Trek in Garhwal, on pilgrimage paths

This morning, we head towards Rishikesh, located on the banks of the Ganges. Rishikesh is said to be the cradle of yoga and the gateway to the four main Dhams (pilgrimage sites) of Hindus - Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri. Upon our arrival, we settle into our hotel.

In the evening, we visit the Ghats of the Ganges and attend the Aarti ceremony, a visual and musical spectacle. Rishikesh, at the foot of the Shivalik range of the Himalayas, is renowned for the beauty of its landscapes and its spiritual experience.

Today, we travel along a winding road, following the Ganges until we reach Devprayag. This is where the rivers Bhagirathi from Gaumukh and Alaknanda from Satopanth meet to form the sacred Ganges river. We continue via Srinagar towards Rudraprayag, before turning left towards the Mandakini river to finally reach Gaurikund. Check-in at the lodge upon arrival.

Today, the trekking path gradually ascends towards Kedarnath. During the pilgrimage season, there is a strong chance of mingling with pilgrims who come from different regions of India; some of the devotees, the Sadhus (holy men), women and children. Those who are not in good physical condition resort to palanquins. The hike winds through rich, green and magnificent valleys, waterfalls and rugged mountains offering breathtaking views. The Kedarnath temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and built by the Pandavas after the Mahabharata war, is located facing the Mandakini valley at the foot of imposing peaks.
Walking Time: 6 Hrs
Distance: 14 Kms

Early in the morning, we visit this sacred sanctuary to soak in the spiritual atmosphere that prevails there. Many devotees come to buy incense and flowers from the shops nearby, as offerings to Lord Shiva. We also see priests performing rituals and prayers for the families of Shiva devotees.

Later, we descend to Gauri Kund.
Walking Time: 4-5 Hrs
Distance: 14 Kms

In the morning, we head to the starting point of our trek, and then walk for one hour to the Triyugi Narayan Temple through the rice fields. According to legends, this is where the god Shiva married the goddess Parvati.

We continue our trek gradually with a few ascents. We cross a charming village, a dense forest, lush meadows and magnificent pastures offering spectacular views of the snow-capped peaks of the mountain ranges.
Walking Time: 5 Hrs
Distance: 12 Kms

This day is one of the most exciting of the trek. It offers us exceptional views of the mountains and surrounding landscapes. We start with a gradual climb lasting 2 hours from the camp at Maggu Top. From the upper ridge, you can enjoy panoramic views of the high peaks of Kedarnath, Sumeru Parvat and other snow-capped peaks. We continue our walk along a ridge overlooking the rhododendron valley and bamboo groves where sacred langurs (primate of Inde) and deer live. We cross a small but very beautiful village of Panwali before reaching our campsite.
Walking Time: 7 Hrs
Distance: 15 Kms

We start our day's trek with a gradual ascent, approximately one hour, up to the Panwali Pass. From there, we can enjoy panoramic views of the Nanda Devi massif (7817m) on one side, and on the other breathtaking views of forests, lush meadows and pastures. The trail then descends for approximately 6 hours through thick forests to the base. Then, after crossing a large stream, the trail takes us via the village of Ghuttu and its rice fields.
Walking Time: 7 Hrs
Distance: 16 Kms

Today, our 6 or 7 hour trek begins with a gradual ascent. The trail crosses beautiful villages, inhabited by smiling villagers eager to talk with us. The village women work in the rice fields, toddlers run here and there, a beautiful day full of life makes this experience wonderful. We continue through thick forests and alpine meadows to reachBhairon Chatti We camp on a magnificent site with lush ground near the Bhairon temple. Fantastic views of some high mountains and thick forests are revealed to us.
Trekking Time: 6 Hrs
Distance: 10 Kms

Another relatively long day awaits us. The first two hours are on a sloping trail through dense forests. We then cross rice fields until we reach the picturesque village of Binakkhal. We continue our hike through forests again, until we reach Agunda via Buda Kedar, located near the Bal Ganga River.
Walking time: 6 Hrs
Distance: 13 Kms

Today, our trek lasts between 5 to 6 hours starting from the village. After crossing Bal Ganga by a wooden bridge at Jalla, we walk through thick forests and some pastures until Belak, which is located on the border between Chamoli and Uttarkashi. We will camp at the top of the forest.
Walking Time: 5 Hrs
Distance: 16 Kms

We cross a large stream by walking over a beautiful wooden bridge, then we climb gradually to Malla, the end of the road that connects Uttarkashi to Gangotri.

Today, our trek begins with a gradual descent towards Lata. The trail passes through dense forests for 3-4 hours. This crossing will take us approximately 3 to 4 hours. Upon reaching a large stream, we take a beautiful wooden bridge, then walk to Malla. The road connects Uttarkashi to Gangotri.
Walking Time: 4 Hrs
Distance: 10 Kms

Transfer to Gangotri (75 kms) by bus / Jeep. We arrive at Gangotri, where we settle into our lodge.

The second part of the hike begins with a gradual climb through the forest. From Gangotri, we follow the forested trail towards Chirbasa. We follow the Bhagirathi River which takes the form of the Holy Ganga when it joins the Alaknanda river a few kilometers downstream. The view of the peaks is spectacular as we pass through cedar and conifer forests, leading us to Chirbasa. From there to Bhojbasa, the terrain becomes desert-like and barren. Beyond the village, a temple stands by a riverbank. We camp nearby. The afternoon is free.
Hiking Time: 6 Hrs
Distance: 14 Kms

Today's objective: Tapovan. We pass through Gaumukh, which offers us a panoramic view of the Bhagirathi peaks. Gaumukh is the glacier that feeds the Ganges through its melting waters, as well as the Gangotri valley. At Gaumukh, we explore the region. Later, we continue towards Tapovan, one of the most beautiful high-altitude alpine meadows in the region. The trek to Tapovan takes us across the Gaumukh glacier. As we climb, the peaks of the surrounding summits draw increasingly closer. Tapovan is known for its beautiful meadows that surround the base camp of Shivling Peak, highly appreciated by tourists, climbers, trekkers and ascetics. Tapovan is a pleasant spot with very beautiful meadows dotted with wildflowers and crossed by streams.
Walking Time: 6 Hrs
Distance: 9 Kms

Tapovan is a base camp for mountaineering expeditions leading to various peaks. It is also a favorite spot for photography enthusiasts. The morning light enhances this landscape and makes it an unforgettable experience when the golden rays of sunrise reach the high peaks and dazzle the camp. After breakfast, we make a quick descent to Bhojbasa. We arrive at Bhojbasa and explore the area.
Walking Time: 5 Hrs
Distance: 14 Kms

After a few hours of trekking, we arrive at Gangotri where our vehicle is waiting for us.
Trekking Time: 4 Hrs
Distance: 8 Kms

We head to our lodge Uttarkashi. Uttarkashi is located on the banks of the Bhagirathi River and is home to numerous temples and ashrams (4-5 hours drive). In the evening, we have free time to explore the town.

After breakfast, we set off for a 6-hour trek to Rishikesh via Chamba. In the afternoon, we visit Lakshman Jhula as well as the surrounding temples (optional). With a bit of luck, we can attend the evening prayer at Triveni Ghat.

Early in the morning, we leave Rishikesh to head to Delhi. On the way, we visit Haridwar, which is one of the most sacred places in India for Hindus. We visit Har ki Pauri, where pilgrims come to perform their ablutions in the sacred waters of the Ganges. We continue our journey to Delhi where we are transferred to the hotel for the night.