Duration : 16 Days
Grade : Strenuous
Max.Altd. : 14294 ft/ 4463 metres
Best Time : September to November
Minimum : 2 Persons
Route Chart New Delhi - Haridwar- Rishikesh -Srinagar - Gultir- Kothki Sam - Ishala - Aagar - Gimtoli - Sodi - Gangotri - Chirbasa - Gomukh - Tapovan - Rishikesh - New Delhi

The Garhwal region has some of the finest mountains in the Himalayas and is easily accessible. This spectacular trek takes you deep into the Central Himalayas. It is a "Sadhu" or "Monk" trail which the devotees use to cross over from Gangotri to Kedarnath, two of the holiest places of pilgrimage in India. This is one of the very few Sadhu trails left in the Himalayas. The trail passes through spectacular mountain scenery with canyons, mountains, cascading waterfalls, pine and birch forests and views of snow capped peaks. The views of Mount Shivling and the Bhagirathi range in the Garhwal Himalaya are unforgettable experiences on this trail.

You start with an acclimatization trek before arriving at Gangotri to embark on this trek which ascends to 14,294 ft/ 4463 metres at Tapovan. This acclimatization walk is a short Himalayan trek with the interesting objective of passing through the foothills and actual hill villages where the world-famous legend written by the naturalist-hunter, Jim Corbett's story of the 'Man-Eating Leopard of Rudraprayag' is based. The scenery here is unparalleled giving commanding views of the main peaks of the Garhwal Himalayas and taking you through lush terraced hills, pristine forests and tiny hill villages. The weather at this time of year is warm and sunny with clear blue skies.

This tour has been designed to give you a comprehensive Indian experience -from an Indian train journey across the plains, driving on twisting mountain roads through the Garhwal foothills, visiting holy Ghats, ashrams and temples in two of India's holiest places, Rishikesh and Haridwar and trekking to a height of 14,294 ft/ 4463 metres and get a chance to see some of the Himalayan giant peaks such as Shivling (20,956 ft/ 6543 metres) and Bhagirathi I, II and III (21,958 ft/ 6856 metres, 20,857 ft/ 6512 metres, and 20,671 ft/ 6454 metres respectively).

Itinerary

Day 01:
Arrive Delhi

Meet on arrival and transfer to your hotel. After an overnight flight, recovering from jet lag by the swimming pool is enticing and if you have the energy to sample India, Delhi has a lot to offer. Overnight in hotel.

Day 02:
Delhi - Haridwar - Rishikesh (Train and Drive)

Transfer to the station to board the Shatabdi Express to Haridwar, one of the seven holy cities of Hinduism. The train journey takes about 51/2 hours. Legend has it that Vishnu's footprint was found on the bank of the holy river Ganges, giving it it's sanctity. Situated at the base of the Shivalik Hills, Haridwar is where the River Ganga (Ganges) passes through its last gorge and begins a 2,000 km journey across the plains of India to the Bay of Bengal. On arrival at Haridwar we will visit the town's 'steps' or 'Ghats' on the banks of the Ganges. Haridwar is the gateway for pilgrims to the Hindu shrines at Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri further up in the mountains.

Every twelve years, when Venus and Jupiter coincide with Aquarius and the Sun and Moon are in Aries and Sagittarius respectively, there takes place an event unlike any other in the world. This is the 'Kumbh' Mela, when more than a million Hindu pilgrims gather on the banks of the Ganges to bathe in its holy waters. Even in normal times there is a great deal of activity and you will see Sadhus, pilgrims, hawkers, snake charmers and people bathing in the river Ganges? Incense pervades the air and you are suddenly immersed in the experience that is India.

Drive on to Rishikesh (25 kms) and cross the Laxman Jhoola (a large suspension bridge) to visit the 13-storey temple on the other side of the river and visit Triveni Ghat, Bharat Temple and the place where Lord Rama bathed at Rishi Kund. This small town is the ancient roadhead for all pilgrims and in season people from all over India come here to board buses leaving for the four hill shrines. The northern part of the town is called Muni-ki-Reti and refers to the shores of the river where the rishis or sages in ancient times meditated. Across the Ganges large, well-maintained ashrams teach yoga and publish books on the Hindu scriptures. Overnight in hotel.

