Chardham yatra with Valley of Flowers

Duration : 13 Nights/ 12 Days


Destinations Covered : Delhi - Haridwar - Barkot - Uttrakashi - Gangotri - Guptakashi - Kedarnath - Badrinath - Ghangriya - Valley of Flowers - Joshimath - Rudraprayag - Rishikesh - Delhi


Highlights of Tour :

Yamunotri Gangotri Kedarnath and Badrinath are four major shrines in Garhwal Himalaya. Gaumukh is the source of River Ganges which is nearly 19 Kms from the road head of Gangotri. Valley of Flowers Hemkund Sahib and Panch Kedar circuit is one of major attraction in Garhwal Himalaya.

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Itinerary Details

Day 1 Drive Delhi - Haridwar (200 kms/6hrs)

Arrival Delhi Railway Station, Meet & Assist further drive to Haridwar. Approx 6 hours drive will take you to the city of Temples / Kumbh Nagri. Check in at your hotel and get fresh. Later Visit Har-ki-Pauri for Ganga Aarti in evening. Back to your hotel, Night halt.

Day 2 Drive Haridwar - Barkot (220kms/7hr)

After Breakfast Drive to Barkot via Dehradun & Mussoorie. Enroute visit Kempty Fall and others, continue drive to your Hotel in Barkot. Check in at your hotel and evening relax and explore the local market and a gentle walk to near by village will be interesting. Overnight stay at your hotel / Camp in Barkot.

Day 3 Barkot - Yamunotri - Barkot {36kms drive & 7kms Trek (one side)}

After breakfast Drive to Hanuman Chatti, from here you have to take local jeeps for Janki chatti (It helps to reduce the trek upto 8 kms), start trek from janki Chatti to Yamunotri

(6kms) and this may take approx 2 -3 hours maximum walking. Trail is good and maintained by Govt authorities and Keep yourself in mountain side for the safer side. Horse or by Doli are available at Janki Chatti which can be arranged at the spot and fix charges by the local associations. Arrive at Yamunotri and have a Holi dip at hot sulfer water spring which will rejuvenate your tiredness after 6 Kms trek. Darshan and Puja at Yamunotri temple and Later trek back to Janki Chatti and further drive to Barkot. Overnight stay at Hotel/ Camp.

Day 4 Drive Barkot - Uttarkashi (100kms/4hr)

After breakfast in the morning Drive to Uttarkashi. Approx 4 hours drive will take you to this district headquarter of Uttarkashi District and major town in this region. Check in Hotel, Later visit Vishwanath Temple and local market. This is believed that Ved Vyas had a Shastrartha with an unknown soul for many days and finally Lord Shiva gave his presence to Ved Vyasa at this place. This shrine is Being placed in North considered UTTAR ( North) KASHI ( vranasi - Home of Lord Shiva) One of most sacred shrine for Shiva devotees. Night Halt at Hotel.

Day 5 Uttarkashi - Gangotri - Uttarkashi (100kms/3hr one way)

Have a early morning breakfast and proceed to Gangotri (3048 mts), approx 3 hours drive will take you to this last road head and one of the Shrine amoung four major shrines - GANGOTRI. enroute we enjoy picturesque Harsil village, Bhagirathi River and the most magnificent view of the Himalayas. Should you need to have a holi dip at Hot Sulfer Water at Gangnani will be better and refreshing. After Gangotri Darshan return to Uttarkashi and overnight stay at Uttarkashi at hotel.

Day 6 Uttarkashi - Guptkashi (230kms/9hr)

Early morning, drive to Guptkashi, approx 8 hours drive will take you to this nice place. Enroute you will see the Tehri Dam - One of major Hydro Electric Project in the region - 2400 mega watt capacity. Continue to either way from Paukhal - Srinagar - Rudraprayag and further to Guptakashi or Ghansali - Mayali - Tilwara - Guptakashi. ( In Monsoon season you need to carefull to opt the route due to landslide prone area.. Check in at your hotel and evening recommended to visit Guptakashi temple which is one of the most beautiful ancient temple of Lord Shiva. This is belived that Lord Shiva gave his presence to PANDAVAS in hidden form that is whay called GUPTA ( Hidden) KASHI ( Varanasi or place of Lord Shiva) night halt at Hotel / Camp.

Day 7 Guptkashi - Kedarnath (20 kms by road & 14kms Trek)

Early morning, Drive to Gaurikund which is the last road head of this region. Visit gari temple and worship of Ganesha at this place. This is believed that Lod Shiva did cut the head of Ganesh when he stopped Shiva to enter in the room while his mother PARVATI was bathing and further story to put the elephant head over it.. Hot Spring sulfer water awaits you to put of all the sins and refresh body mind and soul.

