Chardham Yatra with Valley of flowers Ex Haridwar (10N 11D)

Day 01: Haridwar – Barkot (210kms/7-8hr) HT: 1352 MTS.
Pick-up from Haridwar/Dehradun & proceed to Barkot via Mussoorie. En-route visit Kempty fall. Upon arrival check in into the hotel, rest of the day is at leisure. Dinner and overnight stay at hotel at Barkot.

No activities Reach Barkot and have proper rest. Acclimatize your mind and body to start a trek to Yamnotri from JanakiChatti. Once you reach Yamnotri.

Day 02: Barkot – Yamunotri- Barkot (42 Kms & 5 Kms Trek) Each side: –
Morning leave for Janki Chatti via Hanuman Chatti & Fool Chatti. On arrival Janki Chatti start Trek of 06 kms for Yamunotri, On Arrive Yamunotri Holi Dip in Garam Kund, then Pooja and Darshan of Shree Yamunotri Ji, after Darshan and Pooja, afternoon start trek back to Janki Chatti on arrival Janki Chatti meet with driver and drive back to Barkot. Overnight stay at Hotel.

Hanuman Chatti: The confluence of Hanuman Ganga & Yamuna River.

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 03: Barkot – Uttarkashi (100kms/4hr) HT :1158 MTS.
Drive to Uttarkashi. Visit Vishwanath Temple & Others. Check in Hotel. Rest day at leisure. Night Halt.

Uttarkashi: Uttarkashi is a small and beautiful town, situated between two rivers; Varuna and Ashi, whose water flow into the Bhagirathi from either side of the town. Elevated, at a height of 1588 meters, this little town is very similar to Kashi and Varanasi, in that it has the same kind of temples and ghats and likewise, a north or ‘uttar’ facing river. The major temple is the Vishwanath Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva. Two other very important temples are located in the Chowk area. These are the Annapurna Temple and the Bhairav Temple. It is said, that once there were 365 temples here. Hiuen Tsang referred to this place as Brahma Puran, while the Skanda Puran has recorded it as Varunavata. It is believed that in the second millennium of Kaliyug, Kashi will be submerged, and Uttarkashi will replace it as an important religious centre.

Visit Kashi Vishwanath, Uttarkashi + Aadi Shakti Mata Darshan (Mahisasur Mardini)

Rituals & Activities: Get chance to perform Abhishek Puja in Kashi Vishwanath Temple.Upon reaching Ganganani visit Parasar Muni Temple, enjoy bathing in Hot water spring (Tapt Kund). Your body will be completely relaxed after the tiring trek of Yamnotri.

Day 04: Uttarkashi – Gangotri – Harsil – Uttarkashi (120Kms / 05 hrs)
round trip With packed breakfast & post Tea/ Coffee leave for Gangotri early in the morning. Offering prayers & pooja darshan, later drive back to Uttarkashi, en route visit Gangnani. Overnight stay at Uttarkashi.

Gangotri: Gangotri temple is 18th Century temple dedicated to Goddess Ganga. It is located near a sacred stone where king Bhagirath worshipped Lord Shiva Ganga is believed to have touched earth at this spot. Accordingly, to another legend, Pandavas performed the great Deva Yagna here to a tone the death of their kinsmen in the epic battle of Mahabharata. The temple is an exquisite 20 ft. high structure made of white granite.

Gangnani: Further up on way to Gangotri, is the hot water spring at Gangnani, where one can have refreshing bath in the kund called Rishikund. There is a temple near the kund dedicated to the Sage Parashar, believed to be the father of Ved Vyas.

Ritual and Activities: Perform Snan at Gangotri Ghat (VIP Ghat), Ganga Pujan & Aarti at Gangotri Ghat, Darshan of Bhagirath Shila ,Darshan of Gauri Ganesha Temple, Finally Gangotri Temple Darshan after that you must have Darshan of Surya Kund. While returning Darshan of Gupteshwar Mahadev temple in Dharali, Interact with Tibetan Culture and people in Harsil.

Day 05: Uttarkashi – Rudraprayag/Sitapur (250 Kms/ 8-9 hrs)
Leave very early in the morning for almost day long drive to Rudraprayag. On your drive, you would pass through Ganga giving way to Tehri Dam (The Hydro Electric Project). Overnight stay in the hotel at Rudraprayag.

Rituals & Activities: Visit of Tehri Dam, Rudraprayag & Sangam Darshan (Merge of Alaknanda & Mandakini).

Day 06: Rudraprayag -Kedarnath – Rudraprayag
Morning drive to Phata Helipad to board the helicopter for Shree Kedarnath Ji. On arrival, spare 3-4 hrs at the temple for darshan/pooja. Later return to Phata then Rudraprayag for overnight stay.

Amidst the dramatic mountainscapes of the majestic Kedarnath range stands one of the twelve ‘Jyotirlingas’ of Kedar or Lord Shiva. Lying at an altitude of 3584 mts. on the head of river Mandakini, the shrine of Kedarnath is amongst the holiest pilgrimages for the Hindus. Kedarnath is a majestic sight, standing in the middle of a wide plateau surrounded by lofty snow covered peaks. The present temple, built in the 8th century by Adi Shankaracharya, stands adjacent to the site of an earlier temple built by the Pandavas. The inner walls of the assembly hall are decorated with figures of various deities and scenes from mythology. Outside the temple door a large statue of the Nandi Bull stands as guard. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the exquisitely architectured Kedarnathtemple is said to be more than a 1000 years old. Built of extremely large, heavy and evenly cut gray slabs of stones, it evokes wonder as to how these heavy slabs were handled in the earlier days. The temple has a “Garbha Griha” for worship and a Mandap apt for assemblies of pilgrims and visitors. A conical rock formation inside the temple is worshipped as Lord Shiva in his Sadashiva form.

