Duration : 07 Nights / 08 Days Destinations Covered : Delhi - Haridwar - Guptkash - Kedarnath - Guptkashi - Badrinath - Joshimath - Srinagar Haridwar/ Rishikesh - Delhi
Day 1 : Delhi - Haridwar (230 kms / 7 hrs)
Arrive New Delhi and we'll drive to Haridwar. On arrival at Haridwar, check in to your hotel. In the evening, proceed to Har Ki Pauri to enjoy Ganga Aarti on the banks of Ganges.
Day 2 : Haridwar - Guptkashi (210 kms / 7 hrs)
Morning pick up from station or given address and drive for Guptkashi. On arrival check in at hotel. Rest of the day free to explore the Guptkashi town. Dinner and Overnight stay in Guptkashi.
Guptakashi: The name Gupt Kashi 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 Pandavas finally got their wish fulfilled. There are more tangible connections as well-the Kedarnath pandas (priests) live in Guptkashi during the winter months, and after the Kedarnath temple closes for the winter, the image of Kedarnath passes through Gupt Kashi on its way to Ukhimath (across the valley), where it stays for the winter.
Guptkashi Weather pleasant in summer, the temperature ranges from 25-30 degree Celsius. Cold in winters.
Day 3 : Guptkashi - Kedarnath (30 kms drive + trek 19 Kms )
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 Lodges. (Only basic accommodation is available on sharing basis with only room basis, you can take meal directly).
By Trek: Morning our driver will drop you at Sonprayag then you have to take a local jeep for Gaurikund & then your trek start for Kedarnath Ji. After Darshan you follow the same & back to Sonprayag. There is a big parking issue so the driver will go back to another palace if his contact no. is not working then you have to arrange another taxi or wait for your driver.
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. 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.
Kedarnath Weather Due to its high altitude the weather in Kedarnath remains cold for most part of the year. Summer here is cool and pleasant while winter is severe. During the summer season the temperature varies around 20°Celsius. Light woolen wear is recommended. Winter season in Kedarnath is severe with mercury falling to as low as 0°Celsius. During this time the place experiences snowfall as well. Due to the extreme climatic conditions, this time is usually avoided by tourists.
Day 4 : Kedarnath - Guptkashi
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 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/Camps.
Dinner and Overnight at Guptkashi.
Day 5 : Guptkashi - Badrinath (160 kms / 07 hrs)
Morning after breakfast, drive to Badrinath. Check in to the hotel arrival in Badrinath. Pilgrims after having a bath in the Taptkund have the Darshan of Badrivishal & Aarti in evening. Brahamakapal is significant for Pinddan Shraddh of ancestors (Pitrus). There are other interesting sightseeing spots like Mana, Vyas Gufa, Maatamoorti, Charanpaduka, Bhimkund and the "Mukh" of the Saraswati River. Just within the three kms of Badrinath Ji.
Overnight stay at Badrinath.
Mana Village : Inhabited by an Indo-Mongolian tribe, it is the last Indian village before Tibet.
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.
Badrinath Weather: The average maximum temperature will be around 18° Celsius and the average minimum is 8° Celsius. Warm and woolen clothes are hence required for a stay in Badrinath throughout the year. Winter in Badrinath is often accompanied by snow falls. Winter is very chilly with an average temperature of 5° Celsius. Due to the extreme climatic conditions, this time is usually closed for tourists.
Day 6 : Badrinath - Joshimath - Srinagar (180 kms / 7 hrs)
This morning, go for Badrinath Darshan. After Darshan return back to hotel, breakfast at hotel and proceed for Badrinath local sightseeing visit Mana Village and Bheem Pul. Afternoon driver back to Rudraprayag via Karanprayag. Rudraprayag is a small pilgrim town on the holy confluence of river Alaknanda and Mandakini. On arrival check in at hotel. Rest of the day free to explore the Rudraprayag town
Dinner and Overnight stay at hotel
Srinagar Weather Generally hot in summer, the temperature ranges from 35-40 degree Celsius, Winter: The Days are pleasantly cool but the nights are cold, temp ranges from 20 deg to 05 deg.
Day 7 : Srinagar - Haridwar (165 kms / 5-6 hrs)
Morning after breakfast, drive for Haridwar via Rishikesh. Rishikesh ?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. Later visit Rishikesh Temples & Sightseeing - Laxman Jhoola, Ram Jhoola.
Overnight at Hotel in Rishikesh/Haridwar.
Day 8 : Haridwar/ Rishikesh -Delhi (220 kms / 6-7 hrs)
Morning breakfast and drive to Delhi; on arrival at Delhi as per discussion drop at Hotel/ airport / station or home.