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Day
01: Flight to India (New Delhi)
Around midnight arrival in
New Delhi. The cosmopolitan city
and capital New Delhi is the main gateway for the travellers
to India. Upon arrival, you will be met by an Indo Vacations representative
and transferred to the hotel.
Day
02: New Delhi
In the morning we will have sightseeing
of Old Delhi. Sightseeing of Old Delhi includes "Rajghat",
the place where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated and "Jama Masjid", the great mosque of old Delhi.
Today we also visit the famous "Humayun Tomb"
which is the first substantial example of Mughal
architecture
in India. We will also visit "Qutub Minar" which
is 71 meter high and consists of five stories. In 1199 work
began on this tower, which was intended to be the most glorious
tower of victory in the world. Before we proceed to the
hotel we will drive through New Delhi where we will visit the
India Gate, Government Buildings and Embassies.
Day
03: New Delhi - Haridwar
In the morning, we will drive to Haridwar.
Haridwar is the
gateway to the four pilgrimages in the
Uttrakhand region
and is located on the foothills of
Shivaliks. It is on the
banks of River Ganges. The River Ganges leaves the mountains
and enters the plains with Haridwar being the first major
town on the plains. Though the Ganges does not lose its
rapids completely nevertheless it becomes very quite and
calm here. The city acquires a unique charm in the evening
when the ghats become breathtakingly beautiful with thousands
of Diyas and Marigold floating in the waters of Ganges.
We visit various places like Har Ki Pauri, Mansa Devi temple,
Sapt Rishi, Daksha Mahadev temple etc. In the evening we
will visit Har Ki Pauri again. In the evening a Maha Aarti
is performed on this Ghat. It is an event which is a must,
not be missed by any visitor.
Day 04:
Haridwar - Uttarkashi - Gangotri
In the morning after having our breakfast we will drive
to Gangotri. 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".
From here on we follow the
Bhagirathi River through amazing
countryside dotted with typical Garhwali villages all along
the route. 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. Deodar
and fir trees surround this place. A boulder marks the spot
where King Bhagirath beseeched the
Goddess Ganga to descent
to earth. An ancient temple dedicated to the Goddess rises
just above the river. Arriving late in the evening in Gangotri.
Day
05: Gangotri - Bhujbasa
In the morning after having our breakfast we begin our trek
to the Gangotri Glacier. All along the trail the roaring
river stays to our right and mighty snow covered peaks will
shadow us. Enroute we stop for Lunch at Chirbassa. Chirbassa,
was once a heavily forested area of Chir Tree (Local tree)
and with the passage of time only a few remain. From here
we cross a section of loose boulders till we descent to
Bhujbasa, which by its name was a forest of Bhuj trees,
on the bark of which all Hindu manuscripts used to be written
in the earlier time. We will have an overnight stay in
Bhujbasa.
Day
06: Bhujbasa - Gaumukh - Tapovan
In the morning after having our breakfast we trek towards
Gaumukh or "Cow's Mouth", where we see the origin
of the Mother Ganga gushing out of the huge Gangotri glacier.
Gaumukh, is a unique sight in itself as one can see pilgrims
praying and taking a holy dip in the ice-cold Glacial waters
of the Ganges right at the snout of the Glacier, here the
Holy Ganges is in its purest form. Over an hour spend here
to experience the faith of the Hindu devotees towards the
Holy Ganges is yet another incredible sight to see during
this trip. From here on the path climbs from the right on
to the Gangotri Glacier which is full of loose rocks &
boulders to Tapovan (4500 m). This trek is very steep and
quite demanding with the beautiful mountains hovering over
you all the time. Tapovan is a high mountain meadow set
at the foot of the mighty
Shivling peak. We will have an overnight stay in Tapovan.
Day
07: Tapovan
Day free to explore and to discover this beautiful meadow,
where numerous Saints meditate in the Hidden caves.
Day
08: Tapovan - Gangotri
In the morning after having our breakfast we will return
back to Gangotri. Arriving in Gangotri by late afternoon,
rest of the day is spent by visiting some ashrams and the
famous Photo Baba.
Day
09: Gangotri - Lata - Belak
In the morning after having our breakfast we will drive
to a small village Called Lata, from where we begin our
second part of the Trek 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 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.
Day
10: Belak - Budhakedar
In the morning after having our breakfast we will drive
to the village of Budhakedar(1524 m), an important place
in Garhwal which houses the old temple of
Kedar (Shiva).
