DELHI-CHARDHAM – DELHI YATRA By Road Trip

Upon arrival in Delhi meeting and assistance drive to Rishikesh by road, on arrival at Rishikesh check-in to hotel, evening free for relax & briefing. Dinner & overnight stay at hotel. Lunch at – On direct payment basis RISHIKESH: 24 Kms. from Haridwar, located in the laps of lower Himalayas, and is surrounded by scenic beauty of the hills on three sides with Holy Ganga flowing through it. The whole place is considered to be sacred as it is believed that meditation at this place leads to attainment of salvation. There are many temples-some ancient, some new along the river Ganges. Rishikesh is important not only as pilgrimage center closely associated with the Ramayana, but also as home for many important centers of Hindu religious thought and spirituality, and as a very great Yoga Centre. There are many ashrams and Yoga institutes here. Rishikesh is also the gateway and the start-off point for journeys to important religious places like Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri.

This morning depart for Barkot, located on the foot of Yamunotri. Drive via Mussoorie and visit Kempt Falls on the way (If time permits). On arrival at Barkot, check-in to your hotel/camp. Rest of the day is free to relax and store your energy for the Pahad (hill) Yatra of Yamunotri the next day. Dinner and Overnight stay at Barkot. Lunch at – On direct payment basis Barkot Barkot is a town and a nagar palika in Uttarkashi District in the state of Uttarakhand, India. It is located on the banks of the Yamuna River. Barkot is located 48 km from Yamunotri. NH-123 and NH-94 are major highways connecting in Barkot. Note – During day 2 in Rishikesh / Haridwar it will take 3 to 4 hrs. to get hill permit / certificate and Clarence of transport for Chardham Yatra.

After breakfast, depart for Hanumanchatti (40 Km), Janki Chatti (8 km). Here you will begin the First Pahad Yatra of Yamunotri (5 Km trek). You can hire a Doli or a horse, for your trek (Cost Not Included). The trek passes through lush green valley, a profusion of conifers, rhododendrons, cacti and several species of Himalayan shrubs. Yamunotri (altitude 3,291 m), the western most shrine of the Char Dhams, is dominated by Banderpunch (6,361 m). Yamunotri is the source of the river Yamuna, the twin sister of Varna, the Lord of Death. Yamuna is also the daughter of Surya the Sun. The actual source of the river originates from Champasar Glacier 1 km a head of the shrine, at an altitude of 4,321 mts. On arrival by afternoon in Yamunotri take holy dip in Yamuna River and perform Pooja, and take the same route back to Barkot, check in at Hotel / Camp. Dinner and Overnight stay at hotel in Barkot. Lunch at – On direct payment basis Yamunotri Yamunotri Temple is situated in the western region of Garhwal Himalayas at an altitude of 3,291 metres in Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Yamuna and has a black marble idol of the goddess.

After breakfast drive 165 kms to Reach Harshil, & evening free for Relax. Dinner & overnight stay at Harshil. Lunch at – On direct payment basis Harsil – Unexplored Valley Harsil is an unspoiled and hidden jewel of Uttrakhand state offering ample scope for people seeking peace and serenity in the lap of Himalayas. It is situated on the bank of Bhagirathi River (Ganga River) at an elevation of 2620 mts above sea level enthusiasts and nature lovers. Dense deodar forest, gushing water of Bhagirathi, chirping of birds, salubrious environment and serene environs are the highlights of this little secluded destination.

Early morning breakfast at hotel and drive to Gangotri. Nestled in the magnificent Garhwal Himalayas, Gangotri is set at an altitude of 3048 mts. Upon arrival at Gangotri take a holy dip in the sacred river Ganges which is also called Bhagirathi at its origin Visit the Gangotri Temple. The 18th century’s temple dedicated to Goddess Ganga is located near a sacred stone where King Bhagirathi worshipped Lord Shiva. Ganga is believed to have touched earth at this spot. The temple is an exquisite 20 ft. high structure made of white granite. After performing Pooja Late afternoon drive back to Uttarkashi. Dinner & Overnight stay at Uttarkashi. Lunch at – On direct payment basis

After early morning breakfast check out from the hotel and drive for Guptkashi/Rampur/Sitapur. On arrival check in at hotel. Rest of the day free to explore the Guptkashi town. Dinner and Overnight stay in Guptkashi/Rampur/Sitapur hotel/Camps. Lunch at – On direct payment basis Guptkashi Guptakashi, Gupta Kashi or Guptkashi is a fairly large town located at an elevation of 1,319 metres (4,327 ft) in the Kedar-khanda (‘khanda’ means “sector”), in Garhwal Himalayas of Rudraparyag district in Uttrakhand, India. It is known for its ancient Vishwanath Temple dedicated to the god Shiva, which is similar to the one in Varanasi (Kashi). The other well-known temple here is dedicated to Ardhanareshvara, a half man half woman form of Shiva and Parvati. The name Guptakashi has legendary significance linked to the Pandavas, the heroes of the Hindu epic Mahabharata .Its religious importance is considered next to that of Varanasi, believed to be the most pious of all Hindu pilgrimage places. The temple town is located on the way to the Kedarnath, one of the Chota Char Dhams and Panch Kedar. It has the scenic backdrop of the snow-covered peaks of Chaukhamba and enjoys a salubrious weather throughout the year.

