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Celebrated
in Hindu mythology and religion, the Garhwal Himalayas are
said to be "Abode of Gods". The river Ganges and
the river Yamuna, have their sources at the sacred
shrines of Gangotri and Yamnotri respectively. Kedarnath
and Badrinath are the other popular pilgrim centers. The
trekking trails pass under the shadows of majestic peaks
of the Nanda Devi, Kamet, Trishul and Dunagiri, through
valleys carpeted with spectacular hues of flowers and dark
mysterious forests, over icy glaciers and along misty blue
lakes, gushing rivers and picturesque villages. Explore
this little known paradise and discover yourself.
1. TREK AND RAFT :
A
combination of trek and raft in the lower Garhwal
Shivaliks, where the Ganges emerges from Himalayas flowing
down to the plains. The Camp is situated on the riverside
amongst thick deciduous forests harbouring a variety of
flora and fauna. Easy treks into nearby villages give an
interesting glimpse of the way of life of the sturdy hill
folk.
Duration 3 to 7 days Delhi to Delhi
Average trek 8 kms. per day
Maximum height 6000 ft
Grade Easy
Best time October to April
2. GANGOTRI KEDARNATH TREK
:
This trek passes
through some of the most beautiful locales of Uttarakhand.
Duration 9 Days Delhi to Delhi
Average trek :13 kms per day
Maximum height :72000 ft
Grade Moderate
Best time June to September
3.
BINSAR TREK :
River Camp -
Pauri - Thalisain - Binsar. The trekking point is
Thalisain.
Duration : 6 Days Delhi to Delhi
Average trek : 10 kms per day
Maximum height : 9000 ft
Grade : Light
Best time : October to April
4. MUSSOORIE / NAGTIBBA TREK :
The trekking
point is Dhanaulti. The villagers come here to perform
their prayers to the Snake God for protection of their
cattle.
Duration : 6 Days Delhi to Delhi
Average trek :15 kms per day
Maximum height : 9500 ft
Grade : Moderate
Best time : October to May
5. SOURCE OF GANGES :
On the western
side of the Garhwal Himalayas lies the famous pilgrim
trail towards Gaumukh (45OOm) the actual source of the
Ganges at the tip of the Gangotri glaciers. The Gangotri
glacier is a sea of ice almost 30 kms long. All around is
a vast concourse of moraine, ice falls and smaller
glaciers issuing forth from the legendary mountains that
form a circle around Gangotri, i.e Shivling the three
peaks of Bhagirathi, Sudarshan and Meru. The trek
continues into the breathtaking high altitude pastures of
Nandanvan and Tapovan.
DELHI / RISHIKESH / UTTARKASHI / GANGOTRI / GAUMUKH /
DEHRADUN / DELHI
Duration 9 Days Delhi to Delhi
Average trek :10 kms per day
Maximum height :13000 ft
Grade Moderate
Best time May to October
6.
ABODE OF GODS :
This trail covers
three of the great Hindu pilgrimage centers of Garhwal:
a. Kedarnath - with a spectacular panorama of the
Rohtangian ranges from Kedarnath,Trishul to Nanda Devi.
Through the heartland of nature to the sound of pealing
bells of the Shiva temples.
b. Gangotri - the source of the river Ganges.
c. Yamunotri - the source of the river Yamuna.
DELHI / RISHIKESH / KEDARNATH / GANGOTRI / YAMUNOTRI /
MUSSOURIE / DELHI
Optional Kedarnath - Vasukital Trek extra three days.
Duration :19 days Delhi to Delhi
Average trek :10km per day
Maximum height 10,000ft.
Grade Moderate
Best time May to October
7. HAR - KI - DOON VALLEY :
This 20 km trek
takes you to this cradle shaped valley surrounded by snow
capped peaks on one side and dense towering forests on the
other. The trek leads on along the upper banks of the
supine river, through thick forests, terraced mountain
fields and grassy meadows to a world of flowers and
nature, birds and wildlife.
DELHI / MUSSOURIE / HAR K DOON / DEHRADUN / DELHI
Duration :72 Days Delhi to Delhi
Average trek : 10 kms per day
Maximum height : 9000 ft
Grade : Moderate
Best time : April to November
8. KHATLING, SAHASRATAL &' MASRATAL TREK :
Legend has it
that a celestial nymph tried to lure Shiva while he was
meditating. She was spurned by him and converted into
liquid form. Thus originated the river Bilangana. The trek
starts from Ghutu, which is connected by a motorable road
to Rishikesh. Trek through thick forests and rolling
meadows to the lateral glacier of Khatling, the source of
the river Bhilangana. Sahasratal and Masratal are two
sapphire lakes nearby with scenic views to match.