The people of this village are mostly farmers. In the evening
visit the temple for a special prayer ceremony. We will
spend the overnight in Budhakedar.
Day
11: Budhakedar - Bhaironchatti
In the morning after having our breakfast we will trek to
Bhaironchatti (2580 m). In 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 Bhaironchatti.
This meadow has a local village temple which is dedicated
to the Hindu God Bhairon, where newly weds from the nearby
villages come to take blessings of the Gods for a long and
happy married life. The couples tie a bell at the door of
the temple as their offering to the God. 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.
We will spend the overnight in Bhaironchatti.
Day
12: Bhaironchatti - Ghuttu
In the morning after having our breakfast we will start
the day's trek through a pine forest, over a well laid out
path to Ghuttu (1,590 m). 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. In the evening we will visit
the temple.
Day
13: Ghuttu - Panwali
In the morning after having our breakfast we will start
our trek to Panwali (3,963 m), 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. The walk is over a well laid out path
through a very thick forest climbing gradually. Panwali
is also the summer settlement of Gujjars, a Muslim tribe
who wanders from place to place with its cattle. Enroute
we stop for lunch near a small clearing. From here on the
top of the Panwali pass is about one more hour. Once on
the top of the pass is like entering a paradise. From the
top of the pass the path descends to the small Panwali.
Day
14: Panwali - Triuginarain
In the morning after having our breakfast we start early
for 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. In the late afternoon visit
village and historical temple.
Day
15: Triuginarain - Gaurikund - Kedarnath
In the morning after having our breakfast we will drive
to Gaurikund. From here we will start our trek to Kedarnath
(3584 m) "Shiva's Abode". The first part of the
trek begin through the narrow lanes of Gaurikund and the
entire walk of 15 km to Kedarnath 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, which
was built by the Pandavas to atone for their sins after
the great Mahabharat war. At the entrance of the temple
is a huge statue of Nandi the Bull. The walls inside the
temple are exquisitely carved with images. To the south
is the temple of Bhairon, situated on the top of a hill.
It is one of the holiest places of worship for the Hindus.
In the evening we will witness the special prayer at the
temple.
Day
16: Kedarnath
Day at leisure to explore this holy place and visit
Vasuki
Tal and
Gandhi Saravor, an emerald lake where the ashes
of Mahatma Gandhi were submerged. Evening free for leisure
at Kedarnath.
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.
Day
18: Rudraprayag - Rishikesh
In the morning after having breakfast we will drive to
Rishikesh.
Enroute we stop at the historical town of Devprayag, where
the Bhagirathi and the Alaknanda converge to form the mighty
Ganges. Then we will drive to Rishikesh. Rishikesh represents
the Gateway to the Himalayas in the Tehri-Garhwal region
of Uttar Pradesh. It is believed that several yogis and
sages lived and practiced penance here. Rishikesh represents
the site where
Vishnu vanquished the
demon Madhu. It abounds
in natural splendour. The spectacle of the River Ganges
rushing through the Himalayan foothills is an awesome sight.
Several temples dot the banks of the River Ganges at Rishikesh.
We will arrive in Rishikesh by the evening. In the evening
we will visit various temples and also visit the
Triveni Ghat to witness yet another special prayer ceremony.
Day
19: Rishikesh - New Delhi
In the morning after having our breakfast we drive to New
Delhi. Arrive in New Delhi by the afternoon. Rest of the
day at leisure. After having our dinner we depart
to the airport with Indo Vacations representative.
Day
20: New Delhi
Around Midnight flight to home destination.
Tour Reservation
To get more information or to book this tour send us an
e-mail !
(Please mention the tour
name and days in your E-Mail).
Our
Services Include:
Accommodation in double rooms on twin sharing basis with bath and WC
in the chosen category.
Rooms
on the departure day.
American/continental Breakfast.
Services of qualified local guides (English speaking or languages of
your choice) at every place of
sightseeing.
All Transfers and departures on arrival and departure by Indo
Vacations representative.
All
Transfers and Sightseeing throughout the tour by an
air-conditioned Car with driver. For groups an
individual air-conditioned bus (Except
Standard Hotels) will be provided.
Exclusions:
Any Kind of Personal Expenses such as Tips, Laundry, Telephone Bills
and Alcoholic
beverages.
Camera Fees (Still
or Movie).
Any Flight Charges.
Monument Entrances.
Unspecified Meals etc.
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