Early morning after breakfast check out from the hotel and drive to Sonprayag. From where, you will start your 20 km trek to Kedarnath. You can hire a Doli or a horse, for your trek (Cost Not Included). Mandakini, one of the main tributaries of the Ganges originates at Kedarnath and flows through Gaurikund. Trudging with you are pilgrims chanting “Jai Bholenath.” Sometimes the mist would envelop the mountains and slowly lift away, revealing a shiny blinding-white peak that threatens to rupture the skies. On arrival check in at Govt. Camps/Lodges. Dinner and Overnight at Govt. Camps/Lodges. Lunch at – on direct payment basis Kedarnath Kedarnath Mandir is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is on the Garhwal Himalayan range near the Mandakini River in Kedarnath, Uttarakhand in India.

Early morning you get up before dawn and after taking bath you are at the temple by 4:45 am for the ‘Abhishek’ to Kedarnath Shiva. Everyone can go inside Garbha Griha and touch the idol. You can also prostrate with your head touching the deity etc. After darshan and puja you come out of the temple and return to the Camps / Lodges. Later you’ll start the return trek of 20 km from Kedarnath to Sonprayag. The vehicles wait for you in Sonprayag Car Parking and you’ll drive to your hotel (Sitapur)/Guptkashi. Dinner and Overnight at Rampur /Sitapur/Guptkashi. Lunch at – on direct payment basis

This morning, you check out of the hotel and drive to Badrinath via Joshimath. After driving through some wonderful Ghat road you arrive at Badrinath. On arrival check into the hotel. After some rest and refreshments you are all set to go to Badrinath Temple for darshan in the evening. But first you have to go to Tapt Kund (Hot Spring), take bath and then go to the temple. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the temple of Shri Badrinath Ji is 15 meters in height, built in the form of a cone with a small cupola of a gilt bull and spire. Later back to hotel. Dinner and Overnight stay at hotel. Lunch at – on direct payment basis Badrinath Badrinath or Badrinarayan Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Vishnu which is situated in the town of Badrinath in Uttarakhand, India. The temple and town form one of the four Char Dham and Chota Char Dham pilgrimage sites.

This morning, go for Badrinath darshan. After darshan return back to hotel, breakfast at hotel and proceed for Badrinath local sightseeing visit Mana Village, Vyas Gufa, Ganesh Gufa, and Mata Murti temple. Afternoon driver back to Srinagar via Karanprayag & Rudraprayag. Rudraprayag is a small pilgrim town on the holy confluence of river Alaknanda and Mandakini. On arrival check in at hotel. Dinner and Overnight stay at hotel. Lunch at – on direct payment basis Mana Village: Mana is a village in the district of Chamoli in the Indian state of Uttarakhand, located at an altitude of 3,200 meters. Mana is the last Indian village situated at Indo-China Border. Vyas Gufa: At a distance of 5.5 Km from Badrinath Bus Stand, Vyas Gufa is an ancient cave located on the banks of Saraswati River at Man Village in the Chamoli District of Uttarakhand. Vyas Gufa is believed to be the place where sage Vyas composed the Mahabharata epic with the help of Lord Ganesha.A distinct feature of the temple is the roof which resembles the pages from the collection of his holy scripts.

After breakfast drive to Haridwar en-route visit Devprayag, (The Confluence of River Alaknanada & Bhagirathi) to become Ganga. Reach Haridwar in the afternoon, check in to hotel, after Breakfast visit Mansa Devi, Chandi Devi Temples & Evening attend Famous Ganga Arti at Har ki Pauri. Overnight stay at Hotel. Lunch at – on direct payment basis HARIDWAR Haridwar, lying at the feet of Shiva’s hills, i.e. Shivaliks, in the Haridwar district of Uttarakhand. Suryavanshi prince Bhagirathi performed penance here to salvage the souls of his ancestors who had perished due to the curse of sage Kapil. 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 Sagar. In the traditional of Bhagirathi, 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.

Morning breakfast at hotel, and you are on your last lap of this Chardham Yatra journey. Drive back to Delhi. On reaching Delhi transfer to Railway Station / Airport.