Day 03:
Drive via Srinagar to Gholtir (2,116 ft/ 645 metres) and trek to Kothki Sam
(2083 ft/ 635 metres) (2 hours' drive time, 1 hour trekking).

About an hour's drive from Srinagar looks out for Gulabrai, just before Rudraprayag. This is the place where Jim Corbett made his famous 'Shot in the dark' and killed the Man-Eating Leopard of Rudraprayag. Here there is a commemorative plaque on the exact spot below the tree where he had his platform. Accounts differ but it is believed the leopard had killed upwards of 125 people before Jim Corbett's single shot put paid to its reign of terror. He stayed on his tree platform until it was light for fear he had only wounded the animal that locals believed was an 'evil spirit'. Nearby is the 'Pundit's House' and if he is at home you may meet Totaram, the grandson of the pundit, who was Corbett's friend. He will show you a photo of his grandfather and Corbett, and a copy of Corbett's book describing the hunt.

The road through Rudraprayag itself is noisy and congested and the staff will probably stop to buy fresh vegetables. Further down the road you will see your first views of snow-capped peaks framed in the distance. We are not far from Gholtir.

Gholtir village is situated on the left bank of the Alaknanda River. You cross the river over a suspension bridge and commence the trek from the right bank. The trail is flat and easy along the banks of the Alaknanda River. There is a small Hindu temple above the campsite. Time permitting, you can walk up to the village of Kothki and then descend to the river camp. This is where village festivals are occasionally held. There is a small pumping station nearby which gives water supply to the village. Overnight in tents.

Day 04:
Kothki Sam - Ishala (4593 ft/ 1400 metres/ 6 hours Trek)

The trail is fairly level by the river then it climbs through terraced fields and forests to Chimka. From here there are two options - the 'short cut' is a very steep climb up to Ishala. However, the longer route is much more interesting. This route begins by a short descent to a hamlet in the valley and then climbs gradually to Kodadkhal (2,960 ft/ 925 metres).Here we see a tree which is hundreds of years old and a living sculpture with a tangle of creepers and roots dropping from its branches.

At Kodadkhal there is a red stone memorial to some 'Freedom Fighters' in a walled enclosure. There is a post office here. After Kodadkhal the path climbs steadily through a fir forest to reach a ridge from where you can see down into the next valley. Going along the ridge you finally see Ishala. Bare dun-coloured mountain tops rise beyond and you can see the 'pass' with a village on the west. We stop at Ishala for the night. Overnight in tents.

Day 05:
Ishala - Aagar (6555 ft/ 1998 metres/ 5 hours Trek)

Initially the climb is stiff for about an hour to reach the 'pass'. The trail passes through forests with an abundance of birdlife. From the crest of the ridge there are views of giant peaks to the north, Chaukhamba (23,418 ft/ 7,138 metres), just peeping over the ridge in front of us. You are now at the village of Kandi (5,508 ft/ 1,679 metres).The next village, Jagtoli (5,310ft/1,771metres). Is clearly seen on the next ridge and it does not look too far. We contour around past terraced fields to come up to this village astride the ridge.

There are great views from here of two other giant peaks. To the west is Trisul (23,389 ft/ 7,066 metres) and Dunagiri (23,182 ft/ 7,066 metres). Locals say the big massif beyond is Nanda Devi but it is really hidden behind Trisul. As you enter the village there is a silver smith with a small shop. A small Hindu shrine occupies a hillock behind the houses and from here the views are spectacular. There is a school in this village with about 400 students. The trail passes this school to the ground below where we will camp for the night. You are now so high that you can see range after range of foothills in the distance with their terraced fields and forests. You will see a lot of of eagles around here which this area is famous for. Overnight in tents.

Day 6th To tour end Next Page>>