Classical Chardham Yatra / 13 Nights & 14 Days Itinerary
By Road Tour Itinerary
Day 1| Arrive Delhi
Arrive in Delhi, where you will be met at the airport by our driver and transferred to your hotel. Depending on your time of arrival, you may want to rest up at your hotel, or go for a wander around your neighborhood.
Day 2| Delhi - Haridwar
After breakfast in Delhi, you will make the drive to Haridwar (140 miles/220 kms). Favorably located at the point where the Ganges River emerges from the Himalayas, Haridwar (also called Hardwar) serves as the gateway to the Char Dham of Uttarakhand.
Upon arrival, check-in at your hotel and take some free time to explore the ‘Panch Tirth’ or the five pilgrimages located within the periphery of Haridwar, are Gangadwara (Har Ki Pauri), Kushwart (Ghat), Kankhal, Bilwa Tirtha (Mansa Devi Temple) and Neel Parvat (Chandi Devi).
In the evening, you will attend the Aarti (evening prayer ceremony) held at Hari-ki-Pauri Ghat. The name of this famous ghat literally means “Feet of the Lord” (a footprint on a stone wall is said to belong to Lord Vishnu). In terms of spiritual importance, Hari-ki-Pauri is considered to be equivalent to Dashashwamedh Ghat where the Aarti takes place in Varanasi. Legend has it that some amrit (nectar) landed there after falling from a pot carried by the celestial bird, Garuda.
Dinner and overnight stay in Haridwar.
Day 3| Haridwar - Barkot
After early breakfast, we drive for Barkot via Mussoorie and Lakha Mandal (130 miles/220 kms). En-route in Mussoorie, we visit Kempty Falls, the most fascinating and the biggest waterfall and Shedup Choephelling Temple, the 1st Tibetan shrine which was built in India and was consecrated by Dalai Lama himself.
We make our next stop at Lakha Manda Temple. As per legends of Mahabharata, Lakhamandal is the place where Duryodhan pursued Pandavas to stay in the Laksha Graha (house built of wax). Near the temple you can also view the tunnel used by Pandavas and their mata Kunti to escape from the fire.
Arrive in Barkot by evening, check in to your pre-book hotel/tent. Enjoy the dinner and overnight stay.
Day 4| Barkot – Jankichatti – Yamunotri – Jankichatti - Barkot (36 kms by Car & 6 kms trek -One side)
Early morning we drive to Jankichatti from where trek to Yamunotri (6kms) begins. Arrive at Jankichatti and ascend on the trek either by walk or ride a pony or palanquin (at your own cost) to reach the temple (around 3,233 m above sea level).
Arrive at Yamunotri, you can buy prasad from the local shops then proceed take a bath in Jamnabai Kund. One can cook rice by packing it in a muslin cloth and dipping it in the hot water of the Surya Kund. Pilgrims take this cooked rice home as “Prasad”. Next pay homage at Divya Shila, which is said to be the source from where Maa Yamuna first sprung.
Take blessing of pious Yamunaji and start trekking back to Jankichatti. Proceed back to Barkot for the night stay.
Day 5| Barkot - Utarkashi
In the morning after breakfast, head to Uttarkashi via Shivgufa on the way. Visit Prakateshwar Cave or Shiv Gufa, natural caves formed by lime stone. To enter caves, one needs to crawl into it, but can stand inside. The lime stone formation resembles Shivling, thus called a Shiva Gufa.
Continue towards Uttarkashi, – an ancient land with rich cultural heritage. As the name suggests it is ‘Kashi of the North’ and one of the most picturesque towns of Garhwal region. Upon arrival in Uttarkashi, visit one of the oldest and scared temples of Shri Kashi Vishwanath. It Is believed that this temple was built by Parashurama. Enjoy the dinner and overnight stay in Uttarkashi.
Day 6| Utarkashi – Gangotri - Utarkashi
We make an early start to Gangotri, located at an altitude of 3048 mtrs. Enjoy a scenic drive that offers stunning views of the snow-capped Himalayas. According to Hindu legends Ganga is the most sacred of all rivers, descended from heaven to earth at Gangotri, when Lord Shiva released the mighty river from his locks. The river originates at Gaumukh, where it is known as Bhagirathi and after the river Alaknanda merges into it near the town of Devaprayag it acquires the name ‘Ganga’
En-route, we take a halt at Gangnani and you may take a holy dip in Garam Kund (hot spring) as it’s said to have medicinal properties. Continue drive towards Gangotri passing through the scenic Harsil valley, a serene Himalayan hamlet surrounded by snow-clad mountains, pine forests and apple orchards. On arriving at Shree Gangotri Dham, take a holy dip in Bhagirathi River. Have pooja and darshan at Gangotri Temple, Bhagirath rock and Bhagirathi River. After resting for a while in the pleasant surroundings, return to Uttarkashi for the night stay.