Start trek to Kedarnath ( 3584 meter above sea level), approx normal trekkers complete this trek in 5 hours while as beginners may take a bit more to reach at. Doli and horses are very much available at this point and can be arranged by someone directly by paying a fix fee / charges, which may be one way or return. Arrive at Kedarnath and Check in at your hotel / Guest house / Tourist Bungalow / Ashrams. Most picturesque small valley will take you to the divine world. Beautiful ancient temple with a backdrop of Snow capped peaks of Trans Himalayan ranges which are the source of river Mandakini ( One of the main tributary of River Ganges). Temple Bell will break the silence and invite you to have evening Aarte at Kedarnath temple. Specil Puja arrangements can be arranged on request. In Season time it would be highly crowed in the temple premises, therefore this is advised to have your place reserved by arriving well time before in a queue.

As per Kedar Khand of Shiv Mahapuran that the water of Udak Kund is mixture of all the 5 Oceans and always remain fresh even when kept for many years. The holy water of Udak Kund is used for purification rituals. Hans Kund, Bharo Nath, Navdurga Mandir, Shankaracharya Samadhi, Ishaneswar Mahadev Temple, Ret Kund, Panch Ganga Sangam, Chaurwari Taal now known as Gandhi Sarowar, Bashuki Taal are also places to visit here.

Point to be written that it is believed that Badrinath and Kedarnath was so close to each other in ancient age and one priest used to worship at both places Badrinath and Kedarnath. One fine day God tried to examin the BHAKTI of the priest and made a Kalpavriksha enroute with full of delicious fruits and others, priest could not stay on his routine "not to eat" before the Puja at both of places and soon he took some of the fruites form the tree suddenly it got converted ina high Mountain and both Valley in different directions took place.
Overnight stay at kedarnath

Day 8 Kedarnath - Guptkashi ( 14Kms Trek + 20 Kms Drive)

Have another visit at the temple in the morning and after breakfast trek down to Gaurikund. Your vehicle will awaits for you to pick up and take you to your hotel / camp at Guptakashi which is just an hour drive away. Stay overnight and relax.

Day 9 Guptkashi - Badrinath (225kms/8hr)

Anotehr long drive but interesting if following from Okhimath - Chopta - Gopeshwar - Chamoli - Pipalkoti - Joshimath and finally Badrinath. After couple of minutes drive you will arrive at Okhimath which is the winter seat of Lord Kedarnath. Have a short stop at this point, visit the ancient temple and continue drive to Chopta. One of the most beautiful picturesque place in Garhwal Himalaya. Stop for a while and see the Trans Himalayan ranges of Chaukhamba / Kamet / Bandarpunch / Kedarnath etc.. from this point. Green Grass medows at the top of the mountain surrounded by by thick Oak and Devdar trees offers an incredible view of natural beauty.

Another heighest shrine among Panch kedar ( five kedar) is situated ta the top of the mountain form this place called Tunga Nath. Just 3 Kms up hill trek will take you to this beautiful place where arms of Lord Shiva's are being worshiped. Another couple of minutes walk at the top of the hill called Chandrashila offer 360 digree panoramic view of Garhwal Himalaya. A breathtaking experience is ore than enough to be at this place.

Drive to further to Mandal - Gopeshwar - Chamoli - Pipalkoti - Joshimath and finally check in at your hotel in Badrinath. Refresh after a long drive and proceed to Darshan for Badrinath ji. You may have towel and some clothing which you can change after a holi dip at Tapta Kund near the temple. Witness the Aarte ceremony at the temple in the evening and back to the hotel for an overnight stay.

Badrinath is situated at the confluence of the Rishi Ganga and the Alakananda rivers at an altitude of 3,122 meters. This sanctified spot was once carpeted with wild berries of badri, which gave the place its name. Guarding it on either side are the Nar and Narayan ranges and in the distance is the towering Neelkanth Peak. On the banks of the river is a hot water spring - the Tapt Kund and some 5 km to the north is the tremendous waterfall of Vasudhara.

Some of the mojor sites at this place are as under :-

Tapt Kund :Natural thermal springs on the bank of the river Alaknanda, where it is customary to bathe before entering the Badrinath temple.

Narad Kund :A recess in the river, near Tapt Kund, forming a pool from where the Badrinath idol was recovered.

Brahama Kapal :A flat platform on the bank of river Alaknanda. Hindus perform proppitiating rites for their deceased ancestors.

Sheshnetra :1.5kms. away is a boulder having an impression of the legendary serpent, better known as the Sheshnag's eye.

Charanpaduka :3kms. away is a beautiful meadow where the footprint of Lord Vishnu is seen on a boulder.

Mata Murty Temple :Devoted to the mother of Sri Badrinathji. Other important temples include Sesh Netra Temple, Urvashi Temple and Charanpaduka.

Mana Village : Inhabited by an Indo-Mongolian tribe, it is the last Indian village before Tibet.

