Day 01
Delhi – Haridwar
(215 kms / 5 hrs). Leave after an early breakfast to
reach the holy city in time for lunch. At 295 m / 975 feet,
Hardwar is
still in the plains. Haridwar literally means Gateway to
the Gods. It is one of the most revered holy towns of India with the
sacred Ganga river flowing through Hardwar in all its prisitne glory. To
be part of the evening aarti, amongst fervent devotees with devotional
songs and music playing, temple bells ringing by the river bank of the Ganges and at dusk
hundreds of diyas (lamps of leaf cups) with fluttering golden flames
and coloured flowers floating down the river, is an enchanting
experience. This takes place at the bathing ghats, Brahmakund or more
popularly known as Har Ki Pauri.
Overnight at Haridwar. |
Day 02
Haridwar. Other
places of holy significance in Haridwar are Mansa Devi Temple, Maya Devi
Temple, Sapt Rishi Ashram, Sapt Sarovar and Chandi Devi Temple amongst
others. Devotees come to Hardwar for a holy dip in the Ganga as penance,
believing and hoping that it will wash away their earlier sins. They
also pray here for the salvation of the departed souls of their
ancestors.
Overnight at Haridwar. |
Day 03
Haridwar - Rudraprayag
(163 kms / 5 hrs). Drive along the Ganges upto Deoprayag and then along
the Alaknanda to reach Rudraprayag. Named after Lord Shiva (Rudra),
Rudraprayag, at 610 m
/ 2000 feet, is situated at the holy confluence of
the Alaknanda and Mandakini rivers.
Overnight at Rudraprayag. |
Day 04
Rudraprayag - Badrinath
(170 kms / 6.5. hrs).
You climb upto about
3133
m / 10330 feet, driving through
spectacular mountain roads, the Alaknanda river hurtling across in the
valleys and gorges down below, mesmerized by the beautiful views of
terraced fields, small hamlets, forests and Himalayan peaks in the
distance.
The temple at Badrinath is open from May to October. During winters it
is generally snow-bound.
Legend has it, when
the Ganga was requested to descent to earth to help suffering humanity,
the Earth was unable to withstand the force of
its descent. Therefore the mighty Ganga was split into 12 holy channels.
Alaknanda was one of them, the source of which
later became the abode of Lord Vishnu or Badrinath
(Preserver in the Hindu
Trinity of Creator-Preserver-Destroyer).
The temple of Shri Badrinathji on the banks of the Alaknanda
River dates back to the Vedic
era.
Badrinath is the most important of the four sites in India's Char
Dham pilgrimage. The town lies between the Nar and Narayana mountain
ranges and in the shadow of
Neelkantha peak (6560m).
Overnight at Badrinath. |
Day 05
Badrinath.The
mountains around Badrinath are mentioned in the
Mahabharata, where the Pandavas
are said to have attained eternal samadhi by ascending the slopes of a peak in
western Garhwal called Swargarohini - literally, the 'Ascent to Heaven'.
Local legend has it that the Pandavas passed through Badrinath and the
town of Mana, 4 km north of Badrinath, on their way to Swargarohini.
There is also a cave in Mana where Ved
Vyas,
according to legend, wrote the Mahabharata.
Overnight at Badrinath. |
Day 06
Badrinath - Auli (60
kms / 3 hrs). Come down to Joshimath and then take the diversion to
Auli
either by cable car or by a jeepable road. One of the most picturesque
destinations you get to stay at during the whole tour.
Auli:
16 Kms ahead of Joshimath,
Auli surroundded by
oak and deodar forests offers a
panoramic view of Himalayan
peaks like the Nanda Devi (7817m), Kamet (7756m), Mana Parvat
(7273m) and Dunagiri (7066m).
Overnight at Auli. |
Day 07
Auli.
In summers, when the snow gives way to carpets of grass
and flowers, hikers and trekkers will find numerous marked walks and
mountain bike trails. A short trek takes you to Gorson
(Bugiyal) Reserve Forest
(part of the Nanda Devi National Park)
where you can revel in the magnificent sunrise and views.
A short walk in the dense alpine forest takes you to Chhatrakund,
a frozen lake. You can soothe your tired
muscles after a trek to Tapovan by bathing in the hot springs there.
Overnight at Auli. |
Day 08
Auli - Rafting Camp between Shivpuri / Kaudiyala
(225 km / 6.5 hrs). These are
basic camps
situated on the Ganges River Beach in very picturesque locations.
Surrounded by wooded, verdant hills the white sand beaches are very
serene and tranquil.
Overnight at Beach Camp. |
Day 09 Ganga Beach Rafting Camp.
Today is the day to experience Ganges on the river
while paddling downstream on a raft and hitting exciting rapids on the
way. The rafting trip ends near the temples and ashrams of Rishikesh.
Overnight at Beach Camp.
(If you don't want to
stay at Camps you can increase your stay at the other destinations instead). |
Day 10 Ganga Beach Rafting Camp - Rishikesh.
(35 kms / 1 hour). The
Ganga flattens and opens out at
Rishikesh, from here flowing into the
plains. Rishikesh is
also known as the "the world-capital of Yoga", has numerous
yoga and meditation centres that also
attract tourists. It is believed that
meditation in Rishikesh brings one closer to attainment of
moksha,
as does a dip in the
holy river that flows through it. The
Ganga
Arati performed at dusk at the
Triveni Ghat is an enthralling spectacle. |
Day 11 Rishikesh. Rishikesh is home to the more than century old
Kailas Ashram Brahmavidyapeetham, an institution dedicated to preserve
and promote the traditional Vedantic Studies. Prominent personalities
such as Swami Vivekananda,
Swami Rama Tirtha and Swami Shivananda have studied in this institution. Rishikesh is known
world over
for its Yoga and Meditation ashrams. The ashrams in Rishikesh generate
an unparalled sense of ascetism. Some of the well
known ashrams are Paramarth Niketan, Sivanand
Ashram, Swaragashram. Lakshman Jhula,
a suspension bridge over the river, is a major landmark of Rishikesh.
Overnight at Rishikesh. |
Day 12 Rishikesh - Delhi
(240 kms / 6 hrs). With
experiences and memories of the past days and evenings still
lingering fresh in the mind,
return to the Cosmopolis, feeling blessed for
the stolen moments of spiritual bliss.
Leave Rishikesh to reach Delhi by evening.
Tour ends...but memories remain ! |
