The Holy Himalayas up in the misty heights of the majestic Garhwal Himalayas that adorn the magnificent state of Uttaranchal, awaits a rejuvenating spiritual experience for the devout.
Nestling in the lofty peaks are the four most holy pilgrimages of India -Yamunotri, Gangotri, Sri Kedarnathji and Sri Badrinathji, collectively referred to as the Char Dham ( or four pilgrimage centres) of Hinduism. For centuries, saints and pilgrims, in their search for the divine, have walked these mystical vales known in ancient Hindu scriptures as 'Kedarkhand'
If the scriptures of HINDU RELIGION are to be believed, the holy centres of Gangotri, Yamunotri,Badrinath and Kedarnath - collectively called theChardham (meaning four sacred spots) - are the mostsacred of all pilgrimages. Undertaking a journey to these places will not just wash away one's sins butensure release from the cycle of birth and death.THE honour conferred on these places is not surprising.
For one, they are all in the icy Garhwal ranges andregarded as the most sacred of all Himalayan ranges.It is also said that heaven and earth converge inthese holy spots, and to be born or die here is a boononly the very fortunate have. The Chardham must be visited from left to right -beginning with Yamunotri , going on to Gangotri , Kedarnath and culminating the journey at Badrinath.This route follows the Hindu tradition of parikrama orclockwise circumambulation.
Day Wise Breakup
Day 1 :Delhi - Haridwar (230 kms/6-7hrs)
Arrival Delhi Airport / Railway Station / Hotel, Meet & Assist further drive to Haridwar. Transfer to your Hotel. Visit Har-ki-Pauri for Ganga Aarti in evening. Back to your hotel, Night halt. Haridwar, lying at the feet of Shiva's hills, i.e., Shivaliks, in the Haridwar district of Uttaranchal Pradesh, is a doorway. Suryavanshi prince Bhagirath performed penance here to salvage the souls of his ancestors who had perished due to the curse of sage Kapila. The penance was answered and the river Ganga trickled forth forms Lord Shiva's locks and its bountiful water revived the sixty thousand sons of king Sagara. In the traditional of Bhagirath, devout Hindus stand in the sacred waters here, praying for salvation of their departed elder. It is doorway to the sources of the Ganga and the Yamuna, 3000 to 4500 meters up into the snowy ranges of the central Himalayas . The 'Aarti' worship of the Ganga after sunset and the floating 'dia' (lamp) is a moving ritual.
Day 2 : Haridwar - Barkot (220kms/7-8hr) .
Drive to Barkot via Dehradun & Mussoorie. Enroute visit Kempty Fall and others later drive straight to your Hotel for night halt.
Drive to Jankichatti / Phoolchatti, trek start from here to Yamunotri (6kms). Either by walk or by horse or by Doli atown cost. Arr.Yamunotri, One can cook rice by packing it in a cloth and dipping it in the hot water of the hot kund.Pilgrims take this cooked rice home as "Prasad". Here near the temple "Pooja" can be offered to Divya Shila, after taking bath in Jamunabai Kund's warn water and having "Darshan" of pious "Yamunaji" returning to Jankichatti.Later drive back to Barkot. Overnight stay at Hotel.
Yamunotri 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 4 : Barkot - Uttarkashi (100kms/4hr)
Drive to Uttarkashi. Check in Hotel, Later at evening visit Vishwanath Temple . 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.
Day 5 : Uttarkashi - Gangotri - Uttarkashi (100kms/3-4 each side)
We proceed to Gangotri (3048 mts), enroute we enjoy picturesque Harsil village, Bhagirathi River and the most magnificent view of the Himalayas . After Gangotri Darshan we return to Uttarkashi. Oernight stay at Uttarkashi.
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 Valle, this river meets the Bhagirathi on its left bank.
Day 6 : Uttarkashi – Guptkashi (220kms/8-9hr)
Early morning, drive straight to Guptkashi. Check in Hotel, night halt.
Day 7 :Guptkashi - Kedarnath (30kms by road & 14kms Trek)
Morning drive to Gaurikund, Trek start from Gaurikund to Kedarnath (3584 mts) on foot or on by pony / Doli. Tour members should carry personal medicines, heavy woolen, toiletries and clothes for an overnight halt at Kedarnath. Check in Hotel. Later visit Kedarnath Temple . Night halt.
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 Parvathi 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 r! emaining portions of Lord Shiva appeared at four other places and are worshipped there as his manifestations. The arms appeared at Tungnath, the face at Rudranath, 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 8 : Kedarnath - Rudraprayag (14Kms Down Trek & 75kms/3hr by Road)
Early morning, after Temple Darshan trek down to Gaurikund. Later, drive to Rudraprayag via Guptkashi. Check in Hotel at Rudraprayag. Night Halt.
Rudraprayag: It is the confluence of river Mandakini and river Alaknanda.
Day 9 : Rudraprayag - Badrinath (165kms/7hr)
Drive to Badrinath via Joshimath. Check in Hotel. Later at evening visit Badrinath Temple for Aarti. Overnight stay.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".
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.
Vyas Gufa (cave) : Near Mana Village , this is a rock-cave where Ved Vyas is believed to have composed the Mahabharata and the pauranic commentaries.
Early morning, pilgrims after having a bath in the Taptkund have the Darshan of Badrivishal. Brahamakapal is significant for Pinddan Shraddh of ancestors (Pitrus). There are other interesting sight seeing spot like Mana, Vyas Gufa, Maatamoorti, Charanpaduka, Bhimkund and the "Mukh" of the Saraswati River . Just within the three kms of Badrinathjee. Later drive back to Joshimath / Pipalkoti / Kirtinagar. Check in Hotel. Overnight stay.
