Uttaranchal Chardham Yatra / Uttarakhand Char Dham Yatra

Day-1- Delhi - Haridwar ( 5-6- hrs.)

After arrival in Delhi drive to haridwar.

Haridwar is situated at the base of the Shivalik hills, where the Ganga, comes down from the mighty Himalayas meets the plains. Haridwar, literally is 'The gateway to the Gods'. "This place is very beautiful", at one sight one will say so and fall in love with the scenic beauty of the blend of height and plains.

A Gateway to the four pilgrimage of Uttarakhand, Haridwar is also known as Gangadwar, Tapovan and Mayapuri. In its long history back to pre-historic time, the Haridwar got it name from the rishis.

According to the mythology it is known as Kapilsthan. legend goes that the suryavnshi Prince Bhagirath performed penance here to salvage the souls of his ancestors who had perished due to the curse of the sage Kapila.

The penance was answered and the river Ganga trickled forth from Lord Shiva's locks and its bountiful waters revived the sixty thousand sons of King Sagara. Mythologically, drops of nectar churned out from the primordial ocean fell at the four sites of the Kumbh mela including Haridwar.

The Kumbh mela, happening once every 12 years and the Ardha Kumbha Mela (Coming once every six years) are big draws. One of the oldest living cities, Hairdwar has been in people's mind from the period of Buddha to the British advent and now even is the 21st century. Besides being a religious place, it has served as the center for learning arts, science and culture.

Visit Har-ki-Pauri overnight at Haridwar.

Day - 2- Haridwar - Barkot ( 9-10- Hrs)

After early breakfast drive to barkot 9-10. hrs Drive. Enroute visit :Lakhamandal : Lakhamandal Town According to the Mahabharata, the Kauravas had once conspired to burn the Pandavas alive here in a palace made up totally of shellac, known as lakshagriha (palace of shellac). The Pandavas, however, escaped unscathed with the help of Lord Krishna. There is a historic cave here and an eighth century temple with a number of carved stone figures and two big Shivlingas, (symbolic phallus of Shiva, the Destroyer of the Universe in Hindu Mythology) all of which are of considerable archaeological importance.

The area falls under Jaunsaar-Bhabur, a tribal land where people practise polygamy and polyandry, in keeping with the customs of the times of the Pandavas (the five Pandava brothers were married to a single woman, Draupadi). There is a saying in Sanskrit - atithi devay bhava (a guest is God).

Attractions : The temple priest welcomes each visitor in the area in a traditional manner, while the temple drummer spreads the news in the whole valley.

Overnight at Hotel in Barkot.

Day- 3 - Barkot - Yumnotri - Barkot ( 32-kms. Drive to Hanuman chatti , 10 - kms. by local jeep up to Jankki chatti , 5- kms. one way trek to yumnotri)

After early breakfast Drive to hanuman chatti , 10- kms. travel to jankki chatti by local jeep , 5-kms. teak to Yumnotri temple.Arrive Sri Yamunotri Ji and take a Holy Dip in Garm Kund Pooja and Darshan of Sri Yamuna Ji, after lunch 06 Kms. trek down to Janki Chatti, arrive Janki Chatti take the Local taxi for Hanuman Chatti, On arrival Meet our Driver and drive back to Barkot, Overnight stay at the Hotel in Barkot.

Day-4- Barkot - Harsil ( 7-8 hrs.)

After breakfast Drive to Harsil. overnight at hotel at harsil.

Day- 5- Harsil - Gangotri - Uttarkashi ( 65- kms Gangotri and 100-kms. to Uttarkashi )

After early breakfast drive to gangotri and on arrival take a holy dip in the sacred river Ganges, also called Bhagirathi at its origin. Perform Pooja after that and relax for some time in the lovely surroundings, afternoon drive to Uttarkashi, on arrival check into the Hotel.

Day- 6- Uttarkashi - Fata ( 10 - hrs. drive)

After breakfast Drive to Fata . overnight at Hotel in Fata.

Fata : Fata is a Place wear u get the helicopter for Kedarnath.

Day-7- Fata - Gaurikund - Kedarnath ( 4-hrs. Drive 14-kms treak to kedarnath one-way )

After early breakfast Drive to Gaurikund and drop u at gaurikund for 14-kms. treak to kedarnath temple. overnight at Ashram in Kedarnath.

