Travel Chardham, India Four Pilgrimage Places, Uttaranchal Himalaya India

The Himalayas have been revered as the abode of divinity, since the dawn of Indian religious thought. Several venerated pilgrimage sites dot the foothills and the peaks of the Himalayas. The Ganges, revered as a holy river originates in the glaciers in the insurmountable heights of the mighty Himalayan ranges. Most noteworthy of the Himalayan pilgrimage sites are Badrinath and Kedarnath.

Badrinath dham is considered as one of the most sacred centre of pilgrimage situated in the lofty Himalayan heights in the Tehri-Garhwal hill tracks (Uttarakhand) at the height of 10,248 feet above sea level.

Kedarnath is amongst the holiest pilgrimages for the devout Hindu. It is set amidst the stunning mountain scape of the Garhwal Himalayas at the head of the Mandakini River. Kedar is another name of lord Shiva, the protector & the destroyer. Shiva is considered the embodiment of all passions - love, hatred, fear, death & mysticism which are expressed through his various forms.

Duration :	13 Nights 14 Days
Places Covered :	Haridwar - Hanuman chatti - Yamnotri - Janki chatti - Uttarkashi - Gangotri - Gaurikund - Kedarnath - Gaurikund - Rudraprayag - Badrinath - Haridwar

Day 01 : Delhi - Haridwar [230kms/6hr]
After breakfast drive to Haridwar. After noon visit to Har-Ki-Pauri, to experience "AARTI" in the evening. Transfer to hotel & overnight stay.

Day 02 : Haridwar - Rishikesh [24 kms/ 30 min]
Day free for leisure & explore this spiritual town of the river Ganges. Visit Laxman & Ram Jhula, Triveni Ghat, etc Over night in Hotel.

Day 03 : Rishikesh to Rana Chatti/ Hanuman Chatti [240kms/7hr]
Drive to Rana Chatti/ Hanuman Chatti. Check in Hotel Chauhan Tourist Lodge / similar at Rana Chatti.

Day 04 : Rana Chatti/ Hanuman Chatti - Yamunotri - Rana Chatti [5kms by Road & 13kms Trek (one side) ]
Start trek to Yamunotri & Back. Overnight stay at Rana Chatti/ Hanuman Chatti.
Hanuman Chatti : The confluence of Hanuman Ganga & Yamuna River.

Yamnotri Temple : Maharani Gularia of Jaipur built the temple in the 19th Century. It was destroyed twice in the present century and rebuilt again.

Surya Kund : There are a Number of thermal springs in the vicinity of the temple, which flows into numerous pools. The most important of these is Surya Kund

Divya Shila : A rock pillar, worshipped before entering the Yamunotri Temple.

Day 05 : Ranachatti - Uttarkashi [143kms/4hr]
Drive to Uttarkashi via Barkot. Check in Hotel Akash Ganga/ Gmvn Rest House/ Fixed Camps / Similar, Night Halt.
Uttarkashi : Situated at the bank of river Bhagirathi. The temple of Lord Vishwanath is located here where a massive iron trident is erected. The other important temples situated here are Ekadash Rudra, Bhairav, Gyaneshwar and Goddess Kuteti Devi.

Day 06 : Uttarkashi-Gangotri [100kms/3hr]
Drive to Gangotri and overnight stay at Gangotri. Check Into GMVN Rest House/ Similar

Gangotri Temple: The temple, constructed by the Gorkha General Amar Singh Thapa in the 18th Century, is situated on the right bank of Bhagirathi. Submerged Shivling: Submerged in the river, this natural rock Shivling is the place where, according to mythology Lord Shiva sat when he received the Ganga in his matted lock. It is visible in winter months when water level decreases.

Kedar Ganga Sangam: Around 100 Yards from the Ganga Temple flows the river Kedar Ganga. Starting from the Kedar Valley, this river meets the Bhagirathi on its left bank.

Gaumukh: The Gaumukh Glacier is the source of Bhagirathi & is held in the high esteem by the devout who do not miss the opportunity to have a holy dip in the bone chilling icy water. It is 18 km from Gangotri by trek.

Day 07 : Gangotri - Uttarkashi [100kms/3hr]
Drive back to Uttarkashi and full day leisure to explore the town of Uttarkashi. Overnight in Uttarkashi. Check in Hotel Akash Ganga/ Gmvn Rest House/ Fixed Camps / Similar, Night Halt.

Day 08 : Uttarkashi - Rudraprayag [175kms/6hr]
After early breakfast, drive to Rudraprayag. Check in Monal Resort/ Gmvn Rest House / Similar, Night Halt.
Rudraprayag : It is the confluence of river Mandakini and river Alaknanda. Temples: Rudranath and Chamunda Devi, Koteshwar Temple (3 Kms).

Day 09 : Rudraprayag to Gaurikund [75kms by road]
Drive to Gaurikund, Overnight in GMVN Rest House / Similar
Gaurikund : At a distance of 5kms from Sonprayag and at an altitude of 1982 meters, one can take bath in the hot water pond here and visit the Gauri Temple. This is the place where Goddess Parvati meditated to attain Lord Shiva. It is the base for a trek to Kedarnath.
Kedarnath : The Kedarnath shrine, one of the 12 jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, 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. According to legend, the Pandavas after having won over the Kaurava in the Kurukshetra war felt guilty of having killed their own brothers and sought the blessings of Lord Shiva for redemption. He eluded them repeatedly and while fleeing took refuge at Kedarnath in the form of a bull.
On being followed he dived into the ground, leaving his hump on the surface. The remaining portions of Lord Shiva appeared at four other places and is worshipped there as his manifestations. The arms appeared at Tungnath, the face at Rudranath, and the belly at Madhmaheshwar and his locks (hair) with head at Kalpeshwar. Kedarnath and the four above-mentioned shrines are treated as Panch Kedar.

Day 10 : Gaurikund - Kedarnath [14kms Trek one side]
Trek start from Gaurikund to Kedarnath. Check in Hotel Punjab Sindh Awas/ Gmvn Rest House / Similar.

Day 11 : Kedarnath - Rudraprayag [14Kms Down Trek & 75kms/3hr by Road]
Trek down to Gaurikund from Kedarnath. Drive to Rudraprayag from Gaurikund. Check in Monal Resort/ Gmvn Rest House / Similar at Rudraprayag. Night Halt.

Day 12 : Rudraprayag - Badrinath [165kms/5hr]
Drive to Badrinath via Joshimath. Check in Hotel Narayan Palace, / Gmvn Rest House / Similar Night halt.
Joshimath : Adi Guru Shankaracharya, who came all the way from Kerels in the 8th Century A.D, perform penance under a tree here and after getting enlightenment, established a Math (religious center), known as "Joshimath". The name Joshimath is derived from it. Temple of Narsingh and Nav Durga are located here.
Badrinath : one of the' Four Dhams. Is one of the most celebrated pilgrimage spots of the country and is situated at an elevation of 3,133 meters, guarded on either side by the two mountain ranges known as Nar & Narayan with the towering Neelkanth Peak providing a splendid backdrop. This revered spot was once carpeted with wild berries. Thus the place got the name "Badri van", meaning "forest of berries". Overnight hotel.

Day 13 : Badrinath - Rishikesh [295kms/9hr]
Early morning, drive to Rishikesh. On arrival, transfer to Hotel Shree Jee/ Similar. Night Halt.

Day 14 : Rishikesh - Delhi [254kms/7hr]
At Morning visit Local Sight Seeing, later drive to Delhi. On Arr. Transfer to Railway Station/Airport. End Of Our Services.

a Click for more... "tour packages"