himalayan



Himalayan Yatra Pilgrimage
Himalayan Yatra Pilgrimage

Best time to visit: October - November
Group Guided by Sarah: 22 October -03 November 08
$US1050	13 Days	*single supplement $320
Highlights Himalayan Peak panaromas, Heritage haveli on the River Ganges, Ganga Aarti puja, Mountain valley day treks, Temple pujas and blessings, waterfalls and hot springs, Ayurveda massages, Rishikesh and Haridwar holy Himalayan towns. Style: 3* star Maximum group size:12, minimum 3 Transfers: to/from railway station on arrival and departure. Staffing: fully escorted by tour guide and services of local guides. Transport: private air-conditioned jeep Entrance fees: included for all sites listed as part of the itinerary. Accommodation: 2 nights heritage hotel, 1 night luxury hotel, 1 night guesthouse, 8 nights luxury mountain eco-camps. Activities: yoga and meditation, day treks to Himalayan temples, holy bathing in hot springs and the River Ganges. Ganga & Temple puja ceremonies. Ayurveda massage (optional), folk dance & music, bonfire. *A good level of fitness is required. Meals: as per itinerary ( B-breakfast L-Lunch D-Dinner) Breakfast included everyday of the tour.
12 nights / 13 days
Day 1 Haridwar Meet midday at heritage hotel on the banks of the sacred River Ganges and enjoy your own private bathing ghat. Welcome Lunch and relax in the ayurvedic spa or spend the afternoon sightseeing followed by evening Arti at Har-Ki-Pauri. (L,D) Day 2 Haridwar - Barkot drive 230km (7-8 hrs) Depart Haridwar early morning driving via Dehra Dun and Mussoorie hillstation visiting near-by impressive Kempty Falls. Lunch at restaurant en route. Reach Barkot in the evening. Overnight at luxury chardham camp located 1km beyond Barkot town. Enjoy an evening with the folkdance and music. (B,L,D) Day 3 Barkot - Yamunotri - Barkot drive 32km, trek 14km round After an early breakfast leave for Hanuman Chatti to start your Yatra journey. Take a local jeepto Phool Chatti 5km and then a tough trek of 7km one way. Pray at temple in Yamunotri and take holy Achman to start your most sacred pilgrimage to the Chardhams. Return Phool Chatti, and drive back to the camp and relax with an ayurvedic massage at the lodge. (B,L,D) Day 4 Barkot - Harsil drive 152km (6-7hrs) After a relaxed breakfast leave for Harsil. Visit Vishwanath temple in Uttarkashi and have lunch at the chardham camp in Maneri, Uttarkashi. Visit and bathe in the beautiful Gangnani hot water springs set amidst the mountains nearby. Journey on and early evening reach the next chardham Camp in Harsil set amidst an apple orchard in Dharali village, 2km from Harsil cantonment in the valley.(B,L,D) Day 5 Harsil - Gangotri - Uttarkashi drive 22km one way After an early breakfast leave for Gangotri, 2 hour drive and on arrival take a holy dip in the sacred river Ganges, also called ‘Bhagirathi’ at its origin. Perform puja and be at one in the peaceful atmosphere. Return to camp in the afternoon for lunch and relax in the breathtaking views of the beautiful valley. Leave for Uttarkashi and arrive evening at the chardham camp in Maneri for overnight. (B,L,D) Day 6 Uttarkashi - Guptkashi drive 283km (9-10hrs) After a very early breakfast leave for longest journey of your yatra by road. Packed lunch en route in the picturesque river valley of Srinagar. After lunch we travel along a lovely stretch of the Mandakani River and reach Guptkashi late in the evening to the next chardham camp located 2km from town towards Gaurikund. (B,L,D) Day 7 Guptkashi - Kedarnath drive 32km, trek 14km After breakfast we drive on to Gaurikund 32km one way and on arrival start on quite a tough trek up the paved pilgrims pathway to Kedarnath Temple, abode of Shiva. Approximately 5-6 hours walking.Trekking horses are available (optional).Have packed lunch en route and arrive late afternoon to a mountain village guesthouse. After refreshing, perform puja and darshan at Shri Kedarnathji and in the evening visit ‘Adi Shankaracharya’s’ samadhi at the rear of the temple. (B,L,D) Day 8 Kedarnath - Guptkashi* trek 14km, drive 32km After Breakfast start your trek back down to Gaurikund. On arrival, take a sacred dip on the wonderful mineral waters to ease away your aches and pains. Leave for Guptkashi by road and reach