Day 7| Utarkashi - Guptakashi
After an early breakfast, we head to yet another beautiful journey to Guptkashi via Moolgarh and Lambgoan. 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.
En-route to Guptkashi we see the beautiful river Mandakini flowing alongside. The Mandakini River comes from Kedarnath, drive alongside the river to reach Guptakashi.
On reaching Guptakashi, we first visit ancient Kashi Vishwanath temple solely dedicated to Lord Shiva. Another small temple of deity of Sri Ardhanareeswara – half man and half women form of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati is in the same complex. There is a pond called Manikarnika Kund in front of the temple with two sprouts on either side namely Ganga and Yamuna meet. Check in and stay overnight in Guptkashi.
Day 8| Guptakashi – Sonprayag - Kedarnath (30 kms by Car / 18 Kms trek / Helicopter ride)
Today we head to live one of the most awaited moments of your life. After an early breakfast, check out and leave for Sonprayag. In Sonprayag, you will hop on a local jeep to reach Gaurikund the base to begin your trek till Kedarnath Temple. If pre-booked a helicopter ride, then you will be dropped off at the respective helipad.
Filled with devout reach Kedarnath Temple, one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, set in a spectacular background of snow-clad peaks and forests. Have a blissful darshan of Shri Kedarnath Ji, and feel spiritually uplifted. Don’t miss to visit the samadhi of Jagad Guru Adi Shankarcharya, who built Kedarnath temple over a thousand years ago.
Enjoy the serene beauty of the place and have a peaceful overnight stay at the booked arrangement in Kedarnath.
Day 9| Kedarnath – Sonpragay - Guptakashi
Rise early to make the most of your stay in Kedarnath, by witnessing the first prayer ritual ‘Abhishek’ to Kedarnath Shiva. The enchanting soft sound of the bells and the priests hymning mantras will rejuvenate your soul.
Yet another breathtaking experience awaits you, witness the magical sunrise over the Himalayas. Return to your lodge and check out. Start to trek your way back to Sonaprayag following the same route of arrival and if booked a helicopter reach to the helipad for your transfer back.
Meet our representative and head back to your hotel in Guptkashi. Check in and relax for the day enjoying the surroundings.
Day 10| Guptakashi – Badrinath
After enjoying a sumptuous breakfast, we start our journey towards our last Dham and a crucial pillar of the India’s Bada Char Dham Yatra, ‘Badrinath’. Situated at an altitude of about 3415 mts in the Chamoli District of Uttarakhand, Badrinath lies on the shores of Alaknanda River. The town is known for its stunning beauty, pleasant weather, thick forest cover as well as the beautiful views of snow-clad mountains along the holy river flowing through the surrounding green valley.
Upon arrival, check in to the booked hotel and quickly make way to Badrinath Temple but before that one must take a dip in the curative water of the Tapt Kund. Pay homage to Badrivishal after entering the colourful & imposing entrance gate popularly known as Singhdwar.
The sanctum also houses images of the god of wealth – Kubera, sage Narada, Uddhava, Nar and Narayan. Worship them and return to your hotel after the evening aarti.
Day 11| Badrinath – Rudrapragay
After breakfast, check out and visit Mana Village, the last Indian village near Indo-Tibetan border. Located close by is Bhim Pul 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.
Next visit Vyas Gufa, a rock-cave where Ved Vyas is believed to have composed the Mahabharata and the pauranic commentaries.
Commence your journey towards Rudraprayag the confluence of the Alaknanda and Mandakini Rivers via Joshimath. The winter seat of Lord Badri, Joshimath is a sacred place dedicated to Lord Narasimha, worshipped for killing the monster Hiranyakashipu. Reach Rudraprayag by dusk and enjoy your stay in the booked hotel.
Day 12| Rudrapragay - Rishieskh
Have an early breakfast and leave to visit the Rudranath temple, Narad temple, and Guru Goraknath temple before proceeding towards Rishikesh. Rishikesh ‘place of sages’ is celebrated as spiritual town on the bank of Ganga and known as the ‘Yoga Capital of the World’.
On reaching Rishikesh, we visit Prati Badri Kedarnath Temple – a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, Lakshman Mandir – place where Lakshman meditated to attain enlightenment, and Lakshman Jhulla – a famous hanging bridge across the river Ganges. Check in to your hotel and have a relaxing stay.
Day 13| Rishikesh - Delhi
The Char Dham Yatra comes to an end with the fond memories and blessings of the almighty. It is time now to say goodbye, our representative will transfer you to Delhi airport to board your flight back home.
Starting from INR 78, 000 Per Person on double occupancy for four adults
CONTACT INFORMATION
- 2nd Floor D 1 /64 block D-1, Aruna Park, Shakarpur, New Delhi, 110092
- Mob: +91 - 888 287 7001
- Mob: +91 - 888 287 7714
- Whatsapp: +91 - 888 287 7001
- info@hnktravelsolutions.com
OUR TRAVEL PARTNERS ARE APPROVED & RECOMMENDED BY:
