Gangotri is 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-coloured 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 fervour.There
were two Englishmen, Captain Fferbert and captain
Hodgeson,trekked through flower-speckled meadows
and Himalayas woods for 18 kms 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.Then
Kedarnath flowers suddenly in a great opening
in the mountains with the spectacular snowy peaks
of the Kedarnath range stretching like a painted
backdrop high behind.Two glacial moraines, and
across the Mandakini River, the temple town spreads,dominated
by the stone tower of its shrine,crowned by metal
“hat”.Only pedestrians are allowed
across the bridge and into the sacred town pilgrims
bathe in the chill waters of Mandakini, pour it
on an idol of Lord Shiva installed on the ghats
of the river.
Itinerary
DAY 01 : ARRIVE DELHI : Upon arrival in Delhi you are met and transferred to your pre-booked hotel. Overnight at Hotel.
DAY 02: DELHI - RISHIKESH After an early breakfast drive to Rishikesh
via Haridwar a pilgrimage place. We can visit some
places enroute in Haridwar if Time permits. Upon arrival
in Rishikesh check into your pre-booked hotel.Overnight
at Hotel.
DAY 03: RISHIKESH - UTTARKASHI - GANGOTRI 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 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.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 kms 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 Bhaghirati massifs (above 6500m) is stunning. It is
not surprising that saddhus chose this area to meditate
in summer time.Upon arrival in Tapovan.Overnight stay.
DAY 06: TAPOVAN Today free at leisure. Overnight at tents. A natural
geyser in the valley of the Dhauli Ganga,Its water are 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.Overnigh 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 (1700M) - BELAK KHAL (2750M) 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 upto 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 passes
the tiny villages like Pangrana, Jhala & Agund.
Overnight at Tents.
DAY 11: BUDHAKEDAR - BAGHI CHATTI (2600M) 05 Hrs
After having an early breakfast we trek to Baghi Chatti.
Enroute visiting a beautifull 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. 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 beautifull
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 a magnificent tropical
forest and rice-fields. Overnight at Tents.
DAY 14: PANWALI KHANTA - MAGGU (3050M) - TRIUGINARAIN (1990M) IN 5H After breakfast starts
today trekking towards the temple village of Triuginarain
(1,982 m).The people of the village assure visiters
that their temple got its name from the fact that
the 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 know 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 Beginings,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 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 at your pre-booked hotel/Guest
house.
DAY 16: KEDARNATH
Today go for 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 frowing cliffs haunted
by soaring eagles; snow peaks rising against the clear
Himalayan skies; rang after range blueing into the
distance. The nearer view are also heart –stopping:water
falls 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
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
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
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.
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