Vasundhara :As the name suggests, vasundhara is a magnificent water fall. This place is 5 kms. from Badrinath out of which 2 kms. is motorable upto Mana.

Bhim Pul :On the other side of Mana village, a massive rock forming a natural bridge, lies over the roaring Saraswati river. It presents a spectacular view of water thundering down through the narrow passage under the rock and is believed to have been placed there by Bhim, the second eldest among the five Pandava brothers.

Day 10 Drive Badrinath - Gobind Ghat & Trek to Gangriya ( 14 Kms)

After breakfast drive to Gobind Ghat. Approx one and half hour drive will take you to this trek point and gear up for your trek to Valley of Flowers. Horses / Pony and Doli arrangements are under the Local Association and on fix charges basis. Should you need to avail the services as such you may proceed to the counter and reserve the horses/ Pony / Doli as per the requirements. Cross the Alaknanda river and follow the trail to Ghangriya which is the hub for trek to Valley of Flowers and Hemkund Sahib. It may take approx 6 - 7 hours to reach at Ghangriya. Enroute you will find local shelters where you may have facility to get snacks/ drinks and food. You will be following river Pushpawati which is coming from Valley of flowers. Enjoy the trek and encounters with the pilgrims enroute. Check in at your guest house / camp / Tourist bungalow and overnight.

Day 11 Trek to Valley of Flowers and back to Ghangriya for overnight

After breakfast trek to Valley of flowers. At the entrance gate you need to register yourself with the forest department and a nominal entrée fee for valley of flowers will be charged. This may differ for the foreign national and Indian national. Camera fee for both normal and professional will be charged separately. Follow the trail and enjoy the flora and fauna at this beautiful place of Valley of flowers.

Valley of Flowers at an altitude of 3,600 meters above the sea-level. A conical shaped valley stretched for nearly 10 kms with the back drop of snow covered mountains.. valley lay frozen during the winter, and open from may to September or early October. Every year, the valley was splashed with color as it bloomed with hundreds of kinds of flowers, taking on various shades of colors as months progressed. Finally one day, nature condescended to bless humans with this heavenly sight, when Frank Smith - mountaineer, explorer, and botanist - chanced upon it in the monsoon of 1931. He authored a book called "The Valley of Flowers" which unveiled the beauty and floral splendors of the valley and made the world sit up and watch. It was declared a national park in 1982, and now it is a World Heritage Site. The locals, of course, always knew of the existence of the valley, and believed that it was inhabited by fairies.

The valley is home to many celebrated flowers like the Brahmakamal, the Blue Poppy and the Cobra Lily. It is a much sought after haunt for flower-lovers, botanists and of course trekkers, for whom a sufficient excuse to embark on a mission to reach a place, Back to Ghangriya by the evening and overnight at your hotel / Guest house / Tourist Bungalow.

Day 12 Trek from Ghangriya to Gobind Ghat & Drive to Joshimath ( 10 Kms)

After breakfast retrace back to Gobind Ghat. It may take approx 4 - 5 hours fro a normal trekker to come down. Your vehicle awaits for your pick up and drive you up to Joshimath. Check in at your hotel and spend another night at this small but important and religious place called Joshimath

It would be interesting to visit couple of places in Joshimath. Narsingh temple which is a winter seat of Lord Badrinath. Shankaracharya Temple / Parmartha Niketan / Shankaracharya Cave / kalpa Vriksha etc are some of the main features at this place. Auli is another destination which is famous for its Himalayan Panorama and winter sport - Skiing. Well connected by Cable Car and Road for 12 kms approx.

Day 13 Rudraprayag - Rishikesh (140kms/4 hr)

after breakfast drive back to Rishikesh.
Continue drive to Rudraprayag by following left bank of Alaknanda river to Pipal koti - Chamoli - nandaprayag - Karna Prayag - Rudraprayag.

Srinagar will be the first major town in Garhwla hImalaya which has a Central University ( Hemwati Nandan Garhwal university ) and educational hub in this region. Further 35 Kms drive will take you to Devprayag which is the last confluence of all tributaries of River Ganga and finally we call this river GANGA from this point. Confluence of river Alaknanda and Bhagirathi offers and increadble view of this ancient town. An anclient temple of Lord Rama is located here and history goes back to centuries. Drive to Rishikesh and check in at your hotel. Evening you have time to witness Ganges Aarte ceremony at Triveni Ghat or Parmartha Niketan. Explore Laxman Jhulla / Ram Jhulla and other temples and back to the hotel for an overnight stay

Day 14 Rishikesh - Hardwar - Delhi (230kms/7hr)

after breakfast Drive back to Delhi. Approx 6 - 7 hours drive will take you to the capital and you will be dropped at Railway Station / Airport.
Further arrangements on request.