the chardham camp in Guptkashi by evening. Relax with an Ayurvedic massage as you like. (B,L,D) Day 9 Guptkashi - Joshimath via Chopta drive 175km (6-7hrs) After breakfast journey on to Joshimath via Chopta for the most beautiful scenery of the whole journey driving through thick medicinal forest and stop for packed lunch at Pipalkoti. Arrive at the chardham camp in Joshimath by late afternoon and explore the town and temples of Joshimath and ashram of Adi Shankaracharya. (B,L,D) Day 10 Joshimath - Badrinath drive 45km one way (3-4hrs) After early breakfast drive to Badrinath through a huge river ravine and visit the famous Badrinath Temple for blessing and Darshan from Lord Badrinathji. Many Sadhu wander here to this most holy sacred place and at 12000 feet you are surrounded on all sides by glorious mountain peaks and there are some very hot healing springs here for another holy dip. A very scenic walk 3km along the river leads to Mana Village, on the Tibetan Border.Overnight in a luxury Hotel. (B,L,D) Day 11 Badrinath - Mana Village - Joshimath After breakfast at the hotel, visit to Mana Village, the last town before the Tibetan border and see the locals in their daily rituals and selling their woven wares. Optional trek to the famous Vasudhara Waterfall, a 5km walk along the river from the village (3hr return). Or alternatively, take a shorter walk up into the Neelkanth Valley above Badrinath town and see the many caves of sadhu and perhaps encounter a sadhu at home. Late afternoon, drive back from Badrinath to Joshimath. (B,L,D) Day 12 Joshimath - Haridwar drive 274 km (9-10hrs) After breakfast leave for long return journey to Haridwar. Lunch enroute in Srinagar. Visit Devprayag on the confluence of rivers Alakanda and Bhagirathi that become the Mighty River Ganges. Reach Haridwar in the evening. Overnight at the Heritage Hotel on the Ganga where you began. Shubh Yatra end of your pilgrimage! (B,L,D) Day 13 Haridwar Breakfast and check out by noon. Optional, relax and ease your body in the ayurvedic spa before your onward journey. Transfer to Railway Station.
About The Chardham Yatra Every year thousands of pilgrims make the journey to these four shrines located in the heart of the Dev bhoomi or Garhwal in the Himalayan State of Uttaranchal (Uttarkhand). The Garhwal Himalayas is a region of unparalled beauty laced with wondrous lakes, waterfalls, lush green valleys, mighty rivers, diverse flora and fauna and towering peaks rising at every turn. Simply a paradise on earth and the most glorious temple of mother nature. This journey is a sacred pilgrimage , the call of the eternal, and the world, according to Hindu scriptures, “is a vast ocean and a ‘yatra’ to holy places is the only way for ferry across it”. Two of the most sacred temples on the yatra are Kedarnath, known as the resting place of Shiva, and Badrinath, where Lord Badrinath resides. Lord Krishna says in the Bhagavad-Gita “Among the mountains, I AM the Himalayas” These peaks ARE God, they are living proof that God exists and for those lucky enough to walk upon this holy ground shall certainly feel the presence of the divine as a living experience of heaven upon earth, both within and without. These mountains are also the birth place of the Holy Ganga (Ganges) River and the seven big rivers that feed it. The Ganga is THE river of India, which has held India’s heart captive and drawn millions to her banks since the dawn of history. Legends and stories abound about this sacred and holy river, which is revered as an actual living female being ‘Mother Goddess Ganga’ We will be following the ancient trail which has been and is walked by many, many holy and wise men and women, the only difference is that we are going mainly by road with experienced guides to lead the way. The Chardham camps provide the much needed quality accommodation high in the Himalayas and not only cater to all comforts and in cuisine but offer guests a glimpse of the local culture and heritage including cultural evenings of folk dance near Yamunotri, bonfires in Gangotri Valley and evening Arti with a local priest in Joshimath.
Samadhi journeys can assist you with train and flight reservations upon your arrival to India & for any on-going transport or hotels within India.