This sustained trek begins in Rishikesh, which is among one of the holiest pilgrimage sites of India as well as Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath, which are all encompassed by Uttranchal (“Char Dem” meaning four sacred spots). We will be coming across these holy sites as we trek through villages, passing through wild meadows of flora and fauna, following upstream the Bhagirathi River and over various scenic glaciers. We will be able to visit various temples and witness Arti’s in the evening. We end our trek in Joshimath before heading back to Rishikesh, where you will take the train from Haridwar station to Delhi.
Day 1
Arrival in Delhi
Guests will be received at the airport followed by a transfer to a hotel, where you will be staying overnight.
Day 2
Train Journey from Delhi – Rishikesh
Travelling Distance: 224 km
Travelling Time: 5 hours
You will be transferred to the railway station and take the train until you reach Haridwar. There you can visit the bathing Ghats, especially the Har-Ki-Pauri or Brahma Kund, before being transferred to Rishikesh. Overnight stay in a hotel.
Day 3
Journey from Rishikesh to Hanuman Chatti
Travelling Distance: 222 km
Travelling Time: 6 hours
Altitude: 2400 m / 7,874 ft.
Early in the morning we will drive to Hanuman Chatti, through Shivalik hills and further up to Mussoorie; colonial hill station founded in 1827 by British hunter Caption Young. We will then proceed to Hanuman Chatti where we will stay overnight.
Day 4
Trek 1 – Hanuman Chatti – Janki Bai Chatti
Altitude: 2576 m / 8,451 ft.
We will trek for 7 km to reach Janki Bai Chatti, en route you will have beautiful views of Himalayan Peaks: Bandar Punch (6135 m / 20,128 ft.) and Kala Naag (6387 m / 20,964 ft.). In the afternoon, we will visit Kharsali Village to see the ancient temple of Someshwar Mahadev, as well as the rural life of Garhwal. Overnight stay at a tourist bungalow.
Day 5
Trek 2 – Janki Bai Chatti – Yamunotri – Hanuman Chatti
Altitude: 3185 m / 10,449 ft.
With a 5 km descent to Yamunotri, we will be passing through various Himalayan flora and fauna, as well as visiting a holy temple of Yamunotri. After lunch, we will trek further 12 km back to Hanuman Chatti. Overnight stay in a tourist bungalow.
Day 6
Journey from Hanuman Chatti to Uttarkashi
Altitude: 1158 m / 3,799 ft.
We will drive for 108 km to the temple town of Uttarkashi. Upon arrival you will then be transferred to a simple hotel for an overnight stay. In the evening, we will visit temples and the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering.
Day 7
Journey from Uttarkashi to Gangotri
Altitude: 3048 m / 10,000 ft.
With a drive of 108 km upstream to the river Bhagirathi, we will then drive through winding and shady roads accompanied by conifer trees and beautiful Himalayan hamlets. On arrival you will be checked in to a tourist bungalow, with an evening visit to the Temple of Gangotri (Goddess mother Ganges).
Day 8
Trek 3 – Gangotri – Bhujbassa
Trekking Distance: 14 km
Altitude: 3792 m / 12,440 ft.
As we travel upstream to the Bhagirathi River, we will pass through the Chir Bassa (Pine Jungle) and further to Bhujbassa (Birch Jungle). The sun kissing Himalayan peaks all above 6000 m / 19,685 ft. Overnight stay at a tourist bungalow or camp.
Day 9
Trek 4 – Bhujbassa – Gaumukh – Tapovan
Trekking Time: 5 hours
Altitude: 4465 m / 14,649 ft.
We will trek 4 km to the source of the Ganges – Gaumukh (Cow’s Mouth). Pilgrims come over to take holy water and a holy dip in the Bhagirathi River to wash away their sins. It is then a further steep trek over Gaumukh glacier to Tapovan for about 4 Km.
Day 10
Trek 5 - Tapovan
Trekking Time: 6 hours
Altitude: 4400 m / 14,435 ft.
It is a full day to explore the beautiful place in the lap of the Shivling Peak. This is an excellent place to be immersed in the silence of the majestic Himalayas and supernatural power. We can even trek towards Meru glacier which is up to 5000 m / 16,404 ft. and visit glacier Lake. Also, if we are lucky enough, mountain goats can be seen as well.
