Chardham Tour From Haridwar with Chopta Tungnath 10N 11D

Barkot via Mussoorie, on the way visit Kempty Fall in Mussoorie. Later drive straight to Barkot. Check into the hotel reach in Barkot. Stay overnight at the Barkot. • Barkot Weather – Generally agreeable in summer, the temperature ranges from 25-30 degree Celsius, winter: The Days are pleasantly cool but the nights are cold, temp ranges from 10 deg to 05 deg.

Early morning after breakfast (packed breakfast), move to Jankichatti / Phoolchatti & star trek from here to Yamunotri (6kms) (Either by walk or by horse or by Doli at own cost). After taking bath in Jamunabai Kund’s warm water and having “Darshan” of “Yamunotri” return to Jankichatti by trek. Later move towards Barkot, Stay overnight at Barkot. • Yamunotri Temple: Maharani Gularia of Jaipur constructed the temple in the 19th Century. It was destroyed twice in the present century and reconstructed again. At Yamunotri, One can cook rice by packing it in a cloth and dipping it in the hot water of the Tapt kund. Pilgrims take this cooked rice home as “Prasad”. Here near the temple “Pooja” can be offered to Divya Shila. • Surya Kund: There are a Number of thermal springs near temple, which flows into numerous pools. The most significant of these is Surya Kund. • Yamunotri Weather – In summer the maximum temp is 18 degrees and the minimum is 10 degrees Celsius. The days are pleasantly cool but the nights are cold.

Morning after breakfast, moving for Uttarkashi. Check into the hotel arrival in Uttarkashi. Visit Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Uttarkashi. Stay overnight at 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. Rebuilt in 1857 by Maharani Khaneti Devi of Tehri State in the ancient architectural style. It is situated at the heart of the town. A heavy iron trident, symbolic of divine mother’s, is erected and worshiped from time immemorial at the temple complex. Ganeshji, Sakshi Gopal, Markandeya Rishi’s small shrines are also part of the temple complex. Akhand Jyoti as well as Akhand Abhishek, special aarti at morning and evening is offered. As per Skunda Puran, 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 (Trident)’ 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. • Uttarkashi Weather – Generally hot in summer, the temperature average from 30-35 degree Celsius but nights is agreeable, Cold in winters.

Early morning (packed breakfast) move to Gangotri, on the way at Gangnani take a sacred dip in Garam Kund, further move 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 rest for some time in the lovely surroundings. Later return to Uttarkashi. Stay overnight at the Uttarkashi. • Gangotri Temple: The temple was built by the Gorkha General Amar Singh Thapa in the 18th Century, is situated on the right bank of Bhagirathi. • Gangotri Weather – The maximum temperature during summer can go up to 20° Celsius. In summer nights can get cooler with a minimum temperature of 10° Celsius. Light woollen clothes are required while visiting Gangotri during summer. Winter season is very chilly in Gangotri. Gangotri will be covered in sheets of snow during winter. Pilgrim centres remains closed throughout winter due to heavy snow falls.

Morning after breakfast, move to Guptkashi via Moolgarh & Lambgoan. On the way you can see the beautiful river Mandakini at Tilwara. The Mandakini River comes from Kedarnath, drive alongside the river to reach Guptakashi, visit Ardh Narishwar Temple in Guptakashi. Check into the hotel arrival in Guptakashi. Stay overnight at Guptakashi. • Guptakashi:- The name Gupt Kashi means “Hidden Benares. Mythology described 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 Gupt Kashi on its way to Ukhimath (across the valley), where it stays for the winter. • Guptkashi Weather – pleasant in summer, the temperature ranges from 25-30 degree Celsius. Chilly weather in winters.