Day 07: Rudraprayag – Badrinath (220 kms / 07-08 hrs)
Morning after breakfast proceed to Badrinath via Joshimath, (Narsimha Temple, Sankaracharaya Math) Badrinath. Evening Darshan & Pooja at Badrinath temple. Overnight stay at Badrinath.

Rituals & Activities: Have Darshan of Badri Vishal if time allows otherwise Important visit to Nag Nagin Pith (One of the important place in India for Sarp kal Dosh Nivaran ) , Short Visit to Mana Village (Vyas Cave , Ganesha Cave , Keshav Prayag , Darshan of Sarasawati Udgam (origin) ), Charan Paduka Darshan , ,Short visit of Ekadasi Gufa & hanuman Gufa. View of Vishnu Prayag ,Nandprayag , Karnprayag while returning back to Rudraprayag.

Badrinath: Cradled in the twin Mountain ranges of Nar and Narayan is the holiest of the four main shrines – Badrinath along the left bank of river Alaknanda with the towering Neelkantha Peaks as the splendid backdrop. Once the spot was carpeted with badris or wild berries and hence was famous as Badri van. Legend has it, when the Ganga was requested to descend to earth to help suffering humanity; the earth was enable to withstand the force of its decent. Therefore, the mighty Ganga was split into 12 holy channels. Alaknanda was one of them that later became the abode of Lord Vishnu or Badrinath.

Narad Kund: A recess in the river, near Tapt Kund, forming a pool from where the Badrinath idol was recovered. Brahama Kapal: It is a flat platform a few yards north of the temple and on the bank of river Alaknanda. It is an important place for shhradh ceremony or offering of pinds to ensure a heavenly place for dead ancestors or manes. It is said that offering pind here, the manes are permanently enshrined in heaven and no more pinds are to be done elsewhere ever afterwards. Legends have it that when Shiva chopped of the fifth head of Brahma, it got stuck to his trident. Lastly with the blessing of Lord Vishnu at Badrivan, the head of Brahma fell down from the trident at this place & hence the name Brahma-Kapal (head).

Sheshnetra: It is a large block of stone between two small seasonal lakes carrying an eye of Sheshnag the eye formation is quite natural, 1.5kms. away is a boulder having an impression of the legendary serpent, better known as the Sheshnag s eye, it is believed that the seshnag waits at this place patiently to accompany the lord on his reincarnation. Mana Village: Inhabited by an Indo-Mongolian tribe, it is the last Indian village before Tibet. The women of the village offer Choli to the deity on closing day of the temple each year.

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.

Day 08. Badrinath – Govindghat- Ghangharia (28 Kms by Road + 10 Kms trek)
Morning after breakfast, check-out from the hotel & transfer to Pulna Village, starting point for trek to Ghangharia via Govind Ghat. On arrival, start the trek of 10 Kms passing through mesmerizing scenic beauty across the white-water river called Laxman Ganga. The trek will take around 7 Hrs to reach Ghangharia (Altitude-10000 Feet). On arrival, dinner & overnight stay in Ghangharia.

Day 09. Ghangharia – Valley of Flowers – Ghangharia (12 Kms/8-9 Hrs approx. by Trek)
Early Morning after breakfast, proceed for world heritage site of Valley of flowers trek. Approach to the Check-point to obtain entry pass to enter in valley of flowers. The rate for entry pass is decided by the forest department of Uttarakhand & currently charged at INR 150/Person for Indians & INR 600/Person for foreign passport holders for 3 days. After getting entry pass, cross the old bridge on Pushpawati river & start your trek to witness the unmatched beauty of the valley. The trek is full of natural flora & fauna. After trekking for 2 Kms approx. will enter the U-shape valley. Further 1 Kms of mild trek will open the gateway to a self-sustained unique world of Flowers (more than 500 species of flowers).

After few hours exploring the valley return by trekking down to Ghangharia before 4 PM. Dinner & overnight stay at Ghangharia.

Day 10. Ghangharia – Govindghat – Rudraprayag (10 Kms trek & 130 Kms by Road)
Morning after breakfast, check-out from the hotel & trek down for Govindghat. On arrival at Pulna, 3 Kms before Govindghat board the vehicle & proceed for Rudraprayag. On arrival at Rudraprayag, dinner & overnight stay in the hotel.

Day 11: Rudraprayag –Devprayag-Rishikesh- Haridwar (170 Km/6 Hrs)
Morning after breakfast, check-out from the hotel & transfer to Haridwar. En-route visit of Rishikesh. Triveni Ghat. A confluence of three holy important Rivers the Ganges, the Yamuna and the Saraswathy, is a most revered sacred bathing spot in Rishikesh and is situated on the banks of Ganges River. It is of belief that those who take a dip in water at this ghat washes away all the sins and purifies the soul and will have salvation, a relief from all sins carried out; the water here has the power to purify them. Daily in the morning and evening there are thousands who take bath here and enjoy the Maha Aarti being performed. It very soothing to sit on the banks of the river and enjoy the cool breeze from the river.

Trayambakeshwar Temple- On the east bank of the Ganges at Lakshman Jhula Bridge, is 13 stories high, with different deities throughout.

Lakshman Jhula – Ram Jhoola- is 450 feet long an iron suspension bridge situated in Rishikesh in Indian state of Uttarakhand. Lakshman Jhula is one of the most prominent landmarks at Rishikesh. It is made over river Ganges to cross the river and is a landmark of Rishikesh. It is said that Lakshman crossed Ganges on jute ropes between the place where this bridge is built. Lakshman Jhula was built in 1939. There are spectacular views from the bridge.

Drop at Haridwar Rly Station/Dehradun Airport for onward journey………