Day 11
Trek 6 – Tapovan – Chribassa
Trekking Distance: 12 km
Trekking Time: 5 hours
Altitude: 3600 m / 11,811 ft.
The day will be spent trekking back to Chirbassa where we will camp for the night.
Day 12
Trek 7 – Chirbassa – Gangotri – Uttarkashi
Trekking Distance: 100 km
Trekking Time: 4-6 hours
From here we will trek back to Gangotri, followed by a drive to Uttarkashi en route stopping at Gangnani for a revitalising hot spring bath. Overnight stay in a tourist bungalow.
Day 13
Journey from Uttarkashi to Gaurikund
Travelling Distance: 226 km
Travelling Time: 9 hours
Altitude: 1981 m / 6,499 ft.
We will drive to Gaurikund via Rudrpayag and Guptkashi, where Lord Shiva went incognito from Pandawas of Mahabharata. We will then finally arrive at Gaurikund where Parvati meditated for 100s of years to win a consort of the Lord Shiva.
Day 14
Trek 8 – Gaurikund – Kedarnath
Altitude: 3584 m / 11,758 ft.
It is a 14 km gradual trek to the "Royal Abode of Lord Shiva" Kedarnath through Mandakni Valley. The temple is situated in the rampart of 6950 m / 22,801 ft. high Kedarnath Peak. In the evening we will take a visit to the temple to feel and smell Hindu culture. Overnight stay at tourist bungalow.
Day 15
Trek 9 – Kedarnath – Gaurikund – Chopta
Altitude: 2500 m / 8,202 ft.
As we trek back to Gaurikund, we will then drive 74km to Chopta, where we will reach the beautiful Himalayan meadows surrounded by green lush forest. Overnight stay at a camp.
Day 16
Trek 10 – Chopta – Chandra Shilla Summit – Chopta
Altitude: 3700 m / 12,139 ft.
It is a 7 km trek to Chandra Shilla Summit, from this point you can have 360oangle view of the beautiful Garhwal Valley and Himalayas. En route we can visit the highest temple of Tungnath, where arms of Lord Shiva appeared. The beautiful huge flower carpeted meadows welcome us trekkers. Overnight stay at a camp.
Day 17
Journey from Chopta to Badrinath
Altitude: 3096 m / 10,157 ft.
We will take a drive of 147km to Joshimath (Jyotrimath), winter seat of the Rawal Sahib of the Badrinath shrine. After lunch we will then drive to Badrinath via Vishnuprayag- the confluence of Dhauli Ganga (comes from Niti Valley) and Alaknanda. Upon arrival to home of Lord Vishnu, we will visit the temple and witness an Arti in the evening. Overnight stay in a tourist bungalow.
Day 18
Trek 11 – Badrinath – Ganghria
Altitude: 3110 m / 10,203 ft.
Drive 26 km back to Govindghat, before taking a trek of 14 km to Ghaghria along Laxman Ganga. Hundreds of Sikh pilgrims can be seen on the way.
Day 19
Trek 12 – Ganghria – Hemkund – Ganghria
Altitude: 4329 m / 14,202 ft.
It is a 6 km steep trek to highest Sikh Temple in the world “Hemkund Lokpal”, where we will then head back to Ghaghria. Overnight stay in a camp.
Day 20
Trek 13 – Ghanghria – Valley of Flowers – Joshimath
Altitude: 3658 m / 12,001 ft.
It is a pleasant trek of 5 km to the Valley of Flowers. Thereafter we will trek back to Govindghat and drive 18 km to Joshimath. If possible we can also drive to Auli to witness the Goddess mountain Nanda Davi. Overnight stay in a hotel.
Day 21
Journey from Joshimath to Rishikesh
With a 190 km drive to Rishikesh, we will be heading back until Devpryang and further along the Ganga until Rishikesh. Overnight stay in a hotel.
Day 22
Train Journey: Rishikesh – Delhi
Travelling Distance: 224 km
You will be driven to Haridwar Railway Station, where you will then catch the train to Delhi. Upon arrival in Delhi, you will be received by one of our representatives and transferred to the hotel. Overnight stay in hotel.
Day 23
Flight Departure: Delhi
You will have the Day to do what you wish before being transferred to the Indira Gandhi International Airport where you will depart to your onward destination.