Joshimath is situated on the slopes above the confluence of Alaknanda and Dhauliganga. Of the four 'Maths' established by Adi Shankaracharya, Joshimath is in the Badrinath to Joshimath and installed in the temple for people to worship. There are many temples in the township most important is the temple of Nir Singh in commotion of Lord Vishnu. The left arm of this deity is with time and the popular belief holds that the day the the arm completely withers Badrinath valley will cease to exist and the Gods will transfer the residence into the neighboring Niti Valley at Bhavishya Badri. Joshimath is connected by regular bus service to Rishikesh, Haridwar, Badrinath and many other centres in the region.
Early morning, visit Narsingh Temple & Shankracharaya Math. Later, Drive back to Rishikesh. Check in Hotel. Overnight stay.
Rishikesh, the 'place of sages' is a celebrated spiritual town on the bank of Ganga and is surrounded by Shivalik range of the Himalayas on three sides. It is said that when Raibhya Rishi did hard penances, God appeared by the name of " Hrishikesh " and this area hence firth came to be known as Rishikesh.
Day 12 : Rishikesh - Hardwar - Delhi (250kms/7-8hr)
Drive back to Delhi . On Arr. Delhi , transfer to Railway Station / Airport. Tour Terminate.
Departure Dates
Starting from 5 th May 2011 Onwards
Tour Cost
TOTAL TOUR COST (Per Person): NETT RATES HENCE NON-COMMISSIONABLE
Total Pax.
Transportation
Guide
Lux. Package
Dlx. Package
Reg. Package
02
Tata Indica Car
29500
25500
22000
02
Toyota Qualis / Tavera / Xylo
33500
29500
26000
02
Toyota Innova
36000
32000
28500
04
Toyota Qualis / Tavera / Xylo
24500
20500
17000
04
Toyota Innova
25750
21800
18500
06
Toyota Qualis / Tavera / Xylo
21500
17600
14000
06
Toyota Innova
22500
18500
15000
06
Tempo Traveller
25750
21800
18500
08
Tempo Traveller
23500
19500
15900
10
Tempo-Traveller
21750
17850
14500
10
Toyota Innova x 02
23750
19850
16500
12
Tempo-Traveller
20700
16800
13250
14
Tempo Excel / Mini Coach
22000
18000
14500
16
Tempo Traveller + Toyota Innova
21800
17900
14400
16
Tempo Traveller x 02
23000
19150
15650
18
Tempo Traveller x 02
22950
19100
15600
18
Dlx. Coach (2x2)
23750
19850
16300
20
Tempo Traveller x 02
22250
18300
14800
20
Dlx. Coach (2x2)
22900
19000
15500
24
Dlx. Coach (2x2)
21600
17700
14150
26
Dlx. Coach (2x2)
21100
17200
13700
EPAI: ROOM ONLY WITHOUT MEALS
2.5% GST Extra
Extra Bed / Extra Person
9500
6700
4500
COST INCLUDES: Accommodation on twin sharing (DBR – CPAI / EPAI) Basis.
Transportation by Non A/C Vehicle with all road, state taxes, driver allowance, permit & night halt charges.
MAPAI SUPPLIMENT (Daily Breakfast & Dinner)
5500
5000
4500
HOTELS DETAILS:-
Destination
Luxury Hotels (CPAI)
Deluxe Hotels (EPAI)
Regular Hotels (EPAI)
Haridwar
Hotel Godwin / Country Inn Suites (A/C)
Hotel Hari Heritage / Parkview (A/C)
Hotel Khanna Palace / Sugandha Dlx. / Hotel Adobe (A/C)
Hotel Chauhan Annaxe (S.Dlx.) /
Inder Palace (Dlx)
Hotel Himdarshan / Chauhan Annaxe / Kalindi (Syanachatti)
Uttarkashi
Shikhar Nature Resort
(Lux. Swiss Tents)
Hotel Shivlinga (S.Dlx.)
Hotel Shriniwas / Monal / Bhagirathi / Narayana / Akash Ganga / Mahima
Guptkashi
Camp Nirwana (Lux. Swiss Tents)
Camp Nirwana (Lux. Swiss Tents)
Hotel Himalayan / Raj Palace
Kedarnath
Punjab Sindh Awas / Agra House
Punjab Sindh Awas / Agra House
Punjab Sindh Awas / Agra House
Rudraprayag
Monal Resort (A/C)
Monal Resort (Dlx) / Balbir (A/C)
Balbir Palace / Shangrilla Resort
Badrinath
Sarovar Portico (Cent. Heated)
Narayan Palace / Snow Crest
Hotel Dwarikesh / Patliputra
Joshimath
Hotel Dronagiri / Mount View (S.Dlx)
Dronagiri / Mount View (S.Dlx)
Hotel Snow Crest (Stn)
Pipalkoti
Hotel Le Meadows (A/C)
Hotel Le Meadows (A/C)
Hotel Le Meadows (Dlx)
Kirtinagar
Riverside Resort (A/C)
Riverside Resort (A/C)
Srikot Castle / Shree Yantra / Daisy
Rishikesh
Hotel Vasundhara Palace (A/C)
Great Ganga (A/C) / Narayana Resort (A/C Cottage) / Divine Resort (S.Dlx.)
Hotel Narayana / Neeraj Bhawan (A/C)
COST DOES NOT INCLUDE: 2.58% Govt. Service Tax, All Meals, Table drinks, laundry, porter, pony, tips, camera fee, ropeway charges, entrance charges, travel insurance, personal expenses of the clients or any other expenses incurred due to bad weather, road closure, land slides etc. and anything not specified in cost include.