Delhi – Haridwar

Drive to Barkot via Mussoorie, enroute visit Kempty Fall (Suggestible to have your lunch at Kempty fall as further no good restaurants are available before Badkot). Later drive straight to Barkot, transfer to your Hotel. Overnight stay at Barkot. Barkot is known for its scenic natural beauty. Located at the confluence of Yamuna and tons rivers. At an elevation of over 4,000 Ft, apple orchards ringed by the Himalayan range. Barkot offers panoramic views of the snow capped mountains of Bandar Poonch. Barkot is an important stop over en-route to Yamunotri and Gangotri, among the four Char Dham Pilgrimages. Overnight at Barkot.  (Weather – Generally pleasant in summer, the temperature ranges from 25-30 degree Celsius, winter: The Days are pleasantly cool but the nights are cold, temp ranges from 10 deg to 05deg)

Early morning, Drive to Janki chatti/Phool chatti, trek start from here to Yamunotri(6kms). Either by walk or by horse or by Doli a town cost. Arr. Yamunotri, Onecan cook rice by packing it in a cloth and dipping it in the hot water of the hotkund.

Pilgrims take this cooked rice home as “Prasad”. Here near the temple “Pooja” can be offered to Divya Shila, after taking bath in Jamuna bai Kund’s warn water and having”Darshan”ofpious”Yamunaji”returningtoJankichatti.ReturnbacktoBarkot, Overnight stay at Barkot.

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.

DivyaShila: A rock pillar, worshipped before entering the Yamunotri Temple Weather – In summer the maximum temp is 18 degrees and the minimum is 10 degrees Celsius. The days are pleasantly cool but the nights are cold.

Drive to Uttarkashi. Check in Hotel, Later at evening visit Vishwanath Temple. Night halt. Uttarkashi is situated on the Ganges, lies next to a hill named Varun Parvat, on confluence of two rivers Varuna and Asi, has a ghat called Manikarnika Ghat and has a temple dedicated to Shiva (Kashi Vishwanath Temple) in the center of the town. Overnight at Uttarkashi.

Vishwanath temple – Vishwanath temple is one of the oldest Shiva temples in Northern India. Re-constructed in 1857 by Maharani Khaneti Devi of Tehri State in the ancient architectural style. It is situated at the heart of the town. A massive iron trident, symbolic of divine mother’s, is erected and worshiped from time immemorial at the temple complex. Ganeshji, Sakshi Gopal, Markandeya Rishi’s small shrines are also part of the temple complex. Akhand Jyoti as well as Akhand Abhishek, special aarti at morning and evening are offered. As per Skundar Puran, Uttarkashi is known as ‘Saumya Varanasi’, the abode of Lord Shiva in Kaliyug and counted as one of the twelve Jyotirlingas.

Shakti temple – Right in front of the Vishwanath temple is Shakti temple. It has a big ‘Trishul’ of about 6 meters in height and a circumference of 90 cms. at bottom.

Though there are different views about the making of this, the upper part of itseems to be made up of iron and the lower one is of copper. As per the epics this Shaktiwas thrown on the devils by the Goddess Durga(Shakti), hence it gets its name.

Since then this Shakti is erected over here

(Weather – Generally hot in summer, the temperature ranges from 30-35 degree Celsius but nights is pleasant, Cold in winters).

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. Overnight 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.

Drive straight to Guptkashi via Moolgarh & Lambgoan. Enroute you can see the beautifulriverMandakiniatTilwara.TheMandakinirivercomesfromKedarnath,

Drive alongside the river to reach Guptkashi.On arrival CheckIn at the Hotel,

Evening visit Ardh Narishwar temple. Overnight stay atthe Guptkashi Hotel. The name Guptkashi means “Hidden Benares. Mythology describes how when the Pandava brothers were searching for a glimpse of Shiva, Shivji first concealed himself at Guptkashi, but later fled from them further up the valley to Kedarnath, where the Pandava finally got their wish fulfilled. There are more tangible connections as well-the Kedarnath pandas (hereditary pilgrimage priests) live in Guptkashi during the winter months, and after the Kedarnath temple closes for the winter, the image of Kedarnath passes through Guptkashi on its way to Ukhimath (across the valley), where it stays for the winter. (Weather – Generally pleasant in summer, the temperature ranges from 25-30 degree Celsius. Cold in winters).

Morning check-up proceed to Sonprayag, Trek start from Sonprayag to Kedarnath (3584 mts) by pony / Doli. Tour members should carry personal medicines, heavy woolen, toiletries and clothes for an overnight halt at Kedarnath. Visit Kedarnath Temple. Overnight stay at Kedarnath in Government Camps/Lodges.

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 Pandava 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 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 PanchKedar.

Early morning, after Temple Darshan trek down to Sonprayag. Further drive to Guptkashi. Check in Hotel. Night Halt at Guptkashi.

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”. Overnight at Badrinath

TaptKund: Natural thermal springs on the bank of the river Alaknanda, where it is customary to bathe before entering the Badrinath temple.

NaradKund: A recess in the river, near TaptKund, forming a pool from where the Badrinath idol was recovered.

BrahamaKapal: A flat platform on the bank of river Alaknanda. Hindus perform propitiating 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 Badrinath. Other important temples include Sheshnetra 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.

BhimPul: 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.

VyasGufa (cave): Near Mana Village, this is a rock-cave where VedVyas is believed to have composed the Mahabharata and the pauranic commentaries.

Early morning, pilgrims after having a bath in the Tapt Kundhave the Darshan of Badrivishal.

BrahamaKapal is significant for Pinddan Shraddh of ancestors (Pitrus). There are other interesting sightseeing spot like Mana, Vyas Gufa, Maata moorti, Charan paduka, Bhim kund and the “Mukh” of the Saraswati River. Just within the three kms of Badrinath jee. Later drive back to Pipal koti Rishikesh. Overnight stay at Rishikesh.

Rishikesh – Delhi (290kms/7-8hr)