Char Dham Yatra

Itinerary

• DAY 01: – Delhi – Mussoorie- Barkot (410kms/10-11hr) Height: 1352 MTS – Pick up from Delhi and drive to Barkot via Mussoorie, enroute visit Kempty Fall (Suggestible to have your lunch at Kempty fall as further no good restaurants are available before Barkot. Later drive straight to Barkot, transfer to your hotel. Rest of the day is free to relax and store your energy for the Pahad (hiII) Yatra of Yamunotri the next day. Overnight stay at Barkot.

• DAY 02: – Barkot- Yamunotri-Barkot {36kms drive & 6kms Trek (one side)} Height: 3235 MTS – Early morning after drive to Jankichatti / Phoolchatti & start trek from here to Yamunotri (6kms) (Either by walk or by horse or by Doli at own cost). After taking bath in JamunabaiKund’s warm water and having “Darshan” of “Yamunaji” return to Jankichatti by trek. Later drive towards Barkot, Overnight stay at Barkot.
  Yamunotri Temple: Maharani Gularia of Jaipur built the temple in the 19th Century. It was destroyed twice in the present century and rebuilt again. At Yamunotri, one can cook rice by packing it in a cloth and dipping it in the hot water of the Taptkund. Pilgrims take this cooked rice home as “Prasad”. Here near the temple “Pooja” can be offered to DivyaShila.
  Surya Kund: There are a Number of thermal springs near temple, which flows into numerous pools. The most important of these is Surya Kund.
  DivyaShila: A rock pillar, worshipped before entering the Yamunotri Temple.

• DAY 03: – Barkot – Uttarkashi (100kms/4hr) Height: 1352 MTS – Morningdrive to Uttarkashi. Check into the hotel arrival in Uttarkashi. Visit Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Uttarkashi.Overnight stay at Uttarkashi.
  Uttarkashi: Uttarkashi is home to a number of ashrams, temples. The name of the town reflects its similarity to and location (as north of) the city of Kashi (Varanasi). Similar to Varanasi, town of Uttarkashi is also situated on the banks of River Ganga.
  Vishwanath temple: Vishwanath temple is one of the oldest Shiva temples in Northern India. Re-constructed in 1857 by Maharani Khaneti Devi of Tehri State in the ancient architectural style. It is situated at the heart of the town. A massive iron trident, symbolic of divine mother’s, is erected and worshiped from time immemorial at the temple complex. Ganeshji, SakshiGopal, Markandeya Rishi’s small shrines are also part of the temple complex. AkhandJyoti as well as AkhandAbhishek, special aarti at morning and evening are offered. As per SkundaPuran, Uttarkashi is known as ‘Saumya Varanasi’, the abode of Lord Shiva in Kaliyug and counted as one of the twelve Jyotirlingas.
  Shakti temple: Right in front of the Vishwanath temple is Shakti temple. It has a big ‘Trishul’ of about 6 meters in height and a circumference of 90 cms. at bottom. Though there are different views about the making of this, the upper part of it seems to be made up of iron and the lower one is of copper. As per the epics this Shakti was thrown on the devils by the Goddess Durga (Shakti), hence it gets its name. Since then, this Shakti is erected over here.

• DAY 04: – Uttarkashi – Gangotri – Uttarkashi (100kms/3-4 each side) Height: 3048 MTS – Early morning drive to Gangotri, enroute at Gangnani take a holy dip in GaramKund, further drive to Gangotri via beautiful Harsil Valley. Harsil is famous for its nature beauty and for the majestic views of the Deodar trees and mountains. On arrival at Shree Gangotri, take a holy dip in the sacred river Ganges which is also called Bhagirathi at its origin. Perform Pooja and Darshan, after that relax for some time in the lovely surroundings. Later drive back to Uttarkashi. Overnight stay at Uttarkashi.
  Gangotri Temple: The temple was constructed by the Gorkha General Amar Singh Thapa in the 18th Century, is situated on the right bank of Bhagirathi.

• DAY 05: – Uttarkashi – Guptkashi (220kms/8-9hr) Height: 1319 MTS – Morning drive to Guptkashi via Moolgarh& Lambgoan. Enroute you can see the beautiful river Mandakini at Tilwara. The Mandakini river comes from Kedarnath, drive alongside the river to reach Guptakashi, visit ArdhNarishwar Temple in Guptakashi. Check into the hotel arrival in Guptakashi. Overnight stay at Guptakashi.
  Guptakashi: The name GuptKashi 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 GuptKashi on its way to Ukhimath (across the valley), where it stays for the winter.

• DAY 06: – Guptkashi Phata – Kedarnath (30 kms by road & 19kms Trek) Height: 3384 MTS – After medical check-up proceed to Sonprayag, Trek start from Sonprayag to Kedarnath (3584 mts) by Pony / Doli. Tour members should carry personal medicines, heavy woolen, toiletries and clothes for an overnight halt at Kedarnath. Visit Kedarnath Temple. Overnight stay.
  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. The remaining portions of Lord Shiva appeared at four other places and are worshipped there as his manifestations. The arms appeared at Tungnath, the face at Rudranath, the belly at Madhmaheshwar and his locks (hair) with head at Kalpeshwar. Kedarnath and the four above-mentioned shrines are treated as PanchKedar.

• DAY 07: Kedarnath – Guptkashi (19Kms down Trek & 30kms/1hr by Road) – 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 Temple Darshan trek down to Sonprayag. Further drive to Guptkashi. Check in Hotel. Night Halt.

• DAY 08: – Guptkashi – Badrinath (200 kms/7hr) Height: 3133 MTS – Drive to Badrinath via Joshimath. Check in Hotel. Later at evening visit Badrinath Temple for Aarti. Overnight stay. Badrinath one of the ‘Four Dhams’ is one of the most celebrated pilgrimage spots of the country and is situated at an elevation of 3,133 meters, guarded on either side by the two mountain ranges known as Nar & Narayan with the towering Neelkanth Peak providing a splendid backdrop. This revered spot was once carpeted with wild berries. Thus, the place got the name “Badri van”, meaning “forest of berries”.

• DAY 09: In & Around Badrinath – Early morning, pilgrims after having a bath in the Taptkund have the Darshan of Badrivishal. Brahamakapal is significant for Pinddan Shraddh of ancestors (Pitrus). There are other interesting sightseeing spot like Mana, Vyas Gufa, Maatamoorti, Charanpaduka, Bhimkund and the “Mukh” of the Saraswati River. Just within the three kms of Badrinathjee. Dinner and overnight stay.

• DAY 10: Srinager – Delhi & Departure (370kms/9-10hr) – Today morning proceed towards Haridwar Enroute visit to Rishikesh Temples & Sight Seeing – Laxman Jhulla, Ram Jhulla, Triveni Ghat. Later proceed for Delhi to board the train for onward journey.

Tour ends with sweet memories…