Duration : 19 Nights / 20 Days
Departures from : Delhi - Rishikesh - Gaurikund - Kedarnath - Maggu - Panwalikhanta - Ghuttu - Baghichatti - Buda Kedar - Belakhal - Lata - Gangotri - Bhojbassa - Tapovan - Gangotri - Uttarkashi - Dehradun - Delhi
Region :Garhwal Himalayas
Main View : Kush Kalyani and Panwali Bugyal
Base : Mala
Best Time to Visit :April to June & August 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. The Nandan Van trek should be called the Gangotri-Gaumukh-Nandadevi-Tapovan Trek. It is particularly interesting because it offers a wide variety of Himalayan trekking experiences: rock climbing, boulder hopping, and glacier traversing. Nevertheless, it is considered to be a trek that even non-mountaineers can undertake fairly comfortably. You can place yourself in the hands of one of the many competent trekking outfits.
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 - GAURIKUND (2000M) (230 KMS, 9 HRS)
Today we cover 230 km to get the place called Gaurikund. Gauri Kund is an Interesting Himalayan hamlet of narrow, rising, streets and open-fronted shops and eating houses doing a brisk, breakfast business. Many of the pilgrims stop for a while and worship in the temple of Gauri, one of the names of the consort of Lord Shiva, after whom the hamlet and at the start of the 15-kilometer trekking route, a milling mass of horses,mules and their grooms awaits riders at a toll barrier. Upon arrival check into your pre-booked hotel. Overnight at Hotel.
DAY 04 : GAURIKUND - KEDARNATH (3600M)
Today after an early breakfast, we trek up to 15 km to reach Kedarnath. This is a steep climb where we will walk with hundreds of pilgrims from all over India. The forest slowly gives way to splendid views of Mount Kedarnath (6940m). Upon arrival check into your pre-booked hotel. Overnight at Hotel.
DAY 05 : 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 06 : KEDARNATH - GAURIKUND(14 KMS DOWN TREK)
After an early breakfast, today trek of an about 14 km carrying packed lunch along with. Dinner and Overnight at Gaurikund.
DAY 07 : GAURIKUND - MAGGU (3050M)
After an early breakfast trek up to 04 km to reach out to Sonprayag it passes through dense forest. Upon arrival in Maggu, overnight stay.
DAY 08 : MAGGU - PANWALI KHANTA (3150M) 05 HRS
After an early breakfast and after a short climb, we follow a pleasant trail over a flat area and descend towards the meadows of Panwali Khanta. Overnight stay.
DAY 09 : PANWALI KHANTA - GHUTTU (1600M) 06 HRS
After an early breakfast, we trek upwards to Khinko La (3500m), then descend through magnificent tropical forest and rice-fields. Overnight stay.
DAY 10 : GHUTTU - BAGHI CHATTI (2600M) 05 HRS
After an early breakfast, we continue our way through forest and rice-fields to a ridge trail. From the top, the view towards Mount Garhwal is quite impressive. Overnight stay.
DAY 11 : BAGHI CHATTI - BUDAKEDAR (1530M) 04 HRS
After finishing with an early breakfast today we trek downwards passing through fields and forests. Upon arrival. Overnight stay.
DAY 12 : BUDAKEDAR - BELAK KHAL (2750M) 06 HRS.
After an early breakfast .The trail passes through a succession of tiny villages: Agund, Jhala and Pangrana. Magnificent high-alpine panorama.Overnight stay.
DAY 13 : BELAK KHAL - LATA (1700M) IN 03 HRS - GANGOTRI (3050M) (05 HRS)
After an early breakfast today, we trek down towards Bhagirathi, one of the Gange’s tributaries, later proceed towards Gangotri by covering about 80 km a famous place of pilgrimage. Deodars march in series ranks and gorges plunge, sliced by the bustling Bhagirathi. 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 to the Himalayas. Upon arrival check into your pre-booked Hotel. Overnight at Hotel.
DAY 14: GANGOTRI - BHOJBASA (3800M) (05 HRS)
After an early breakfast today we continue along a picturesque trail, congested with porters, mules, pilgrims, and mobile traders. From Raj Ghat, the glacial valley gets wider, and soon we can see the Bhaghirati massif, which rises above 6500m. Upon arrival, Overnight stay at Tents.
DAY 15: BHOJBASA - GAUMUKH (3900M) - TAPOVAN (4450M) (04 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 16: TAPOVAN - BHOJWASSA (03 HRS)
After having an early breakfast, we enjoy taking some of the rigor out of the journey. We lazily enjoy the charms of this magic spot. Later we trek down towards Bhojwassa. Upon arrival, overnight stay at Bhojwassa.
DAY 17: BHOJWASSA - GANGOTRI (04 HRS)
After an early breakfast. we trek up to Gangotri. After reaching out visit the Temples of Gangotri. Upon arrival check into your pre-booked hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 18: GANGOTRI - UTTARKASHI (06 HRS)
Today after an early breakfast we drive up to Uttarkashi. The town, overlooking the gravelly bed of the Bhagirathi River, is known as the Varanasi, the Kashi, of the north and many of its citizens believe that it equals that famous town in the sanctity. Upon arrival check into your pre-booked hotel. Overnight at Hotel.
DAY 19: UTTARKASHI - DEHRADUN (199 KMS)
After an early breakfast, we drive towards Dehradun. Upon arrival in Dehradun check into your pre-booked hotel. Overnight at Hotel.
DAY 20: DEHRADUN-DELHI (240 KMS 07 HRS)
After finishing with an early breakfast, we drive back to Delhi. Upon arrival in Delhi departure transfer to the International airport to board flight for your onwards journey.