Morning after breakfast departure for Kedarnath dham. Enjoy Kedarnath Darshan. Stay overnight at Kedarnath. • By Helicopter: Morning our driver will drop you your prebook Helipad. You can inform driver about your arrival time whether it will by helicopter or by trek, so that Driver will be there to pick you up. (Note: helicopter ticket is not included in this package). • By Trek: Morning our driver will drop you at Sonprayag then you have to arranged local jeep for Gaurikund & then your trek start for kedarnath ji. After darshan you follow same & return to Sonpraag. There is big parking issue so driver will back to other palace if his contact no. in not working then you have to take other taxi or wait for your driver. • 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, feel 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. • Kedarnath Weather – Due to its high altitude the weather in Kedarnath remains cold for most part of the year. Summer here is cool and agreeable while winter is severe. During summer season the temperature varies around 20°Celsius. Light woollen wear is recommended. Winter season in Kedarnath is severe with mercury falling to as low as 0°Celsius. During this time the place experiences snowfall as well. Due to the extreme climatic conditions, this time is usually avoided by tourists.

After morning darshan, return to Guptkashi, by Track or helicopter. Stay overnight at hotel.

• Guptkashi – Chopta – Tungnath (48kms by road & 8kms Trek both way) • After breakfast, drive early morning to Chopta, known as Mini Switzerland. It will take 1 hr to reach Meraki Mayadeep Resort in Chopta. Check in at hotel and after refreshment, start trek to Tungnath Temple, highest temple of Lord Shiva. The trek is about 3 kms from Chopta. Pay your respect at Tungnath temple. It is also known to be a Dwitya Kedar (Second Kedar), one among the Panch Kedar. Furthermore, if possible, trek 1 km more to reach Chandrashila peak or summit. You will witness the 360 degree panoramic view of Snow covered Himalayas. Return back to Hotel Mayadeep in Duggalbitta, Chopta. Overnight stay in Chopta.

Morning after breakfast, move to Badrinath. Check in to the hotel arrival in Badrinath. After pilgrims having a bath in the Taptkund has the Darshan of Badrivishal & Aarti in evening. Brahamakapal is important 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. Stay overnight at Badrinath. • Mana Village: Inhabited by an Indo-Mongolian tribe, it is the last Indian village before Tibet. • Vasundhara: As the name suggests, Vasundhara is a magnificent and beautiful water fall. This place is 5 kms. From Badrinath out of which 2 kms. is motor able up to Mana. • Bhim Pul: On the other side of Mana village, a heavy 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. • Vyas Gufa (cave): Near Mana Village, this is a rock-cave where Ved Vyas is believed to have and appeared Mahabharata and the pauranic commentaries. • Badrinath Weather: The average maximum temperature will be around 18° Celsius and the average minimum is 8° Celsius. Warm and woollen clothes are hence required for a stay in Badrinath throughout the year. Winter in Badrinath is often accompanied by snow falls. Winter is very chilly with an average temperature of 5° Celsius. Due to the extreme chill climatic conditions of weather, this time is usually closed for tourists.

Morning after breakfast, moving for Srinagar. • Srinagar Weather – Generally hot in summer, the temperature ranges from 35-40 degree Celsius, winter: The Days are pleasantly cool but the nights are cold, temp ranges from 20 deg to 05 deg.

After morning breakfast, moving for Haridwar via Rishikesh. Rishikesh ‘place of sages’ is a celebrated spiritual town on the bank of Ganga and is surrounded by Shivalik range of the Himalayas on three sides. It is said that when Raibhya Rishi did hard penances, God appeared by the name of” Hrishikesh” and this area hence firth came to be known as Rishikesh. Check in Hotel. Later visit Rishikesh Temples & Sight Seeing – Laxman Jhulla, Ram Jhulla. Stay overnight at Haridwar. • Rishikesh: Named after the Lord Vishnu, Rishikesh is a holy city for Hindus. Located in the foothills of the Himalaya in northern India it is also known as the yoga centre of the world and is home to many world renowned ashrams. Rishikesh styles itself as the ‘Yoga Capital of the World’, with masses of ashrams and all kinds of yoga and meditation classes. The fast-flowing Ganges is surrounded by forested hills inside the city. Apart from temples and ashrams Rishikesh is now a popular white-water rafting centre, backpacker hang-out, and gateway to treks in the Himalaya.