DELHI / RISHIKESH / KHATLING GLACIERS / DODITAL /
UTTARKASHI / DELHI
Duration :16 Days Delhi to Delhi
Average trek :10 to 12 kms per day
Maximum height: 11000ft.
Grade : Moderate - Difficult
Best time : April to June and September to November
9. KUARI PASS TREK :
Discovered by
Lord Curzon, the British Viceroy, the pass at a height of
4265 m has spellbinding views of the majestic peaks of
Nanda Devi, Dunagiri, Bethatoli and Devasthan. The Nanda
Devi sanctuary can also be visited.
DELHI / RISHIKESH / JOSHIMATH / TAPOVAN / KUARI PASS /
DEOPRAYAG / DELHI
Duration :13 Days Delhi to Delhi
Average trek :10 to 12 kms per day
Maximum height :13000 ft
Grade : Moderate - Difficult
Best time : April to June and September to
10. ROOPKUND TREK :
A mystery lake
since human skeletons and remains of horses were found
here. Legend has that either they are remains of General
Zorawar Singh's men on a mission to Tibet or of pilgrims
on a yatra to Trishul base some 200 years ago. There is a
motorable road to Tharvi from Rishikesh. Trek winds its
way along the Pinder river on rocky terrain. The
magnificient lake is surrounded by rock strewn glaciers
and snow-clad peaks.
DELHI / RISHIKESH / THARALI / ROOPKUND / NANDPRAYAG /
HARIDWAR / DELHI
11. KALSI - LAKHAMANDAL TREK :
This is an
historical and cultural starting from ahead of Mussourie.
At Kalsi the inscriptions of Lord Buddha's teachings are
found. At Lakhamandal the ruins of Lac Palace built by
Kauravas are seen.
Duration : 8 Days Delhi to Delhi
Average trek :13 kms per day
Maximum height : 9500 ft.
Grade : Light
Best time : October to May
12.
VALLEY OF FLOWERS / HEMKUND :
The high altitude
regions of Uttar Pradesh hills are home to some of the
most exotic species of flora and fauna of the world. The
Valley of Flowers ( 2000 ft.) a dale less then 3 sq. km in
expanse, becomes a place fit for Gods to wander in
mid-monsoon with millions of wild flowers of over 300
identified species in full bloom. Surrounding snow peaks
and glaciers provide a spectacular back drop to the
"Garden of Gods."
DELHI / RISHIKESH / GOVINDGHAT / GHANGARIA / VALLEY OF
FLOWERS / CHILLA / DELHI
Day 1. DELHI / RISHIKESH ( 224 kms - 6 hrs ) : Drive to
Rishikesh beautiful holy town on the bank of the holy
Ganges. We drive past the town and check into our camp and
resort on the banks of the river. Rest of day at leisure.
In the evening participate in / view "Aarti" at
the banks of Ganga in Haridwar. Overnight at the exotic
Ganga Banks riverside resort
2. RISHIKESH / GOVINDGHAT (117 kms 15 hrs) : Drive into
mountainous terrain past small Garhwal villages. Overnight
camp.
3. GOVINDGHAT / GHANGARIA (14 kms ) : This is an uphill
trek ( best done on a pony ) to Ghangaria through lush
green hilly terrain. Afterwards we have time to explore
the ambience of this valley and its surroundings. Night
camp.
4. & 5. VALLEY of FLOWERS : Both these days are free
to explore the valley of flowers and also trek upto
Hemkund Sahib 114 kms uphill the holy mountain lake at
15000 ft. Overnight in camp at Ghangaria.
6. VALLEY of FLOWERS / RISHIKESH : We drive back to
Rishikesh to our comfortable riverside resort.
7. RISHIKESH / CHILLA NATIONAL PARK / DELHI : In the
morning drive to Chilla National Park, home to abundant
wildlife and birds. Arrive by late evening by road I
train.
Options and Extensions
Trek to Kuari Pass, Badrinath / Kedarnath areas.
Grade: Moderate
Best time : June to September
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