three ages ago, and ever since then, the fire, which was the witness to this wedding, has been kept alight. Devotees can contribute wood to stoke this undying flame and they receive a little holy ash for their offering. It is called Triyugi Narain temple because Lord Vishnu, also known as Narayan, officiated at the wedding.
A face of Surya, the Sun God has been carved on the stone tower of the temple and an idol of Ganesha, the God of Good Beginnings, stands outside, along with a bronze mask of Goraknath, the leader of another sect. 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. Upon arrival. Overnight: at Tents.
DAY 15: TRIUGINARAIN - GAURIKUND - KEDARNATH
After having an early breakfast 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 Mandakini 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 at your pre-booked hotel/Guesthouse.
DAY 16: TRIUGINARAIN - GAURIKUND - KEDARNATH
Today go for a sightseeing tour of Kedarnath. Kedarnath is one of the most important Indian pilgrimage places. The temple, built in the 8th century and dedicated to the goddess Shiva, is magnificently surrounded with snow-capped peaks. Mountainscapes change at every bend: dark and frowning cliffs haunted by soaring eagles; snow peaks rising against the clear Himalayan skies; rang after range blueing into the distance. The nearer view is also heart-stopping: waterfalls tumble of the hillside, slicking rocks, covering them in rugs of greens herbs; wild verbena with posies of mauve flowers, spangle moss, and turf; long-haired goats dot rocky meadows like evocative sets from the sound of the music. Overnight at Hotel.
DAY 17: KEDARNATH - GAURIKUND - RUDRAPRAYAG (14 KMS TREK & 78 KMS)
After an early breakfast, we trek back to Gaurikund. Upon arrival proceed towards Rudraprayag, which is situated at the confluence of the Mandakini and the Alakhnanda River. Upon arrival in Rudraprayag check into your pre-booked Hotel/Tourist Rest House. Overnight stay.
DAY 18: RUDRAPRAYAG - RISHIKESH (130 KMS 05 HRS)
After an early breakfast drive towards Rishikesh.Upon arrival in Rishikesh transfer to your pre-booked hotel. Evening free at leisure. Overnight at Hotel.
DAY 19: RISHIKESH - HARIDWAR - DELHI (230 KMS, 07 HRS)
After having an early breakfast sightseeing tour of Rishikesh visiting the Ashram, temples and meditation centers. Later drive back to Delhi.Upon arrival.departure transfer to the International airport to board flight for your onwards journey.