Day - 8- Kedarnath - Gaurikund - Fata

After darshan and pooja back to gaurikund and the driver meets u at gaurikund to receive drive to fata overnight at hotel in fata.

Day-9- Fata - Chopta - Badrinath ( 8-9-hrs.)

After early breakfast drive to badrinath en-route visit

chopta : As the morning sun rises at a height of eleven thousand feet, the landscape emerges, changing colour with each passing moment. Grey first, it slowly transforms into orange from pale yellow. It’s time to wake up and so the bird king of the high Himalayas, Monaal, takes a swift flight from the rocky outcrop into the valley.
While doing so, it greets its friends below with a continuos shrill call. and friends it has plenty – Musk deer, muntjac, gorals. Cautiously, they tread over the virgin snow, leaving behind an endless trail of footprints.
Occasionally, they stop, lift their heads to catch a sign of the predator- Man or tiger. and once assured they are safe, they carry on.
On another side of the mountain, a few cottages stand half immersed in snow. Winter is about to bow out, and soon the golden warmth of the sun will melt the snow.
Drop by drop, the water will trickle down from the green tin roofs of the cottage housing the forest department, to form beautiful icicles. Hidden under three feet of snow are thousands of grasses, shrubs and cold-blooded organisms. They will return to life once nature runs a soothing hand over them. But for now, it’s the snow that shrouds the landscape.
Welcome to the land of Gods. Welcome to Chopta while it’s still under four feet of snow

Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary

Situated in the heart of the Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary, Chopta has inspired many a nature-lover over the years. Very often it is termed as the ‘Switzerland of the Himalayas’ and a ‘Photographer’s Paradise’.
Kanchula Kharg

Kanchula Kharg is the place where the Uttar Pradesh Forest Department breeds musk deer in captivity. Presently the nursery has six females and four males. All the females are pregnant and the department is expecting the fawns by end June or early July. The nursery has a total staff of five people to look after the deer. Every morning and evening, the musk deer are fed with lichen, which happens to be their favourite food. We were thrilled to find ten healthy musk deer right before our eyes, but we postponed clicking as the quality of light was not good.

Drive to Badrinath overnight at hotel or ashram in badrinath.

Day - 10 - Badrinath - Joshimath (4-5 hrs.)

After early breakfast visit :

Badrinath: The temple of Shri Badrinathji on the banks of the Alaknanda river, dates back to the vedic times. Situated at an altitude of 3,133 mts., the present temple is believed to have been built by Adi Guru Shankaracharya- an 8th century's philosopher-saint, who also established a 'math' here. Also known as 'Vishal Badri', Badrinath yatra is one of the Panch Badris. and chardham .

Tapt Kund : Natural thermal springs on the bank of the river Alaknanda, where it is customary to bathe before entering the Badrinath temple.

Narad Kund : A recess in the river, near Tapt Kund, forming a pool from where the Badrinath idol was recovered.

Brahama Kapal : A flat platform on the bank of river Alaknanda. Hindus perform proppitiating rites for their deceased ancestors.

Sheshnetra : 1.5kms. away is a boulder having an impression of the legendary serpent, better known as the Sheshnag's eye.

Charanpaduka : 3kms. away is a beautiful meadow where the footprint of Lord Vishnu is seen on a boulder.

Mata Murty Temple : Devoted to the mother of Sri Badrinathji. Other important temples include Sesh Netra Temple, Urvashi Temple and Charanpaduka.

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 water fall. This place is 5 kms. from Badrinath out of which 2 kms. is motorable upto Mana.

Bhim Pul : On the other side of Mana village, 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.

Vyas Gufa (cave) : Near Mana Village, this is a rock-cave where Ved Vyas is believed to have composed the Mahabharata and the pauranic commentaries.

Drive to Joshimath visit Auli by cable car overnight at hotel in joshimath.

Day-11- Joshimath - Rishikesh ( 10-11 hrs.)

After early breakfast drive to Rishikesh. overnight at hotel in Rishikesh.

Day-12- Rishikesh - Delhi ( 6-7 hrs.)

After early breakfast drive to Delhi.

Tour Ends.